Syracuse went 4-8 in Dino Babers' first season as head coach, and they finished sixth in the ACC Coastal division.
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However, Fox Sports college football analyst Stewart Mandel thinks the Orange are due for a breakout season in 2017.
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In his latest mailbag, Mandel reiterates what he said on his podcast about Syracuse and Babers.
Is this going to be a breakout year for Dino Babers?
— Steven
"Heck yeah," Mandel said. "I said it on The Audible, and I'll put it in print here: Syracuse will upset one of Clemson, Florida State or Louisville this fall. Mark it down."
That's a bold prediction, and the Orange play Florida State and Louisville on the road late in the year. They do get Clemson at home on a Friday night, and they did upset Virginia Tech last season.
Syracuse also returns 20 starters next year, which is the most of any team in college football.
Florida State, Clemson and Louisville are expected to be among the top teams in college football next season, and if one of them falls to Syracuse, it would classify as a major upset. Louisville defeated Syracuse 62-28 last season, and Clemson walloped the Orange 54-0. Florida State easily handled Syracuse 45-14.
The Orange should be much improved—especially under Babers, who was very successful at Bowling Green—so it's certainly a possibility given how much talent they have returning.
(h/t Fox Sports)
