NFL
By: Rick
For the second time this season, the Syracuse Orange have won in overtime. It’s the second time in just four games against teams they were “supposed to” lose to. Yes, many of these so-called experts wrote the Orange off, even claiming that if they didn’t beat Cal, it was their “last winnable game.” But that’s why you can’t believe everything you read on social media. One thing that’s been apparent since the start of the Fran Brown era is that his teams rarely give up. Not that it hasn’t happened, but if they have a chance to win, they fight through it all. So how does the UNC win shape the rest of the season?
A New Day
We’ve all seen Umari Hatcher tear it up for the Syracuse Orange. He’s Syracuse’s leader in catches, receiving yards, and touchdowns, but a new wrinkle has emerged. Calvin Russell III may have just had his breakout game against UNC. With 8 catches, 86 yards, and a game-winning TD/2-PT conversion, CRIII changed the conversation. No, not away from Hatcher, who still leads the team in receiving yards, but now to: Is this offense about to reach its full potential? With Hatcher and Russell on the field, it’s a perfect 1-2 punch. With two complementary receivers who can make big plays, it’ll open up the playbook a bit more in an already dynamic offense. Despite their early struggles, is this the start of something special?
Sort Yourself Out
Yes, the Orange won in overtime, stunning the Tar Heels on their home turf, but man, did they almost give it away. As a fan, you love the aggressiveness of going for the game-winning 2-pt try; what do you have to lose at that point, already below .500? However, that final drive was a nail-biter. The penalty to start the drive, the fumble that brought it to 3rd & 11, and the -2 rush on 3rd down from the two could’ve cost SU the game. While they walked away with the win, those are the kinds of mistakes they need to clean up. Those plays are why they’re not sitting at 6-1 right now. They’ll take on the (23) SMU Mustangs in their next game for second place in the ACC. Instead, they’re in dead last, clawing their way out.
Building Something Special
Syracuse has it figured out. Despite what the win column may look like, there’s something there. They went from a 10-3 season to a disaster the following season, back to a team that fights on. The program seems to be led in a way that points to a bright future. If the Orange can maintain strong recruiting, keep guys in-house and out of the transfer portal, and keep learning from past mistakes, they’re not far from being a contender, especially with the playoff expansion in 2027. Of the top 25-ranked teams, 24 will now make the playoffs. In a world of “should’ve, would’ve, could’ve,” SU would be going into their next game against SMU theoretically for a playoff spot. That’s the reality of this season; the opportunities are there, and fine-tuning their game is the only thing holding them back.
Make no mistake: the Syracuse Orange are turning it around. It’s easy to be short-sighted after years of doom and gloom, but the foundation is there. The right principles are there. They have to figure out how to get over that hump.
