Syracuse football enters the 2025 season unranked in the AP Top 25, but expectations are beginning to rise thanks to the arrival of transfer quarterback Steve Angeli. After his time at Notre Dame, Angeli brings leadership and experience to a program searching for consistency and an offensive identity. His presence has energized the Orange, and sportsbooks list him at +10000 to win the Heisman Trophy -- a longshot, but one that underscores his potential impact in his first year running the offense.

This development prompted Dimers' analysts to reevaluate Syracuse's ACC Championship projections heading into the new season. The updated simulations reflect Angeli's arrival, measuring his effect against powerhouse programs like Clemson, Miami, and Louisville. While Syracuse remains a heavy underdog, the numbers provide a clearer picture of the Orange's uphill climb in 2025.

Despite their underdog status, Syracuse enters 2025 with a 1.2% chance to win the ACC. That may seem small, but Angeli's steady hand at quarterback gives the Orange a fighting chance to pull off upsets and shake up the conference standings.

The Orange are set to open their 2025 campaign against No. 24 Tennessee on Saturday, August 30, at 9:00 AM ET. Syracuse opens as a two-touchdown underdog (+14) with moneyline odds at +425, while the Volunteers are priced as -600 favorites. For Syracuse, the matchup provides both a challenge and an opportunity: a chance for Angeli to make his debut against a ranked SEC opponent and for the Orange to prove they can hang with top competition out of the gate.