Syracuse

Few teams have bigger potential to move up after spring ball than Syracuse, which aggressively attacked the transfer portal after a disappointing 3-9 campaign. The Orange loaded up on transfers including defensive end Tunmise Adeleye from UNLV, headlined by quarterback Amari Odom's arrival from Kennesaw State with 99.7 PPA to compete with returning starter Steven Angeli. New defensive coordinator Vince Kehres takes over a unit that ranked 94th nationally at -2.3 points per game, while the offense sits at a similar 96th ranking despite adding receiver Cole Weaver from Miami (OH) and tight end Noah Meyers from Western Kentucky to replace departed receivers Johntay Cook and Darrell Gill Jr., who both transferred to Ole Miss.

JP+ projects 5.0 wins for Syracuse in 2026, suggesting the portal additions can lift the Orange toward respectability in the ACC despite their -4.8 overall rating that ranks 96th nationally. The schedule provides opportunities with home games against Cal and New Hampshire plus a road trip to UConn, but tests await against Notre Dame at home and road contests at North Carolina and NC State. If Odom pushes Angeli for the starting job and Adeleye provides immediate pass rush help under Kehres' direction, Syracuse could exceed expectations and approach bowl eligibility. If the transfer additions fail to gel quickly, another long season awaits in the Dome.