Cuse vs. Tennessee in Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Game - Atlanta 2025

[W'boro'Cuse315]

I took a bus from there with other cuse fans for the Georgia Tech game. It was not a fun bus ride back.

56-0 will do that to you

 

[syrBossHogg]

I wonder who our coach will be then. /ducks out of room

The funny thing is Vols fans are wondering the same thing for their team

 

[Stern]

A few years back I would have HATED signing up for this game, now it truly doesn't matter anymore with the state of SU football and the landscape of college football and where it's moving. Plus with lower-level bowls going away in upcoming years with the new playoff format, might as well have a bowl-like game to kick off your season on a neutral field with some pomp and circumstance around it.

In 2025 SU is having their Bowl Game to kick off the season instead of at the end of the season. And if we are "good" in 2025 it's like having 2 BOWL games that year (if lower-level bowls are still around then, which I highly doubt).

After failing to capitalize on the 2018 season I think our football program is just in an awful place we may never crawl out of other than getting to a level of "middle of the pack in the ACC", so I am all for signing up for games like this now. I mean it can't get any worse and our image/reputation can't be damaged any more than it is.

And if we stink in the years leading up to 2025 you can be sure ABC/ESPN will schedule/create another big game on that day and time to put on ABC (major network) and we will have this game be on ESPN (Cable) and, it doesn't matter in the big picture of our program.

It honestly is a no-lose situation for SU at this point

-If we get blown out and lose in embarrassing fashion the "NARRATIVE" will be ..."Well, it's Syracuse what did you expect. Can't hurt their image or reputation in football any more than it already was damaged prior to this game."

-If we play a super competitive exciting close game or even win the "NARRATIVE" will be..."This is really going to help SU's football program."

It truly is a no-lose situation.

 

[Eric15]

How many top 40 schedules have we played? A ton. What has it done for us? Got us 1-4 wins. It never changes

I was genuinely curious so I took a look. Top 40 schedules in bold.

Random observations:
-Our schedule was brutal in 2016 and 2017, mostly because Clemson/FSU/Louisville were all very good at the same time, and also because we played Miami's best team in years in 2017 along with LSU. But then Louisville and FSU suddenly fell off a cliff, which is partly why our SOS plummeted over the past three years.
-Obviously who we played non-conference plays a big part, but interesting that our SOS actually improved after VT/Miami/BC left the Big East after 2003.

2020: 49
2019: 73
2018: 61
2017: 8
2016: 8
2015: 39
2014: 41
2013: 57
2012: 45
2011: 55
2010: 73
2009: 36
2008: 34
2007: 32
2006: 14
2005: 42
2004: 45
2003: 59
2002: 57
2001: 17
2000: 38
1999: 68
1998: 27

 

[zjscuse]

those USC games really helped our program, same with LSU. look how respected we are now. I would actually have loved this game, just not in the same year as ND and Army. Don't look at Army as some pushover, ask Oklahoma and Michigan about that these last few years

We shoulda beat LSU dont @ me

 

[shu 49]

I'm not sure who needs to hear this, but you don't need to be afraid of Tennessee. They haven't won 10 games since 2007 and have had many losing seasons recently.

This is a fantastic opportunity for big-time national exposure.

Not disagreeing with u but will Dino still be here. I say no but have been wrong before. I would love Marrone back imo

 

[mscanlo]

Usually a great weekend in Atlanta. In addition to the kickoff game(s), make sure you plan to get downtown early Saturday morning for the parade

If you want even more, there are three hotels downtown that host the convention. It used to be fun to go down and hang out at the lobby on a Friday night to see everyone dressed up for DragonCon, but now you need a ticket or be a guest at one of the hotels hosting

 

[HRE Otto IV]

I was genuinely curious so I took a look. Top 40 schedules in bold.

Random observations:
-Our schedule was brutal in 2016 and 2017, mostly because Clemson/FSU/Louisville were all very good at the same time, and also because we played Miami's best team in years in 2017 along with LSU. But then Louisville and FSU suddenly fell off a cliff, which is partly why our SOS plummeted over the past three years.
-Obviously who we played non-conference plays a big part, but interesting that our SOS actually improved after VT/Miami/BC left the Big East after 2003.

2020: 49
2019: 73
2018: 61
2017: 8
2016: 8
2015: 39
2014: 41
2013: 57
2012: 45
2011: 55
2010: 73
2009: 36
2008: 34
2007: 32
2006: 14
2005: 42
2004: 45
2003: 59
2002: 57
2001: 17
2000: 38
1999: 68
1998: 27

It isn't a coincidence that we were 28-23 from 2010-2013 making 3 Bowls.

Crazy that 2019 our SOS was so bad. Just shows you how crappy we played that we could only get 5 Ws. Imagine if we had a better schedule what our record would have been.

 

[longislandcuse]

Fanwise, we almost always hold our own. Huge presence in the SE. If we show decent signs of improvement there will be a good SU turnout.

Every Syracuse game I’ve attended in Georgia, Florida or South Carolina has had an impressive turnout of Syracuse fans…. Including @ Clemson… a trip I’d encourage all fans to make if you can.

 

[Briancuse]

Never. Been to a game down south before. Now I have an excuse to go.

 

[upperdeck]

Start saving boys and girls...sideline seats will probably set you back $200

Miami is playing this yr. the cheapest seats my friends saw were $250.

 

[Orijinal]

I was genuinely curious so I took a look. Top 40 schedules in bold.

Random observations:
-Our schedule was brutal in 2016 and 2017, mostly because Clemson/FSU/Louisville were all very good at the same time, and also because we played Miami's best team in years in 2017 along with LSU. But then Louisville and FSU suddenly fell off a cliff, which is partly why our SOS plummeted over the past three years.
-Obviously who we played non-conference plays a big part, but interesting that our SOS actually improved after VT/Miami/BC left the Big East after 2003.

2020: 49
2019: 73
2018: 61
2017: 8
2016: 8
2015: 39
2014: 41
2013: 57
2012: 45
2011: 55
2010: 73
2009: 36
2008: 34
2007: 32
2006: 14
2005: 42
2004: 45
2003: 59
2002: 57
2001: 17
2000: 38
1999: 68
1998: 27

Thanks for doing this. Ten top-40 schedules in 22 years. Almost 50% of the time. If we expand that to just 5 more spots (top-45 schedules), the number rises to 14. Just insane.

I don't know how we expect to win all the time scheduling like this. We have been a struggling program for a number of reasons ...this points to one glaring one. I don't know how a constantly rebuilding/building program claws out of the basement against this competition.

Interestingly, if you take a look at the heavy lifting we did in 2016 and 2017, you'll see that those 2 years made a difference in preparing the team to take on a much lighter schedule in 2018 and we rebounded big time. I remember reading Phil Steele's 2018 preview at the time, and he noted the difference, and it was like a sign that Syracuse might have a better year. In fact, I think Steele said the schedule was tougher than 8th in 2017. I think he said it was #3.

I think it's okay to take on one big boy a season in out of conference play every once in a while (and we should), but we aren't making it easy on ourselves. Notre Dame seems to show up every other year, and we still have to beat Clemson, Fla State, and Louisville ...not to mention a possible VA Tech, VA, Miami,

 

[TexanMark]

Miami is playing this yr. the cheapest seats my friends saw were $250.

Secondary market?

 

[upperdeck]

Secondary market?

I dont know if they looked there yet. They are season ticket holders in miami so they probably wont be looking for seats outside the main miami sections..

 

[All4SU]

It isn't a coincidence that we were 28-23 from 2010-2013 making 3 Bowls.

Crazy that 2019 our SOS was so bad. Just shows you how crappy we played that we could only get 5 Ws. Imagine if we had a better schedule what our record would have been.

Just imagine how crappy our 2019 SOS would have been if we had won a couple more games.

 

[blizz]

This one is for Will Allen. Revenge.

Add Josh Palmer to the list.

 

[blizz]

Justin Lamson will be a RS-Sr in 2025. Not anointing him, just sayin'.

 

[UpstateSM]

I realized that earlier too, but in my case replace the 4 with a 5.

It's as much worse as you think.

HA. I’ll be……….. 28

Speaking of 28, any chance you sit in 328 (I think that’s my section) for football?

 

[ForCuseSake]

Who’s in charge of making sure all our players have their knee pads in?

EDIT: I’ll be making my first ever trip to Atlanta in 2025.

This was a sneaky good Chip/Millhouse reference.

 

[JRHEETER]

Miami is playing this yr. the cheapest seats my friends saw were $250.

Yeah they are also playing Alabama.

resale tickets right now start as low as 125 for on stubhub before fees/taxes for that game

 

[chugg21]

Miami is playing this yr. the cheapest seats my friends saw were $250.

Well they are playing Alabama. Don't think our game will be near that level.

 

[SU94]

For the young, snarky, defeatist or uneducated, SU Football very often perform quite well, thank you, against the Southeastern Conference (shouldn’t it be the SC?). Not always, not universally, but we compete and we win too!

In the Dome Era, are 8-8-1 against the SEC. Perhaps, just maybe, it matters a tad bit more for us. See what I did there (it is actually a really good conference slogan)?

• Battered SEC Champ Florida/Spurrier in the Dome in 1991 by the score of 38-24. Kirby Dar Dar … you’re a legend! How cocky of us to schedule Florida with a future NFL quarterback (Shane Matthews) for homecoming. That’s legendary sh!+. Then lost to them in the Orange Bowl in Donnie’s last game, IIRC. The ‘91 win was such a drubbing, the Gators would not play another OOC outside of the state of Florida for ~30 years. Truth. It was a traumatic episode with decades of repercussions for the Gators.
• Beat Georgia at Fulton Country Stadium in the 1989 Peach Bowl. Mark McDonald, take a bow. This was your moment. Road wins in bowl games are rare and quite delicious. Thanks for hosting us, Dawgs.
• Swept Vandy in a home-and-home in 1990 and ‘91. Ho-Friggin-Hum. We were quite good at the time, they were … and always are, Vanderbilt Football.
• Sorta beat National Champ Tennessee in 1998, but got robbed(!). I’ll leave it right there, but while Fulmer and those Vols have rings, they know they were beaten that day. We then got beat pretty good at their place a year or two later. 35-7 perhaps?
• Beat LSU handily in the 1988 Hall of Fame Bowl (score: 23-10). Mike Archer was their HC. Then our kids competed hard and had a realistic shot in a pair of losses to top 10-ish LSU in 2015 and ‘17.
• Beat Kentucky in the 1999 Music City Bowl. We got a bit lucky in this one, as their TE was carving us up, but then he got hurt. Life sucks sometimes. Seven-point victory. Ever notice one reason that the SEC wins so many bow games is because they are all “almost” all played in SEC Country. No so in Nashville.
• Lost twice in an ‘80s home-and-home with Mississippi State. I have no memory of these games, both of which began were season openers. The 1986 game sparked an 0-4 start that almost cost Mac his job.
• Dominated (beating an NFL QB), tied and lost (a close game at Jordan Hare) to Auburn in a home-and-home and the 1987 Sugar Bowl. Yeah, Pat Dye. But by now, the Tigers program knows we’re not one to mess with.
• Won at Mizzouri in a one-off contest thanks to a helluva game from Marrone, Nassib and Alec Lemon. Glorious comeback in a special 2012 season. 31-27.

Not played South Carolina
Not played Arkansas
Not played Texas A&M
Not played Alabama
Not played Ole Miss

 

[Orangepace]

With the comments by Emmett, I’m thinking that paying players isn’t too far off… Locking in a min $5.2M payday to start the season just opened up some wiggle room to fight for four stars. High five to JW for his progressive thinking. Let’s get the next 10 years scheduled with neutral site paydays and we will be ahead of the game!

 

[Finwad32]

Love this game.

 

[TexanMark]

HA. I’ll be……….. 28

Speaking of 28, any chance you sit in 328 (I think that’s my section) for football?

You're old AF.

Do the coeds on Marshall stare at you like some creeper Dad up visiting their kid?