Syracuse football: why the Orange will go 4-8 in 2026

As the 2026 Syracuse Orange football season approaches, a TNIAAM tradition is revisited. These previews do not represent the team's actual predictions, but rather an examination of how the Orange could potentially end the season with a certain record. Last year, the predictions were set too low. The latest attempt at forecasting falls short of the projected win total of 4.5, but significantly falls below fan expectations.

The season begins with Syracuse facing New Hampshire, where Fran Brown scores a touchdown for Angeli after halftime. Fans witness both Odom and Nelson throwing touchdown passes. In a notable moment, Brown brings in Danny Lauter late in the game, who later scores a touchdown while pointing to Lawrence Moten’s retired 21 jersey on the wall.

After a week of Cal beating UCLA, the Orange claim bragging rights with a victory over California, raising questions about their run defense. The win against Pittsburgh leaves fans coping with the loss, but it doesn’t affect their Saturday. UConn brings back a sense of revenge after the previous game, which counts in the standings due to its non-basketball nature.

The win over Virginia indicates whether Beau Pribula is an effective quarterback, as he relies on his legs to defeat the Orange. The 51-48 loss to Louisville is the season's most thrilling game, but the Cardinals' late scoring ruins the Orange's morale. A loss to North Carolina highlights the run defense's struggles, as Belichick falls behind and opts for the run game, resulting in a missed field goal attempt in the final seconds.

SMU's visit further diminishes bowl hopes, as Jennings' legs save the Mustangs' title chances while Syracuse's slide continues. Clemson's revenge against Fran Brown ends the Orange's season, with Dabo's post-game trash talk adding frustration. An ugly 16-13 loss to Boston College ends the bowl hopes, leading fans to shift their focus to former Syracuse coaches.

The final game against Notre Dame pushes the Irish to the brink, with Syracuse showing their determination to support their coach and each other. The 48-yard Tripp Woody field goal gives the game to overtime, where Notre Dame survives after Angeli's 4th down pass gets tipped and falls to the ground, preventing Cole Weaver from recovering it. The season concludes with a commendable effort, but the win total falls short of expectations.