ESPN’s Andrea Adelson predicts Syracuse will win six games and make it to a bowl game, she said on the latest Juice on the Cuse Podcast, presented by SNY.tv.
“In my opinion, this is a more complete team than what we’ve seen in both 2020 and 2021,” Adelson said. “I’m going to say (Syracuse will finish) 6-6, (and be a) bowl team.”
Adelson points to several coaching changes in the offseason as a reason for SU’s improved outlook this fall. In the offseason, Syracuse hired offensive coordinator Robert Anae, who previously coached one of the most high-powered offenses in the country at Virginia.
SU also returns several key players from last year’s team, including All-American Sean Tucker, who Syracuse is pushing in a Heisman campaign.
“I am high on Syracuse this year,” Adelson said. “I think Robert Anae is going to be able to do some great things with both Garrett Shrader and Sean Tucker.”
The six wins would be the most since 2018, when the Orange won 10 games, but the path to those six wins won’t be easy. Aside from a stacked Atlantic Division, SU has a non-conference schedule that includes Purdue and Notre Dame.
As a result, the Orange was picked to finish last in the Atlantic in the Preseason ACC Poll released in July.
“A lot of that is a function of how strong the Atlantic is going to be from top to bottom,” Adelson said. “This truly is the best Atlantic in terms of strength top to bottom since I started covering the league in 2011.”
Clemson and Wake Forest look to again compete for the top of the Atlantic Division, while NC State, Louisville, Boston College and Florida State all have improved rosters from 2021.
» Related: Realignment leaves murky future for Syracuse football
It’s because of that reason that Adelson thinks the ACC may not get a team into the College Football Playoff this year despite Clemson possessing the most talented and deepest team in the league.
“I’m leaning no on that. I don’t think this is a (Clemson) team that’s going undefeated this season,” Adelson said. “But I do think this is a team that’s better than the others in the ACC, and has most of its key ACC games at home.”
Adelson also talks about realignment, and what the future holds for the ACC and college football in general.
Afterward, editor in chief Brad Bierman calls in to break down Syracuse football’s first week of practice and what to watch for.
Catch up on all episodes of “The Juice on the Cuse Podcast,” a Syracuse Orange podcast, by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.
For more Syracuse coverage, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and listen to our podcast.
