So on Monday night, the Atlantic Coast Conference officially released the 2025 schedule for all of their football programs. We knew the lineup was a murderers' row of opponents for Syracuse football and even got a sneak peek last week at two of them.
I missed the televised presentation but woke up the next morning to see how it unfolded, Now I could sit here and try to make a prediction but honestly, that's a bit hard at this point, especially since it's unclear who will be the primary options to replace guys like Kyle McCord and LeQuint Allen.
Or I could give you my analysis but I think my guy Neil Adler did a great job breaking it down for you here on our site and podcast hosts (one of the podcasts I listen to at work) and ACC analysts Gramlich & Mac Lain provided some great insight into the whole thing, too.
But what I do want to add is something different. I know many are seeing this schedule and freaking out but I want to instead give you five reasons why this schedule could benefit the team and the fans. Yes there are reasons this schedule might actually be something to look forward to this upcoming season.
Why a tough 2025 schedule is good for Syracuse football and its fan base.
1) A Stronger Home Schedule
For many years, especially when Syracuse was in the Big East, many fans complained that there weren't enough home games "worth going to." Then when Syracuse joined the ACC, they got FSU and Clemson regularly and some fans thought that was too tough on a regular basis. Now with a rotating schedule instead of the divisions, you never know what you will get. In 2025, the home slate will include Colgate, a UConn program that is improving under Coach Mora's tenure, Duke, "rivals" Pitt and Boston College, and on Halloween night, the Orange will host the University of North Carolina, now coached by former NFL coach Bill Belichick. And while the road schedule has many of the "difficult" opponents, those are five strong games and a game against a local college that has been one of the teams Syracuse has played the most over the years.
2) A Programmer's Night Dream
If you want a schedule that appeals to network executives more, this is the schedule you want. Coming off a season where Syracuse ended the season in the top 25, if the Orange can at least play these games competitively, networks will be more inclined to put them on networks like ESPN or ABC. This helps local businesses and fans because the games are easier to find on TV. And for those of you who want ESPN GameDay to come to Syracuse finally, this type of schedule is more appealing to them as well.
3) Win And You're In
Is it a tough schedule? Of course! But if you can win these games, life gets better in so many more ways. You won't have to hear about the same arguments people tried to use for Indiana to keep them from the playoffs about having an easy path to a postseason bid. You will have proved you deserve whatever opportunity that comes from it whether it's a playoff bid, another big bowl game opportunity, be worthy of being ranked or just earning more respect for the program and its future, including the faith of more fans. Like I have said in the past and will again, to quote Ric Flair, "To be the man, you've got to beat the man." So why not go into the 2025 season believing that the Orange can be successful? I am!
4) I Always Feel Like A Scout Is Watching Me
When you play teams like Notre Dame, Tennessee, Clemson, etc., there is a higher than normal chance that scouts will be watching their talent. Therefore if a scout is watching them, they will also be watching the Syracuse players. And you can't help but think that a guy like Trebor Pena, who I think should get a shot at the NFL level, could possibly get more visibility in the spotlight, especially if he has a great game. So having higher profile opponents and possibly on more visible television outlets will help give players who come to Syracuse more of a chance to impress people on the professional level.
5) We Don't Know Anything
Here is the truth in advertising: none of us knows for sure who will be good next season or who won't. We are basing everything we know on what happened last season or the past in general. Injuries happen. The transfer portal is real. Players go pro. Assistant coaches on successful teams often become head coaches elsewhere or just transfer themselves. Teams can decline or chemistry one season isn't as good as it was another season. Experts and fans (including myself) will share their opinions but at the end of the day, until the games are played, we don't know who will win or who will lose. So who is to say that Syracuse can't take advantage of this opportunity and go out and win?