The preseason Coaches' top-25 poll was released on Tuesday, as Syracuse football also gets going with its training camp ahead of the 2026 campaign.
Understandably, the Orange didn't receive any votes in this poll. The 'Cuse is looking to rebound from a 3-9 overall record in the 2025 season, and the Atlantic Coast Conference's preseason media poll, unveiled in late July, projects SU to finish at No. 14 out of 17 league members in football.
Unsurprisingly, the powerhouse Big Ten Conference and Southeastern Conference boast the vast majority of teams included in the preseason Coaches' top 25. The ACC has three inclusions, led by Miami at No. 7.
BREAKING: The preseason Coaches' top-25 poll is out. No votes for Syracuse football. ACC teams: No. 7 Miami, No. 20 SMU and No. 23 Clemson. Notre Dame, which is an independent in football, is No. 5. Thread 1/2: 🔽
— InsideTheLoudHouse (@LoudHouseFS) August 4, 2026
The Hurricanes, in the 2025 campaign, advanced to the College Football Playoff national championship game, where they fell to Indiana out of the Big Ten. Miami is expected to significantly contend for a CFP berth again this season, and the good news for SU is that the Orange doesn't face the Hurricanes in 2026.
The bad news for the 'Cuse - well, it's not necessarily bad news, but more of an opportunity to pick up some high-quality triumphs - is that two-thirds of the team's 2026 opponents are either ranked or receiving votes in the preseason Coaches' top 25.
Three foes are ranked. Another five are receiving votes. And then four games are against teams that weren't included in this preseason poll, one way or another.
Here's the breakdown of Syracuse football's 2026 foes and where they reside in the preseason Coaches' top-25 poll.
Saturday, Sept. 5: Home against New Hampshire (2025 record: 8-5), not receiving votes
Saturday, Sept. 12: Home against California (2025 record: 7-6), receiving votes
Thursday, Sept. 17: At Pittsburgh (2025 record: 8-5), receiving votes
Saturday, Oct. 3: At UConn (2025 record: 9-4), not receiving votes
Saturday, Oct. 10: At Virginia (2025 record: 11-3), receiving votes
Saturday, Oct. 17: Home against Louisville (2025 record: 9-4), receiving votes
Saturday, Oct. 24: At North Carolina (2025 record: 4-8), not receiving votes
Saturday, Oct. 31: Home against SMU (2025 record: 9-4), No. 20 overall
Saturday, Nov. 7: Home against Clemson (2025 record: 7-6), No. 23 overall
Saturday, Nov. 14: At N.C. State (2025 record: 8-5), receiving votes
Saturday, Nov. 21: At Boston College (2025 record: 2-10), not receiving votes
Saturday, Nov. 28: Home against Notre Dame (2025 record: 10-2), No. 5 overall
So, my 'Cuse family: How many wins do you think the Orange will attain in the upcoming season?
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