Syracuse Football Schedule 2016: Game-By-Game Predictions


Syracuse football schedule predictions and early game-by-game preview for 2016. Projecting how the Orange will do this year.


Syracuse comes into the season with a new coaching staff and a new attitude. Will the schedule work out well enough to go to a bowl game? Check out the preseason predictions for every game.

Sept. 3 vs. Colgate

The Raiders should find a way to get into the Patriot League title chase if the defense can be up to snuff again, but they’re about to be hit hard by the Syracuse offense that’ll look solid – not sensational – right out of the gate.

Preseason Prediction: Syracuse 38, Colgate 6

Sept. 9 vs. Louisville

This would kick off the Dino Babers ACC era with a big, giant, massive win, but unfortunately the offense won’t be there quite yet to keep up the pace. The Friday night game will be fun and interesting, but the Cardinals will pull away in the second half.

Preseason Prediction: Louisville 37, Syracuse 27

Sept. 17 vs. USF

The Bulls have the running game and the defense to get control of the game and make it a good battle. They’ll keep the score down, but they won’t have enough firepower with the passing game to overcome a nice day from the SU air attack.

Preseason Prediction: Syracuse 27, USF 16

Sept. 24 at Connecticut

It’s on the road against yet another good defensive team from the American Athletic Conference, and it’s another game where the Syracuse defense will look great against a mediocre offense. It won’t be anything pretty, but the Orange will take their third win of the young season.

Preseason Prediction: Syracuse 23, Connecticut 17

Oct. 1 vs. Notre Dame (in New Jersey)

It’s sort of a Syracuse home game, except it isn’t, since it’s being played in East Rutherford, New Jersey. At this point in the season, Notre Dame should be hitting its stride. It’ll be a fun environment for both teams, but the Irish will grind it out and make more of a muck game.

Preseason Prediction: Notre Dame 30, Syracuse 17

Oct. 8 at Wake Forest

The Demon Deacons will need this. They’ll be coming in on a little bit of a losing streak, and they’ll have a trip to Florida State coming up next. Syracuse will have the deep plays that Wake won’t. The Orange’s defense won’t be anything special, but the offense will be terrific through the air in a scoring shootout.

Preseason Prediction: Syracuse 34, Wake Forest 31

Oct. 15 vs. Virginia Tech

And there’s the Syracuse team and the win that’ll change things up. Virginia Tech is the better team, and the Hokie defense should be able to make up for a sloppy day from the offense, but the Orange will come up with come up with a sharp day taking advantage of mistakes for the huge victory.

Preseason Prediction: Syracuse 27, Virginia Tech 23

Oct. 22 at Boston College

Syracuse will be on a roll after the win over Virginia Tech, but going to Boston College will end the fun in a hurry. The Orange won’t be able to grind with the Eagles and get by their defense up front, but with a week off to rest up, BC will finally win an ACC game again.

Preseason Prediction: Boston College 34, Syracuse 27

Nov. 5 at Clemson

The time off won’t do enough to help the Orange. Clemson will already have two losses and will be more than ready to start kicking it back in. Last year’s fight in the Carrier Dome was tough, but this will be a focused and strong effort from the defending ACC champs. They’ll coast after the first quarter.

Preseason Prediction: Clemson 38, Syracuse 17

Nov. 12 vs. NC State

The Wolfpack will need a relatively easy game at home – at least compared to the big boys faced on the road before this – but it’s not going to happen as Syracuse comes up with a terrific game from a balanced offensive run. The Orange get bowl eligible in a must-win with Florida State up next.

Preseason Prediction: Syracuse 37, NC State 31

Nov. 19 vs. Florida State

Syracuse will throw everything including the kitchen sink at the Seminoles in the final home game of the season. FSU will be too good, too talented, and too strong – waking up just in time to get the win – but Twitter will be buzzing about a possible upset until late.

Preseason Prediction: Florida State 30, Syracuse 23

Nov. 26 at Pitt

Syracuse will already have a bowl bid locked up, and the team should get better by the end of the season, but it’ll get hit by a Pitt team that plays like the team it was supposed to be all season long. The Orange will get a few nice drives, but they’ll settle for too many field goals.

Preseason Prediction: Pitt 38, Syracuse 12

2016 Prediction: 6-6
2016 ACC Prediction: 3-5


MORE: 2016 Preseason College Football Rankings, No. 1-128