Yes, it’s finally game week for the Syracuse Orange. As this is going up, Fran Brown’s weekly press conference will be underway, and hopefully we’re seeing a depth chart to answer the other pressing questions around this year’s squad.
Since we last saw the Orange play in San Diego, a lot has happened around the program. How much? Well, here’s some of what we’ve seen:
- Kyle McCord’s possible NCAA waiver
- The addition of Rickie Collins from LSU
- The loss of three possible starting centers- two to transfer and Mark Petry to injury
- The late Spring transfer of Trebor Pena
- The addition of Steve Angeli from Notre Dame
- A commitment from 2026 5-star WR Calvin Russell
- A starting defense which will include a player in his 8th season and 17-year old
To say that it’s been an eventful off-season would be an understatement, but now at the end of the week, a top 25 opponent awaits the Orange
in Atlanta. It’s a major opportunity for Syracuse as they get ready to face the Tennessee Volunteers next Saturday afternoon. A close game would be a positive start for a team that’s replacing so many leaders from last season, but a win in Atlanta would be a statement.
A statement that last year wasn’t just a flash in the pan, or solely because of Kyle McCord. A statement that what Fran Brown is building in the 315 could be what many Orange fans have hoped to see since the 90s. To stand toe-to-toe with a CFP team from last season would let the nation (especially those Brown is recruiting) that Syracuse is a program on the rise and one where you can play right away and play with anyone in the country.
Saturday’s opener won’t make or break the 2025 season but it’s what everyone in the Syracuse program is asking for-an opportunity for the Orange to put a ranked win on their resume before September arrives. To fans it’s hard to ask for anything better leading into the opener.
