As the Syracuse Orange wrap up pre-season camp, the Nunes Magician staff is willing to put our NunesBucks where our mouth is and give you our predictions. We’ll make our predictions for overall record, ACC record and bowl game (if applicable) and we hope to see your predictions in the comments. Let’s get to it…
Kevin: (6-6, 4-4 / Go Bowling Military Bowl vs Navy)
I fluctuated between 5 and 7 wins as I thought about this prediction. There are so many unproven spots on this roster, but I also think that
the overall talent level has improved from last season. Will that be enough to offset the experience lost? We’ll find out, but I think Fran Brown will be a better in-game coach and I think that Syracuse can win 5 of their 6 home games and sneak into a bowl game based on one road “upset” in ACC play…. which game? Well, you’ll have to find out during the season.
Mike: (6-6, 4-4 / Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl vs Maryland)
Yeah, it’s not the most original match-up in the world, but getting a 7th game in New York wouldn’t be the worst thing to happen this year. This Orange team is still very hard to read, but I have to imagine there will be some improvements on the defensive side after a strong transfer/recruiting class. Like Kevin, I think they can steal a game on the road somewhere… but I also won’t be surprised if they get a bowl by winning out at the Dome.
Dom: (5-7, 3-5 / no bowl)
By a hair, I’m just not as optimistic as Mike and Kevin. The big concern for me right now is the offense, and it’s not just because what will happen this year is so uncertain, albeit with intriguing pieces. It’s that last year’s unit was essentially the best passing group in the entire ACC and ‘Cuse loses every big piece from the 2024 roster who was part of that. On top of that, the defenses the Orange will face are just so much better than last year. Syracuse could still upset at least one team (like Georgia Tech, SMU or Miami), but those road games are brutal, and the team without getting an upset essentially has to be perfect at home. It’s possible, but there’s too many “50-50/55-45 games” to believe the Orange will strike gold in all of them. And for the record, I hope I am proven wrong.
Augie: (7-5, 5-3 / Wasabi Fenway Bowl vs. Memphis)
I will start by saying two things. Fran Brown is a good coach and has the locker room behind him. He is someone that Syracuse players want to play for and are going to give their all for. This could really be seen last year after the victory against Miami, as the players truly do seem to rally behind him. I am also going to say that Steve Angeli is a good quarterback. Although he still does not have a ton of experience, coming in last year against Penn State in the College Football Playoff semifinals and going 6/7 is no easy task. I think the biggest question will be how much protection he has with so many transfers coming to the offensive line. Like the others, I foresee a tale of two seasons, the home games, and the road ones. Winning out at home seems doable, and helps the ‘Cuse to a 7-5 record.
Casey: (7-5, 4-4 / Wasabi Fenway Bowl vs. BYU)
Last season, Fran Brown proved to be a program-changing hire. That said, the 2025 schedule is much more demanding, and there are key pieces that still need to be replaced. However, I don’t see a sophomore slump for Fran, and I think this year can produce parts of the same magic. I’ve got Syracuse shocking Tennessee in Atlanta week one, with Steve Angeli and the rebuilt offensive line holding their ground. After that, though, the brutal ACC road gauntlet of Clemson, SMU, Georgia Tech, and Miami feels like too much to expect another miracle. Not to mention Notre Dame. In the end, I see Syracuse finishing 7–5, with plenty of close games breaking both ways. I put them in the Fenway Bowl, a matchup that gives Massachusetts alumni a perfect game to attend.
Max: (6-6, 4-4 / Wasabi Fenway Bowl vs. UTSA) I’d love to remain optimistic after Fran Brown’s stellar 2024, but man, that road schedule is brutal. Toss the Tennessee neutral site in there, and I think the Orange would be lucky to come away with one win away from the 315. The home slate is thankfully much more forgiving, and an undefeated year is definitely possible in the Dome. Nothing would shock me with Fran, but growing pains and regression seem inevitable for a team that lost its quarterback and top three pass catchers from a season ago. Give me wins against UConn, Colgate, Duke, Pitt, Georgia Tech and BC with a Fenway Bowl appearance.
Sam: (6-6, 4-4/Some bowl game)
For all the reasons you’ve already heard. Schedule, defensive questions, and more. Come back for hoops season when I can give more detailed analysis.
******************************************************************************************************
Looks like our staff is planning a December trip to Fenway. Now it’s your turn, so let’s here those predictions.
