It is going to be exceptionally difficult for Syracuse to match last season’s 6-0 start. After their first four games are in the books, SU will face the only three teams ranked in the preseason polls in consecutive weeks leading up to their bye.

Florida State starts the season as the highest-ranked ACC team at #8 in the nation, but with some breathing space in front of #9 Clemson. North Carolina finished just a few votes outside of the top 20 at #21. Those three squads also comprised the top three of the conference in preseason media voting, only with Clemson ahead of the Seminoles for the top spot.

Pittsburgh, Louisville, Duke, and North Carolina State all received at least one vote in the AP poll, but Syracuse only sees the Panthers on their slate. Miami and Wake Forest also earned some points in the coaches’ preseason poll, but the Hurricanes are absent from the Orange slate, as well. While SU finished 10th of 14 ACC teams on media day, they will play the three teams directly behind them (Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, and Boston College).

All told, the conference portion of the schedule is not overwhelming. While the three toughest opponents appearing consecutively is not ideal, the bye coming right after that trio is a modest consolation prize. While Virginia Tech will also be coming off their bye when they host the Orange, SU gets an extra day off the following week prior to their game with Boston College, who plays on the Saturday previous.

For the second straight year, SU will face Purdue, this time on the road to close their home-and-home set. While the Orange travel this time around, Purdue’s expectations are not as high this season, as they were voted by the media to finish sixth in the Big Ten West. FCS opponent Colgate, Western Michigan (voted last in the MAC West Division), and Army (95th of 133 FBS teams in preseason SP+, 102nd in FPI) should all be Syracuse wins.

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