The Syracuse Orange are entering Week 3 on a somewhat sour note after falling to California in their ACC opener. While plenty of discussion has focused on the offense after the Cal game, the other side of the field (for now) deserves some credit for its performance so far in 2026.
The sample size is incredibly small (just two games, one against an FCS opponent), but the metrics are a big fan of the Orange defense so far.
As of Tuesday, Syracuse is currently tied for 30th overall in defense, according
to Pro Football Focus. The Orange currently have a defense grade of 84.7, which is notably fourth in the ACC, per PFF. Syracuse ranks just outside the top 50 in defense, at No. 54, on ESPN’s SP+ rankings.
The breakdown is solid to good (aka nothing in the red or orange) across the board for the Orange defense, which has surrendered a combined 24 points against New Hampshire and Cal. PFF currently has Syracuse graded at 87.2 on run defense, 83.3 on tackling, 72 on pass rush, and 81.9 on coverage.
As expected heading into the year, getting to the quarterback was expected to be the weakest part of the 2026 defense. Syracuse has recorded seven sacks across two games, with five players picking up at least one. That said, the defensive line, EDGEs, and linebackers are making up for that with pretty strong run defense out of the gate.
Against both New Hampshire and Cal, the Orange held those opponents to under three yards per carry. New Hampshire had 34 rushes for 60 yards (1.8 YPC); Cal had 26 runs for 67 yards (2.6 YPC). The top run defenders so far are David Omopariola, Jartavius Flounoy, Antoine Deslauriers, and Jamie Tremble, per PFF.
On the pass rush front, Tunmise Adeleye boasts the highest grade there among players who have received snaps in both games. Adeleye is the only player with a grade above 70.
Ironically, considering it was such a notable issue last year, tackling is the most improved and consistent across the board for Syracuse so far this year. Over 20 players are in the green, including five with a grade of 80 or better. Deslauriers, Chris Peal, and Demetres Samuel Jr. are in the top three, followed by Omopariola, Gary Bryant III, and Tremble.
As the season moves forward, something to watch for is how Syracuse defends the pass. Keyshawn Johnson surprisingly boasts the best PFF pass coverage grade on the ‘Cuse defense. Peal is second among players who suited up for both the New Hampshire and Cal games. One name to monitor as a possible x-factor is Samuel Jr., who currently has a coverage grade of 63.6, eighth among linebackers, corners, and safeties.
In a bit of good news for the pass defense, the Orange have not allowed an opposing quarterback to throw for more than 182 yards in a game so far.
Turnovers will be another key stat to track over the next few weeks. Syracuse is even on turnovers forced compared to its own turnovers. All three turnovers forced so far this year came in the New Hampshire game. Against Cal, ‘Cuse forced no errors and gave the ball up three times.
There’s a lot to still sort out with the 2026 Orange, including cutting down on mistakes (27 penalties for 257 yards so far) and settling down the offense. So far, defense has mostly been a plus for the Orange, and it will need to stay that way to reach a bowl game.
