While some Syracuse fans are already looking forward to basketball season after a 3-3 start to the football season, Dino Babers says he’s excited. 

Throughout much of the first half of the 2019 season his Orange have been toiling in the long shadows of the 2018 season, the most successful campaign for Cuse football in almost two decades.  It’s worth noting that the last time Syracuse won 10 games it went 4-8 the following season, and this year’s squad is showing the unfortunate ability to match that. 

And yet Babers says he’s excited, and here’s why.

There was more hype surrounding this team in August than we’ve seen in many years around here both locally and nationally, and Syracuse started the season ranked in the top 25.  Six games later, with ugly losses to both Maryland and now N.C. State in the rearview mirror, the hype has evaporated along with the national ranking. 

So the pressure is off both Babers and his players and the burden of expectations has been lifted.  And now in the next six games the Orange coach and his charges can play as if they have both something to prove and nothing to lose, which is the same atmosphere in which his team thrived last season.  And what makes a team more dangerous than that?

Sophomore quarterback Tommy DeVito is still going through some growing pains.  And the much-maligned offensive line does not seem to be capable of improving, at least not until some key players return from their injuries.  But Babers says every player on the roster has the responsibility to get better, that it’s not acceptable to stay at the same level all season long. 

The last couple days of practice has shown him his players are still very much motivated to do that. To prove to all the doubters out there that this team is better than its mediocre record indicates and that this season isn’t over yet with six and possibly seven games left to play.

The good news is, the Orange have a realistic chance to reach some of the goals they and their fans have set.  Two of the next three games are at the Dome and only one of those three opponents has a winning record.  Additionally, none of SU’s final six opponents are ranked in the AP Top 25.  If Syracuse can sweep the three home games left on the schedule, it will be bowl eligible for the second straight season.  Considering the youth of this team at key positions and the injuries it’s endured, I’d consider that a success and would have to believe Coach Babers would as well. 

Will his excitement prove well-founded?  Friday’s home game against Pitt should give us an indication. And why is it the Panthers always seem to show up at critical times of any season?