Syracuse football: Clemson is lone Orange opponent in preseason Coaches Poll

While the Syracuse Orange football team has plenty to fix if it wants to go bowling in 2021, a lot also depends on just how good opponents are looking, too. At least based on the preseason Coaches Poll, it does seem like the Syracuse schedule could lack much in the way of top-25 foes.

The initial Coaches Poll appeared on Tuesday, and the Clemson Tigers are the only Orange opponent currently included on that list, coming in at No. 2. Several other Syracuse foes received votes, however. Liberty was “30th” with 68 votes, while NC State had 27, Virginia Tech received nine, Pitt and BC each had six respectively, and Florida State earned one.

Just three ACC teams actually made the top 25 at all, with Clemson leading the way at No. 2, followed by North Carolina at No. 9 and Miami at No. 16.

Again, it’s a preseason poll — and the Coaches Poll, no less — so perhaps take some of this with a grain of salt. But not having a ton of ranked teams to beat could certainly help. For reference, Syracuse wound up facing four teams included in the final top 25 last year (Clemson, Notre Dame, North Carolina and Liberty).

Also noteworthy: Dino Babers has a vote in the poll, so perhaps if you start seeing SU or its opponents pop up with votes randomly, there’s one place to look.