College Football Preview 2025: Syracuse Orange

• Head Coach: Fran Brown (second season)
• 2024 Record: 10-3 (won Holiday Bowl)
• Strength of Schedule: 10th
• PFF Projected Win Total: 6.5
• FanDuel Win Total: 5.5

2024 Recap

Despite never having been a head coach before, Fran Brown hit the ground running in his first year at Syracuse. The Orange finished 10-3 and ranked No. 20 in the final AP Poll, their best season in six years. A major reason for that success was Ohio State transfer quarterback Kyle McCord, who led the nation with 4,779 passing yards — 466 more than any other player.

While McCord is now gone, Syracuse could still field a strong passing attack in 2025 with Notre Dame transfer Steve Angeli under center and a promising group of wide receivers. Improvement on defense will be key, particularly along the defensive front. Unfortunately for the Orange, they face the toughest schedule in the ACC, with nearly all of their biggest games scheduled to take place on the road.

Biggest Strength: A passing game that can still be very effective

Even with the departures of star quarterback Kyle McCord and their top three receivers, Syracuse still has the pieces for a productive passing attack in 2025. Notre Dame transfer Steve Angeli posted an impressive 82.3 PFF grade last season as the Fighting Irish’s backup. Rising junior Darrell Gill Jr. brings intriguing potential, while Texas transfer Johntay Cook — a former five-star recruit — and four-star freshman Emanuel Ross add high-upside talent to the receiving corps.

Biggest Weakness: Defensive line