Syracuse Football Ranked 69th in 2026 SP+ Rankings

Orange look to bounce back from disappointing 3-9 season in 2025

Apr. 11, 2026 at 5:15am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a college football game or match, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the team's official colors and the fractured, multi-perspective nature of the sport.The Syracuse Orange's improved ranking in the 2026 SP+ rankings suggests a promising future, but the team must overcome defensive and special teams challenges to truly turn the corner.Syracuse Today

The Syracuse Orange football team has been ranked 69th in the latest 2026 SP+ rankings, a significant improvement from their 113th position at the end of the 2025 season. Despite a disappointing 3-9 record last year, the team's upward trajectory in the rankings is a promising sign for their future prospects, especially with the potential for a healthier Steve Angeli and improved depth at quarterback.

Why it matters

The SP+ rankings provide an analytical snapshot of a team's potential, but the real test will be on the field. The Orange have the opportunity to surprise many and prove that their 2025 season was an anomaly, but they will need to address weaknesses on defense and special teams to truly turn the corner and compete at a higher level.

The details

The Orange's 69th ranking in the 2026 SP+ rankings represents a significant improvement from their 113th position at the end of the 2025 season, despite a disappointing 3-9 record that year. The team's upward trajectory is a promising sign, especially with the potential for a healthier Steve Angeli and improved depth at the quarterback position. However, the defense and special teams remain areas of concern, with questions about the pass rush and the loss of key players like Jack Stonehouse.

  • The 2026 SP+ rankings were released on April 11, 2026.
  • The Syracuse Orange finished the 2025 season with a 3-9 record.

The players

Steve Angeli

The Syracuse Orange's starting quarterback, who has the potential to be healthier and lead the team's offensive improvement in 2026.

Jack Stonehouse

A key player who was lost from the Syracuse Orange's special teams unit, creating a void that the team will need to address.

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What they’re saying

“The rankings provide a snapshot of the team's potential, but the real test will be on the field, where the Orange will need to execute and overcome their weaknesses to achieve success.”

— Author

What’s next

The upcoming 2026 season will be crucial in determining whether the Orange can truly turn the corner and prove their critics wrong. The team's schedule includes challenging opponents like Notre Dame and Clemson, as well as more manageable games against SMU and Virginia.

The takeaway

The Syracuse Orange's improved ranking in the 2026 SP+ rankings is a promising sign, but the team will need to address their defensive and special teams weaknesses to truly capitalize on their potential and achieve success on the field. The upcoming season will be a crucial test for the team as they look to build a winning culture and prove that their 2025 struggles were an anomaly.