Syracuse Football: Will Orange flip script, reach bowl game in 2021?

How will Syracuse football fare in 2021?

Syracuse will be better than they were last year. It is hard to imagine it getting any worse than it got last season. If the offensive line improves, the offense instantly improves. If the Orange want any chance at the postseason, they need to win at least three of their first four games.

• Game 1: at Ohio (W) — The Bobcats are one of the better teams in the MAC, and this game is not going to be easy. Athens is not the easiest place to get to, and it’s a night game. However, Syracuse should be able to win a close one.
• Game 2: Rutgers (W) — This is a toss-up. Syracuse gets the edge because Rutgers’ defense struggled last season and won’t be much better. Rutgers’s run defense was awful, and Syracuse has four outstanding running backs.  The Orange win a high-scoring game.
• Game 3: Albany (W) — Easy win against a letter opponent.
• Game 4: Liberty (L) — This should be a revenge game for the Orange. However, they did not stop Malik Willis last season, and they won’t stop him this season. Willis takes advantage of an inexperienced secondary and lights up the Orange defense.
• Game 5: at Florida State (L) — Florida State might still be rebuilding, but they are better. Syracuse avoided the Seminoles last season during conference play, and the Seminoles will be much improved. It does not help matters the Orange travel to Florida for this game. Seminoles win a close game.
• Game 6: Wake Forest (L) — The Orange managed only two touchdowns against the Demon Deacons last season. This year, Wake is without Carlos Basham, so the pass rush loses some punch. That said, this could turn out to be a track meet, and Wake Forest is more solidified at quarterback.
• Game 7: Clemson (L) — Clemson is one of the country’s elite; Syracuse is not. Maybe the Orange hang for a quarter.
• Game 8: at Virginia Tech (W) — This is a toss-up. Both Quincy Patterson and Hendon Hooker transferred, and running back Khalil Herbert is in the NFL. Despite traveling to Blacksburg, Syracuse could pull the upset against a team without an identity.
• Game 9: Boston College (L) — The Eagles might finish second behind Clemson this fall. The offense behind quarterback Phil Jurkovec and Zay Flowers is going to be really good. Kobe White rejoins the receiving corps, and the defense is experienced. The Orange keep it close, but BC pulls away at the end.
• Game 10: at Louisville (L) — The Orange were shut out by the Cardinals last season; that will not happen this year. Louisville has to recover from losing several players to the NFL in the last couple of years. This is another toss-up. Cardinals win with a last-second field goal.
• Game 11: at NC State (L) — The Wolfpack have one of the better teams in the Atlantic. Bailey Hockman had over 300 yards and four touchdowns against Syracuse last year, but the Orange kept it close. This is another close one, but Syracuse falls.
• Game 12: Pitt (W) — The Orange take advantage of Pitt not having an elite pass rusher this season, and the run game gashes the Panther defense. Pitt’s offense is nothing to write home about, and Syracuse wins its season finale.

Final record: 5-7, 2-6 ACC

There are a couple of toss-up games for the Orange that could go either way. Beating Louisville would not be much of an upset; neither would losing to Virginia Tech. Everything hinges on their offensive line play. If the offensive line is abysmal like it has been the last couple of years, this could be another three-win season for the Orange.