It would be an absolute tragedy if Syracuse football could not win a fifth game this season. Only Shakespeare could have written a story entailing a greater misfortune.
Having started the season 4-0 for the first time in 27 years, it would simply be an utter shame to see this SU team go 4-8 for a fourth year straight and have less than five wins for five years in a row.
Syracuse has only has only five or more seasons with less than five wins twice in its entire football history, going back to 19th century: five years in a row from 2005-2009 and six years in a row from 1944-1949.
At 4-2 so far in 2018, with the two losses coming in the final minutes of the games against #3 Clemson and Pittsburgh and with a schedule that seems much more manageable than last year’s, the fifth win does not seem so far away.
In fact, it’s largely possible that this weekend could be the difference maker for the Orange. North Carolina is coming to the Carrier Dome as a largely battered team. They have a 1-4 record, only scoring more than 20 points and winning at home against Pitt 38-35 in a game where Tar Heels quarterback Nathan Elliott played out of his mind (22-31, 313 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, no interceptions). Otherwise, they have been completely shut down.
UNC will have to face an SU team that looks like it has matured into its own body, really adopted Dino Babers’ scheme and mentality and believes it can beat anyone. After all, barring all past big-game upsets, Syracuse took #3 Clemson all the way to the end, leading for most of the game before dropping it in the final minute.
Halfway through the season, things are looking good for Syracuse. Coming off a bye week where the team focused on improvements it needs to make, the Orange is fresh and ready to welcome the competition back at home where it has been so successful over the past few years. And as the story continues to be written, the biggest cliffhanger is will, if not when will, SU finally get that fifth win once again.
Chances are, it could be in just a few days.
Sorry, Shakespeare, but this won’t be one to add to your collection.
Published: David Edelstein
