As a longtime observer of college football and someone who has spent years analyzing the cyclical nature of sports dynasties, I find myself constantly drawn to programs with a rich history that have fallen on harder times. The question posed by this article’s title—Can Syracuse Football Return to Glory?—is one that resonates deeply with me. It’s not just about wins and losses; it’s about identity, tradition, and the arduous climb back to relevance. My perspective is that of a hopeful realist. I believe in the potential for revival, but I’ve seen enough false dawns to know it requires a perfect storm of coaching, talent, and institutional will. This 2024 season preview, then, is less about bold predictions and more about assessing whether the foundational pieces for that return are finally in place.

Let’s be clear about what “glory” means for Syracuse. We’re talking about the era of Donovan McNabb, the magical 1987 season, the consistent bowl appearances and Top 25 finishes that now feel like ancient history. The program hasn’t won a conference championship since sharing the Big East title in 2012, and its last major bowl victory was the 2018 Camping World Bowl. The ACC has been a tough slog, with the Orange often looking physically overmatched. When I look at the 2024 roster and schedule, I don’t see an immediate contender for the ACC crown. That’s the honest truth. But what I do see, for the first time in a while, is a plausible path to consistent competitiveness. The transfer portal has been kind, bringing in some experienced pieces on both lines, which is where games in this conference are won and lost. The development of quarterback Kyle McCord, now in his second year in the system, will be everything. If he can elevate his completion percentage from last year’s 62% to something closer to 65-67% and cut down on those critical late-game turnovers, the offense has the weapons to be dynamic.

This is where my mind makes an interesting, albeit imperfect, parallel to the reference point provided. The idea of a foreign guest team, Kobe Shinwa, aiming to become a two-time champion in the Philippine Volleyball League against an unbeaten powerhouse is a story of an outsider defying expectations to establish a lasting legacy. Syracuse, in many ways, has felt like an outsider in its own conference—the northernmost school in the ACC, often battling perceptions and recruiting challenges. The “glory” they seek isn’t just a one-off season; it’s about re-establishing themselves as a perennial force, a program that belongs in the conversation. Kobe Shinwa’s potential feat shows that sustained success in a hostile environment is possible, but it requires not just one monumental upset, but the consistency to do it again. For Syracuse, that translates to not just pulling off an upset over a Clemson or Florida State—which they’ve done sporadically—but backing it up with a 9 or 10-win season and doing it repeatedly. The 2024 schedule sets up in a way that a 7-5 regular season is a reasonable, solid expectation. But to truly signal a return, they need to steal a game they’re not supposed to win and finish 8-4 or better. My personal benchmark for a successful “glory-adjacent” season would be 8 wins, including a victory over at least one of the conference’s traditional powers, and a competitive showing in a mid-tier bowl game.

The defensive side of the ball is my biggest concern, and it’s where my analyst hat goes on fully. Last year’s unit ranked a dismal 98th nationally in total defense, giving up over 420 yards per game. You simply cannot return to any semblance of glory with numbers like that. The new coordinator has implemented a more aggressive scheme, but do they have the personnel, particularly in the secondary, to execute it without getting burned deep? I’m skeptical, but hopeful. The non-conference slate is manageable, with games against Ohio, Holy Cross, and UConn offering a chance to build confidence and tune up before the ACC grind. The season will likely be defined by a brutal three-game stretch in October: at Clemson, home versus Stanford, and at Pittsburgh. Navigating that at 2-1 would be a massive statement. I have a personal preference for tough, defensive-minded football, the kind Syracuse was once known for. If they can’t find a way to shave 30-40 yards off that per-game average, this will be another frustrating year of shootouts and close losses.

So, can they return to glory in 2024? The complete, top-tier glory of the past? No, not this year. But this season feels like a critical inflection point. It’s about proving that the culture head coach Fran Brown is instilling is real and that the program is on a tangible upward trajectory. It’s about showing recruits that Syracuse is a place where development happens and where big games are won. In my view, the 2024 outlook is cautiously optimistic. The pieces for a resurgence are more visible now than they have been in a decade. A bowl game is a must. Eight wins would be a resounding success and a clear signal that the long climb back has genuinely begun. The path is there, much like the path for that determined foreign team in the PVL. The opportunity is on the schedule. Now, it’s about execution, resilience, and perhaps a little bit of that old Syracuse magic finally making a welcome return to the Carrier Dome. I’ll be watching, not just as an analyst, but as a fan of the sport who loves nothing more than a great comeback story.

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