College football: Predicting the last place team from every conference

College football: Predicting who finishes in last place of every conference

CHICAGO, IL - JULY 24: Illinois Football head coach Lovie Smith speaks to the media during the Big Ten Football Media Days event on July 24, 2018 at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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SYRACUSE, NY – NOVEMBER 11: Head coach Dino Babers of the Syracuse Orange speaks with Zack Mahoney #16 during the game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at the Carrier Dome on November 11, 2017 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

ACC: Syracuse

Dino Babers will be looking to find more success toward the end of the season for Syracuse after losing out on a chance for a bowl bid in ACC play last year.

Syracuse is projected by most to finish last in the ACC Atlantic division. While Dino Babers’ squad showed promise in 2017, upsetting No. 2 Clemson, an injury at quarterback and a struggling defense down the stretch dashed dreams for a bowl bid as the team finished 4-8.

The Orangemen had a solid offensive attack, ranking third in the conference in total offense. However, the defense proved to be the team’s Achilles heel. Syracuse finished second to last in the ACC in total defense, giving up 444 yards per game.

To make matters worse, the team is losing leading tackler Paris Bennett. Bennett racked up 115 tackles for the season, fourth best in the conference. Linebacker Zaire Franklin is gone too, who had 85 tackles last year; second-best on the team. With the team’s two best defenders now out the door, high-powered ACC offenses may have field days against the Orangemen yet again.

The biggest upside is the return of quarterback Eric Dungey. The senior finished second in the conference in passing efficiency, throwing for 2,495 yards and 14 touchdowns. Heading into Week Nine at 4-4 against a floundering Florida State team, Syracuse was and in position to make a run at a bowl bid. Unfortunately, Dungey was lost for the season with a lower-leg injury and the team lost their last four games.

A healthy Dungey could be what this team needs to get over the hump, but will he receive any help from the defense? A talented quarterback with a struggling defense on the other side could spell trouble for 2018.

Syracuse faces potentially two cupcake opponents in Wagner and Connecticut, but the rest of the schedule is unfavorable. The team faces eight bowl game teams from 2017, two of which were ranked in the Top 25. A two or three-win season seems very possible.