Syracuse football head coach Fran Brown knows what the national and Atlantic Coast Conference media are saying about his program. He knows that many so-called experts aren't expecting a ton of conquests for the Orange in the 2026 season.
The 'Cuse is attempting to rebound from a disastrous 3-9 record in 2025. The team started 3-1, but once starting quarterback Steve Angeli went down for the season in the squad's win at Clemson, the Orange proceeded to lose eight straight contests to close out the year.
Angeli is healthy, the quarterback room should be much better, and Brown brought in a bunch of new assistants, including Toledo's Vince Kehres as SU's new defensive coordinator. Still, here is what some national media outlets are forecasting about Syracuse football in the 2026 campaign:
•CBS Sports: 3-9 overall and 1-8 in ACC play
•ESPN: 4.5 average wins (per SP+)
•Phil Steele: No. 15 out of 17 ACC members
•USA Today: No. 15 out of 17 ACC schools
On Thursday afternoon, Brown and several SU players, including Angeli, took the stage to speak at the annual ACC Kickoff event in Charlotte, N.C. Brown was matter-of-fact, as he usually is, when he said, "We've got a lot to go out and prove."
Fran Brown says he learned a lot from the brutal 2025 season for Syracuse football.
Brown says that the best way to face adversity is "head-on." Never afraid to take on a challenge, he added that regardless of what comes his way, "I'm not ducking." This is what makes Brown an appealing head coach for players to suit up for, among other things.
He is not backing down to anyone, he's not afraid of anyone, and Brown always keeps things real. The SU head coach says that everything the program went through in 2025 provided lessons from which to learn.
Relationships within the team are stronger, and Brown says he has the right players and coaches to help him achieve his ultimate goals at Syracuse: Win national championships and take over the ACC.
One facet that Brown has made abundantly clear time and time again is that he, his assistant coaches and their players will not be outworked. "All I know is work. That's what I'm about. I can't wait to compete."
Brown acknowledged that the pundits in college football don't think the Orange will be among the top teams in the ACC this coming campaign. Perhaps Brown and everyone else within his program will use this as motivation.
He added: "It's a long season. It's not how you start, but how you finish."
For me, I don't think the 'Cuse is likely to match its record in Brown's debut stint, when SU went 10-3 overall, including a bowl-game victory. At the same time, I don't believe that Syracuse football will be 3-9 again. I'm hoping for somewhere in between, and that the 'Cuse will contend for a bowl appearance.
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