In one week, Syracuse football will be playing football.
The Orange's 2025 season opener is on Saturday, Aug. 30, against No. 24 Tennessee in Atlanta. It's a daunting first game for the 'Cuse, in what is an extremely challenging 2025 schedule for Syracuse football.
Candidly, I have no idea what to make of this team. There's clearly talent on the roster. But the Orange also had to replace a lot of production on both sides of the field from 2024, when head coach Fran Brown guided Syracuse football to a 10-3 mark in his debut stint on the Hill.
🚨 2025 Season Schedule Poster 🚨
— Syracuse Football (@CuseFootball) August 21, 2025
Your first chance to get them will be this Friday (8/22) as our Spirit Squad will have a select number of copies at the New York State Fair! https://t.co/xp8mcz0uHQ | @AflacKickoff pic.twitter.com/MPxBSNZPHE
Steve Angeli, the Notre Dame transfer, will start at quarterback. The running back and receiver rooms are looking strong. The offensive line had a significant makeover. The defensive line is a veteran group. The Orange holds promise, but perhaps some question marks, at linebacker and in the secondary.
The 'Cuse punter, Jack Stonehouse, is no joke. Let's hope that the kicking game fares better than in 2024. All in all, the 'Cuse will see a lot of new faces in prominent places during the upcoming 2025 campaign. Pundits aren't too high on the Orange's positioning within the Atlantic Coast Conference and on a national scale, but that's why the games are played on the field.
Here's my stab at Syracuse football's 2025 record.
Saturday, Aug. 30: versus No. 24 Tennessee in Atlanta
Tennessee's 2024 record: 10-3
Prediction: Loss
I'm on the fence with this one. Yes, the Volunteers are ranked and made the College Football Playoff last year. But Tennessee, like Syracuse, has a lot of production to replace from 2024, and the Vols, too, have a new quarterback. I think the Orange being roughly a two-touchdown underdog is absurd, but if I have to pick a winner, I'll go with UT.
Saturday, Sept. 6: versus UConn at the JMA Wireless Dome
UConn's 2024 record: 9-4
Prediction: Win
I don't care what UConn's record was last season. The Orange is prevailing.
Friday, Sept. 12: versus Colgate at the JMA Wireless Dome
Colgate's 2024 record: 2-10
Prediction: Win
If Syracuse football loses this game, the 2025 season will be declared over.
Saturday, Sept. 20: at No. 4 Clemson
Clemson's 2024 record: 10-4
Prediction: Loss
In years past, the Orange has played the Tigers tough on the road. And maybe the 'Cuse will this time as well. Still, experts view Clemson as a big-time contender to win the College Football Playoff. The Tigers have a lot of weapons, led by Heisman Trophy hopeful Cade Klubnik, who could be the best quarterback in the sport in 2025.
Saturday, Sept. 27: versus Duke at the JMA Wireless Dome
Duke's 2024 record: 9-4
Prediction: Win
The Blue Devils were good last year. They could be good again in 2025. I'm not sold on Duke's quarterback. This should be a close affair, but I like Syracuse football to emerge victorious.
Saturday, Oct. 4: at No. 16 SMU
SMU's 2024 record: 11-3
Prediction: Win
Okay, feel free to tell me that I'm nuts for picking the Orange here. SMU reached the ACC title contest and the CFP last year. Syracuse football is headed to Dallas for this one. Whatevs. The 'Cuse stuns the Mustangs.
Saturday, Oct. 18: versus Pittsburgh at the JMA Wireless Dome
Pittsburgh's 2024 record: 7-6
Prediction: Win
Last year's game in Pittsburgh was awful. Let's put that in the rear-view mirror. The Panthers had a late-season slide, and hopefully, that carries over to this term. Well, at least against the Orange on the Hill.
Saturday, Oct. 25: at Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech's 2024 record: 7-6
Prediction: Loss
For me, this is the toughest game to pick on the 'Cuse 2025 docket. The Yellow Jackets are deemed by many experts as a top-four team in the ACC, and a sleeper choice to win the league. Dual-threat quarterback Haynes King will present a huge problem for the Orange's defense. Georgia Tech by a touchdown or less.
Friday, Oct. 31: versus North Carolina at the JMA Wireless Dome
North Carolina's 2024 record: 6-7
Prediction: Win
NFL legend Bill Belichick has yet to coach one game as the boss in Chapel Hill, N.C., and it's already been a circus there for months with all the outside noise. I have no concept of what UNC will be like on the field under Coach Bill, but I think the Orange will crush the Tar Heels on Halloween.
Saturday, Nov. 8: at No. 10 Miami
Miami's 2024 record: 10-3
Prediction: Loss
'Cuse Nation will never forget the team's thrilling comeback triumph over top-10 Miami last year. The Hurricanes, once again, should be in the mix for a possible CFP bid. They have Georgia transfer Carson Beck at quarterback. I don't like Syracuse football in this one.
Saturday, Nov. 22: at No. 6 Notre Dame
Notre Dame's 2024 record: 14-2
Prediction: Win
Feel free to call me a total goober for picking the Orange to win at Notre Dame, which reached the CFP final game last season. I guess that I just think Angeli will play quite well against his former team, and I'm not as sold on the Fighting Irish in 2025 as others might be.
Saturday, Nov. 29: Boston College at the JMA Wireless Dome
Boston College's 2024 record: 7-6
Prediction: Win
The Eagles beat the Orange at home in 2024, and that was an unfortunate outcome for the 'Cuse. I just don't envision Boston College knocking off Syracuse football at the Dome in the 2025 regular-season finale.
Projected non-conference record: 3-1
Projected ACC record: 5-3
Projected overall record: 8-4
Candidly, I could see Syracuse football going 8-4, 7-5, 6-6, 5-7 or even 9-3. I don't anticipate the Orange winning more than nine games or fewer than five contests. What about you, 'Cuse Nation?