Syracuse Football: A ‘rare’ moment we ‘should cherish,’ Dino Babers says

After handling top-15 N.C. State over the weekend on the Hill, Syracuse football is ranked No. 14 in both of the major top-25 polls.

The Orange, at 6-0, is off to its best start to a season dating back to 1987, a campaign during which the ‘Cuse would not lose a single game (but that bowl game – yuck).

Per SU Athletics, Syracuse football is 6-0 for just the third instance since 1935, which is a span of nearly 90 years. That’s incredible, if you ask me.

What’s more, the No. 14 Orange will go toe to toe this coming Saturday afternoon at No. 5 Clemson, in a tantalizing encounter that features the last two undefeated squads in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Two Orange-clad schools will collide when Clemson hosts Syracuse football.

A press statement from cuse.com says that the Tigers currently hold the longest winning streak (13) and home winning streak (38) around the country.

"“They have an amazing streak going on down there and we’re going to play them at their place which is a very, very difficult task,” head coach Dino Babers said earlier this week. “But our guys are in good spirits and we’re looking forward to the opportunity.”"

Additionally, SU Athletics noted that when the ‘Cuse invades Death Valley to play the Tigers on Saturday, it will mark the first occasion in Memorial Stadium’s 81-year history that two undefeated teams will compete versus one another while each boasts at least six victories.

Pretty cool stuff. Given all of these data points, statistics and milestones, Babers said he has told his players that this is a “rare” and special time for the Orange and its fan base.

"“You should cherish it, you should understand this moment and not let it just go past you. You might want to slow down and make sure you get it,” Babers said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen in the cards you know this Sunday, but right now it’s something that you should look at and you should be proud of.”"

I understand that some ‘Cuse fans were skeptical of just how “good” Syracuse football is or can be in 2022, prior to the N.C. State game. But last Saturday in Central New York, the Orange dispatched of the Wolfpack in a relatively dominating manner.

Do I think that the ‘Cuse is going to shock Clemson on the road? I’m honestly not sure. I could see it happening, although the Tigers are understandably a sizable betting favorite.

What I do feel confident saying is that this Syracuse football roster is talented, resilient and special. The Orange in 2022 can play with virtually anybody, in my humble opinion.

We’ll see if the ‘Cuse can stun the college football world on Saturday and make its case for a top-10 ranking. As I noted in another recent piece, enjoy this present ride, Syracuse football fans. It’s been glorious so far this fall.