Syracuse football wasn't forecast to finish high up in the Atlantic Coast Conference standings during the recently completed 2024 campaign, but that's why the games are played, and preseason prognostications have to get taken with the proverbial grain of salt.
The Orange, under first-year head coach Fran Brown, his top-flight staff and their talented - yet significantly revamped - 2024 roster, was projected at No. 12 in the ACC's preseason media poll.
To be fair, the 'Cuse, ahead of the 2024 term, possessed a first-time head coach, a lot of new assistants, and a bunch of different players from the previous stanza. Additionally, while Syracuse football had made two straight bowl games entering 2024, the Orange also went a combined 13-13 in 2022 and 2023 under former head coach Dino Babers.
National and ACC experts viewed the 'Cuse as somewhat of a mystery before the 2024 season commenced, with pundits noting the team's favorable schedule (at least on paper) and numerous key weapons, both among returnees and college transfers, and via high school recruiting.
However, the consensus, at least in that ACC preseason poll, was that the Orange wouldn't likely amount to a top-tier squad in the conference, even as the buzz among the 'Cuse fan base was palpable about the program's future prospects.
While Syracuse football's journey in the 2024 term did have a few bumps along the way, by and large, it was a glorious performance for the Orange and a wonderful experience for Syracuse football fans. This all culminated last Friday night in San Diego, as the 'Cuse triumphed over a feisty Washington State group, 52-35, in the Holiday Bowl to attain 10 wins in a tremendous achievement for Brown and his team.
Syracuse football ignored the naysayers and put forth a magical 2024 season.
The Orange wrapped up 2024 at 10-3 overall and 5-3 in ACC play. In addition to bowling for the third consecutive year, the 'Cuse reached 10 victories for the first time since 2018 and just the third occasion dating back to 2000.
Currently, Syracuse football is No. 21 in the College Football Playoff top-25 rankings. Once the CFP is over, the Orange should reside inside the top 20 and maybe could sneak into the top 15.
What's more, the 'Cuse during the 2024 regular season finished in a tie for fourth place in the ACC standings. So much for that nonsense preseason prediction of No. 12 for the 'Cuse.
Now, Syracuse football had some bummer outcomes. Losing to Stanford at home by two points and to Boston College on the road by six points was brutal. Getting blown out at Pittsburgh was tough to stomach, especially considering that the Panthers were absolutely dreadful in the second half of the 2024 campaign.
Then again, for context, seven of the Orange's 10 successes were decided by eight points or fewer. The only victories for the 'Cuse in 2024 that were by decisive margins, to me, were versus Ohio, Holy Cross and Washington State.
So while we can play that hypothetical game of "what could have been" if Syracuse football had beaten, say, Stanford, things sort of evened out in my humble opinion. A 10-3 record for the 'Cuse, given its recent history, is fabulous. Plus, the Orange owns three top-25 wins and one top-10 victory.
Looking ahead to 2025, the schedule for the 'Cuse in the next campaign looks daunting. And we don't know the entirety of the Orange's 2025 roster at this juncture.
Either way, I'm thoroughly enjoying the beautiful 2024 season displayed by our beloved Syracuse football program. The fact that Brown and his team silenced any and all critics has proven icing on the cake to me.