The 2026 season is set to begin for the Syracuse Orange and head coach Fran Brown. After last year’s disappointing season, the Cuse will look to rebound in 2026. With quarterback Steve Angeli back and a revamped team, Syracuse has a “get right” game in Week 1 against New Hampshire.
Last week, New Hampshire took a bad loss to UAlbany. They allowed over 350 yards on the ground and couldn’t get anything going on offense. Will Syracuse run up the score? Or, will they utilize the latter portion of the game to test their depth. It’ll be interesting to find out either way – but for now, we’ll highlight the pregame action in our Syracuse vs. New Hampshire preview for the 2026 season.
Syracuse vs. New Hampshire 2026 College Football Preview
Matchup History
It’s not much of a shock, but this is the first time that Syracuse and New Hampshire have faced each other on the gridiron. Considering the Wildcats are an FCS program, it makes sense. However, Cuse was expecting this contest to be more of a challenge considering how New Hampshire performed in previous years. Instead, it may be a one-sided affair.
Yet, Coach Brown isn’t interested in looking at his opponent per se. Rather, he’s looking at what his team needs to do right on gameday.
“I don’t really look at the opponent,” said Coach Brown at his media availability this week. “I look at what we have to do at practice that day. This is the day we get promised – today. So we’re going to do everything we can to practice and become a better football team … We’re just building daily, and want to continue to get better daily.”
Key Players, Stats, and Predictions
Key Players for Syracuse
It goes without saying, but the primary key player for Syracuse is going to be quarterback Steve Angeli. Yet, it’s not his performance that is going to be key – it’s his health.
Last season, Angeli was on a tear for Syracuse, leading the program to a 3-1 record before tearing his Achilles in the fourth game of the season against Clemson. Up to that point, Angeli had put up 1317 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was dynamic as a passer, and showcased a clutch gene on more than one occasion. If Cuse is able to get that version of Angeli again, they should be a force in the ACC this season.
On defense, my key players are more of a unit, than an individual player. And that key unit is the defensive line.
Last year, Syracuse’s defense ranked 105th in sack percentage, at just 4.80. It was the fourth-worst mark in the ACC, and it really hindered the play of the overall unit. Against a team like New Hampshire, that struggled against UAlbany’s front seven, I’m expecting Cuse to get to the quarterback early and often in Week 1.
Key Players for New Hampshire
With the Syracuse defensive line being key for the Orange, it’s only right that the offensive line is key for New Hampshire. Last week, they gave up four sacks to UAlbany. However, they also allowed multiple hits, pressures, and TFL’s throughout the contest that really put the program behind the eight ball. Against a Syracuse unit that struggled getting to the quarterback last season, the Wildcats offensive line needs to keep their quarterback clean if they want to keep this game competitive.
On defense, the entire front seven will be key in this matchup. Considering how poor the unit played last week, it’s truly impossible to single out one player as the most important on the defense. They were gashed by UAlbany’s run game, and had plenty of holes in the passing attack, too. However, the front seven needs to secure the middle of the field and clog rushing lanes against Cuse in Week 1. With Syracuse likely without their primary rushers in this contest, it’s the one potential advantage New Hampshire could have in this game.
2026 Game Preview: How Syracuse Can Win This Game
I’ll be honest. Barring a miracle (or a disaster, depending how you look at it), Syracuse should win this game with their eyes closed. New Hampshire is a solid FCS program – but they’re in the FCS for a reason. While I personally don’t care about the spread, I’m expecting Cuse to handedly walk away with a victory out of the Dome on Saturday.
Prediction: Syracuse 56, New Hampshire 10
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