Articles by Jim Stechschulte

For the third time in less than a decade, a new era is underway for the Syracuse University football team. The Orange now call the Atlantic Coast Conference home, specifically the Atlantic Division. Syracuse shifts into the ACC with Pitt, reuniting with former Big East foes Boston College, Miami (Fl.), and Virginia Tech.

The Orange will face three teams who are ranked in the preseason AP poll, including a pair in ACC play, and two other teams that received votes over the course of the season.

The secondary is a deep unit, featuring six players who received extensive playing time last season. The top three cornerbacks from last year return, including senior starters Ri’Shard Anderson and Keon Lyn.

Jerome Smith paced the ground game as a first-time starter, racking up almost 1,200 yards last season.  As a result, the junior was named to the pre-season watch lists for the Doak Walker and Maxwell Awards, which go to the best running back and best college player in the nation, respectively.