Prepare yourself for this week’s predictions
With their backs up against the Pop-Tart wall, the Syracuse Orange football team delivered once again.
Despite being over 10-point underdogs, SU completely overmatched Cal on its home turf, cruising to 33-25 win. Two rushing touchdowns by LeQuint Allen and an end-zone catch by Jackson Meeks put the Orange up by 20 at halftime, and interceptions by Marlowe Wax and Davien Kerr kept the game out of reach.
Let’s check out how a dub over the Bears reflects on our weekly Pop-Tart Bowl O’Meter:
Sitting pretty at 7-3, Fran Brown’s team is firmly back in the Pop-Tart conversation. Wins by No. 17 Clemson, No. 13 SMU and No. 6 Notre Dame also helped Syracuse’s toaster pastry chances, as these teams can skip the traditional “Bowl Season” games and make the College Football Playoff.
Home games against UConn and No. 11 Miami are all that’s left on the regular season schedule. Assuming the Orange take care of the Huskies and give the Hurricanes a good fight, 8-9 wins should put them above the Fenway and Pinstripe Bowl threshold.
But you never know; here’s where the “experts” project Syracuse to compete in the postseason. And something tells me we should be excited…
ESPN – Mark Schlabach and Kyle Bonagura
TaxSlayer Gator Bowl vs No. 10 Tennessee Volunteers – Schlabach
If I told you Syracuse would face the ‘Vols in a bowl game before the season started, you’d probably think the Orange did the impossible and made the CFP. The Gator Bowl on Jan. 2 is honestly pretty close and a great test against the SEC.
TaxSlayer Gator Bowl vs Vanderbilt Commodores – Bonagura
Same bowl as his counterpart but mixing in Vandy, who has been a pleasant surprise to this point. Still, the ‘Dores will probably have to play Tennessee tight in their regular season finale to have any shot at this predicted matchup.
Brett McMurphy – The Action Network
TaxSlayer Gator Bowl vs Missouri Tigers
Another matchup against a preseason CFP hopeful. A loss last week to No. 19 South Carolina was the knockout blow to the playoffs for Mizzou, so they could definitely end up in this one.
POP-TARTS BOWL vs No. 22 Iowa State Cyclones
I almost passed out when I saw this. FINALLY, someone believes Syracuse will play in the greatest game of them all. What could be better than a shootout with the Cyclones in a battle for a life-sized toaster pastry? It took 12 weekly updates, but we now have someone on board.
Photo by Conor Kvatek/UCF Athletics/University Images via Getty Images
Wasabi Fenway Bowl vs East Carolina Pirates
From the highest of highs to the lowest of lows. Jerry Palm didn’t bother to change his projection, even after a big upset win. For someone who predicted the Orange in the “Cure Bowl” for a huge chunk of the season, I guess I’m not surprised.
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The Orange helped us make history in this week’s update, but where do you think SU will play after Week 12?