Adam (0-0): Syracuse 38, Ohio 10 – (9-2) Last Year
This prediction was way harder from me than it probably should have been. On one hand, I’m pessimistic about a first-year head coach who has never even been a solo coordinator before. On the other, I can’t see any world in which Syracuse doesn’t dominate Ohio. The thing that usually leads to upsets is teams doing the little things wrong. Fran Brown has emphasized the small things over and over again throughout the entire offseason. I trust Brown and the Orange to get the job done and blow the doors off of the Bobcats. If they don’t then my pessimism might crawl further back into my brain heading into Georgia Tech.
Tyler (0-0): Exempt From Prediction – (5-5) Last Year
Syracuse fans have high expectations for the Orange this year, and rightfully so. If SU’s going to accomplish anything close to its ceiling, then Ohio shouldn’t be a problem. Now, ‘Cuse head coach Fran Brown did say that the Bobcats are a better team, but that’s just a coach respecting a program that’s put together back-to-back 10-win seasons. Expect Syracuse to find its footing against Ohio before an important conference clash with Georgia Tech next week.
Nico (0-0): Syracuse 28, Ohio 10 – New To Staff
Here’s to a new era of Syracuse football. The top recruiter in the country puts on the headset and roams the sidelines for the first time in his career. Expect a slow start for Syracuse at the beginning of the Ohio game. I don’t see SU jumping out to a fast lead based on the first game jitters from all-around. At halftime, don’t be surprised if the game is tied. I fully expect the Orange to takeover in the second half and there should be no issue getting a first home victory for the Ohio State transfer quarterback Kyle McCord. The message for this year’s SU team: get out hot and early. However, I don’t see that coming to fruition in game one.
Dan S (0-0): Syracuse 45, Ohio 10 – New To Staff
There is no way SU should be close to losing this game. In what will be Fran Brown’s first game as a head coach, he is going against an Ohio team that lost its two best players on both offense and defense to the portal this offseason. That has left a Bobcat squad that is one of the most inexperienced teams in college football. This should not only allow Kyle McCord to shine but also set a standard of what’s to come for this Orange team. Syracuse has to attack Ohio early and put this game to bed before it even begins.
Alex (0-0): Syracuse 34, Ohio 14 – New To Staff
Will there be growing pains? Yes. Does that mean Syracuse will lose to a non-power conference school? No. With a first-time head coach and a quarterback adjusting to a new program, Syracuse’s offense might take a quarter or two to wake up. But while the Orange added this offseason, the Bobcats more or less subtracted. Losing six all-conference players plus three-year starting quarterback Kurtis Rourke will sting for Ohio. And a revamped defensive line from Syracuse should be able to pressure Ohio QB Parker Navarro in just his second career start. SU likely will roll in the second half and take the opener.
Dan P (0-0): Syracuse 24, Ohio 13 – New To Staff
There’s so much buzz to see Fran Brown and this new-look offense take the field on Saturday, but the brakes need to be pumped just a bit. There’s going to be some growing pains for Kyle McCord and the Orange, which should see the defense stepping up against a quarterback making just his second career start in Ohio’s Parker Navarro. Expect a slow first half for both offenses with a splash play or two for scores. Don’t sleep on the Bobcats and veteran head coach Tim Albin, but in the end, the Fran Brown era should start out on the right foot.
