Syracuse football makes largest jump nationwide in new power rankings

Naturally, we don’t want to get too ahead of ourselves as Syracuse football fans, because even though the Orange was mighty impressive in its 2022 season opener, it’s still only week two.

I say this, because in new national power rankings from CBS Sports, the ‘Cuse made the biggest leap across the country following the team’s domination of Louisville this past Saturday night on the Hill.

So while it’s encouraging that some national pundits, in this case Chip Patterson of CBS Sports, are pleased (no pun intended) with the Orange’s week-one triumph, the 2022 stanza is just getting off the ground.

Plus, as we noted in another column earlier this week, the ‘Cuse roster has already taken a hit with the loss of redshirt senior fullback Chris Elmore and sophomore linebacker Stefon Thompson for the rest of the 2022 term due to injuries.

CBS Sports moved up Syracuse football a ton in its new national power ratings.

Last Saturday, before an energized home crowd inside the newly renamed JMA Wireless Dome, the Orange thoroughly out-played fellow Atlantic Coast Conference squad Louisville, with the ‘Cuse prevailing, 31-7.

Given that the Cardinals absolutely smoked Syracuse football a season ago, last weekend’s result was quite the turnaround for the Orange.

As such, Patterson, in his new power rankings, moved up Syracuse football to No. 54 overall, a climb of 35 spots. Unless I missed something, I believe this proved the largest increase for any college team in Patterson’s ratings.

"Here’s what the CBS Sports writer had to say about the ‘Cuse. “In the preseason, it was predicted that Syracuse would be near the bottom of the ACC in 2022, but Saturday’s 31-7 win against Louisville suggests this is not going to be one of the bottom-feeders in the Power Five.”"

For what it’s worth, Louisville dropped a massive 44 spots, to No. 85 nationally. To be fair, though, we’re only coming into week two. Lots of games left on the 2022 calendar.

For Syracuse football, up next is a road date at UConn this coming Saturday evening. The Orange is presently a huge betting favorite over the Huskies, but I sincerely hope that the ‘Cuse doesn’t take Connecticut lightly.

Let’s produce another triumph, Syracuse football, and maybe the Orange can start to move toward a possible top-25 ranking in the Associate Press and Coaches polls.

I know, I know. One game at a time, Neil.