The Syracuse Orange haven’t played a full game in 2026 and that’s a big reason why Fran Brown’s team is 4-4 with four games to play.
Inconsistent offense, untimely penalties and the worst kicking game in the country have made things a lot harder for the Orange. Even with two straight wins, Syracuse hasn’t cleaned up the problem areas, but what the Orange have done is “bring their own guts”.
It’s frustrating for fans to watch as Syracuse continues to play games that oscillate from outstanding execution
to periods of ineptitude, but a positive compared to many past Orange seasons, is the fight this team is bringing to try and save the season.
Saturday against SMU, Syracuse controlled the first half, then got embarrassed in the third quarter. Fans were right back on the “Fire Fran” bandwagon after the Orange watched a 20-17 lead turn into a 27-20 deficit in the span of about four minutes. It was looking bleak and when Syracuse drove the ball into the red zone, many questioned Brown’s decision to take the field goal.
The defense stopped Kevin Jennings on the first two downs and then Chris Peal recovered and got his hands on the ball before SMU could convert the third down.
Once again it was the offense’s chance to drive the ball at the end of the game and they delivered for the 2nd week in a row. Steve Angeli completed passes to six different receivers on the drive- including three to the tight ends. After Dante Bacheyie fought his way down to the two with a great extra effort, it was Angeli hitting Noah Meyers for the go-ahead score.
Syracuse ran 21 plays in the final two drives. Angeli didn’t panic and force things like we saw earlier in the season and the revitalized Orange running game opened up those play-action throws to the flat that Syracuse hit multiple times in the win.
The road to 4-4 isn’t what any of us expected, but now the Orange are here. They have four opportunities in front of them to get the two wins that will secure a bowl appearance. We’ve seen enough this year to know not to presume anything. We’ve also seen enough this year to know that this team shouldn’t be counted out.
