Are the Orange too good for the toaster pastry?
Take a bow, Fran Brown and No. 23 Syracuse Orange football.
In front of a national audience, SU picked up a program-changing 42-38 win in its regular season finale against then-No. 6 Miami last Saturday. Not only did the victory thrust the Orange into the national spotlight, it also put a major blow into the Hurricanes’ College Football Playoff chances by booting them out of the ACC Championship Game.
Here’s how the win over “The U” reflects on our weekly Pop-Tart Bowl O’Meter:
Syracuse was already locked into a bowl game, so that was never in question. However, now at 9-3, Fran Brown’s crew has almost certainly elevated itself above the Fenway and Pinstripe Bowl tier.
So what’s next for the Orange? The truth is, no one really knows. The ACC (including No. 4 Notre Dame) will get at least two teams in the CFP with the Fighting Irish and winner of No. 8 SMU/No. 18 Clemson this weekend. Miami went from a near lock with a win over Syracuse to now less than 50% chance of making it after its loss.
All things considered, SU should be among the top three in the pecking order of ACC teams who do not make the playoff. Here’s where the eligible bowl games likely rank among importance.
- Duke’s Mayo Bowl, Jan. 3 (presumed highest rank)
- TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, Jan. 2
- Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl, Dec. 31
- Pop-Tarts, Military, Fenway and Pinstripe Bowls, Dec. 28
We’ll find out where Syracuse falls during the ESPN Selection Show on Dec. 8. For one final time, here’s where the “experts” predict the Orange to compete in the postseason:
ESPN – Mark Schlabach and Kyle Bonagura
TaxSlayer Gator Bowl vs Florida Gators – Schlabach
SU jumped up a few spots from the Pinstripe to Gator in this prediction after Saturday’s win. Any game vs. the SEC is a huge win for a rookie head coach and would put even more eyes on the Orange.
DirecTV Holiday Bowl vs Washington State Cougars – Bonagura
This would be a huge disappointment, as this game falls before the Pop-Tarts Bowl against a Cougars team that’s dropped three straight. It’s likely SU’s best chance at a win, but I’m not sure everyone would opt-in if this is the matchup.
Brett McMurphy – The Action Network
TaxSlayer Gator Bowl vs No. 22 Missouri Tigers
Here’s another good one. The only bowl game on Jan. 2, the ‘Cuse would get a crack at a team that ranked No. 11 in the preseason poll. The Tigers faltered a bit on the road this season but would be another terrific test.
POP-TARTS BOWL vs No. 17 BYU Cougars
CFN was the only outlet to predict a toaster pastry appearance for the Orange all season, and it goes back to the Pop-Tarts Bowl for its final prediction. Another team that was on the cusp of the CFP until a few weeks ago, the Cougars are arguably one of the best teams to not make the bracket.
Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images
TaxSlayer Gator Bowl vs No. 13 South Carolina Gamecocks
SC still has a shot to make the CFP, with similar odds to Miami’s. But unlike the ‘Canes, the Gamecocks are trending in the right direction, rattling off six straight wins after a two-point loss at then-No. 7 Alabama. While it’s not the Pop-Tart Bowl, it’s another great potential matchup.
DirecTV Holiday Bowl vs Washington State Cougars
Would make the West Coast alums happy and the Orange are 2-0 in games in the Pacific time zone this season.
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I’ve really enjoyed tracking Syracuse’s Pop-Tart chances and interacting with you all this season. Thanks for following along on this magic toaster pastry ride.
With their fate now in the committee’s hands… where do you think the Orange will play in Bowl Season?