Don’t say goodbye to Syracuse football in 2025 just yet.

After back-to-back road games, Syracuse football (3-8, 1-7 Atlantic Coast Conference) hosts Boston College (1-10, 0-7 Atlantic Coast Conference) this Saturday. With the Orange not bowl eligible for the first time since 2021, this game marks the season finale for the Orange in 2025.

After both teams made it to a bowl game with a first-year head coach last season, it hasn’t been a similar year for both Syracuse and Boston College this season. The Orange have lost seven straight games, while the Eagles have dropped ten in a row.

While these two teams are having similar seasons, their play in the most recent games was completely different. For SU, it’s coming off the program’s worst loss of the 21st century: 70-7 to ninth-ranked Notre Dame down in South Bend. On the other hand, before its bye this week, BC lost to then number 16 Georgia Tech by only 2 points. So, how will the Orange take down the Eagles?

Cuse.com

For Syracuse, it will come down to the passing game, on both sides of the ball. Defensively, things haven’t gone too well for SU. The Orange allow 35 points per game, which is the most out of any team in the ACC. Plus, BC’s offense averages the fourth most passing yards per game in the conference this season. SU head coach Fran Brown believes it all comes down to tackling, specifically in the second level.

“We've got to make sure we do a better job of tackling,” coach Fran said. “Just being able to help second-level defenders and help them be able to tackle better in the open field.”

A major reason why Boston College has had success in the pass game is due to the play of Wide Receiver Lewis Bond. The senior is second in the ACC in receptions and fifth in receiving yards with 80 and 822, respectively. In the last game against Georgia Tech, Bond broke the single-season receptions record this year as well, passing his former teammate Zay Flowers, who hauled in 200 passes.

The Illinois native has produced his entire four year career. Bond is the all-time BC program leader in career receptions with 206. Boston College head coach Bill O’Brien believes Bond’s football career won’t end this Saturday.

“Lewis has had a great career here, he’s been very productive, and I anticipate him having a real shot to play in the NFL,” O’Brien said.

Offensively, it hasn't been pretty for the Orange either. During the seven-game losing streak, SU’s offense has only scored eight touchdowns and has averaged 11 points per game.

A big reason why has been the quarterback play. Since starter Steve Angeli went down with a season-ending Achilles injury, the Orange have run out three different signal callers at some point during the losing streak.

But the Eagles defense has not been sharp this season. BC allows under 35 points per game, which is the second most in the ACC. However, through the air is where Syracuse can wreak havoc. Boston College allows the fourth most passing yards per game in the ACC this season, with 275. However, the biggest question for SU is, who’s going to be under center against BC?

Cuse.com

In his second ever collegiate start last week against number 9 Notre Dame, SU starting quarterback Joe Filardi completed only 14 of 26 passes for a total of 83 yards. But the four-star lacrosse recruit threw three interceptions, with two of those being returned for touchdowns. Despite this, coach Fran is giving the true freshman another chance, with another QB set to make his debut as well.

“I think there is another guy [true freshman Rich Belin (2023 New York Gatorade Player of the Year)]... but I got to give Joe a chance to go out there and redeem himself,” said coach Fran.

Cuse.com

Along with Filardi, Brown has turned to more and more underclassmen over the last two games, including freshman running back Malachi Coleman and freshman wide receiver Darien Williams, who both had multiple touches last game against the Irish. Brown confirmed that Syracuse fans can expect to see the young guys play an even bigger role against Boston College on Saturday.

“It’s always about developing those young guys, getting those guys in, and getting those guys ready, so that when we all hit the field next year, I don’t have to worry about this guy is too young or anything like that,” coach Fran said. “Everybody will be ready to go and be locked in.”

SU’s 2025 season sendoff from the JMA Wireless Dome starts at 3:00, but the Original Home of the Orange has you fully covered. WAER’s coverage of the ACC clash begins with McClurg Remolding Countdown to Kickoff at 2:30, which will be live right here on waer.org or on 88.3 FM.