2014 SU football schedule includes eight 2013 bowl teams

The Orange look to build off a solid 2013 football campaign with a pretty tough 2014 schedule.

After year that saw 11 Atlantic Coast Conference (12 if your count the impending inclusion of Louisville in 2014) play in bowl games, the Orange face eight of them next season, according to the SU Athletic Department

SU plays its season opener against former Big East rival Villanova on Saturday August 30 in the Carrier Dome.

Luckily for the Orange, four of SU's six home games are against 2013 bowl teams: Maryland (Sept. 20), Louisville (Oct. 3), Florida State (Oct. 11) and Duke (Nov. 8). The Orange play on the road against Central Michigan (Sept. 13), Wake Forest (Oct. 18), Clemson (Oct. 25), Pittsburgh (Nov. 22) and Boston College (Nov. 19).

“We are focused on continuing the momentum from our third consecutive bowl win into the 2014 season," head coach Scott Shafer said, "beginning with the home opener against Villanova."

Syracuse Director of Athletics Daryl Gross is also excited about the 2014 schedule.

“This represents the kind of challenge and opportunity I know Coach Shafer will be really fired up about!" Gross said in a statement. "Our returning team wants to keep the momentum from last season to reach higher goals and represent for the community."

The Orange return 17 starters: seven on offense, seven on defense and three on special teams. Spring practice begins on March 18.