With the news official that Syracuse is heading out of the Big East and to the ACC on July 1, 2013, many fans are already speculating what to expect for the final season in the Big East Conference for Syracuse. With rivalries dying, uninteresting football ending, and trips to Madison Square Garden limited, there are a few things that the Orange faithful can more than likely count on throughout this athletic season.
Don’t expect the final Syracuse-Georgetown game to be in the Carrier Dome- This is an obvious one for simple reasons. The Big East knows how important the Syracuse-Georgetown rivalry is not only in the conference, but in the nation as well. The rivalry has lost a little bit of it’s luster nationally in comparison to the days of John Thompson II with his towel over his shoulders getting ejected from the Dome, but it is still the premiere rivalry in the Big East. The last time these two teams match up in conference play is going to be something incredibly special, so expect the Big East to make the game in DC, rather than in Syracuse. Any way the Big East can try to stick it to Syracuse, you better believe it’s going to happen.
Expect a bowl birth from the football team this season- Although the Big East isn’t the football conference that it once was, it is still the Orange’s final rodeo. If you think Doug Marrone won’t use that as motivation, you are crazy. Marrone is a proud Syracuse alumni that understands the school and the situation, and the team will without a doubt want to leave the Big East making some noise heading in to the new conference. Are they going to win a Big East Championship? That might be a stretch of a prediction to make in the preseason like this. But a 7-5 team is absolutely something that the fans can set the bar at, even with the difficult schedule.
The final season in the Big East is going to be a special one for Syracuse fans, and I for one can’t wait to enjoy the ride. I have been a huge advocate for getting out of this vindictive conference as soon as possible following the announcement that Syracuse was leaving, but now that all the nonsense is settled I can’t wait to enjoy what will be an incredibly special final season in the Big East.