As Syracuse gears up for the 2024 football season, all eyes are on Kyle McCord, the former Ohio State quarterback now leading the Orange. With a fresh start under first-time head coach Fran Brown, Syracuse has an opportunity to make some noise, or disappoint. This follows the firing of former SU head coach Dino Babers, and a new era that Syracuse can live in.
There’s a lot of pressure weighing on SU’s offense, especially early in the season. Syracuse has a favorable schedule, but it has to take advantage. It all starts with games the Orange have to take care of right off the bat to set them up for success throughout the rest of the season.
With McCord going to Syracuse from Ohio State, some may say that he has an easy road ahead. While that could be true, what if McCord doesn’t live up to expectations right away?
SU fans need to stay patient at the start of the year with a fresh QB, head coach, and others.
In comparison to last year’s opening contest for McCord, Ohio State beat Indiana 23-3. The Buckeyes only led this game 10-3 at halftime. Watch for this weekend to possibly have a similar slow beginning, and for SU to explode in the second half.
McCord threw for 239 yards on 20-33 completed passes and one interception in last year’s season opener.
If McCord can improve on his numbers that started last season, he has a legitimate shot at being a consistent player for Syracuse and one of the best in the ACC. But, it has to start early in the year with SU facing Ohio, Georgia Tech, Stanford, and Holy Cross.
A lot of pressure faces this new-look Syracuse squad, but it starts at the top. We’ll see if McCord can live up to the expectations that ride him at the moment. If not, SU might be in trouble again.
