
2026 schedule
Syracuse Orange
2026 season so far
Syracuse is 3-4 against the 77th-toughest schedule so far, scoring 31.6 and allowing 26.3 points per game (+5.3 per game).
In our opponent-adjusted ratings Syracuse ranks 71st of 139 FBS teams overall — 59th on offense and 78th on defense. The offense carries this team more than the defense does.
Next up: vs SMU in Week 9. We project Syracuse 25, SMU 33 — Syracuse wins 31% of the time.
Projections are statistical estimates for entertainment and analysis only. They are not betting advice and nothing here guarantees any result.
Regular season
12 gamesMarket lines · Source: The Odds API, ESPN, Action Network · Updated Oct 29, 11:25 AM UTC. Shown for information; not an input to our projections.
21+ only where legal. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
- vs

New Hampshire Wildcats
0-2 · SOS #77
Win 66-3
Week 1
Our number· pregame
Syracuse by 23.9
Total 51.3
DraftKings
SYR -35.5
Total 56.5
Final Syracuse by 63. Syracuse beat the spread. 69 points — over the 56.5. The book was closer. The book's total was closer.
21+ only where legal. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Market lines: Syracuse -35 (open Syracuse -33.5) · O/U 56 (open 55.25) · ML +5000 / -100000 · Syracuse 98% no-vig · model vs market -11.1 pts, -4 pct pts (Syracuse view)
ACC Network/ACCNX JMA Wireless Dome - vs

California Golden Bears
1-1 · SOS #48
Loss 18-21
Week 2
Our number· pregame
Syracuse by 1.9
Total 54.7
DraftKings
SYR -4
Total 56.5
Final California by 3. California beat the spread. 39 points — under the 56.5. Our number was closer. Our total was closer.
21+ only where legal. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Market lines: Syracuse -4 (open Syracuse -0.75) · O/U 56.75 (open 54.25) · ML +152 / -181.5 · Syracuse 62% no-vig · model vs market -2.1 pts, -7 pct pts (Syracuse view)
ACC Network JMA Wireless Dome - at

Pittsburgh Panthers
3-0 · SOS #53
Loss 13-27
Week 3
Our number· pregame
Pittsburgh by 14.7
Total 50.1
DraftKings
PITT -10.5
Total 51.5
Final Pittsburgh by 14. Pittsburgh beat the spread. 40 points — under the 51.5. Our number was closer. Our total was closer.
21+ only where legal. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Market lines: Pittsburgh -10.75 · O/U 51.5 (open 55.25) · ML +332.5 / -437.5 · Pittsburgh 78% no-vig · model vs market +3.9 pts, +5 pct pts (Pittsburgh view)
ESPN Acrisure Stadium - at

UConn Huskies
2-3 · SOS #132
Win 42-41
Week 5
Our number· pregame
dead even
Total 53.9
DraftKings
SYR -6.5
Total 51.5
Final Syracuse by 1. UConn beat the spread. 83 points — over the 51.5. Our number was closer. Our total was closer.
21+ only where legal. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Market lines: Syracuse -6.5 (open Syracuse -6) · O/U 51 (open 52.75) · ML -242.5 / +197.5 · UConn 32% no-vig · model vs market +6.4 pts, +17 pct pts (UConn view)
Game-time weather: Clear, 72°F, Wind 7 mph N.Observed during the game · National Weather Service (KHFD)CBSSN Pratt & Whitney Stadium - at

Virginia Cavaliers
4-2 · SOS #54
Loss 25-28
Week 6
Our number· pregame
Virginia by 5.1
Total 51.5
DraftKings
UVA -14
Total 49.5
Final Virginia by 3. Syracuse beat the spread. 53 points — over the 49.5. Our number was closer. Our total was closer.
21+ only where legal. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Market lines: Virginia -14 (open Virginia -9.5) · O/U 49.25 (open 50) · ML +347.5 / -460 · Virginia 78% no-vig · model vs market -8.9 pts, -15 pct pts (Virginia view)
Game-time weather: Cloudy, 63°F, Wind 9 mph NE.Observed during the game · National Weather Service (KCHO)ACC Network Scott Stadium - vs

Louisville Cardinals
4-3 · SOS #17
Loss 26-34
Week 7
Our number· pregame
Louisville by 6.1
Total 60.3
DraftKings
LOU -14.5
Total 56.5
Final Louisville by 8. Syracuse beat the spread. 60 points — over the 56.5. Our number was closer. Our total was closer.
21+ only where legal. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Market lines: Louisville -14.5 (open Louisville -11.75) · O/U 56.25 (open 56) · ML -587.5 / +422.5 · Syracuse 18% no-vig · model vs market +8.4 pts, +16 pct pts (Syracuse view)
Indoors (dome).ACC Network JMA Wireless Dome - at

North Carolina Tar Heels
4-3 · SOS #10
Win 31-30
Week 8
Our number· pregame
North Carolina by 8.1
Total 50.5
DraftKings
UNC -7.5
Total 49.5
Final Syracuse by 1. Syracuse beat the spread. 61 points — over the 49.5. The book was closer. Our total was closer.
21+ only where legal. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Market lines: North Carolina -8 · O/U 49.5 · ML +270 / -350 · North Carolina 74% no-vig · model vs market +0.1 pts, -4 pct pts (North Carolina view)
Game-time weather: Clear, 55°F, Wind 6 mph NNE.Observed during the game · National Weather Service (KRDU)ACC Network Kenan Stadium - vs

#19 SMU Mustangs
6-1 · SOS #70
Sat, Oct 31, 4:00 PM
Week 9
Proj 25-33 · 31%
Our number
SMU by 8
Total 58
DraftKings
SMU -10
Total 58.5
We're 2 points higher on Syracuse than the book. Shown for comparison only.
21+ only where legal. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Market lines: SMU -10 · O/U 58.5 · ML -367.5 / +287.5 · Syracuse 25% no-vig · model vs market +2.0 pts, +7 pct pts (Syracuse view)
Indoors (dome).ESPN2 JMA Wireless Dome - vs

Clemson Tigers
4-3 · SOS #24
Sat, Nov 7, 5:00 PM
Week 10
Proj 24-26 · 45%
Our number
Clemson by 2
Total 50
Book line
Not posted
No book line posted yet.
ESPN2 JMA Wireless Dome - at

NC State Wolfpack
3-4 · SOS #67
Sat, Nov 14 · TBD
Week 11
Proj 30-33 · 42%
Our number
NC State by 3
Total 63
Book line
Not posted
No book line posted yet.
Carter-Finley Stadium - at

Boston College Eagles
4-3 · SOS #61
Sat, Nov 21 · TBD
Week 12
Proj 26-26 · 50%
Our number
dead even
Total 52
Book line
Not posted
No book line posted yet.
Alumni Stadium (Chestnut Hill, MA) - vs

#5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
6-1 · SOS #49
Sat, Nov 28 · TBD
Week 13
Proj 16-42 · 4%
Our number
Notre Dame by 26
Total 58
Book line
Not posted
No book line posted yet.
JMA Wireless Dome
Times shown in your local time
Syracuse Orange stats: basic, advanced and situational
Power rating
-0.1
70th in FBS
Adj. offense
27.6
pts vs avg defense
Adj. defense
27.7
pts allowed vs avg offense
Basic stats
Box-score numbers per game.
| Stat | 2026 | FBS rank |
|---|---|---|
| Points per gameEvery point scored, every game. | 31.6 | 50 / 138 |
| Points allowed per gameEvery point conceded, every game. | 26.3 | 93 / 138 |
| Yards per playScrimmage yards divided by scrimmage plays (sacks count as pass plays). | 5.79 | 90 / 138 |
| Yards per play allowedThe same measure for opponents. | 5.59 | 68 / 138 |
| Rushing yards per gameDesigned runs and scrambles. | 180.3 | 56 / 138 |
| Net passing yards per gamePassing yards minus sack yardage. | 283.9 | 14 / 138 |
| Rushing yards allowed per gameOpponents' rushing yards. | 157.6 | 73 / 138 |
| Net passing yards allowed per gameOpponents' net passing yards. | 190.9 | 45 / 138 |
| Turnovers per gameInterceptions thrown and fumbles lost. | 1.29 | 123 / 138 |
| Takeaways per gameInterceptions and fumble recoveries. | 0.86 | 69 / 138 |
| Sacks per gameSacks by this defense. | 2.43 | 39 / 138 |
| Sacks allowed per gameSacks taken by this offense. | 2.43 | 108 / 138 |
Advanced stats
Efficiency from play-by-play, garbage time removed: expected points added (EPA), success rate, explosiveness, havoc, finishing drives, field position and pace.
| Stat | 2026 | FBS rank |
|---|---|---|
| EPA per playExpected points added per snap, garbage time removed. Zero is average; +0.10 is very good. | +0.11 | 53 / 138 |
| EPA per play allowedExpected points the defense gives up per snap. Lower is better. | +0.02 | 56 / 138 |
| Success rateShare of plays that stay on schedule: 50% of the distance on 1st down, 70% on 2nd, all of it on 3rd and 4th. | 43.3% | 63 / 138 |
| Success rate allowedOpponents' success rate. | 42.5% | 85 / 138 |
| Explosive play rateRuns of 12+ yards and passes of 16+ yards, as a share of plays. | 11.8% | 93 / 138 |
| Explosive plays allowedThe same rate for opponents. | 13.7% | 110 / 138 |
| Havoc rateShare of snaps with a tackle for loss, sack, forced fumble, interception or pass break-up. | 16.4% | 18 / 138 |
| Havoc allowedHow often this offense suffers a havoc play. | 12.9% | 56 / 138 |
| Points per scoring opportunityFinishing drives: points per possession that reaches the opponent's 40. | 3.67 | 104 / 138 |
| Points per opportunity allowedHow well the defense holds once opponents cross its 40. | 4.11 | 101 / 138 |
| Average starting field positionWhere this offense's drives begin, on average. | own 32 | 36 / 138 |
| Opponents' starting field positionWhere opponents' drives begin. | own 30 | 93 / 138 |
| Offensive plays per game (pace)Scrimmage snaps per game; a tempo measure. | 80.1 | 1 / 138 |
Situational stats
Run vs pass splits, passing downs, third downs and the red zone.
| Stat | 2026 | FBS rank |
|---|---|---|
| Rushing EPA per playExpected points added on runs. | +0.08 | 66 / 138 |
| Passing EPA per playExpected points added on dropbacks, sacks included. | +0.13 | 54 / 138 |
| Rushing EPA allowedRun defense, per play. | +0.13 | 122 / 138 |
| Passing EPA allowedPass defense, per dropback. | -0.08 | 29 / 138 |
| Rushing success rateShare of runs that stay on schedule. | 45.1% | 58 / 138 |
| Passing success rateShare of dropbacks that stay on schedule. | 41.6% | 67 / 138 |
| Run stuff rateRuns stopped at or behind the line. | 17.7% | 80 / 138 |
| Passing-down success rateSuccess on 2nd-and-8+ and 3rd/4th-and-5+. | 29.7% | 97 / 138 |
| Passing-down success allowedHow often opponents escape long-yardage downs. | 28.6% | 57 / 138 |
| Third-down conversion rateThird downs converted by the play itself. | 44.4% | 39 / 138 |
| Third-down rate allowedOpponents' third-down conversions. | 38.2% | 62 / 138 |
| Red-zone touchdown rateDrives reaching the 20 that end in a touchdown. | 56.8% | 98 / 138 |
| Red-zone TD rate allowedOpponents' red-zone touchdown rate. | 66.7% | 103 / 138 |
Power rating = projected margin against an average FBS team on a neutral field, from our opponent-adjusted efficiency model. How it works and how accurate it has been.
Free weekly projections email
One email a week in season: the closest projected games, the biggest mismatches and how the model graded out last week. Email address only — no spam, unsubscribe any time.