Syracuse football projected to go bowling next season
After falling short of lofty expectations last season, one analyst sees the Orange bouncing back next year. Here’s where Syracuse football may be bowling.
The 2019 season wasn’t all that kind to Syracuse football. After finishing 10-3 the year before, many experts foresaw the Orange competing for an ACC title. While the ‘Cuse brought back a lot of playmakers on both sides of the ball, a young offensive line and year one of Tommy DeVito under center made for some sighs during the season.
Even then, the Orange fought for a 5-7 record, one loss short of bowl eligibility. This also included winning two of three to close out the season, one being a blowout victory over Duke, and the other, a hard fought win over a Wake Forest team who finished at 8-5.
And while DeVito sure looked inconsistent at times, his 19 touchdowns to five interceptions does provide hope that with a more experienced offensive line this season, Syracuse may be able to get back over .500 when the 2020 season is all set and done.
In a recent article by 247Sports, college football analyst Brad Crawford released his early bowl projections for next season. While no games have been played yet, it’s sheds some light on the teams to keep an eye out for.
Crawford projects Syracuse to take on Houston in the Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl
Initial thoughts: What a name for a bowl!
That alone intrigues me as far as a possible destination for the Orange. But on a serious note, a matchup with Houston would be huge for the Syracuse football program. While the Cougars aren’t a Power 5 conference team, playing in the American Athletic Conference, with the exception of last season, they’ve been as dominant as any mid-major in the country.
Houston football appeared in six straight bowl games from 2013 to 2018, including a 2015 Peach Bowl victory in which the Cougars finished 13-1. Their lone loss that season was by a mere three points to Connecticut.
That type of winning culture not only does wonders for Houston, but also helps out whoever they play. Fans want their teams to play good competition, and it’s even better when it’s a consistent program. Syracuse fans would be excited to take on a program like Houston and it would only benefit recruiting, especially if the Orange were to take home a win.
The Orange’s slate could easily propel them to bowl eligibility
Their non-conference slate is actually one of the easiest it’s been in years (Home games versus Colgate and Liberty and away games versus Rutgers and Western Michigan).
While the Orange’s ACC slate includes an away game against Clemson, the rest of it is actually very favorable. Home games include Louisville, Georgia Tech, NC State, and Florida State, while away games are versus Boston College, Clemson, Wake Forest, and Pitt.
The only odd kink in the schedule is opening up with two straight away games, before playing Colgate at the Dome. The first Syracuse football home game against an FBS team won’t come until October 3 when they take on Louisville.
"Syracuse Football: Blueprint to Tommy DeVito success in year No. 3Last season was a step backward for the Syracuse football program and left a lot of questions going into the offseason. Many questioned head coach Dino Babers’s faith in starting quarterback Tommy DeVito. Senior Clayton Welch, instead of DeVito, even led the season finale."
With improvements on the O-Line, another year of experience for DeVito, and a schedule like that, there’s no reason why the Orange can’t make a bowl game in 2020.