In late August, the Fran Brown era as the Syracuse football head coach will commence, and it’s undeniable that Orange fans are pumped about the team’s prospects in the 2024 season.
I’m anxious to see what Brown and his terrific assistants will do on the field come next fall and winter. The ‘Cuse coaching staff has, without question, fared quite well on the recruiting trail with the squad’s 2024 class.
However, recruiting is one thing. Actual games are quite another. Not too long ago, the Orange’s full 2024 docket came out, and some national experts have opined that it’s a favorable slate for the ‘Cuse, and that Syracuse football has an opportunity to contend for the Atlantic Coast Conference’s top tier in the upcoming campaign.
The Orange’s 2024 schedule is intriguing. Seven home games. A couple of first-time opponents. Trips out west. The ‘Cuse will start the season with four straight encounters at the JMA Wireless Dome, but then it will play five of its next six affairs on the road.
Here are some interesting tidbits on the Syracuse football 2024 foes, per SU Athletics.
Saturday, Aug. 31 – Ohio at home
The Orange and Ohio have met three times in the past, with the ‘Cuse undefeated versus the Bobcats. They last squared off in 2021, with the two prior meetings occurring back in 1916 and 1921, more than 100 years ago.
Saturday, Sept. 7 – Georgia Tech at home
Syracuse football kicks off ACC play early in the 2024 season, suiting up versus a Yellow Jackets squad that is 3-1 overall against the Orange. However, the lone ‘Cuse victory over Georgia Tech in their series did come on the Hill, 37-20 in 2020.
Friday, Sept. 20 – Stanford at home
Stanford is one of three new ACC members in 2024, along with California and SMU. This match-up with the Cardinal will represent the first-ever meeting between Stanford and Syracuse football.
Saturday, Sept. 28 – Holy Cross at home
This non-conference encounter will be the 30th game between Holy Cross and the Orange, but only the second affair over the past 50 years. These squads last met in 2019, as the ‘Cuse prevailed, 41-3.
Saturday, Oct. 5 – at UNLV
The Orange’s first 2024 road game should be a fun one in the Sin city. The ‘Cuse and UNLV have never played each other before.
Saturday, Oct. 12 – at N.C. State
To me, this is the Orange’s toughest road test in 2024 and arguably the team’s most challenging overall game next season. Syracuse football and the Wolfpack didn’t play in 2023.
Thursday, Oct. 24 – at Pittsburgh
Last year, the ‘Cuse knocked off the Panthers at Yankee Stadium in New York City. In 2024, the Orange heads to Pitt in what will be the 80th duel between these two long-time rivals. Pittsburgh amounts to the most frequently played opponent for Syracuse football in the program’s history.
Saturday, Nov. 2 – Virginia Tech at home
After a long stretch away from Central New York, the ‘Cuse will host the Hokies in Virginia Tech’s first trip to the Dome dating back to 2016, according to SU Athletics.
Saturday, Nov. 9 – at Boston College
Another long-time rival for the Orange is Boston College, with the ‘Cuse owning a 34-23 mark versus the Eagles. Interestingly enough, Syracuse football has claimed three consecutive triumphs at Boston College, in 2016, 2018 and 2022.
Saturday, Nov. 16 – at California
The Orange travels out west to face new ACC member Cal, and it will be the first time that the ‘Cuse has played at the Golden Bears since 1968. Syracuse football is 1-1 versus California in their short series together.
Saturday, Nov. 23 – UConn at home
The Orange wraps up its 2024 regular season with two home games in a row, first concluding its non-conference schedule by hosting the Huskies. The ‘Cuse has claimed wins in its last four games against UConn.
Saturday, Nov. 30 – Miami at home
The Hurricanes head to the Hill for the Orange’s 2024 regular-season finale. Per SU Athletics, this will be Miami’s first visit to the Dome since 2002, and it will prove just the second encounter between the teams while both ACC members, with the other contest taking place in 2017.