CBS Sports analyst Brad Crawford has laid out a stark projection for the Syracuse Orange football team heading into the 2026 season, forecasting a record that mirrors their disappointing 2025 campaign of three wins and nine losses.
A Schedule Laden With Powerhouses
According to Crawford, the Orange will drop games to traditional ACC heavyweights such as Clemson and Notre Dame, while also facing a gauntlet of other ranked opponents. The schedule is notably front‑loaded with road contests, a contrast to the more balanced home‑and‑away slate of the previous year.
Despite the bleak outlook, the team does have a few strategic advantages. Several of its most challenging matchups are slated for home games at the JMA Wireless Dome, where the familiar crowd and lack of travel could translate into unexpected victories.
Quarterback Steve Angeli’s Recovery
The analyst acknowledges that quarterback Steve Angeli has made noticeable strides in his rehabilitation from injury. His improved mobility and sharper throwing mechanics have sparked cautious optimism among fans, though Crawford remains skeptical that those gains alone will be enough to offset the schedule’s difficulty.
Angeli’s consistency will be the linchpin for any chance at exceeding expectations. If he can stay healthy and deliver steady performances week after week, the Orange might surprise those who have written them off.
Motivation to Defy the Odds
Beyond the numbers, the Syracuse roster is reportedly driven by a collective desire to prove the preseason predictions wrong. The players and coaching staff are said to be channeling the criticism into a focused effort to rewrite the narrative surrounding the program.
Whether that determination can translate into more than three wins remains to be seen, but the narrative set by Crawford provides a clear benchmark for the team’s ambitions and the scrutiny it will face throughout the season.