The Syracuse Orange have traditionally held the spring game as things step up during early practice. The game is a fan favorite, and the child-friendly event lets fans see how the team is shaping up. However, as other programs begin to cancel spring games, could Syracuse follow?
To call Fran Brown’s first season in charge of Syracuse a success would be an understatement. The former Cincinnati Bengals cornerback left Georgia to become Syracuse’s 31st head coach in November of 2023. His appointment made the team a intrguing prospect among sports fans, media and bettors.
Sports books soon learned that a Syracuse program under Brown’s leadership meant business. Sports betting expert Jose Aquino explains that fans were able to use offshore sportsbooks to find the best selection of prices and bonuses, with many taking the time to assess the best Bitcoin Wallet for sports betting. Fast withdrawals and deposits, as well as enhanced security, made betting on these markets safe and quick.
This was especially useful considering Brown led the team to double-digit wins for only the second time since 2001, and the first 10-win season since 2018. Beating three top-25 AP teams was another notable achievement, the first time this has happened since 1998.
These performances helped Brown lift the Steve Spurrier First Year Coach of the Year Award, and fans and sportsbooks are keen to see how the team looks for next season. Many will be hoping that the spring game will give them this opportunity, but time will tell.
Nebraska, NC State, USC, and Texas have all announced they will skip their spring game this season, with Nebraska’s Matt Rhule explaining that the transfer portal was his side’s reasoning rather than the threat of injuries as many had suggested.
The idea that schools are concerned about showing off their top players does a disservice to recruiting staff who will already have a good idea of the rosters and potential stars for the new season.
Another concern for fans is the growing trend of college sports to squeeze their fans as much as possible by removing access like these games, instead choosing to put revenue first and put fan events behind a paywall. However, there are concerns about the long-term sustainability of this practice, with spring games typically being a great way to engage local communities and expand their fanbases.
There has been no indication yet that Syracuse will follow the lead of other teams, and fans of the game are urging them against the possibility. Being able to attend public events can help to generate the next generation of football fans, and is a great way of giving back to the community.
The excitement of seeing the new roster is something that many look forward to, and some names already being linked, including Florida’s James Johnson. The defensive lineman is in the country’s top 15 for his class and an unofficial visit has already been planned for the spring.
The North Fort Myers High School star already has 40 offers, including one from Brown and Syracuse, who are desperate to land the 6ft 3″, 285 pound defensive tackle who is already enjoying write-ups discussing his potential.
While one of the key reasons that Brown was brought into Syracuse was his South Jersey recruiting ties, he has already signed a good selection of Florida prospects at the high school level, with more pledging to Syracuse for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
The Orange has already surpassed expectations, and everyone is excited to see what the new season brings. With one successful year under his belt and an accolade recognizing his contribution, the opportunity to improve will be fasicnating.
The team’s annual spring game will be an excellent opportunity for everyone to see the developments the team has made, and could be even busier than usual thanks to the air of optimism around the campus.
