Can Syracuse Football Continue Their 2026 Success After a Strong Week One Start?
It's hard to believe that just a few years ago Syracuse was on the cusp of making the inaugural College Football Playoff, after a successful first year with new coach Fran Brown at the helm. Fast forward a year later, and they became the laughingstock of college football after losing their starting QB, Steve Angeli, just four games into the season; the Orange went winless and finished with a mediocre three wins and nine losses. However, the higher-ups chose to stick with Brown as their coach going into 2026, and after their Week One performance, it's safe to say there is a lot to look forward to. With the ACC not looking as strong as they used to, the door could be open for Syracuse to sneak their way into the playoff.
Angeli made his return this weekend, and he certainly showed why he was a highly touted player coming into this season. Although the Orange crushed New Hampshire, an FCS school, the fifth-year QB threw three touchdowns on 20 completions for 239 yards. On the other side of the ball, the defense held strong, allowing just three points all game and under 160 total yards from their opponent, and three takeaways. After producing the talented RB Sean Tucker, who now plays on Sundays, the backfield has another new talent who delivered one of many stellar performances in Week One. Shavane Anderson Jr. is just a freshman, but he came out playing like a veteran, rushing for over 100 yards and three touchdowns. Syracuse is known for their history with running backs, and if they use him right, Anderson could be one of the greats and have a special freshman year. It's okay to celebrate a lopsided victory, but the question remains whether this success can continue against teams in the ACC and beyond.
Syracuse has a very strict ACC and Independent schedule remaining, with their only non-ACC games coming against the conference-less Notre Dame and UConn. On top of that, they are going up against Virginia, SMU, and Louisville, who are all strong teams yet can still succumb to the Orange if everything goes to plan. If the defense continues to show up and force turnovers while attacking the run, then their opponents will be in for a rude awakening. Even if this team wins eight or nine games, that would be a major achievement compared to years and decades past, and it would give this program the recognition it deserves.
