Granted, Syracuse football just wrapped up its 2024 season in late December, but it's never too early to think about the next campaign, right?
The Orange capped off a terrific stanza under first-year head coach Fran Brown when it defeated Washington State in the Holiday Bowl, propelling the 'Cuse to a 10-3 overall mark in 2024 and a likely top-20 national finish in the final College Football Playoff top 25.
Syracuse football, in 2025, will face a daunting schedule, at least on paper. That docket will include a date with CFP participant Tennessee in Atlanta, a road clash with fellow CFP squad Notre Dame, and Atlantic Coast Conference collisions with, among others, Bill Belichick's North Carolina, CFP team Clemson, Miami, CFP unit SMU and Georgia Tech.
Yikes.
Still, in his way-too-early look at the 2025 season, a top analyst appears to be high on the Orange, with a caveat.
Syracuse football is getting some hype from an expert.
This week, in an interesting piece, analyst Brad Crawford of 247Sports looked at various squads "that could be unstoppable next season."
Regarding teams in this article, and the Orange is included, Crawford notes: "Projecting eight months out is an impossibility of sorts, but these squads won't be flying under the radar heading into fall 2025."
The 247Sports analyst has a super early projected 2025 regular-season record of 10-2 for Syracuse football, but let's provide context here from Brad.
Understandably, he says that the 'Cuse forecast "hinges on the possible return of record-setting quarterback Kyle McCord, who's waiting on his NCAA appeal for an extra year of eligibility. Fran Brown's team could get their conductor back for 2025. And if so, keep an eye on the Orange in the ACC. Syracuse ended this season on a four-game win streak to finish 10-3 overall and open with Tennessee in Atlanta. The Orange plays road games at Notre Dame, Miami, SMU and Clemson — so they're going to be in a variety of high-importance matchups nationally."
Naturally, Syracuse football fans are eager to see what the future holds for McCord, who had a record-setting senior season in an Orange uniform. Without question, if McCord isn't back at the 'Cuse in 2025, that changes things relative to Syracuse football's prospects for next season.
As I discussed in a recent story, the Orange's quarterback room for 2025 is intriguing, particularly given the recent decision by LSU redshirt freshman quarterback Rickie Collins, a three-star transfer prospect, to commit to Syracuse football.
That being said, none of the 'Cuse quarterbacks for the upcoming term will be able to replicate McCord's 2024 performance. This isn't a dig into these other signal-callers. It's a testament to what McCord did as a senior on the Hill.
I like the optimism from Crawford on Syracuse football in 2025, even if it's way, way early.