Syracuse continues impressive trend under HC Fran Brown in win over No. 19 SMU

Before beating SMU, Syracuse previously notched home wins under Brown, hired in November 2023 after two seasons as Georgia Bulldogs defensive backs coach, over No. 23 Georgia Tech and No. 8 Miami, the latter in the final week of the regular season to keep the Hurricanes from making the inaugural 2024 12-team playoff.

History could be on its way to repeating itself. This season, the Orange finish at home against No. 5 Notre Dame (7-1).

For Syracuse (4-4, 2-4 in ACC), Saturday's win continues an impressive in-season rebound following a dismal 1-4 start against FBS competition. Last Saturday, the Orange rallied from a 20-10 deficit in primetime at North Carolina in a 31-30 overtime victory, giving the program ACC wins in back-to-back weeks for the first time since 2021 (at Virginia Tech, vs. Boston College).

With a manageable slate over the next three weeks that includes games against Clemson (4-3, 2-2 in ACC) and on the road at both NC State (4-4, 2-3 in ACC) and Boston College (4-4, 2-3 in ACC), Syracuse has an opportunity to build even more momentum before its regular-season finale against the Irish.

The Orange are developing a reputation under Brown as a team capable of wreaking havoc and playing spoiler. By the end of 2026, Syracuse could claim another victim.