In a time when some outlets and metrics have tempered expectations for Syracuse football, the hype around the program is still growing overall. Recently, Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports put out a list of four potential Cinderella teams for next season’s College Football Playoff, and Syracuse was one of the squads that made the cut.
Four teams were identified, one from each Power 4 conference: Rutgers from the Big Ten, Iowa State from the Big 12, Auburn from the SEC, and Syracuse from the ACC. While sharing space on the list with Rutgers might rub some ‘Cuse fans the wrong way, seeing Syracuse and College Football Playoff in the same sentence is amazing. It’s something that was unthinkable for the last eight seasons. While the shift to a 12-team playoff helps, that’s not the only reason the Orange have a shot.
Specifically, Fornelli pointed out how the hiring of head coach Fran Brown changed the momentum of the entire program in an instant.
“Brown has injected a lot of energy and excitement into the program, which is great, but he’s also enhanced the talent level,” said Fornelli.
One area that the Orange are expected to get better in is taking care of the ball. SU turned the ball over on nearly 5% of QB dropbacks. Kyle McCord, the transfer quarterback from Ohio State, threw just six interceptions on 348 passes last season.
As most people have already noticed, Fornelli also commented on the group of opponents Syracuse faces in its potential path to the College Football Playoff.
“The most difficult games appear to be at NC State in mid-October and the regular-season finale at home against Miami,” said Fornelli. “While there will be other tricky games (vs. Georgia Tech, at Pitt, and vs. Virginia Tech come to mind), there is no Florida State or Clemson. In the ACC, you cannot ask for a friendlier schedule break than that.”
With new talent and an easy schedule, maybe the slipper will fit and Syracuse will end up in the College Football Playoff.
