We're continuing our look at the toughest stretches for each of the ACC's teams in 2015. Next up: Syracuse.
Stretch:
at Florida State, Oct. 31
at Louisville, Nov. 7
Clemson, Nov. 14
Why it's tough: Syracuse coach Scott Shafer gave a diplomatic answer when I asked about this doozy of a three-game stretch back in February. He told me, "That's part of being in our division. You can't cry over the schedule." Certainly not hard-nosed coaches like Shafer. Instead, another reaction comes to mind altogether, and it could not have been pleasant when he saw what the ACC schedule gods had in store for his team this year. Shafer does have a point that playing all three of these teams is unavoidable in the Atlantic. But spacing out the top three teams has to be way more ideal than having to face them all in a row, with no breaks in between. Especially for a team coming off a 3-9 season that absolutely must show improvement this year or else Shafer could be in trouble. Syracuse came awfully close to pulling the upset in Death Valley last year. But I am pretty sure Orange fans remember quite vividly the last time Syracuse played the Tigers at home and Florida State on the road, back in 2013. And that was the year Syracuse actually made a bowl game.
Odds for success: Five percent. Because there is always a chance, even for prohibitive underdogs. But if Syracuse comes out of this three-game stretch with a winning record, I will paint my face Orange, wear a blue wig and proceed to host our weekly in-season video chat all dolled up as long as nobody pulls the plug on me once we get rolling. I think Syracuse has a chance to be a better team this year, but I just don't think the Orange are good enough to finish with two wins among these three teams. Yes, Syracuse came close last year against Clemson and was close for a while with Florida State. But that isn't an indication that the gap has closed between them. Florida State played everyone close; and Clemson had major offensive issues when Deshaun Watson was hurt. So far in ACC play, Syracuse is a combined 0-5 against these three teams, getting outscored 190-49. Easy to see why the odds for success are so slim.