There are lofty expectations for Syracuse Football in 2025. Despite losing Kyle McCord and having one of the nation’s toughest schedules, anything other than a bowl season will be a hard pillow to swallow.
But what is SU’s path to getting there? Here are five games that will make or break the 2025 season for Syracuse football.
Does this need to be a win? No. Tennessee was a CFP playoff team last year. But the first game sets the momentum for the rest of the year. And for Syracuse that means being competitive on a neutral site against a very good team.
- Duke
Smack dab in the middle of SU’s matchups with two CFP teams – Clemson and SMU – SU NEEDS to grab a victory against the Blue Devils. It’s a home game on a Saturday in September. While the Orange likely won’t be 4-0 going into this one, it will still have a ton of meaning to Syracuse’s season.
- Georgia Tech
SU has a lot of tough road tests this year, and Georgia Tech may end up being one of the easiest. But that doesn’t mean the Yellow Jackets are an easy opponent. Georgia Tech has been trending in the right direction, and its fans can get rowdy in the ATL. Still, SU has to win.
- North Carolina
This one has all the makings of a classic. Halloween. Friday Night Lights. Bill Belichick. Well, hopefully he’s still the coach then. But if he is, Fran Brown has the chance to prove himself as an elite coach against one of the best to ever do it.
- Boston College
It’s the last game of the season. We’ve been tricked into thinking this is a rivalry. AnfdSU very well could need a win in this game to get to a bowl game. It’s always ugly when these two teams face off, but the Orange need to triumph in this regular season finale.
