Trust the Process:

I’ll be using a standard format across all Chop’s Takes:

1. I’ll take a look at the returning production (keeping in mind the evaluation of talent applicable to each ACC Program) and compare to each team they face on their schedule.
2. I’ll look at the opponent faced the week before, that game’s final score, and days passed before the current game being evaluated.
3. I’ll take a look at the opponent the ACC team faces after the present game, considering look-ahead games and rivalries, and days separating that game from the present.
4. I’ll weigh advantages of home versus away games for each game.
5. Where possible, I’ll take into consideration potential weather considerations (not Hurricanes or other natural disasters but rather seasonal conditions).

Syracuse’s 2018 Football Schedule:

Western Michigan (September 1st, 2018 at 6:00 P.M. EST away)

Television: CBSSN

Previous Game: N/A

Following Game: Michigan (September 8th, 2018 noon EST away via FS1)

Prediction: Syracuse WIN

I gave this game some pause upon initial viewing. This is an upset brewing. Syracuse travels away to Western Michigan for a evening kick-off. Yet, by the numbers, Syracuse should have this game won. Western Michigan doesn’t have the leaders on defense to hold-off the dynamic Syracuse offense. On paper, this is a win for Syracuse.

Wagner (September 8th, 2018 3:30 P.M. EST at home)

Previous Game: Bowie State (August 30th, 2018 6:00 P.M. EST at home)

Following Game: Montana State (September 15th, 2018 EST away)

Television: ACC Network Extra

Prediction: Syracuse WIN

I’ll keep this brief: ACC teams SHOULD win their FCS match-ups. Syracuse is at home against a vastly inferior opponent. Syracuse should win this. Next.

Florida State University (September 15th, 2018 noon at home)

Previous Game: Samford (September 8th, 2018 7:20 P.M. EST at home on ACC Network Extra)

Following Game: Northern Illinois (September 22nd, 2018 at home)

Television: ABC/ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU

Prediction: Syracuse LOSS

It’s not that I don’t think Syracuse is capable of the upset. I believe this is purely talent. The talent at Florida State is still bar-none in the ACC. Despite a lack of experience on defense and a thin offensive line, the Offense should be dynamic and youth on defense, at least, energized and willing to prove a point under Willie’s regime. This game, I don’t think, will be close like last season’s. The team Syracuse faced in Doak last season was the defeated shell of a program that really was to contend for the National Championship. It was the face of defeat and a demoralized core shaken by it’s lack of leadership. That will not be Florida State in 2018. Syracuse, at home, will fall to the Noles.

University of Connecticut (September 22nd, 2018 at home)

Previous Game: Rhode Island (September 15th noon EST at home)

Following Game: Cincinnati (September 29th, 2018 away)

Rivalry Game

Prediction: Syracuse WIN

Syracuse out-talents UConn in football, and despite the rivalry series between the two programs, UConn doesn’t have the defensive talent or leadership to stop the dynamic Syracuse offense. Syracuse will want revenge after a tough loss to Florida State the week before. They’ll also need the positive momentum entering a tough stretch, which starts at Clemson.

Clemson (September 29th, 2018 away)

Previous Game: GT (September 22nd, 2018 rivalry away)

Following Game: WF (October 6th, 2018 away)

Prediction: Syracuse LOSS

Nothing worse than a revenge game coming from a team that Syracuse topped last season. Clemson is shaping-up to be the team to be in all of College Football, and you can bet your bottom dollar that Clemson will be targeting Syracuse after the embarrassing loss last season. The Orangemen march to Death Valley.

Pittsburgh (October 6th, 2018 away)

Previous Game: UCF (September 29th, 2018 away)

Following Game: Notre Dame (October 13th, 2018 2:30 P.M. EST NBC away)

Prediction: Syracuse LOSS

Both teams will come off losses, however the loss to Clemson is more significant to Syracuse than the Pittsburgh loss to UCF. I also believe the talent on Pitt’s roster is built to surprise teams, and this one is no different. With this being an away game at Pitt, I think that Pitt has the tools on-hand to engage in a shootout with Syracuse and win. The slight edge goes to Pitt.

University of North Carolina (October 20th, 2018 at home)

Previous Game: Virginia Tech (October 13th, 2018 at home)

Following Game: UVA (October 27th, 2018 away)

Prediction: Syracuse LOSS

Syracuse will be looking for a win at home against North Carolina. The problem for the Orange: North Carolina looks to have a surprise team on-hand this season. Their returning talent will be too good for Syracuse to simply catch off balance. As UNC is fighting for the coastal, they’ll want this win, and sitting after their loss to Virginia Tech, they’ll need the win too.

North Carolina State (October 27th, 2018 at home)

Previous Game: Clemson (October 20th, 2018 away)

Following Game: Florida State (November 3rd, 2018 at home)

Prediction: Syracuse WIN

After their mid-season slump, the Orange are back on-track to contend for a bowl game when facing North Carolina State at home. The wolf pack are susceptible on defense, leaving an opportunity for the orangemen to strike. Being a home game, and after the loss to Clemson, NC State is vulnerable. Syracuse will surprise and come out on top this time.

Wake Forest (November 3rd, 2018 away)

Previous Game: Louisville (October 27th, 2018 away)

Following Game: North Carolina State (November 8th, 2018 at 7:30 P.M. EST Thursday Night away on ESPN)

Prediction: Syracuse LOSS

While primed for an upset over Wake Forest, I think the Demon Deacons will have a pretty good team this season. Their coach is a phenom for their program, and has them trending in the right direction. Wake Forest, set to square-off against NC State the following week in a rivalry game, will remain prepared for Syracuse and perfectly capable of slowing their offense with their returning starters.

Louisville (November 9th, 2018 7:00 P.M. EST Friday Night at home)

Previous Game: Clemson (November 3rd, 2018 away)

Following Game: NC State (November 17th, 2018 at home)

Television: ESPN2

Prediction: Syracuse WIN

The defense for Louisville is suspect, and without Lamar Jackson, I have a hard time seeing the Louisville offense being nearly as potent as they were even a season ago. Syracuse will be craving a win here, fighting for bowl eligibility. Friday night under the lights at home is the perfect opportunity to strike, and will do so against a program that is currently in a downward swing.

Notre Dame (November 17th, 2018 2:30 P.M. EST neutral)

Previous Game: FSU (November 10th, 2018 7:30 P.M. EST home on NBC)

Following Game: USC (November 24th, 2018 rivalry away)

Television: NBC

Location: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY

Prediction: Syracuse LOSS

Notre Dame might have a less than veteran offense this season, however the talent alone should be sufficient to handle Syracuse. Their defense is bar-none in the country in regards to returning production. It matters little the dynamic offense Dino pushes at Syracuse against the talent Notre Dame has. The neutral site doesn’t help Syracuse, despite being located in New York: Notre Dame fans are all over the country! I just don’t see any way Syracuse can win this game.

Boston College (November 24th, 2018 away)

Rivalry

Previous Game: FSU (November 17th, 2018 away)

Following Game: N/A

Prediction: Syracuse LOSS

Syracuse will fall just shy of bowl eligibility this season. I fully expect a stellar Boston College squad in 2018, and taking on this team away will prove too-much for Syracuse. Dino is getting them close to where they need to be, but 2018 won’t shape-up to be the season that his team breaks through in the ACC.

My Predicted 2018 Regular Season Record for Syracuse : 5-7 (2-6 ACC)

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