The Syracuse Orange football team is looking to turn around its fortunes after a disappointing 2025 season, which ended with an eight-game losing streak. Coach Fran Brown emphasized the need for a strong start in 2026, particularly with the first two games at home against New Hampshire and California. The team aims to avoid the quarterback crisis it faced last year when starter Steve Angeli was injured, leading to poor performances from inexperienced backups. To address this, Syracuse has recruited several new quarterbacks, including Zaid Lott, a promising freshman, and Amari Odom, a dual-threat transfer. Additionally, the hiring of Vince Kehres as defensive coordinator is a pivotal change, as he brings a wealth of experience from Toledo, where his defense ranked second nationally. This revamped coaching staff, along with key transfers like linebacker Chris D'Appolonia, aims to significantly improve the team's defensive capabilities, which struggled in the previous season.