Time Until Kickoff
Letter From the Editor
Syracuse football has one more marquee matchup on its schedule — a battle with No. 9 Notre Dame Saturday in South Bend. Though SU has been eliminated from bowl contention for the first time since 2021, be on the lookout for numerous star players and season-long trends throughout its final major test.
Second-year head coach Fran Brown brings experience from his college days with Western Carolina to guide Syracuse. SU's young core will have a chance to shine against the Fighting Irish, including freshman cornerback Demetres Samuel Jr. and redshirt freshman wide receiver Emanuel Ross.
The Daily Orange has everything you need to know before Syracuse's final road clash of the season against Notre Dame.
Thanks for reading,
Noah Nussbaum | Sports Editor
KEY MATCHUPS
FRAN'S FOUNDATION
Fran Brown fell short in the NFL. At Syracuse, he's in the spotlight
amstepan@syr.edu | @AidenStepansky
Years before Fran Brown helmed the Orange, he starred on the gridiron at Western Carolina and spent two years in the NFL. The Daily Orange spoke with former coaches and teammates from Brown's playing career to find out what he was like.
"This is a guy that came in, and guys noticed him. Fran was somebody who stood out." — Chuck Bresnahan, former Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator
DON'T TEST DEMETRES
Offenses picked on Demetres Samuel Jr. He quickly made that a risk
ccandrew@syr.edu | @cooper_andrews
Demetres Samuel Jr. was among the nation's most-targeted cornerbacks in his first few games of college football. Now a ravenous pass-breakup threat, Syracuse's 17-year-old freshman phenom is quickly developing into the program's star of the future.
'DEAL CLOSER'
NFL hopeful Emanuel Ross awaits his turn to break out at Syracuse
zakwolf784254@gmail.com | @ZakWolf22
Emanuel Ross hasn't shown much for Syracuse this season, but the ability is there. He just needs a chance. Though he's recorded just 185 yards in 10 games with the Orange, Emanuel Ross can be a star receiver, he just needs the chance to show it.
OPPONENT PREVIEW
Previewing Syracuse's penultimate game of 2025 at No. 9 Notre Dame
amstepan@syr.edu | @AidenStepansky
On Saturday in South Bend, Syracuse will have one of its toughest matchups of the season against Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish have won eight in a row after dropping its first two games, vaulting them into College Football Playoff contention.
BEAT WRITER PREDICTIONS
Beat writers predict Syracuse will lose 7th straight for 1st time since 2020
sports@dailyorange.com | @DOsports
Syracuse enters its road matchup with Notre Dame on a six-game losing streak after Fighting Irish transfer quarterback Steve Angeli tore his Achilles. Our beat writers predict if the Orange can end their six-game skid and finish the season on a high.