What Is 2018 Syracuse Orange football team

Overview

The 2018 Syracuse Orange football team represented Syracuse University in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) during the 2018 season. Competing as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in the Atlantic Division, the team was led by head coach Dino Babers in his third year at the helm.

The season was marked by offensive inconsistency and defensive struggles, ultimately resulting in a losing record. Despite high expectations following a 10-win 2017 campaign, the Orange failed to reach a bowl game for the first time under Babers.

• Record: The team finished with a 5-7 overall record and a 3-5 mark in ACC conference play, missing postseason eligibility by one win.
• Head coach:Dino Babers entered his third season with a 17-18 overall record, aiming to sustain momentum from the previous year’s success.
• Home stadium: The Orange played all home games at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, New York, a domed stadium with a capacity of 49,250.
• Starting quarterback:Eric Dungey started 10 games before a shoulder injury ended his senior season prematurely in late November.
• Defensive standout: Senior defensive tackle Chris Slayton led the team with 7.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss during the season.

Season Performance

The 2018 campaign began with a nationally televised victory over No. 13 Clemson the previous season, but the Orange struggled to replicate that success.

• Early momentum: A 31-24 win over Western Michigan in Week 2 provided brief optimism after an opening-week loss to Clemson.
• ACC challenges: The team lost four of its next five conference games, including defeats to Pittsburgh (42-7) and NC State (23-13).
• Offensive decline: Averaged 24.8 points per game, down from 31.2 in 2017, reflecting inconsistency in the passing game.
• Defensive effort: The defense allowed 30.3 points per game, a significant increase from the 23.5 points allowed in the previous season.
• Key injury impact: The absence of Eric Dungey in the final two games weakened the offense, contributing to losses against Boston College and Pittsburgh.
• Recruiting class: The 2018 signing class included 18 recruits, ranked 64th nationally by 247Sports Composite.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2018 season compared to recent years in key statistical categories:

The 2018 season marked a significant regression from the breakthrough 2017 campaign, which included a Camping World Bowl victory. While offensive production dipped and defense faltered, the team remained competitive in several games, losing four contests by seven points or fewer.

Why It Matters

The 2018 season served as a pivotal moment in Dino Babers’ rebuilding effort, highlighting both progress and persistent challenges within the program. Despite falling short of a winning record, the year provided valuable experience for younger players and shaped future recruiting and development strategies.

• Program trajectory: The drop from 10 wins in 2017 to 5 in 2018 raised questions about sustainability under Babers’ up-tempo offense.
• Quarterback transition: The injury to Dungey accelerated the development of Tommy DeVito and true freshman Clayton Welch.
• Defensive development: Players like Alton Robinson (8.5 sacks) emerged as key pass rushers for future seasons.
• ACC competitiveness: The team remained competitive in the Atlantic Division, showing potential despite the losing record.
• Recruiting momentum: Continued in-state dominance in recruiting helped maintain a steady pipeline of talent.
• Stadium upgrades: Ongoing renovations to the JMA Wireless Dome enhanced fan experience and program visibility.

The 2018 season ultimately served as a rebuilding year, setting the stage for gradual improvement in the years that followed. While it didn’t meet preseason expectations, it contributed to the long-term growth of Syracuse football under modern leadership.