Syracuse football head coach Fran Brown said two weeks ago at the annual ACC Kickoff event in Charlotte, N.C., that he's well aware of what national and league observers are prognosticating about SU's prospects in the upcoming season.
Cue up more bulletin board material for Brown and his program. On Tuesday afternoon, the ACC disclosed its preseason media poll, and unsurprisingly, the Orange is projected to finish at No. 14 in a 17-member conference for football, where Notre Dame is an independent.
One step closer to kickoff 👀
— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) July 28, 2026
The 2026 ACC Preseason Poll has been announced.
🔗 https://t.co/OqFSBq0LKy pic.twitter.com/6sDkBUQILP
Here are the full predictions for the ACC's projected order of finish in 2026:
1. Miami
2. SMU
3. Louisville
4. Clemson
5. Georgia Tech
6. Virginia
7. N.C. State
8. Virginia Tech
9. Pittsburgh
10. Duke
11. Florida State
12. California
13. Wake Forest
14. Syracuse
15. North Carolina
16. Boston College
17. Stanford
In one of the more ridiculous things I've seen in a while, Stanford received a first-place vote while also being predicted to finish last in the ACC standings. Makes complete sense.
Experts don't view Syracuse football as a contender for the ACC title in the 2026 season.
The Hurricanes were the overwhelming pick to capture the ACC crown in 2026. Miami reached the College Football Playoff national championship game a season ago, where it fell to Indiana. Many observers view the Hurricanes as the most likely ACC team to reach the 12-team CFP this coming season.
Given that the 'Cuse went 3-9 a year ago, that league forecasters aren't high on Syracuse football in 2026 is understandable. That being said, if starting quarterback Steve Angeli is healthy, and the defense is vastly improved, the Orange is more likely to contend for the No. 6 to the No. 10 spot in the ACC, from my perspective, rather than No. 14.
SU's nine conference foes for 2026, and where they reside in the conference's preseason media poll:
Saturday, Sept. 12: Home against California (No. 12)
Thursday, Sept. 17: At Pittsburgh (No. 9)
Saturday, Oct. 10: At Virginia (No. 6)
Saturday, Oct. 17: Home against Louisville (No. 3)
Saturday, Oct. 24: At North Carolina (No. 15)
Saturday, Oct. 31: Home against SMU (No. 2)
Saturday, Nov. 7: Home against Clemson (No. 4)
Saturday, Nov. 14: At N.C. State (No. 7)
Saturday, Nov. 21: At Boston College (No. 16)
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