The Fran Brown era of Syracuse football begins in one week.
Brown, an ace recruiter who most recently served as the defensive backs coach at Southeastern Conference powerhouse Georgia, is now in his first year as the head coach of the Orange, after officially replacing former head coach Dino Babers in early December of 2023.
There is undeniable excitement brewing on the Hill and among the 'Cuse fan base, given the hiring of Brown and other top-flight assistants, along with a 2024 roster that is filled with talent across all position groups.
In the ACC's preseason media poll released late last month, Syracuse football was forecast to finish at No. 12 in the league's pecking order. The conference, for the 2024 season, has expanded to 17 members in football with the additions of California, SMU and Stanford.
In the Coaches' preseason top-25 poll, the Orange received one vote. Many experts project that the 'Cuse will reach a post-season bowl game for the third straight term, although how high up Syracuse football can place in the ACC race is anybody's guess at this juncture.
On paper, the Orange's 2024 docket looks manageable. The 'Cuse doesn't face the top-two squads in the ACC's preseason media poll, No. 1 Florida State and No. 2 Clemson.
What's more, the Syracuse football four-game non-conference calendar isn't brutal by any means, although the team's trip to UNLV in early October is likely to prove challenging.
Here's my prediction for the Syracuse football regular-season record in 2024.
Saturday, Aug. 31: Ohio at home
Conference affiliation: Mid-American Conference
Record in 2023 season: 10-3
Preseason AP top-25 ranking: NA
Preseason ACC forecast: NA
Predicted result: Win
Saturday, Sept. 7: Georgia Tech at home
Conference affiliation: ACC
Record in 2023 season: 7-6
Preseason AP top-25 ranking: NA
Preseason ACC forecast: No. 9
Predicted result: Win
Friday, Sept. 20: Stanford at home
Conference affiliation: ACC
Record in 2023 season: 3-9
Preseason AP top-25 ranking: NA
Preseason ACC forecast: No. 17
Predicted result: Win
Saturday, Sept. 28: Holy Cross at home
Conference affiliation: Patriot League
Record in 2023 season: 7-4
Preseason AP top-25 ranking: NA
Preseason ACC forecast: NA
Predicted result: Win
Friday, Oct. 4: at UNLV
Conference affiliation: Mountain West Conference
Record in 2023 season: 9-5
Preseason AP top-25 ranking: NA
Preseason ACC forecast: NA
Predicted result: Loss
Saturday, Oct. 12: at N.C. State
Conference affiliation: ACC
Record in 2023 season: 9-4
Preseason AP top-25 ranking: No. 24
Preseason ACC forecast: No. 4
Predicted result: Loss
Thursday, Oct. 24: at Pittsburgh
Conference affiliation: ACC
Record in 2023 season: 3-9
Preseason AP top-25 ranking: NA
Preseason ACC forecast: No. 13
Predicted result: Win
Saturday, Nov. 2: Virginia Tech at home
Conference affiliation: ACC
Record in 2023 season: 7-6
Preseason AP top-25 ranking: Receiving votes (No. 27 overall)
Preseason ACC forecast: No. 6
Predicted result: Win
Saturday, Nov. 9: at Boston College
Conference affiliation: ACC
Record in 2023 season: 7-6
Preseason AP top-25 ranking: NA
Preseason ACC forecast: No. 14
Predicted result: Win
Saturday, Nov. 16: at California
Conference affiliation: ACC
Record in 2023 season: 6-7
Preseason AP top-25 ranking: NA
Preseason ACC forecast: No. 10
Predicted result: Win
Saturday, Nov. 23: UConn at home
Conference affiliation: Independent
Record in 2023 season: 3-9
Preseason AP top-25 ranking: NA
Preseason ACC forecast: NA
Predicted result: Win
Saturday, Nov. 30: Miami at home
Conference affiliation: ACC
Record in 2023 season: 7-6
Preseason AP top-25 ranking: No. 19
Preseason ACC forecast: No. 3
Predicted result: Loss
Projected non-conference record: 3-1
Projected ACC record: 6-2
Projected overall record in 2024: 9-3