What Is 2021 Syracuse Orange football team

Overview

The 2021 Syracuse Orange football team represented Syracuse University in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) during the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by head coach Dino Babers in his sixth year, the team struggled with consistency and finished with a 5–7 overall record, missing a bowl game for the second consecutive year.

The Orange competed in the ACC's Atlantic Division and played their home games at the JMA Wireless Dome, formerly known as the Carrier Dome. Despite flashes of offensive potential, defensive lapses and turnover issues hampered their season, leading to a losing record and ongoing questions about the program’s trajectory.

• Record: The team finished the season 5–7 overall and 3–5 in conference play, marking another sub-.500 campaign.
• Head Coach: Dino Babers continued to implement his fast-paced 'ACES' offensive scheme but faced criticism for lack of progress.
• Home Stadium: The JMA Wireless Dome, a 49,250-seat domed stadium in Syracuse, hosted all home games during the season.
• Starting QB: Tommy DeVito began the season as the starter but was replaced midseason by dual-threat quarterback Garrett Shrader.
• Bowl Eligibility: With only five wins, Syracuse failed to qualify for a postseason bowl game for the second straight year.

Key Players & Performance

The 2021 season featured several notable individual performances, though team results did not reflect a breakthrough. Offensive production was inconsistent, and defensive turnovers proved costly in close games.

• Garrett Shrader: The sophomore quarterback finished the season with 1,740 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions.
• Trishton Hubbard: A key defensive back who recorded 57 total tackles and 2 interceptions during the season.
• Sean Tucker: The standout running back rushed for 1,496 yards and 14 touchdowns, earning All-ACC honors.
• Andre Cisco: Though he declared for the NFL Draft after 2020, his absence was still felt in the secondary.
• Marvin Harrison Jr.: No relation to the NFL legend, the freshman receiver showed promise with 217 receiving yards.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 2021 season to recent years highlights stagnation in the program’s development. Below is a performance comparison across key metrics.

The 2017 season remains the high point of the Babers era, with a 10-win season and a major bowl appearance. Since then, the program has regressed, failing to reach double-digit wins or secure consistent bowl eligibility. The 2021 team showed improvement over the disastrous 2020 season but still fell short of postseason play, continuing a trend of mediocrity.

Why It Matters

The 2021 season was a pivotal moment in assessing the long-term viability of Dino Babers’ tenure and Syracuse’s place in the ACC. While not a complete failure, the lack of postseason play raised concerns among fans and administrators.

• Program Direction: Another losing season intensified scrutiny on Babers’ ability to elevate the program beyond .500 records.
• Recruiting Impact: Missing a bowl game hurt recruiting momentum, especially in competitive Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.
• Player Development: Sean Tucker’s breakout season offered hope for future offensive success under the current system.
• Defensive Struggles: The team allowed 30.8 points per game, exposing weaknesses in defensive coordination and depth.
• ACC Relevance: Syracuse remains a mid-tier team in the conference, struggling to compete with powerhouses like Clemson and Pitt.
• Stadium Legacy: The JMA Wireless Dome remains a historic venue, but attendance dipped, reflecting fan disillusionment.

The 2021 season underscored the challenges facing Syracuse football: inconsistent quarterback play, defensive vulnerabilities, and difficulty sustaining success. While there were bright spots, particularly in Sean Tucker’s emergence, the team’s inability to secure bowl eligibility for the second straight year highlighted the need for strategic adjustments moving forward.