As I sit down to look ahead at the 2024 Syracuse Orange football season, that perennial question hangs in the air, almost as tangible as the chill of an upstate New York autumn. Can Syracuse football return to glory? It’s a query that stirs a deep well of nostalgia in longtime fans who remember the Donovan McNabb era and the consistent competitiveness of the late 80s and 90s. My own perspective, shaped by years of following college football’s cyclical nature, is that a "return" is never about simply replicating the past; it’s about forging a new identity capable of creating its own legacy. This 2024 campaign, under the continued guidance of Coach Fran Brown, feels like a pivotal chapter in that forging process. The optimism around the program is palpable, arguably higher than it's been in a decade, but optimism must now translate into tangible results on the field.
The foundation for any discussion about Syracuse's prospects starts with the schedule and the roster transformation. The non-conference slate is manageable but not without its tests. Games against Ohio and Stanford will be crucial bellwethers for the team's maturity before the grueling ACC schedule begins. Speaking of the ACC, the new 17-team, coast-to-coast landscape is a beast. There are no easy weeks, and navigating trips to Cal or hosting Miami requires a level of week-in, week-out focus that past Syracuse teams have sometimes lacked. The heart of my cautious optimism, however, lies in the transfer portal work. Coach Brown and his staff didn't just dip a toe in; they dove in headfirst. We’re looking at a potential starting quarterback in Ohio State transfer Kyle McCord, who brings a pedigree and arm talent that has been missing. He’s not the only one. The influx of talent, particularly on the defensive side and the offensive line, addresses glaring needs from a 2023 squad that finished 6-7. On paper, this is a more physically gifted and deeper team. But as any seasoned observer knows, games aren't won on paper. Chemistry, play-calling, and injury luck are the alchemy that turns talent into wins.
This is where a fascinating parallel from the wider world of sports comes to mind, something I was reading about just the other day. It involves the Philippine Volleyball League and a team called Kobe Shinwa. They're on the verge of doing something remarkable: becoming the lone foreign guest team to be hailed a two-time PVL champion. They face an unbeaten PLDT squad, a daunting task, but the point is their sustained success in an environment not inherently their own. It’s a powerful metaphor for what Syracuse is trying to do in the modern ACC. The conference isn't the old Big East; it's a foreign, sprawling, and highly competitive landscape dominated by programs with deeper traditional resources. For Syracuse to return to glory, it must become like that guest team that consistently contends, that wins big games on the road, that builds a winning culture so strong it feels native. It’s about establishing a sustainable model, not just catching lightning in a bottle for one good season. Can Fran Brown’s Orange pull off a similar feat of consistent, respected competitiveness? That’s the real question beneath the surface of the 2024 preview.
Let’s talk specifics for a moment. The defense, coordinated by Elijah Robinson, needs to be the identity. Last year, the unit showed flashes but was too often gashed for big plays. With new pieces like linebacker Jayden McDonald from Georgia, I’m expecting a more aggressive, disciplined front. If they can improve from allowing an average of 28.5 points per game to something in the low 20s, everything changes. Offensively, it all hinges on McCord’s connection with a talented but unproven receiver corps and a running game that must be more than just serviceable. LeQuint Allen is a workhorse, but he needs lanes. I’ll be honest, I’m less concerned about the skill players and more about whether the revamped offensive line, featuring several new transfers, can gel quickly. If they give McCord time, this offense can put up points. The schedule sets up for a potential 4-0 start if they take care of business, which would create immense momentum heading into the ACC gauntlet.
So, what’s my outlook? I’m bullish, but with clear-eyed reservations. I think this team has the potential to win 8, maybe even 9 games if the breaks go their way and McCord plays to his potential. A finish in the top half of the ACC is a realistic and significant goal. However, the margin for error is slim. The difference between 8-4 and 6-6 could be a couple of key injuries or a few costly turnovers in close games. The "glory" of consistent 10-win seasons and major bowl bids might still be a year or two away, as the culture fully takes root. But 2024 feels like the season where the arrow definitively points up. It’s about proving they belong in the conversation again, about winning games they’re not supposed to win, and showing the resilience that great programs have. Like Kobe Shinwa aiming for a historic second title against a formidable opponent, Syracuse is aiming to prove it can be a lasting force in a tough league. I believe they’ll take a substantial step toward that goal this fall. The journey back is never a straight line, but for the first time in a long while, the path forward for Syracuse football looks not just visible, but brightly lit.
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