Syracuse Football: Projecting the Orange’s record during the 2023 season

It’s almost time for the Syracuse football 2023 season to get underway! I can’t wait, and I’ve seen a lot of my fellow Orange fans express excitement over the team’s prospects for the upcoming campaign.

The ‘Cuse will kick off its 2023 term when the Orange hosts fellow Central New York squad Colgate in early September. The Atlantic Coast Conference’s preseason media poll, released at the beginning of August, has Syracuse football projected to finish at No. 10 in the league.

Several other national pundits, in recent days, have also forecast the Orange to hover around the No. 10 spot in the ACC. I’m biased, but I think the ‘Cuse will fare better than these prognostications.

Our boys will take on several opponents that are ranked in the preseason top-25 polls, and the Orange does have a brutal stretch of games from late September until mid-October. As you’ll see below, I believe that the ‘Cuse will get to another bowl game in 2023.

Here is my projected 2023 record for Syracuse football.

2023 Schedule

Saturday, Sept. 2
vs. Colgate (Patriot League)

Record last year: 3-8
Preseason top-25 rankings: NA
Projected conference finish: No. 3
My prediction: The Orange will easily dispatch of Colgate in the season opener.

Saturday, Sept. 9
vs. Western Michigan (Mid-American Conference)

Record last year: 5-7
Preseason top-25 rankings: NA
Projected conference finish: No. 6 in West Division
My prediction: Another relatively “easy” win for the ‘Cuse.

Saturday, Sept. 16
at Purdue (Big Ten Conference)

Record last year: 8-6
Preseason top-25 rankings: NA
Projected conference finish: No. 6 in West Division
My prediction: This one is a toss-up to me. The Orange snuck by Purdue at home last year. It’s always tough to knock off a Big Ten foe on the road, however, the Boilermakers aren’t expected to be among the Big Ten’s elite in 2023. I’ll go with the ‘Cuse to defeat Purdue away from the Hill.

Saturday, Sept. 23
vs. Army (Independent)

Record last year: 6-6
Preseason top-25 rankings: NA
Projected conference finish: NA
My prediction: Army shouldn’t be overlooked here, but I’ve got Syracuse football besting the Black Knights to move to 4-0 in the non-conference portion of the 2023 stanza.

Saturday, Sept. 30
vs. Clemson (ACC)

Record last year: 11-3
Preseason top-25 rankings: No. 9 in both AP and Coaches top-25 polls
Projected conference finish: No. 1
My prediction: Man, those Tigers. In 2022, the Orange was 6-0, ranked in the top 15 and had Clemson on the ropes in Death Valley. But the ‘Cuse couldn’t seal the deal. Syracuse football often plays the Tigers tough, and call me crazy (and some folks will), but I like the Orange to upset Clemson inside a rocking JMA Wireless Dome.

Saturday, Oct. 7
at North Carolina (ACC)

Record last year: 9-5
Preseason top-25 rankings: No. 20 in Coaches top-25 poll, No. 21 in AP poll
Projected conference finish: No. 3
My prediction: UNC has a stellar quarterback and is projected to be in the top three of the ACC. Since this game is in Chapel Hill, N.C., I’m forecasting the Tar Heels to win versus the ‘Cuse.

Saturday, Oct. 14
at Florida State (ACC)

Record last year: 10-3
Preseason top-25 rankings: No. 8 in both AP and Coaches top-25 polls
Projected conference finish: No. 2
My prediction: National and ACC pundits are high on the Seminoles, although some think that FSU is overrated in preseason prognostications ahead of the 2023 season. I think that Syracuse football will play a close encounter against the Seminoles, but I’ve got Florida State prevailing.

Thursday, Oct. 26
at Virginia Tech (ACC)

Record last year: 3-8
Preseason top-25 rankings: NA
Projected conference finish: No. 11
My prediction: The Hokies aren’t projected to be terrific this coming season, however, winning in Blacksburg, Va., won’t be a cakewalk. That being said, I like the ‘Cuse to take care of Virginia Tech on the road.

Friday, Nov. 3
vs. Boston College (ACC)

Record last year: 3-9
Preseason top-25 rankings: NA
Projected conference finish: No. 13
My prediction: Syracuse football gets the job done against the Eagles at home.

Saturday, Nov. 11
vs. Pittsburgh (ACC) in New York City

Record last year: 9-4
Preseason top-25 rankings: Others receiving votes in both AP and Coaches top-25 polls
Projected conference finish: tied for No. 6
My prediction: This should be a fun one, as long-time “rivals” Pitt and Syracuse football go toe to toe in the Big Apple. To me, it’s a toss-up. The Panthers are forecast above the Orange in the ACC pecking order, so I’ll go with Pittsburgh to emerge victorious.

Saturday, Nov. 18
at Georgia Tech (ACC)

Record last year: 5-7
Preseason top-25 rankings: NA
Projected conference finish: No. 12
My prediction: Yes, the ‘Cuse is on the road here. But the Yellow Jackets, at least on paper, don’t appear all too great in 2023. The Orange wins down in Atlanta.

Saturday, Nov. 25
vs. Wake Forest (ACC)

Record last year: 8-5
Preseason top-25 rankings: Others receiving votes in Coaches top-25 poll
Projected conference finish: No. 9
My prediction: The ‘Cuse closes out its 2023 regular season on the Hill against the Demon Deacons, with Syracuse football eyeing a 9th victory. Wake Forest is only predicted to finish one spot higher than the Orange in the ACC standings, so this game should be a close one. My heart says pick the ‘Cuse, but my head says go with the Demon Deacons. Wake Forest grabs the road conquest.

Projected non-conference record: 4-0
Projected ACC record: 4-4
Projected overall record: 8-4
Projected post-season: It’s super early, but several national pundits are forecasting that Syracuse football will play in this season’s Military Bowl on December 27 in Annapolis, Md. I do think the Orange will make a bowl game for the second year in a row, although forecasting which bowl is a total guess at this point. Since I live not far from Annapolis, I’ll project the ‘Cuse to play in this contest, and hopefully I can attend in person!

Okay, what did I get right here, and what did I get wrong? What is your projected 2023 record for Syracuse football?