Syracuse football went 3-9 overall in the 2025 campaign, and a national writer predicts the Orange will have that same record again in the upcoming 2026 season.
Of course, that's why the games are played on the field, but still, CBS Sports national writer Brad Crawford forecasting the 'Cuse to sport a 3-9 mark - again - in 2026 isn't what I was hoping to see when he published an article projecting the records of every Atlantic Coast Conference member this coming season.
Let's be clear: These sorts of preseason prognostication are sometimes spot on, but many times, they're not. In head coach Fran Brown's first season at the Orange's helm, in 2024, the program vastly outperformed the preseason "expectations."
This past 2025-26 term for Syracuse women's basketball, head coach Felisha Legette-Jack and her roster were predicted to finish at No. 13 in the ACC standings, and the Orange ultimately tied for No. 5 while going 24-9 overall and reaching the NCAA Tournament's second round.
The point here is that a national writer projecting Syracuse football to go 1-8 in ACC play and 3-9 overall isn't ideal, but let's see how things shake out on the field in the coming months. Crawford, by the way, has the Orange's three wins against New Hampshire, UConn and Boston College.
Syracuse football has a challenging 2026 schedule.
Here is SU's docket:
Saturday, Sept. 5: Home against New Hampshire (2025 record: 8-5)
Saturday, Sept. 12: Home against California (2025 record: 7-6)
Thursday, Sept. 17: At Pittsburgh (2025 record: 8-5)
Saturday, Oct. 3: At UConn (2025 record: 9-4)
Saturday, Oct. 10: At Virginia (2025 record: 11-3)
Saturday, Oct. 17: Home against Louisville (2025 record: 9-4)
Saturday, Oct. 24: At North Carolina (2025 record: 4-8)
Saturday, Oct. 31: Home against SMU (2025 record: 9-4)
Saturday, Nov. 7: Home against Clemson (2025 record: 7-6)
Saturday, Nov. 14: At N.C. State (2025 record: 8-5)
Saturday, Nov. 21: At Boston College (2025 record: 2-10)
Saturday, Nov. 28: Home against Notre Dame (2025 record: 10-2)
The combined 2025 record of the Orange's 12 foes for the upcoming campaign was 92-62; 10 of these teams had a winning record. Given the schedule, and how SU fared in 2025, it's understandable that some national and ACC observers are skeptical that Syracuse football can get back into the bowl conversation in 2026.
Without question, the 'Cuse has a lot it needs to vastly improve upon in 2026 to avoid another losing season, and it's not just about the quarterback room, which should be better.
That being said, there are more than three victories out there on Syracuse football's 2026 schedule. Beyond the New Hampshire, UConn and Boston College games, other winnable contests for the Orange could include home against Cal, at Pitt, at UVA, at UNC, home against Clemson and at N.C. State.
The 'Cuse doesn't have to face Miami, which last season reached the College Football Playoff national title game and is expected to be a massive favorite to win the ACC crown in 2026. The Orange's JMA Wireless Dome encounters against Louisville, SMU and Notre Dame will be extremely challenging. No doubt about it.
However, assuming Syracuse football is healthy and efficient at quarterback, gets its defense back on track and is solid in other facets, there's no reason to think that the Orange can't realistically attain five to perhaps eight total triumphs in 2026.
Add us as a preferred source on Google