Syracuse University’s football program entered the 2026 campaign with a cloud of pessimism. A 3‑9 record in 2025 left the Orange with their longest losing streak in recent memory, and oddsmakers have set the win total at just 4.5 for the upcoming season.
Yet the narrative is shifting. The team opens its schedule at home against New Hampshire on September 5, a matchup that many analysts view as a winnable start, followed by contests against Cal and UConn that could set the tone for the year.
Quarterback Steve Angeli, who transferred from Notre Dame, showed promise early in 2025 before tearing his Achilles. He led the Orange to a 3‑1 start before the injury, and his presence in the lineup is seen as a catalyst for a more potent offense.
The Road Ahead
Head coach Fran Brown, who took over the program, has emphasized continuity and development, but the roster has been heavily reshaped through the transfer portal, bringing in new talent while losing several key contributors from the previous season.
Projections vary. ESPN analyst Bill Connelly forecasts a 4.5‑win season and gives the Orange a 24.7 percent chance of reaching six victories, while CBS Sports predicts a 3‑9 finish. Both outlooks acknowledge that a bowl invitation remains within reach if the team can string together a few key wins.
Angeli himself has framed the lack of preseason hype as motivation, calling the low expectations “a little fuel to the fire.” His attitude reflects a broader belief that the team can exceed the modest forecasts.
The schedule becomes increasingly challenging after the early games, with road trips to Pitt, Charlottesville, and matchups against traditional powerhouses such as Clemson, North Carolina, SMU, Louisville, NC State, Boston College and Notre Dame. Each of those opponents presents a significant test of the Orange’s depth and resilience.
Despite the daunting slate, the early portion of the schedule offers a realistic pathway to a 3‑1 start, and a bowl game could materialize if the Orange capitalize on those winnable contests and maintain momentum into the latter half of the season.