Top analyst says Syracuse football has the toughest 2025 schedule among ACC schools

Top analyst Brad Crawford of 247Sports and CBS Sports says that among Atlantic Coast Conference members, Syracuse football has the toughest 2025 schedule.

I'm not surprised by this. As I noted in a recent column, on paper, the Orange's 2025 docket looks like it could be among the most daunting in the program's history. Four of the team's opponents in the next term went to the most recent College Football Playoff, including Notre Dame, which reached the national championship game.

Additionally, about half of the 'Cuse foes in 2025 are currently ranked in super early preseason top-25 ratings ahead of the upcoming campaign.

What's more, the Orange's road contests in 2025 are battles with highly regarded squads such as Clemson, SMU, Georgia Tech, Miami and Notre Dame. Syracuse football also opens its 2025 season with a neutral-site affair versus CFP participant Tennessee in Atlanta.

A top expert dishes on the Syracuse football 2025 calendar, as compared to other ACC teams.

Among ACC members, Crawford says that the 'Cuse has the No. 1 toughest schedule in 2025. Florida State, which was truly awful in the most recent 2024 season, has the No. 2 toughest slate in 2025, while Virginia has the No. 1 easiest one and California possesses the No. 2 easiest, according to Crawford.

Regarding Syracuse football, Crawford wrote, "Winning 10 games for a second straight season will be a tremendous challenge for Fran Brown's Orange in 2025. Not only will Syracuse open as a double-digit underdog against the Vols in Atlanta, but the Orange also face road games at Clemson, SMU, Miami and Notre Dame — all opponents we expect to see inside the top 15 at some point. If Syracuse sweeps the home slate, the Orange will be bowl-eligible, but that's leaving absolutely zero margin for error."

Ever since the full 2025 schedule for the 'Cuse was released late last month, I've chatted with a lot of fellow fans on social media and in chat rooms about what would constitute a successful 2025 season for Syracuse football, which went 10-3 overall and had a No. 20 ranking in the final Associated Press top-25 poll in head coach Fran Brown's first season at the helm of the Orange.

First and foremost, the Orange roster in 2025 may not be fully completed, as there is a transfer portal window in college football that will take place in April. Also, record-setting quarterback Kyle McCord and other key members of the team's 2024 roster are gone.

So to me, even if the 'Cuse doesn't win 10 games in 2025, that doesn't mean the program has regressed, given the roster changes and the more challenging schedule, at least on paper, in the upcoming term. I'd love a 7-5 or 8-4 regular-season performance in 2025.