Syracuse’s season opened with a stumble against California, but the Orange defense has given the staff something to build on through two games.
The sample is tiny - just New Hampshire and Cal, with one of those matchups coming against an FCS opponent - but the early numbers are encouraging. As of Tuesday, Syracuse is tied for 30th nationally in defense in Pro Football Focus’ rankings and carries an 84.7 defensive grade, which puts the Orange fourth in the ACC.
ESPN’s SP+ has Syracuse at No. 54.
The overall picture has been steady rather than flashy. PFF’s breakdown shows Syracuse sitting in solid territory across the board: an 87.2 run-defense grade, 83.3 in tackling, 72 in pass rush, and 81.9 in coverage. Through two games, the Orange have allowed 24 total points.
Stopping the run has been the clearest early strength. Syracuse held both opponents under three yards per carry, with New Hampshire finishing at 34 carries for 60 yards and Cal at 26 runs for 67 yards. PFF’s top run defenders so far are David Omopariola, Jartavius Flounoy, Antoine Deslauriers, and Jamie Tremble.
The pass rush was always expected to be the shakier part of this defense entering 2026, and the numbers still point that way. Syracuse has seven sacks in two games, with five different players collecting at least one. Tunmise Adeleye has the highest pass-rush grade among players who have appeared in both games, and he’s the only one with a grade above 70.
Tackling, meanwhile, has been a bright spot in a way that feels especially notable after last season’s issues. More than 20 players are graded in the green, and five of them are at 80 or better. Deslauriers, Chris Peal, and Demetres Samuel Jr. lead that group, followed by Omopariola, Gary Bryant III, and Tremble.
The pass defense is the part that still needs the most sorting out. Keyshawn Johnson has the top PFF coverage grade on the Syracuse defense, while Peal ranks second among players who played in both the New Hampshire and Cal games. Samuel Jr. is another name to keep an eye on; his coverage grade is 63.6, which ranks eighth among linebackers, corners, and safeties.
One encouraging sign for the secondary: Syracuse has not let an opposing quarterback throw for more than 182 yards in a game.
Turnovers remain a mixed bag. Syracuse is even in turnover margin, and all three of its takeaways came against New Hampshire. Against Cal, the Orange didn’t force any turnovers and gave the ball away three times.
There’s still plenty to clean up, including the 27 penalties for 257 yards and the offensive inconsistency that has already surfaced. But for now, the defense has been the steadier part of the operation, and that has to hold if Syracuse is going to get to a bowl game.
In Other News...
Syracuse Loss Still Left Recruits Talking About What They Saw
Even in a 21-18 loss to California in Syracuses ACC opener, the visit list at the JMA Wireless Dome gave the Orange something to build on. More than a dozen recruits from the 2027, 2028 and 2029 classes were on hand, getting a close look at the program as the night unfolded, and the setting itself clearly did some of the heavy lifting. Between the crowd energy, the way the staff stayed engaged and the teams ability to keep battling, it was the kind of game that can linger with a young prospect long after the final whistle.
For Syracuse, the encouraging part was not just that recruits showed up, but that several came away talking about what they saw on the field. Players and special teams moments stood out during the visit, and the Oranges resilience in a tight game seemed to register with the group in attendance. A loss is never the ideal showcase, but this one still offered a reminder that the right atmosphere and effort can leave an impression even when the result does not. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuse Faces A Brutal Pitt Test It Still Hasn't Solved
Syracuse heads into Thursday nights trip to Acrisure Stadium knowing the matchup has not been friendly ground in recent years. The Orange are set to face Pittsburgh at 7:30 p.m., and a panel of reporters and analysts spent this week circling the same issue from different angles: Syracuses offense has work to do, while Pitts defense has earned the kind of respect that makes for a difficult road assignment.
The predictions varied, including disagreement over the final score and whether Syracuse can stay within the spread, but the larger theme was consistent. This is the sort of game that forces the Orange to prove it can handle a physical opponent away from home, and until it shows more on offense, the questions around this one are likely to linger right up to kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
Syracuses Biggest Gerry McNamara Question Is Starting To Come Into Focus
CBS Sports Insider Jon Rothstein spent a day around the Syracuse Orange and came away with a clearer picture of what new head coach Gerry McNamara may have to work with in 2026-27. His observations pointed to a roster that looks deeper and more balanced than it might have a few weeks ago, with several key pieces already emerging as likely starters and the teams exhibition opener against UConn on Oct. 13 looming as the first real checkpoint.
Still, there are a few moving parts left for McNamara to sort through, and one of the bigger ones is tied to Garwey Duals collarbone injury. Rothstein also flagged Sadiq White Jr.s improved three-point shooting as a development that could matter in shaping the rotation, giving Syracuse a little more flexibility as it works toward a lineup that fits the new coachs vision. [Read more 🡒]