CFN's prediction for our season

[Eric15]

Seems pretty reasonable.

Syracuse Orange
2017 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2017 Preseason ACC Prediction: 3-5

Sept. 2 Central Connecticut W
Sept. 9 Middle Tennessee W
Sept. 16 Central Michigan W
Sept. 23 at LSU L
Sept. 30 at NC State L
Oct. 7 Pitt W
Oct. 13 Clemson L
Oct. 21 at Miami L
Oct. 28 OPEN DATE
Nov. 4 at Florida State L
Nov. 11 Wake Forest W
Nov. 18 at Louisville L
Nov. 25 Boston College W

 

[HtownOrange]

I will take it. I still think we beat NCState and pull off one or two upsets to better their projection. Regardless, an improvement in the record and a bowl game will be good for the team.

 

[721Comstock]

Seems pretty reasonable.

Syracuse Orange
2017 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2017 Preseason ACC Prediction: 3-5

Sept. 2 Central Connecticut W
Sept. 9 Middle Tennessee W
Sept. 16 Central Michigan W
Sept. 23 at LSU L
Sept. 30 at NC State L
Oct. 7 Pitt W
Oct. 13 Clemson L
Oct. 21 at Miami L
Oct. 28 OPEN DATE
Nov. 4 at Florida State L
Nov. 11 Wake Forest W
Nov. 18 at Louisville L
Nov. 25 Boston College W

Agreed - only "upset" required there is vs Pitt, which would be a mild one at best.

Let's do this.

 

[Eric15]

I will take it. I still think we beat NCState and pull off one or two upsets to better their projection. Regardless, an improvement in the record and a bowl game will be good for the team.

For what it's worth, CFN projects NC State to beat both Louisville and Clemson at home. They're going to be tough this year.

 

[hungrychuck]

The CFN predictions match my view of how things play out, but I do think this is a best-case scenario.

 

[cuseincincy]

The CFN predictions match my view of how things play out, but I do think this is a best-case scenario.

I agree that this is "best case". But this is what the program needs to turn into "worst case". Louisville and NC State are in a really good situation right now but can be beaten and are not inherently better than SU. (They didn't used to be better.) I think we at least get back to being able to threaten the better teams.

 

[SoBristol]

I would give some upside to that "best case". How much can the defense improve with grad transfers potentially in key roles (Valdez, Martin, Butler), and juco additions providing competition and depth? How much can the running game contribute with 4 starters returning on the OL, plus an upgrade at center? If things break right, this team is significantly better than anything we saw in 2014, 2015 or 2016.

 

[money3189]

I will take it. We have a tough schedule. We are either a 5-7 or a 6-6 team but you never know what can happen. I said it before, we are a bowl team if Dungey stays healthy. I'm sticking to that. Pitt is a very important game. Really want to win that one.

 

[gbo]

For what it's worth, CFN projects NC State to beat both Louisville and Clemson at home. They're going to be tough this year.

CFN also doesn't take into account who coaches NC State. His teams don't beat teams equal or better unless it's UNC.

 

[Chip]

6-6 and a bowl game in year 2 against this schedule is gold. Someone gets a big extension.

Have to own the Dome, go 5-1.

 

[Chip]

CFN also doesn't take into account who coaches NC State. His teams don't beat teams equal or better unless it's UNC.

Well, just 1 short field goal could have changed all that. Choke-tacular.

But their loss to BC at home last year is inexcusable.

 

[HtownOrange]

For what it's worth, CFN projects NC State to beat both Louisville and Clemson at home. They're going to be tough this year.

I respect your position and would normally hold a little reserve, as your comment does. In the present case, this team was a bowl team last season except for the injury to ED. We have depth at QB, experienced OL with depth and depth at RB (the running game was a serious weak spot but should now be at least serviceable to decent). With the D gaining depth and experience and the improvements on the O side of the ball, I believe a Bowl is the lowest level of expectation for this team.

Add to that the UNC and NCState have been routinely overrated, I take a Missouri Attitude (Show Me State), until UNC and NCState put up, the prognosticators should shut up about UNC and NCState. Also, with Louisville losing much of the O-Line, the offense will not be as threatening as last season.

All in all, I think that we surprise a few teams because they fall into the trap of Syracuse (recent) past as evidence of Syracuse present/future.

 

[gbo]

Well, just 1 short field goal could have changed all that. Choke-tacular.

But their loss to BC at home last year is inexcusable.

True but if Clemson plays inspired football and doesn't turn the ball over 3 times in the redzone, they may have never gotten to that point.

All I'm saying is I've got to see them beat some decent teams before I buy in. His teams have feasted off of trashcan non-conference schedules.

 

[HtownOrange]

True but if Clemson plays inspired football and doesn't turn the ball over 3 times in the redzone, they may have never gotten to that point.

All I'm saying is I've got to see them beat some decent teams before I buy in. His teams have feasted off of trashcan non-conference schedules.

It's amazing how many teams use the Rutgers model to "build" a team without beating anyone of significance. Beamer did the same at VATech but at least he was competitive, though generally losing to the powers.

 

[gbo]

It's amazing how many teams use the Rutgers model to "build" a team without beating anyone of significance. Beamer did the same at VATech but at least he was competitive, though generally losing to the powers.

Louisville does the same thing. Syracuse schedules a tough OOC team every year even though they are still building.

 

[Eric15]

The game that makes me nervous is Middle Tennessee. I expect to win, but they aren't just going to roll over for us. That game could easily be very competitive in the second half.

 

[Scooch]

6-6 and a bowl game in year 2 against this schedule is gold. Someone gets a big extension.

Have to own the Dome, go 5-1.

Yep, our season essentially comes down to six games: @NC State, Pitt, @Miami, Wake Forest, @Louisville, BC.

If we're making any kind of progress we are going to open 3-0. And while I never want to write off games, because it's college football and upsets happen every weekend, I don't think it's reasonable to expect wins against LSU, Clemson and Florida State.

So we need to find 3 wins against those aforementioned 6 teams. The three most winnable of those games are at home.

Our margin of error is small, and our path is narrow, but there's a way to 6 wins and a bowl game. Would be great to seize the opportunity.

 

[elimunelson]

Yep, our season essentially comes down to six games: @NC State, Pitt, @Miami, Wake Forest, @Louisville, BC.

If we're making any kind of progress we are going to open 3-0. And while I never want to write off games, because it's college football and upsets happen every weekend, I don't think it's reasonable to expect wins against LSU, Clemson and Florida State.

So we need to find 3 wins against those aforementioned 6 teams. The three most winnable of those games are at home.

Our margin of error is small, and our path is narrow, but there's a way to 6 wins and a bowl game. Would be great to seize the opportunity.

For some reason I'm VERY intrigued about the LSU game and our ability to go in there and gum up the waters for Ed Orgeron. I feel like we can b the East Carolina game for them (how they were to us in the mid 90s). He is gonna play ugly ball and we're gonna be balls out hopefully.

At some point it has to play out where it's Syracuse on College Gameday with Fowler saying, "look who's back..."

 

[TexanMark]

The game that makes me nervous is Middle Tennessee. I expect to win, but they aren't just going to roll over for us. That game could easily be very competitive in the second half.

Agreed...btw, I think we roll CMU. Hopefully no one gets ejected.

I hope MTSU's fiery DC yells

FiretrUCK you Dino, u #!'er

 

[Orijinal]

Yep, our season essentially comes down to six games: @NC State, Pitt, @Miami, Wake Forest, @Louisville, BC.

If we're making any kind of progress we are going to open 3-0. And while I never want to write off games, because it's college football and upsets happen every weekend, I don't think it's reasonable to expect wins against LSU, Clemson and Florida State.

So we need to find 3 wins against those aforementioned 6 teams. The three most winnable of those games are at home.

Our margin of error is small, and our path is narrow, but there's a way to 6 wins and a bowl game. Would be great to seize the opportunity.

I would pull Miami and Louisville right out of that group of 6, and say we need to win 3 of 4 verse NC State, Pitt, Wake, and BC

 

[Finwad32]

I would pull Miami and Louisville right out of that group of 6, and say we need to win 3 of 4 verse NC State, Pitt, Wake, and BC

I'm not scared of Miami, whatever, roll the ball out and see what happens.

 

[Finwad32]

Agreed...btw, I think we roll CMU. Hopefully no one gets ejected.

I hope MTSU's fiery DC yells

FiretrUCK you Dino, u #!'er

I don't care, I still love Shafe.

 

[Deuga]

FWIW, no team plays us this year following a bye week.

NC St plays us sandwiched between FSU and a nationally televised Thursday nite game vs. UL. If we're looking for the upset opportunity (which is required to get to 6 - 6) maybe that's the one.

I think the other upset candidate is Pitt because they have to replace Peterman. His replacement is a Senior who took 4 years to rise to the top of the depth chart.

The thought of playing 11 bowl teams is bothering me, but I'm liking our depth and am eager to see how this season plays out.

 

[Chris02M]

FWIW, no team plays us this year following a bye week.

NC St plays us sandwiched between FSU and a nationally televised Thursday nite game vs. UL. If we're looking for the upset opportunity (which is required to get to 6 - 6) maybe that's the one.

I think the other upset candidate is Pitt because they have to replace Peterman. His replacement is a Senior who took 4 years to rise to the top of the depth chart.

The thought of playing 11 bowl teams is bothering me, but I'm liking our depth and am eager to see how this season plays out.

beating pitt at home is something we should do, no upset

 

[djorange1989]

The game that makes me nervous is Middle Tennessee. I expect to win, but they aren't just going to roll over for us. That game could easily be very competitive in the second half.

Agree those dudes can score and have a big time QB and WR combo. Do think we will win but won't be easy at all