Syracuse football will begin its new season with a fresh look at plenty of places. There’s a new coach, a new quarterback, and a new conference. Now that the ACC schedule is out,¬†The Fizz looks at every conference opponent the Orange will face this season.
- Clemson
41 PPG
Defeated LSU in Chick-fil-A-Bowl, 25-24
Finished 2nd in ACC Atlantic (11-2)
Plays Syracuse October 5
This is a very strong Clemson team. The statistics speak for themselves, as the 41 points scored per game was sixth in the country. The Tigers’ offense is one of the most explosive in the nation, but Clemson will have to play in the Carrier Dome. The Tigers will once again contend for the conference title and a BCS berth. In its first homecoming game of the ACC era, the Orange will face one of its toughest opponents. Expect the Loud House to be very loud.
- NC State
28.1 PPG
Lost to Vanderbilt in Music City Bowl, 38-24
Finished 3rd in ACC Atlantic (7-6)
Plays Syracuse October 12 
NC State is similar to Syracuse. Last season, both teams had one big win against a ranked opponent. The Wolfpack beat No. 3 Florida State 17-16 and of course, the Orange beat Louisville 45-26. Mike Glennon, who threw for 4,031 yards last season and helped the Wolfpack average 310 passing yards, has moved onto the NFL. Like Syracuse, NC State will have to find its starting quarterback and ways to win with a new leader.
- Georgia Tech
33.6 PPG
Defeated USC in Hyundai Sun Bowl, 21-7
Finished 3rd in ACC Coastal (7-7)
Plays Syracuse October 19
The Orange will have to focus on stopping the running game of the Yellow Jackets. GT has one of the most complex, and productive ground attacks in the nation. Georgia Tech was fourth in the country with 311.2 rushing yards last season. SU will try to fight fire with fire, after averaging 187.2 rushing yards per game from Jerome Smith and Prince Tyson-Gulley.
- Wake Forest
18.5 PPG
Did not play in a bowl game
Finished 4th in ACC Atlantic (5-7)
Plays Syracuse November 2
Syracuse came from 15 points behind with just over 11 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter to beat Wake 36-29 to open ’11. There’s no gimmes in the ACC, so the Orange will need to win this game for bowl eligibility. It’s one of the few breathers on the schedule. By this point in the schedule, SU should be comfortable with its starting quarterback, and this one is at the Dome.
- Maryland
20.1 PPG
Did not play in bowl game
Finished 5th in ACC Atlantic (4-8)
Plays Syracuse November 9
This will be the only time SU faces off against Maryland as a conference foe. The Terps will head to the Big 10 in ’14. Maryland began 4-2 record last season, but then lost six straight to finish the season. The Terps gave up at least 41 points in each of the last three games. The defense was sloppy last season, and if that carries over Syracuse can use its passing game and running game to tack on points.
- Florida State
39.3 PPG
Defeated Northern Illinois in Discover Orange Bowl, 31-10
Finished 1st in ACC Atlantic (12-2)
Plays Syracuse November 16
This is the game every Syracuse fan needs to circle on their calendar. This will likely be the toughest true road game of the season. Can the Orange pull the shocker? Two seasons ago, Syracuse shook up Geno Smith and West Virginia. Last season, Syracuse had Louisville’s number perfectly. But this Florida State team has as much skill as any team in the ACC. The Seminoles were 10th in the country in points scored. Florida State only allowed 14.7 points per game, which was sixth best in the nation. Playing in Tallahassee will be an enormous task. Welcome to a real college football conference.
- Pittsburgh
26.6 PPG
Lost to Ole Miss in BBVA Compass Bowl, 38-17
Finished 5th in Big East (8-5)
Plays Syracuse November 23
These two teams know each other, that’s for sure. Last season, the Orange beat the Panthers 14-13 in the Carrier Dome, a rare win over Pitt. As it was in the Big East, this matchup is likely a coin toss. The Panthers once again brought in a solid haul of recruits this past February from the fertile state of Pennsylvania. These are the toss-up games that may decide whether the Orange go bowling.
- Boston College
19.8 PPG
Did not play in bowl game
Finished 6th in ACC Atlantic (2-10)
Plays Syracuse November 30 
This may be the easiest game in conference for the Orange. BC has struggled to win games since the Matt Ryan era and Steve Addazio takes over the program. It’ll be a pair of first-year head coaches going at it. It’ll be fun to have the old rivalry back. The Eagles had to beat the Orange in 2004 to advance to the BCS game but Syracuse came out on top and upset BC. This game is at the Dome, and it may be a crazy atmosphere if the Orange need a win for bowl eligibility.
Posted: Austin Pollack
29 responses to “Crazy Eights: Breaking Down Every ’13 Syracuse Football Opponent in ACC”
The Boston College game is at the Dome this year, not at Chestnut Hill! I have Season tickets that say so!
Thanks Rich. The change has been made. Good catch! -DA
Just got this information from an article posted on ESPN. They all think that Clemson will take the Atlantic Division this year based on the fact that they have their hardest games at home.
Then this;
1. Clemson Tigers
Projected finish: 9-3
Win total range: 7-5 to 11-1
Chance to win ACC: 24 percent
Have you noticed the WIN TOTAL RANGE?
Why didn’t they say 1-11 to 12-0? Wouldn’t that have covered it all?
Experts are giving them only a 24% chance of winning the ACC this year.
That information is why I’m picking Syracuse to pull off the upset in the dome. Must be others are not seeing the greatness in this team either.
Ron,
I love your faith in Syracuse. I am someone who has a lot of faith in this team. I don’t think all the changes will be too much. Florida State and Clemson will be the two toughest games, for sure. In the last two years, Syracuse has won some games nobody expected it to. Louisville? West Virginia? These were ranked teams. I’m a big believer in home field advantage in college football.
Syracuse is a growing program and has been a little bit of a surprise the last few years
(aside from the 2011 season when it failed to make a bowl game…scratch that season). The two bowl games and even beating great teams during the regular season make me excited to watch this team and the opponents.
AP
ustin, I’ve been to too many games where Syracuse was the underdog only to have them dominate the opponent and win the game. I watched them destroy Michigan in the Big House,last year destroy Louisville in the dome and West Virgina in the Pinstripe Bowl. Nebraska and Virginia Tech in the dome too. We were underdogs in all of them. The one that sticks out to me the most is when my wife and I traveled to the 1995/96 Gator Bowl and played the mighty Tigers of Clemson University. We were the underdogs in that one too and Syracuse destroyed them 41-0.
I think that people over look the fact that when Syracuse has been and faces a challenge,they arise and meet them. I consider that to be one of the deciding “X” factors in the game for Syracuse.
You know the old saying Austin,”to old to change your ways”,well I’m cosidered an old timer and I’m definately not going to change the love I have for Syracuse University and their sports programs.
On a different note,Syracuse has both the mens & womens Lacrosse teams in the NCAA Tournament vying for National Championships. How can anyone not be excited about the tournament?
I have them at 5-3….. Wins against BC, Pitt, MD, Wake, and NC State…. Losses to Clemson, GT, and FSU.
Ron,
That’s what is so great about Syracuse fan — they have great spirit and a love for their team. I think they build off the spirit, love and energy and that’s what helps them win those big games. I’m a rising junior and going to the Wake Forest game was the first game I went to in the Dome and I thought, ‘wow…this is going to be fun.’ And then when I went to the West Virginia game, I thought, ‘wow…can’t want to watch ESPN and have them show how legendary Syracuse football is for beating Geno and WVU in the Dome.’
I like your spirit– Syracuse needs fans like you! Keep it up.
-AP
LilJoe47,
Not a bad prediction, but I think Syracuse will pull off an upset against Clemson in the Dome. I agree with the FSU game.
Clemson is homecoming, in the Dome and the biggest game campus has seen since the Georgetown basketball game (yes, I know I’m talking about two different sports but I’m thinking about the fan base).
Like I said to Ron in my last comment, I’m a rising junior at Syracuse and from what I’ve seen, homecoming hasn’t been a huge thing in ‘Cuse. Maybe I’m wrong, but not the point.
Also, Syracuse builds off energy from the fans. This will happen. It might be a close game, but I think the Orange will pull this one off.
Have a good weekend my man,
AP
@Ron&Russ will be fired up til August! I love the enthusiasm.. and the college landscape changes every season, so anything is possible.. but going to a 3rd bowl game in 4 seasons is a STRONG POSSIBILITY!
Let the Dip enlighten you….
1. Our running game returns 100 % of 2000 yd(’12-’13) rushers
2. Defensive anchors are back: Spruill, Davis, Lynch, Desir, etc. x5
3. Chemistry.. SU currently has a winning team chemistry!
4. SU has more returning than teams that DIDN’T GO BOWLING..that said, early signs point to a winning season. SU right now is a top50 program with the talent that will be fielded in ’13-’14… bowl game?
@BigDip;
Because of graduation and leaving early for the draft every team go through changes that sometimes devastate a program.
This year however I feel is different than most for Syracuse. We have players that were injured last year and was redshirted. When you think about players like Big John Raymon and Ron Sugar Bear Thompson that didn’t get any playing time and then bring in the monsters that were recruited with the 2013 class,I feel Syracuse is going to be a team to be reckoned with. Sure we had a drop off with the seniors that graduated this year,but I feel that the replacements will do fine.
I feel like most that the biggest question for this team,who is going to be the starting QB?
Fact are facts.. SU will field an uber talented team lmbo! If Hunt hits 55%+ on his passing attempts “watch out”. The thing about the ACC… scoring. You’ve gotta be able to score, and if your team plays good D, you’ll win the conference.
Recent prolific ACC players include:
Matty ice, EJ Manuel & Ponder, David Wilson- rb/ NYG, Heyward-Bey, Hakeem Nicks, Russell Wilson, Calvin Johnson, Spiller, D.Thomas wr/den, etc+
Dont forget standouts: Boldin, Shockey, andre Johnson, vick, Edgerin james & wayne, warrick, ward, etc+
* A big part of confernce success has been star power, not even naming defenders.. Pugh..Nassib..Mike Williams.. Delone Carter..Brinkley..Fiametta.. SU can keep up, the proverbial horses are in the stable?
Ron-Some of the players you mention haven’t played a snap yet. I just don’t see over 6 wins this year. QB is a huge problem as well as the OL/DB’s. The D-line really isn’t decided yet. Injuries and lack of play should factor in here too. RB/TE’s are mentioned strongly and that is true, but it takes a passing game to make the running game go. That is not certain yet!! SU is not an item in the ACC yet. But a 6-6 year would be very reasonable start and yet I still feel hopeful!!
@terry.. .500 % is winning in college football? And I give you permission to speak to me.. @Ron is the fire & I’m the gasoline.. lol
* theres only one national champ, one runner-up, and a handful of bowl winning TEAMS…SU JUST HAPPEN TO BE ONE…Doh! “Hater gotta hate!” Hate on this….
…..1. Justin Pugh 1st rd pick
2. K. Alexander 1st rd pick
3. Dion Waiters 1st rd pick all rookie
4. Fab Melo 1st rd pick, playoffs bos
5. Ryan Nassib nfl draft pick
6. Shamarko Thomas nfl draft pick
7. Kris joseph nba playoffs rookie bk
8. MCW 2013 lottery pick (future) lol
9. Chandler Jones 1st rd, playoffs rookie ne
* This is A++ collegiate level success, some of AMERICA’S BEST .. ta even speak otherwise is NEW YORK TREASON…
@bigDip;
@Ron is the fire & I’m the gasoline,I like it BigDip,I like it a lot.
I know he comes off that way by presenting his opinion differently than most,but I don’t see Terry as hating Syracuse.
I just don’t see Syracuse going 6-6 this year. I mentioned John Raymon that didn’t play last year,but I know(standing6’6″ 320 lbs) that he’s going to be a force that is going to prezsent problems for opposing offenses. Ron Sugar Bear Thompson,here’s a 4* 6’4″ 245 lb TE that is fast and can catch the ball. I watched 3 players fight like hell to bring that manchild down last year after catching a pass in the Spring Scrimmage Game. First impression tells me that Ron Thompson is another force that will give the opposing defenses a problem. The player that got rave reviews during Spring practice was George Morris III. He has to get on the field this year,I believe that he’s that good. We have freshman coming in this summer that has told us all that they have come here to win. They’re big and fast and some are bringing an attitude with some swagger that I hope translates onto the field and helps the team win ball games.
Last year we lost a couple of games that we shouldn’t have and ended with an 8-5 over-all record. We could have been 10-3 or even 11-2 if it weren’t for the stupid mistakes made in those games.
I can see good things happening with this team this year. I stand by with my prediction of a winning season and improving the 8-5 record set in 2012 and Syracuse to another bowl game in 2013.
I know that all do not agree with that,but Bigdip I will debate with Terry for eternity as long as we stay civil to one another. Thank you much for the support.
GO CUSE;
Over the last three weeks the Syracuse University Football program has put offer’s out to another 27 prospects for the class of 2014 according to Ryan Murry at the cuseconfidential.com web site.
I hope Coach Shafers efforts and his intensity pays off with another 25 top notch kids(committing)to come here to play.
GO CUSE;
Hey “dipster” lets keep this on SUFB please. My comments here are SUFB based. SUBB yes is important but not related to what SUFB does in 2013!!!
Clemson plays South Carolina every year. Georgia Tech Plays Georgia every year. Florida State Plays Florida every year.
Clemson and Florida state run this conference. The last thing any of us care about is ‘cuse. This isn’t the big 10 or 12. This is the SEC’s territory and they own the ACC. Welcome to the fight. Were coming back one day but right now, it starts with Tajh Boyd and Aaron Murray- Day one. Watch us close. If we get shut out you will get our anger and we will win the ACC, if we beat georgia— you probably will beat us. ACC plays in patterns like that. We need some more athletic defensive players. Thats all. (Clemson wins 32-10) Not being mean- i gave 10 points– you got no QB we got NFL material, he just needs more coverage.
Does Pick 6 Leak Work…
Crazy Eights: Breaking Down Every ¬í13 Syracuse Football Opponent in ACC : Orange Fizz…
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