How does Bill Connelly see the ACC shaking out in 2018?

Each year, SB Nation’s Bill Connelly goes through the exhaustive work of compiling in-depth previews for every team in college football — here’s his Syracuse Orange preview from this year, if you missed it the first time around.

After completing each conference, though, he also ranks all the teams, while providing some additional context (numerical and not) around why things may sort out that way. This year, he picks Syracuse 13th out of the ACC’s 14 squads.

While that may not seem overly optimistic, Bill does believe that every team in the league has top-40 potential, and SU jumping up to his perceived “tier three” largely hinges on the receiving corps. I’m willing to believe the Orange get more out of them than most think this year... though I understand that’s based on some slight homerism and an unhealthy proximity to any and all news about the program at all times.

Whether you agree or not, check out Bill’s full ACC predictions.

The rest of your Syracuse-related links below:

After previewing every ACC team for 2018, here’s how I think the conference stacks up (SB Nation)

Let’s call this Tier 3A instead. I think these two teams have almost as much potential as the teams in the loaded Tier 3; the only difference is that there’s maybe not quite as much upside. Syracuse’s Dino Babers needs one more year to get his receiving corps to where it needs to be, and Bronco Mendenhall needs another year to build the depth to sustain UVA’s early-2017 level. But these teams could still get to six or seven wins.

Syracuse basketball recruiting: Updated look at Orange’s 2019 big board (Syracuse.com)

Joe Girard III, a 6-1 guard from Glens Falls, N.Y., played for the Albany City Rocks this summer. Girard is considered one of the best 3-point shooters in the 2019 class, although he did struggle in some events this past month. ESPN.com ranks Girard at No. 89, while Rivals has dropped him to No. 127.

Why does BPI rate Marquette higher than Duke or Kentucky? (ESPN)

Syracuse received good news when Tyus Battle decided to go back for his junior season, and Ethan Happ returned to Wisconsin. Both teams return almost all of their key players from last season. Another factor is the consistent efficiency of both programs. Syracuse and its 2-3 zone rank near the top of defensive efficiency models under Jim Boeheim, and Wisconsin and its ultra-slow system are often very efficient.

Giants’ WR Amba Etta-Tawo making early impression in fight for roster spot (Big Blue View)

“I grew up watching Eli, so that’s definitely a blessing by itself. To get the first-team reps I kinda try to tune that out for now, just keep on goin,’ keep on goin,’ keep on chuggin’ at it. Hopefully at the end of things everything will work out,” Etta-Tawo said Friday before the Giants took the field for their second practice of training camp.

Can Chris Slayton and Co. carry Syracuse football defense in 2018? (Syracuse.com)

Headed up by redshirt senior defensive tackle Chris Slayton, this group has the potential to not only hold its own against most of the ACC, but control the line of scrimmage against weaker opponents. However, without Zaire Franklin and Parris Bennett behind them, SU’s defensive linemen will be relied on more heavily than in past years.

Josh Pace reunites with former Syracuse basketball teammates after TBT loss (Syracuse.com)

Carmelo Anthony is apparently trying to get his hands on his own Atlanta Hawks jersey (NBC Sports)

Syracuse Chiefs’ imminent name change sparks community debate (Daily Orange)

Syracuse making serious moves with four CFC 100 offers (Canada Football Chat)