As we prepare for the 2025 Syracuse Orange football season to begin, we bring back a TNIAAM staple this week. These previews are not our actual predictions, but rather a look at how the Orange could end up with a certain record this season.
Every year we try and figure out a suitable range for the Orange, and when they surpass the ceiling like last year it’s a great thing. It’s never fun to pick a floor for the team, but we’ve settled on 4-8 as our starting point. Yes, things could be worse but there
is no reason for us to be that pessimistic in August, so let’s look at what could happen to get Fran Brown’s squad left wondering what went wrong as they watch others preparing for bowl games.
#24 Tennessee: Loss (0-1, 0-0)
Syracuse plays the Volunteers close for three quarters before a turnover gives Joey Aguilar a short field and puts the Orange down 27-17, which ends up being the final score. The result gives Orange fans more hope in the team as they head back North from Atlanta.
UConn: Win (1-1, 0-0)
Syracuse’s offense breaks out in a big way and even though the defense struggles, the Orange excite the Dome crowd with a 41-34 win over the Huskies.
Colgate: Win (2-1, 0-0)
It’s a long Friday night for the Raiders as Syracuse empties the bench in the second half on their way to a 57-17 victory. Hopes and expectations begin to rise in the 315…
at Clemson: Loss (2-2, 0-1)
However Dabo’s crew puts a damper on those dreams with a dominating 38-13 victory in Death Valley. Cade Klubnik lights up the young Orange corners.
Duke: Loss (2-3, 0-2)
A return home doesn’t help Syracuse as they drop a nail-biter to the Blue Devils. After a fourth quarter field goal puts Duke up 24-20, their defense stops the Orange offense on a 4th down inside the 40. It’s been a long September for the Cuse fans.
at SMU: Loss (2-4, 0-3)
Flipping the calendar doesn’t help the Orange as they fall in Dallas to the Mustangs. The offense shows better execution but it’s not enough to stop the slide.
Pittsburgh: Loss (2-5, 0-4)
Giant-sized OOOFFFFF as a late 47 yard field goal attempt slides wide right and Pitt wins by a 26-23 score. The Narduzzi voodoo continues and we wonder what food allergies he might have which can be exploited before 2026.
at Georgia Tech: Loss (2-6, 0-5)
Look this is painful to write, so we don’t want to experience it. This would be like 2020 but with actual fans in the stands. And Haynes King make sure you don’t find some extra season of eligibility rolling around, the CFL needs you.
North Carolina: Win (3-6, 1-5)
The Orange get a treat on Halloween thanks to some trick plays. A fake punt run by Jack Stonehouse changes momentum and then with the Tar Heels looking to tie the game, they call a fake field goal but Devin Grant sniffs out the play and gets Syracuse out of their slump.
at Miami: Loss (3-7: 1-6)
Carson Beck keeps Miami’s CFP hopes alive with three second-half scoring drives and the Canes win a 44-41 decision despite Mario Cristobal’s questionable clock management. Miami has a 10-pt lead when Cristobal calls a passing play which stops the clock and lets Syracuse get a touchdown, but The U recovers the onside attempt to hold on.
at Notre Dame: Loss (3-8, 1-6)
There is no Steve Angeli Revenge Game in South Bend as the Irish control the line of scrimmage and run the ball up and down the field on the way to the Orange’s 2nd blowout loss of the season. Commenters and radio callers start wondering if Fran Brown’s success was all due to Kyle McCord….of course those people are mocked.
Boston College: Win (4-8, 2-6)
Syracuse salvages a bit of pride on Senior Day as they get some revenge on the Eagles. Demetres Samueel, Jr. gets more snaps on offense in this one and pays homage to Diamond Ferri by catching a TD pass and returning an INT for a score.
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It’s not a stretch to see the season playing out in a similar manner. The schedule is grueling and with a lot of unproven players entering the starting line-up, the Orange will have a tough road towards bowl eligibility. Let’s hope that once again this “prediction” is proven wrong by the end of Homecoming Weekend.
What do you think?
