Predicting Syracuse football’s week-by-week schedule for 2020

As crazy as it may seem, the Syracuse Orange football schedule for 2020 is likely to be released at some point this month (probably in the next week or two). Perhaps you wanted a break from football. Or perhaps you didn’t want to hear me talk about schedules for a while. If so, apologies in advance.

Below, you’ll find predicted dates for the 2020 schedule. You may hate this. Sorry, if so.

Week 1 (Thursday, Sept. 3): at Clemson Tigers

This is virtually locked in, as Syracuse needs to start on the road and the Tigers get a primetime slot to start the year on ACC Network. Yes, Trevor Lawrence is back. “Yay.”

Week 2 (Saturday, Sept. 12): at Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Already scheduled. It’s SU’s first game against Rutgers since 2012 — an ugly 23-15 loss you’d like to forget. Greg Schiano may be able to resuscitate the Scarlet Knights to some extent. But even if he does, it won’t be this year.

Week 3 (Saturday, Sept. 19): Colgate Raiders

We open the refurbished Dome against one of SU’s longest-running rivals, in a game the Orange better win by 35 or more.

Week 4 (Saturday, Sept. 26): at Western Michigan Broncos

A seemingly annual series at this point, because Syracuse doesn’t know how to schedule in a timely fashion. The Broncos have made things interesting for stretches of the last two games. Hopefully with all the best players from those squads gone, it’s less so in 2020.

Week 5 (Saturday, Oct. 3): BYE

With three of four on the road to start, this is a good spot for a bye.

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Week 6 (Saturday, Oct. 10): Florida State Seminoles

Back home against a ‘Noles team that is probably better than they were this past year, despite losing Cam Akers and others.

Week 7 (Saturday, Oct. 17): Liberty Flames

Ugh. This series. At least we’re not headed back down there.

Week 8 (Saturday, Oct. 24): at Pittsburgh Panthers

The rivalry neither team wants meets yet again after last year’s disappointing loss for the Orange. Despite being on the road, this game likely tells us a lot about this season for SU.

Week 9 (Saturday, Oct. 31): Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Tech is still rebuilding after being off in the triple-option wilderness for awhile, so this is one of the easier league games for the Orange to score a win. Would love to repay the 56-0 drubbing from 2013, but realistically, I’ll just take any W.

Week 10 (Friday, Nov. 6): N.C. State Wolfpack

State has limited availability late in the year, so this is one of the dates that works. Last year’s game was putrid, so we just need this one to be less so. Like GT, this is another contest that SU really needs to get back to bowl eligibility.

Week 11 (Saturday, Nov. 14): Louisville Cardinals

Would’ve pegged this as the Friday night game, but since it’s Senior Day thanks to the games below (blame other teams’ schedules, not me), it gets a Friday treatment instead.

Week 12 (Saturday, Nov. 21): at Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Due to other teams having limited room in November, Wake winds up late in the schedule yet again. They’re certainly more beatable without Jamie Newman, but we’ll see to what extent.

Week 13 (Saturday, Nov. 28): at Boston College Eagles

BC was a bit of a tire fire by the end of 2019, and that was enough to get rid of Steve Addazio. Also, no A.J. Dillon means at least a marginal chance at the Eagles not repeating last year’s run game clinic. Hopefully Syracuse is at six wins by the time this one rolls around. If not, it’s going to be a stressful afternoon.

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The above isn’t the only permutation you can come up with, but it’s an option on the table. Love it? Hate it? Share your own thoughts below.