2017 Syracuse Football W-L predictions

[orange44]

8-5

 

[OrangePA]

Much improved but schedule still just too tough - 4-8.

 

[007]

5-7.

I think we'll get the necessary 3-0 start. I worry that we're not nearly deep enough yet to find another 3 wins to get bowl eligible.

My hope is that the inevitable injuries will not pile up until later in the season. The most important 2-game stretch (assuming we start 3-0) is NC State/Pitt. If we take one of those then 6 wins becomes much more possible because I like our chances at home later in the year vs. Wake and BC.

I was about to post something similar.

Vegas has the over/under at 4 wins. Objectively, I think that's always a good place start the analysis. I think we have the offensive chops and just enough talent to get to 6. But...the schedule is brutal, especially the away games. Playing physical, top 15ish teams on the road, combined with all the travel and the razor thin depth at key positions, might be too much to overcome.

 

[RF2044]

I was about to post something similar.

Vegas has the over/under at 4 wins. Objectively, I think that's always a good place start the analysis. I think we have the offensive chops and just enough talent to get to 6. But...the schedule is brutal, especially the away games. Playing physical, top 15ish teams on the road, combined with all the travel and the razor thin depth at key positions, might be too much to overcome.

Injuries / depth could definitely be a factor. But I see us widening the gap with some of the teams that we SHOULD beat on the schedule, that we've often struggled to beat under the last three coaching staffs. I expect our performance against peer programs to increase substantially, beginning this year. Against the upper echelon teams? Not quite there yet.

Also helps that we have two key games at home that we lost last year.

 

[cuse10]

Barring injuries, this team can go 7-5.

Ws:

• CCSU
• MTSU
• CMU
• Wake
• Pitt
• BC
• NC State

Ls

• LSU
• Clemson
• Louisville
• Miami
• Florida State

 

[Shenexon]

Averaging the votes of the people whose opinions I have great respect for I get 6-6 with an opportunity to finish above .500 with a bowl game win. And that's where I am: wins in the first three, Pitt, WF, and BC. The offense will prosper and the defense will let us score more than those teams. Dino would have the kids inspired in any bowl game so I like our chances to finish with a winning record.

I'd like to be competitive with other teams on our schedule even in a loss. Do well this year and the noise in the dome next year will give us a significant advantage. Fill the dome and Dino might stay a while...

 

[Chip]

Much improved but schedule still just too tough - 4-8.

There's a really good chance this is right, but at least 1, if not 2 of those losses are going to be tough to swallow. Anyone from the pool of CCSU, Mid Tenn, CMU, BC, Wake being the toughest, and even I'd say Pitt. We just have to turn that series around. Last 3 Dome games were 3 point, 1 point, 1 point games respectively.

 

[007]

Injuries / depth could definitely be a factor. But I see us widening the gap with some of the teams that we SHOULD beat on the schedule, that we've often struggled to beat under the last three coaching staffs. I expect our performance against peer programs to increase substantially, beginning this year. Against the upper echelon teams? Not quite there yet.

Also helps that we have two key games at home that we lost last year.

I hear you. I also think we can and will be able to play with most of the teams on the schedule. At this point, and FWIW, I suspect that we will only be "favored" in 4 games (first 3 and BC; maybe Wake). Obviously, a lot of that can, and will, change as the season unfolds, both positively and negatively. Unfortunately, I think we are more susceptible to negative outcomes as the season takes its toll.

Basaed on what we think we know, Pitt at home will be the pivotal game of the season.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

8 and 5. It's going to happen.

But as I say every pre-season... I'd take a guaranteed 6 and 6 with a bowl right now.

 

[OrangePA]

There's a really good chance this is right, but at least 1, if not 2 of those losses are going to be tough to swallow. Anyone from the pool of CCSU, Mid Tenn, CMU, BC, Wake being the toughest, and even I'd say Pitt. We just have to turn that series around. Last 3 Dome games were 3 point, 1 point, 1 point games respectively.

I'm worried about Middle Tennessee.

Just feels like a problem game to me.

 

[Scooch]

There's a really good chance this is right, but at least 1, if not 2 of those losses are going to be tough to swallow. Anyone from the pool of CCSU, Mid Tenn, CMU, BC, Wake being the toughest, and even I'd say Pitt. We just have to turn that series around. Last 3 Dome games were 3 point, 1 point, 1 point games respectively.

Agree, 4-8 would not be good. If we don't start 3-0 that's bad. If we can't beat both BC and Wake, at home, that's not good.

I wouldn't be calling for Dino's head or anything, it's year 3 that really matters. But absent a few catastrophic injuries, 4-8 can not be spun as progress IMHO.

 

[elimunelson]

Agree, 4-8 would not be good. If we don't start 3-0 that's bad. If we can't beat both BC and Wake, at home, that's not good.

I wouldn't be calling for Dino's head or anything, it's year 3 that really matters. But absent a few catastrophic injuries, 4-8 can not be spun as progress IMHO.

I wouldn't be surprised with 4-8. I want to see how the season ends. 2009 ended with that thumping of Rutgers. Gave me a nice feeling for the rest of the Marrone tenure. If this team jumps out to 4-1 and loses out, that will be a real bad scenario and will leave a bad taste with the fans, the recruits, etc. It won't be a good stabilizing season for a program that needs everything going right for it to jump to next level.

I'm hoping we finish up with a thumping of BC which gets us into a bowl game. That'll be very very nice.

 

[Chip]

I'm worried about Middle Tennessee.

Just feels like a problem game to me.

Very productive offense (returns their QB, top 2 WRs), and Shafer running the defense. I can see why.

But it won't sneak up on anyone. Casual fan won't think much of them, but the staff and team knows what they can do.

1 thru 85 we have better personnel, and we need to win it. It's a good test for our improved D.

 

[PhatOrange]

This team is good enough to beat:

CCSU
MTSU
CMU
NC State
Pitt
Wake
BC

But of those, NC State and Pitt are toss ups. Unless the wheels fall off there's no way I believe we lose to either BC or Wake.

A few breaks here and there and we could beat LVille and/or Miami

The only sure losses in my mind are LSU, Clemson and FSU

I think we're anywhere from 5-7 to 7-5 with a very remote chance to hit a high mark of 8-5 or catching lightning in a bottle 9-3

Minimum expectation is 5-7

Gun to my head I'll say 6-6

 

[Bayside44]

That LSU game is just so stupid.

 

[Rocco]

15-0

Pound salt, Bama.

 

[Cuseregular]

Middle Tennessee has as much if not more talent than SU. Their DL is big and deep.

yep heard today they're picked to win their conference

 

[Madbiker]

4-8. Wins vs. Central CT, CMU, Wake, BC. That's all folks. Hoping for more competitive loses against ACC this year.

 

[Bayside44]

I'm worried about Middle Tennessee.

Just feels like a problem game to me.

I want to see Shafer yelling -you Dino as we run it up on them.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I want to see Shafer yelling -you Dino as we run it up on them.

It would make an interesting statement for Babers to pound the old HC's team, for sure.

 

[CuseCactus]

Is this the toughest schedule in SU's modern history? Sheesh. I heard some pundits picking NC State to 10-3. Trevor Matich said "Miami is back". FSU? Clemson? LSU? When was the last time we beat Pitt? Even MTSU is looking very scary - especially with FHCSS on the D side.

Nonetheless, in Dino and Dungey I trust. 8-5.

 

[Pyle]

Either guys will stay healthy or they'll get hurt, or we'll win some games..... or we won't.

 

[JKinPhilly]

Ever the optimist I say we catch lightning in a bottle and go 9-3.

Rattle off 3 wins to start the season, before falling in a valiant effort in Baton Rouge. We come back to win our next 2 before losing to Clemson. We beat Miami, lose to FSU then finish with 3 straight wins to end the season.

 

[Chris02M]

6-6 or 7-5 with bowl chance to win 7 or 8

 

[Briancuse]

6-6