We were pretty sure that the Syracuse Orange’s football schedule was complete back in January, but COVID-19 may wind up complicating matters further and leaving a gap in SU’s September slate.
The Patriot League announced new protocols on Monday that call for players to return to campus at the same time as the rest of the student body. Air travel is also not allowed.
While the flying note won’t affect Syracuse’s September 19 home opener vs. the Colgate Raiders, the return date limitation may create some issues. Former TNIAAM foe Pat Forde notes that the NCAA Division I Council requires six weeks of prep time before seasons begin, which means teams would need to be back by early August for a mid-to-late September game — and July for week one kicks.