Syracuse 2025 Preview: Was Fran Brown's first year a fluke?

The Syracuse football team finished the 2024 season on a high note, securing a 52-35 win over Washington State in the Holiday Bowl. It was just the Orange's third 10-win season since 2000 and first since 2018. Head coach Fran Brown's first year at the helm was a home run. Was this an out-of-the-ordinary fluke season for Syracuse, or was this a sign of a changing tide?

Last year, the Orange played only three teams ranked in the top 40 of ESPN's SP+ rankings, albeit winning all three of those games (on the road against UNLV, home against Virginia Tech, home against Miami). However, they went 7-2 in one-score games, which isn't necessarily a recipe for long-term success. The volatility of one-score games begs for regression if the Orange keep getting roped into close contests. On top of that, two of Syracuse's losses last season were by 28 to Pittsburgh and at home against Stamford (ranked 103 in SP+). 

A lot of last year's success also has to be credited to Kyle MCord, who finished in the top 10 of the Heisman voting and landed in the sixth round of the NFL draft, going to the Philadelphia Eagles. McCord will likely be replaced by either transfer Rickie Collins (LSU) or transfer Steve Angeli (Notre Dame), but it's hard to imagine that either of these successors will replicate McCord's Heisman stats. Let's also mention that last season's leading rusher (LeQuint Allen Jr.) and three leading receivers (Jackson Meeks, Trebor Pena, Oronde Gadsden II) are also gone.

Out of the 12 games on this year's schedule, Syracuse (ranked 56 in SP+ for 2025) is rated higher than only three opponents, due to a massive schedule-strength upgrade. All things considered, it certainly seems the Orange are due for a step back this season. Nevertheless, Syracuse fans still own the argument that all Fran Brown has done since he has arrived is win.