The Syracuse football schedule for 2021 is out. The Orange are pretty fortunate to avoid North Carolina and Miami in the conference, but a couple non-conference games are going to be harder than expected at the time of scheduling. Here’s SU’s 2021 schedule, power ranked.
1. vs. Clemson
2020 record: 10-2
Syracuse will no longer have to worry about Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne. Now the Tigers turn to a 5-star 6′ 5″ 245 lb. pro-style quarterback with more arm strength than any QB in the country. DJ Uigalelei will torch the ACC, en route to another CFB playoff. The Tigers continue to be in “another league”.
2. vs. Liberty
2020 record: 10-1
The Flames went 10-1 last season, and now return 16 starters. Malik Willis is a good quarterback. I don’t think John Wildhack realized what was coming when he signed the dotted line to play a series with Liberty, prior to Hugh Freeze’s first season.
3. at NC State
2020 record: 8-4
The Wolfpack are coming off a strong season, despite uncertainty at the quarterback position after Devin Leary’s early-season injury. Leary returns as the presumptive starter, and if he can stay healthy the Wolfpack will be a threat in the ACC. State has won 6 of 7 against Syracuse since 2014.
4. vs. Wake Forest
2020 record: 4-5
The Demon Deacons are stringing together solid seasons in the conference now. Over 1,000 rushing yards return between their top-2 running backs, and with another year of experience under QB Sam Hartman’s belt, Wake can take a step forward and finish with a winning record.
5. vs. Boston College
2020 record: 6-5
Jeff Hafley’s first season was strong. The Eagles gave both Clemson and Notre Dame close games last season. Phil Jerkovec returns as a a top-3 quarterback in the ACC, and figures to improve with top targets Zay Flowers and Kobay White back. There is no question about the BC offense, but the defense lost a lot of talent to graduation.
6. vs. Rutgers
2020 record: 3-6
Looks like the Scarlett Knights might be revitalized under coach Greg Schiano. 3-6 in the Big Ten would traditionally be out of reach for Rutgers, but Schiano accomplished that in season #1. Impressive.
7. vs. Pittsburgh
2020 record: 6-5
Pitt has a top-5 recruiting class in the ACC, but has to replace QB Kenny Pickett as well as defensive lineman Rashad Weaver and Patrick Jones II. The Panthers are one of the biggest mysteries in the conference for next season.
8. at Virginia Tech
2020 record: 4-6
The Hokies don’t seem to be going the right direction under Coach Justin Fuente. Their losing 2020 was the first of the kind since 1992.
9. at Louisville
2020 record: 3-7
With Dez Fitzpatrick, Tutu Atwell and Javian Hawkins off to the NFL, there’s a lot to of talent to replace around quarterback Malik Cunningham. The Cardinals program still seems to be in a chaotic place. Another horrid season seems unlikely, but so does a big leap.
10. at Florida State
2020 record: 3-6
Mike Norvell’s first season was full of covid troubles. Still, the campaign was not inspiring. Florida State will be very young in 2021. Expectations are tempered.
11. at Ohio
2020 season: 2-1
It’s pretty hard to tell much of anything about Ohio, as they only played three games in 2020. The Bobcats have been pretty solid under HC Frank Solich (115-82), since 2005.
12. vs. Albany
2020 season: 0-0
Presented without comment.
