With football season just over four months away in Central New York, the hype is real. Syracuse opens its home season in September against the defending national champions. Not to mention, a Clemson Tigers team that they upset at home two seasons ago. A win in that game could give the Orange a clear path to the Orange Bowl.
The excitement for the upcoming football season has been in the air for a long time. Now, the hype for the upcoming basketball season begins. Sure, expectations aren’t very high for a team that will replace at least three starters. However, there season begins against the defending national champion Virginia Cavaliers.
When was the last time there was this much buzz for both home openers in the Carrier Dome? Last season, SU football opened its home schedule with Wagner. For basketball, the opponent was Eastern Washington. Yeah, I’d say both schedules are getting an upgrade.
What can we expect in both of those games?
Syracuse vs. Clemson (Football Home Opener – September 14, 2019)
The most anticipated football game in the Dome in quite some time. If all goes right, this could go down as the most highly-attended SU Football game in over a decade. All the ingredients are there for a thrilling matchup.
Schedule wise, SU will have to get past Liberty and Maryland on the road before the week three tilt. Both teams will be hungry for wins under first-year coaches. Clemson hosts Georgia Tech to open its season and follows that up with another home game against Texas A&M. In all likelihood, they’ll be undefeated (just cause its Clemson).
Dino Babers and company have all the momentum right now. They’ve avoided any serious spring injuries and expect everyone to be ready for fall camp.
Syracuse vs. Virginia (Basketball Opener – November 6, 2019)
Less than two months later, the basketball team opens up with Tony Bennett’s UVA Cavaliers. Tho ‘Hoos won’t be back with the same roster, but it should be pretty close.
The 2019-20 opener will be a big one üëÄ
‘Cuse will host Virginia to kick off the 2019-20 season on @accnetwork pic.twitter.com/WF67Gg9Wrb
— Syracuse Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) March 15, 2019
I’d have to imagine that will be one of the highest attended basketball games of the season. After all, the hype can’t get much more bigger than that. In terms of the game, it’s not a great draw for Syracuse. They’ll be a young team up against one of the most experienced teams in the nation coming off a national championship.
However, If we’ve learned anything in recent years, it’s that Syracuse can hold its own against UVA.
