The Syracuse football team will square off against West Virginia in Orlando for the Camping World Bowl. Here’s how it’s all going to play out.
The Syracuse football team hasn’t played in a bowl game since 2013, that all ends on Friday night December 28th in Orlando for the Camping World Bowl. The Orange will be facing old Big East Rival the West Virginia Mountaineers.
When this game was first announced a month ago, it seemed like it could be one of the best bowl games on the platter, but a lot has changed since then. Syracuse will be without several stars on their defense in Alton Robinson and Antwan Cordy.
While West Virginia will be missing several key offensive weapons including senior quarterback Will Grier, star offensive lineman Yodny Cajuste, and leading receiver Gary Jennings Jr.
With all of that being considered, Syracuse is now a three point favorite in this contest. While the ESPN FPI Analytics suggest that the Mountaineers are still favored with 66.6 percent odds. But how will this game play out? Our expert panel give one final prediction ahead of the 2018 Camping World Bowl between the Orange and the Mountaineers.
Neil Adler (9-3)
Prediction: Syracuse wins 45-35
It’s a battle of two top-20 teams and former Big East Conference foes, when the Syracuse football squad matches up with West Virginia at the Camping World Bowl in Orlando, Fla., on Friday. No. 20 SU (9-3) is coming off a spectacular 2018 regular season, one in which it finished second in the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Atlantic Division and can wrap up the present stanza with its first 10-win term since 2001.
The No. 16 Mountaineers (8-3), meanwhile, landed in a tie for third place with Iowa State in the Big 12 Conference standings. Both units score more than 40 points per contest, while surrendering 400-plus yards on defense. So I would expect a shoot-out here.
However, WVU’s prolific quarterback, Will Grier, is not expected to play, while several of the Orange’s best guys on defense are also not competing. ESPN.com’s match-up predictor says that the Mountaineers possess a 66.6 percent chance of prevailing, although odds-makers in Las Vegas have anointed the ‘Cuse as the slight betting favorite.
Something has to give from those standpoints. I’m finding it tricky to gauge how this affair will go, but given that West Virginia’s high-octane offense is missing its’ star piece, I think that Syracuse has the edge. SU notches its 10th victory in a thrilling 45-35 conquest.
Paul A. Esden Sr. (10-2)
Prediction: Syracuse wins 45-40
Even for Cinderella the magical night has to end. This season has exceeded almost everyone’s expectations. As we head into the Camping World Bowl it is hard to say it but this will be Eric Dungey’s last game. It will be an end of an era for the Orange.
The opportunity to reach the 10 win water mark against a Power 5 team and announce to anyone who has been sleeping through the football season that the Orange does more than play basketball.
This writer’s only regret is that Will Grier has joined the crowd of players that will not suit up for their alma maters Bowl game. People will use this as an excuse after the fact.
The Orange faithful should not sleep on the Mountaineers this is a high scoring team who has kept up with some of the best teams in nation. Just recently losing 59-56 to Playoff bound Oklahoma.
Moving on from the dueling banjos I expect this to be a shootout. In the end the OITNF will win as Eric shines in his final game. 45-40.
Josh Peelman (n/a)
Prediction: Syracuse wins 42-21
Syracuse Football has had a pretty incredible season. The Orange went undefeated at home, beat a ranked team, finished 9-3 during the regular season, and had star quarterback Eric Dungey play and start all 12 games this year.
Now, all the Orange have left is to do is put the cherry on top by winning the Camping World Bowl game over a very talented and ranked West Virginia Mountaineers team. Normally, I’d think this game could be a tough game for the Orange as the Mountaineers used to be one of our most bitter rivals in the Big East Conference, but since we’re several years removed now from playing them annually, that bitterness no longer seems to be there between these two teams.
Thus, I expect this game to be much like any other with no real bad blood between the two like it was in years past. I expected entering bowl season this game would be a high scoring affair with two talented quarterbacks in Dungey and Will Grier going head to head, but with Grier not playing this matchup looks more favorable now for the Orange. In addition, star Mountaineers receiver Gary Jennings Jr. and All-Big 12 left tackle Yodny Cajuste are also sitting out for West Virginia which can only help the Orange.
Sure, the Orange will also be missing McKinley Williams and Alton Robinson for personal reasons, but the Mountaineers playing two pretty unproven backup quarterbacks against the unstoppable senior leader Eric Dungey sounds like a disaster. I think the Orange with a healthy team come into this one will just blow out the Mountaineers. I think it will be a physical game for a half or so, but the Mountaineers defense will eventually be exposed and Dungey will be too much for them in his last game in an Orange uniform. The Orange win going away 42-21 and finish the season an amazing 10-3!
Mat Mlodzinski (9-3)
Prediction: Syracuse wins 63-35
Yep, I’m calling a blowout. And honestly, the numbers all line up for one to happen!
The Mountaineers have given up 40 or more points in 3 of their last 4 games. Meanwhile, the Orange scored over 40 points in 8 of their 12 games all season long.
I see Eric Dungey having a field day against this WVU defense. Knowing him, he’ll want to go out with a BIG bang, and I truly think he will.
On top of this, West Virginia will be without their star QB, Will Grier, as he prepares for the NFL Draft and doesn’t want to risk injury. The Syracuse defense should be able to limit the West Virginia offense, which ranked just ahead of Syracuse with 42.3 PPG, and may be able to create more turnovers.
Defense is the real key, as Cuse ranked in the top 15 in the nation in sacks, interceptions, and fumble recoveries. On the flip side, West Virginia was tied for 80th in sacks, tied for 28th in picks, and tied for 48th in fumble recoveries.
No Will Grier should lead to even more time of possession for the Syracuse offense, and an ability to create more turnovers, which should lead in an Orange win.
Andrew Carey (8-4)
Prediction: Syracuse wins 49-35
The Camping World Bowl got a lot more interesting this past week when Syracuse.com’s Stephen Bailey broke the news that McKinley Williams and Alton Robinson were suspended from the game.
Obviously Will Grier, Yodney Cajuste, and Gary Jennings are not playing. The teams starting QB, left tackle, and leading receiver will all sit out the game. The news that Robinson and Williams are our balances the scale some what.
With that being said, I still feel that Syracuse has an advantage in this game. West Virginia brings the element of surprise, as the Orange don’t really know what to expect from WVU’s backup QB’s.
Weather also could play a factor into the game as the forecast is calling for rain and thunderstorms. I pray the game doesn’t get cancelled like the BC-Boise State game did. I will be in attendance rooting on the Orange to a 49-35 win.
Before tonight’s @valeroalamobowl and @CWBowl kick off, check out our previews with @BartimusPrime19 @BoyGreen25 @CougCenter and @JaredStansbury. #CyclONEnation #HailWV #GoCougs #Big12 https://t.co/ukehSTiNue
— Ten12 Podcast Network (@Ten12Network) December 28, 2018
Adam Patrick (8-4)
Prediction: Syracuse wins 52-45
It’s finally here! It seems like it has been forever since the last time the Orange stepped onto a football field. But on Friday, Syracuse will take on the No. 15 West Virginia Mountaineers in the 2018 Camping World Bowl.
The Orange (10th) and West Virginia (ninth) possess two of the most potent scoring offenses in the country. So expect a ton of points to be put up on the board on Friday.
Although, the Mountaineers will be playing in the matchup without senior quarterback Will Grier, who threw for 3,864 yards and 37 touchdowns this season. Grier has opted to skip the bowl game in order to prepare himself for the upcoming 2019 NFL Draft.
Despite their top quarterback not being available for Friday, West Virginia still possesses a dangerous rushing attack as well. The Mountaineers have a three-headed run game that has accounted for 1,724 yards and 17 touchdowns this year.
On the Syracuse side of the ball, they will be led by a healthy (well, healthier) senior quarterback in Eric Dungey and their talented pass rush. With Dungey ready to go and the Orange having most of their offensive weapons at their disposal, scoring points on Friday against West Virginia should be pretty easy.
In the end, Syracuse’s experience at the quarterback position will prove to be the key factor and eventually lead the school to their first bowl win since 2013.
Paul A. Esden Jr. (10-2)
Prediction: Syracuse wins 42-30
There’s a lot to digest for this game. Missing players on both sides with West Virginia (Will Grier, Gary Jennings Jr, Yodny Cajuste) and for Syracuse (Alton Robinson, McKinley Williams, and Antwan Cordy).
Syracuse hasn’t been to a bowl game since 2013 and they’ll be squaring off with an old Big East rival. The Orange are super motivated to get to 10 wins for t he first time since 2001. Incidentally Syracuse has checked off a bunch of things off the bucket list for the first time since 2001:
- Ranked in the AP top 25
- They have a chance at 10 wins for first time since 2001
- Syracuse was undefeated at home for first time since 2001
That’s just a few things, obviously Syracuse has already had a magical year on the field and off the field (Dino Babers contract extension), some consider this bowl game gravy. I don’t.
This is a must win for the Orange. With all the players that are out for the Mountaineers, Syracuse is the prohibitive favorite (by three points and honestly it should be more). If they win this game it’ll do wonders for their recruiting, it’ll put the program on another stratosphere, and provide more belief with massive evidence that Syracuse is more than just a basketball town.
I’ll be modest with the score, Syracuse wins 42-30. The big mystery is who is playing quarterback for West Virginia, Syracuse doesn’t have a ton of tape to look at and who knows what the offense will look like. Syracuse could dominate this game or it could be a very tight back-and-forth game until the end, I’ll pick somewhere in between.