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It’s finally here!
The Syracuse Orange football schedule was announced on Wednesday at 2 p.m. ET, as part of the full ACC schedule release. And as you probably figured, I have some thoughts...
But first, the entire schedule is included below:
Saturday, August 31: at Liberty Flames
Saturday, September 7: at Maryland Terrapins
Saturday, September 14: Clemson Tigers
Saturday, September 21: Western Michigan Broncos
Saturday, September 28: Holy Cross Crusaders
Saturday, October 5: BYE
Thursday, October 10: at N.C. State Wolfpack
Friday, October 18: Pittsburgh Panthers
Saturday, October 26: at Florida State Seminoles
Saturday, November 2: Boston College Eagles
Saturday, November 9: BYE
Saturday, November 16: at Duke Blue Devils
Saturday, November 23: at Louisville Cardinals
Saturday, November 30: Wake Forest Demon Deacons
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Alright, then.
The good:
- Clemson early in the season at home is good for two reasons: 1. Defense (still full of five-stars) could need a couple games to get going, 2. Potential College Gameday spot if Syracuse is in the top 25 — likely if they’re 2-0
- Moving the BC game off the final weekend every once in awhile at least gives it the opportunity to be better attended
- Four VERY manageable games to end the season, including the finale at home vs. Wake Forest
- Perfect bye placements (Week 6, Week 10), giving us some extra rest before both BC and NC State
- No brutal stretches and only one set of back-to-back road games (Duke, Louisville)
The not-so-good:
- Thursday and Friday games back-to-back weeks? (at NC State, Pitt)
- Toughest games all early (if younger players at key spots needs time, could get tripped up a few times)
- Clemson game is going to be a scorcher
***
Honestly, I have zero REAL complaints here. My schedule predictions weren’t correct, but oh well, this works out just as well, if not better.
We’ll offer up some initial win projections today/tomorrow. But what do you think?