Syracuse fans have little faith that this football team will make a bowl game. Vegas has even less. The over/under win total for online oddsmakers at Vegas Insider is just 4. Do you think the Orange will win five or more games in Dino Babers’ first season is essentially what the wiseguys are asking.
Honestly, this feels about right. Although it’s not hard to see the Orange going 5-7, a bad break, injury, or close loss could easily mean the difference between 4 and 5 wins. What makes this number most startling is that it’s the lowest in the ACC. The biggest question is not really whether SU wins 4 or 5 or even 6 games. The program could show significant improvement and the win total may not reflect that. But is SU actually the worst ACC program?
Virginia has a win total prediction of 4.5, while Wake Forest and Duke are pegged at 5.5. NC State’s number is 6. Maybe the most frustrating prediction is Boston College, which is 6.5. Are the Eagles, a program that is just as hard to win with, 2.5 victories better than the Orange?
Here¬†in casinos across the country and man caves across CNY is where it gets a little murky for SU fans. While Syracuse has only had less than 4 wins once since the awful Greg Robinson Error. But the Orange don’t have many gimmes on the schedule. They have only three true non-con games since ND is on the slate with a full ACC schedule. So outside of Colgate in the opener, the easiest chances to get 3-4 more wins come from UConn, USF, Wake and NC State. All the other squads are probably solid bowl teams or national title contenders (Clemson, FSU).
Can SU top the 4 win mark? Yes, although it may be unlikely. Hopefully growth comes in other forms.
