The one team Fran Brown and Syracuse Football must defeat in 2026

Despite a down season, Fran Brown is still very well-liked in CNY. However, he still has one clear box to check as the Syracuse head coach.

Jul 16, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Syracuse head coach Fran Brown speaks to the media during Media Day at Hilton Charlotte Uptown. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Fran Brown has already accomplished a lot in his two seasons at Syracuse. He won a bowl game in his first season, matching the program’s most wins in a campaign since 1987. He led the Orange to a win for the first time ever at Death Valley, beating Clemson 31-21 as a 16.5-point underdog despite losing Steve Angeli to a torn Achilles in the middle of the game. He landed the university’s third-highest-rated recruit in Calvin Russell, a five-star wide receiver from Miami.

Brown’s resume to this point is impressive. He has shown he can build a quality roster, recruit at a high level and create a strong culture. Compared to his most recent predecessors, Dino Babers and Scott Shafer, he seems to be ahead of schedule.

However, there is one major blemish for Brown across his first two seasons. It’s almost inexplicable, given the general success he has already had with the program. He still has to beat one of Syracuse’s oldest football rivals.

Brown is 0-2 against Boston College

‘Cuse does not have many vibrant and active rivalries in football. There is certainly bad blood between Pitt and Syracuse, but the Panthers have dominated on the football field, winning 20 of the past 23 matchups.

West Virginia historically was one of the biggest rivalry games for the Orange. There was even a title, the Ben Schwartzwalder Trophy, on the line. However, the two sides haven’t met in eight years, which was a chance meeting in the 2018 Camping World Bowl. There are no future meetings set right now.

There has not been much angst stirred up with any of the Orange’s newer ACC foes. However, ‘Cuse and Boston College still share enough history, geographical proximity and consistency to call them rivals. Since both schools entered the conference in 2013, they have met every year. Syracuse leads the all-time series 33-25, but BC holds the slight edge as ACC opponents, 7-6.

Why it's a must-win

Brown is inexplicably winless in his first two tries against the Eagles. The first loss was a stunner, as ‘Cuse entered the game 6-2 and in contention for a potential New Year’s Six bowl game. Considering that the Orange won out, it’s easy to wonder “what if.” 

This past season, Boston College stomped Syracuse in a game that Joseph Filardi, a lacrosse recruit masquerading as a quarterback, started for the Orange. It was a bitter end to an abysmal season. What’s more, it meant ‘Cuse would finish at the bottom of the conference standings and the only win BC had against an FBS opponent all season. In short, a total embarrassment for Brown and his staff.

Beating Boston College will not make or break Syracuse’s season. However, a fourth-straight loss would be the Orange’s longest losing streak against the Eagles. For a program where winning national or even conference titles feels like a pipe dream, checking the boxes elsewhere matters. Being the best team in the Northeast should be the standard at Syracuse. It isn’t a huge bar to clear, but that makes it all the more frustrating that ‘Cuse has failed to show up when facing its closest conference opponent.

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