Let’s just say that last week’s performance didn’t help
Welp, here we are again, Syracuse Orange football fans.
Time and time again, the SU faithful get let down in the biggest games of the year. The Pop-Tarts Bowl committee and I really thought this season would be different. There are still five games left, but to this point, I apologize for the false hype.
The Orange laid an egg on national television in a 41-13 loss to No. 18 Pittsburgh last Thursday. Kyle McCord tossed five interceptions, three of which were returned for touchdowns. I’ll spare you from all the other details.
Anyways, here’s where last week’s loss reflected on our weekly Pop-Tarts Bowl O’Meter:
While the meter stays at five for the second straight week, the Orange are still only one win away from postseason play. They’ll probably have to run the table for any shot at a Pop-Tart appearance, but making “Bowl Season” is still quite the accomplishment for first-year head coach Fran Brown.
Let’s see where the “experts” project Syracuse to play in the postseason after its tough loss.
ESPN – Mark Schlabach and Kyle Bonagura
Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl vs Wisconsin Badgers – Schlabach
Rotating from Iowa to Wisco in this week’s update. Like the Orange, the Badgers have handled business against lesser opponents but have laid eggs against their tough ones.
Go Bowling Military Bowl vs No. 23 Army Black Knights – Bonagura
The Pitt loss had no effect on this writer, who is keeping the exact same bowl game and matchup prediction as last week. Maybe the loss wasn’t that bad after all…
Brett McMurphy – The Action Network
Wasabi Fenway Bowl vs Memphis Tigers
Back to the always popular ACC/AAC matchup. Defense will also be optional in this one, as the Tigers average 34 points per game to Syracuse’s almost 31.
Duke’s Mayo Bowl vs Michigan Wolverines
Another site that wasn’t swayed by the Pitt game, CFN keeps the same game while swapping a red-hot Indiana team for a sluggish Michigan. The Wolverines did retain the Paul Bunyan Trophy with a win over Michigan State last week, so maybe they’re better than we think.
Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl vs Minnesota Golden Gophers
Looks like Jerry Palm is a big fan of a 2022 Pinstripe rematch. Let’s aim a little higher than this.
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It looks like our Pop-Tart hopes and dreams might be overly toasted. Where do you think the Orange will play after Week 9?