Syracuse football is nearing the start of its 2022 season when the Orange will host Louisville in early September to kick off the upcoming campaign.
Given the team’s 5-7 mark last year and its 1-10 record in 2020, plus question marks in the passing game and elsewhere, it’s understandable that some national and Atlantic Coast Conference pundits are forecasting that the ‘Cuse will finish near or in the basement within its league division in 2022.
However, there are glimmers of optimism out there among some experts who believe that the Orange’s new assistant coaches on offense will help balance out production between the air and on the ground.
As a Syracuse University alumnus and a passionate ‘Cuse sports fan, I know that I probably own some Orange-colored glasses when I discuss SU athletics.
At the same time, I truly do believe that Syracuse football could do something special in 2022, despite the ‘Cuse being projected to face a potentially daunting docket.
Let’s forecast the overall record for Syracuse football this fall.
I recently did a projection of how I think the Orange will fare in its eight ACC contests, predicting a mark there of 4-4. I’ll include those projections below, while making my picks for the team’s four non-conference battles.
September 3 vs. Louisville (6-7 last year)
2022 ACC Projection: No. 4 in Atlantic Division
Syracuse Football Prediction: Win
September 10 at UConn (1-11 last year)
In week two, the Orange heads on the road to play Connecticut. The Huskies, to put it bluntly, were awful in 2021. Maybe they’ll be better in the upcoming stanza.
While you never want to discount the additional challenge of playing on the road, I’m cautiously confident that the ‘Cuse will take care of UConn away from the Hill.
Syracuse Football Prediction: Win
September 17 vs. Purdue (9-4 last year)
This is one of the toughest games on the Syracuse football 2022 calendar to pick. On the one hand, if the Orange is 2-0 entering this affair, as I’m forecasting, then the ‘Cuse will have a lot of confidence and momentum as it prepares to entertain the Boilermakers in Central New York.
On the other hand, Purdue collected nine triumphs a season ago, and the Boilermakers suit up in the rugged Big Ten Conference. I could go either way on this one, but again, something about the Orange is exciting me, so I’ll go with the ‘Cuse here.
Syracuse Football Prediction: Win
September 23 vs. Virginia (6-6 last year)
2022 ACC Projection: No. 4 in Coastal Division
Syracuse Football Prediction: Win
October 1 vs. Wagner (0-11 last year)
Wagner comes to the Hill in early October, and the Seahawks have nowhere to go but up after going winless in 2021.
Because of the Orange’s track record in recent years, I’ll never get too complacent in predicting an easy conquest for the ‘Cuse. But to me, Syracuse football should best Wagner with relative ease.
Syracuse Football Prediction: Win
October 15 vs. N.C. State (9-3 last year)
2022 ACC Projection: No. 2 in Atlantic Division
Syracuse Football Prediction: Loss
October 22 at Clemson (10-3 last year)
2022 ACC Projection: No. 1 in Atlantic Division
Syracuse Football Prediction: Loss
October 29 vs. Notre Dame (11-2 last year)
Okay, so this is the fourth and final non-conference match-up for the Orange in 2022, as the Fighting Irish is an independent in football.
Notre Dame is placed at No. 5 nationally in the pre-season Associated Press and Coaches top-25 polls. I’ve read a handful of national reports lately that speak to maybe the Fighting Irish being a little overrated, at least based on its pre-season ratings.
However, let’s get real here. The Fighting Irish, on paper anyway, presents a big-time challenge for Syracuse football. Even though this non-conference encounter will transpire at the JMA Wireless Dome, I don’t envision the Orange prevailing.
Hopefully, though, the ‘Cuse can give Notre Dame a close game in front of a boisterous Dome crowd.
Syracuse Football Prediction: Loss
November 5 at Pittsburgh (11-3 last year)
2022 ACC Projection: No. 2 in Coastal Division
Syracuse Football Prediction: Loss
November 12 vs. Florida State (5-7 last year)
2022 ACC Projection: No. 5 in Atlantic Division
Syracuse Football Prediction: Win
November 19 at Wake Forest (11-3 last year)
2022 ACC Projection: No. 3 in Atlantic Division
Syracuse Football Prediction: Loss
November 26 at Boston College (6-6 last year)
2022 ACC Projection: No. 6 in Atlantic Division
Syracuse Football Prediction: Win
Projected ACC Record for Syracuse Football in 2022: 4-4
Projected Non-Conference Record for Syracuse Football in 2022: 3-1
Projected Overall Record for Syracuse Football in 2022: 7-5
I’ve got the Orange emerging victorious five-straight times to start this fall, which I know will cause some of my fellow ‘Cuse fans to laugh.
All good. Naturally, with the schedule loaded toward the back-end, Syracuse football will likely rack up setbacks in the second half of 2022.
Candidly, I could envision the Orange just as easily going 6-6 or 5-7, rather than my projected 7-5. But I’ll stick with this prediction, and I believe the ‘Cuse will go bowling at the conclusion of the Syracuse football 2022 schedule.