The wait is finally over, Syracuse football fans.
The Orange, under first-year head coach Fran Brown, will commence its much-anticipated 2024 season this Saturday afternoon, when the 'Cuse welcomes Mid-American Conference ("MAC") member Ohio to the Hill in a non-conference battle.
The Orange's 2024 roster is filled with key returnees on both sides of the field, along with talented college transfers and incoming freshmen from the high school level. Syracuse football, which has gone a combined 13-13 over the past two terms, seeks its third straight post-season bowl game.
Beyond that, though, what Brown and his top-flight staff are hoping to do is reverse course from the past two campaigns, when the 'Cuse raced out to strong starts but then stumbled down the stretch.
On paper, the Syracuse football 2024 docket, both in the non-conference and the Atlantic Coast Conference calendars, appears manageable. That being said, many ACC and national pundits weren't super high on the Orange ahead of 2024 getting underway.
Naturally, that's why the games are played on the field, and the 'Cuse fanbase undeniably is excited about the beginning of the Fran Brown era in Central New York.
Ohio at Syracuse football odds, spread and total
When I wrote this article, FanDuel had the Orange as a 17.5-point betting favorite at home against the Bobcats, with the over/under set at 47.5 points.
Ohio at Syracuse football how to watch
Date: Saturday, Aug. 31
Game Time: 3:30 pm EST
Venue: JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, N.Y.
TV/Streaming: ACC Network and fuboTV
Ohio's record: 0-0
Syracuse's record: 0-0
Syracuse’s full 2024 schedule: Click here
Ohio at Syracuse football prediction and pick
In the 2023 season, the 'Cuse went 6-7 overall. The Bobcats, a team located in Athens, Ohio, had a strong 2023 campaign, sporting a 10-3 overall mark and a 6-2 record in MAC competition.
Per cuse.com, Syracuse football is 3-0 in its all-time series with Ohio. The last encounter transpired in September of 2021, when the Orange defeated the Bobcats on the road, 29-9.
As far as prognostications ahead of 2024, the ACC's preseason media poll forecast the 'Cuse to finish at No. 12 in the Atlantic Coast Conference pecking order. In the MAC's preseason coaches poll, Ohio arrived at No. 5.
I can't wait to see what this Orange roster can achieve in the 2024 season. I'll be curious as to how well the 'Cuse fares in the early part of this term, given a relatively new coaching staff and a lot of new faces on the roster.
You never want to take an opponent for granted, but I don't believe Syracuse football will have too much trouble with Ohio, even though the Bobcats captured 10 victories a season ago.
I'll go with the Orange to handle Ohio on the Hill by a final count of 31-7.