Syracuse football lost to a previously winless Florida State University team last weekend, and that stinks. The ‘Cuse is 3-2 and that doesn’t stink unless you remember that both losses the Orange had every right to win and could be 5-0, so that kinda does.
Players like wider receiver Taj Harris and running back Jarveon Howard and a couple of others have decided to transfer and that definitely is a bummer. Some fans have given up and are calling for basketball season to start already, and that stinks, too. But for those who aren’t ready to give up, let me share some positive thoughts with you.
Bowl game and even Charlotte are still possible
The team is 3-2, not 0-5 or 1-4, and while many who will state that “the sky is falling” will also say, “Big deal…those wins were over subpar teams.” Hey, to me, it’s still better than not winning those games. Does anyone else remember when Syracuse football lost to Akron? Or when in 2004, Purdue crushed the Orange, 51-0? No! Does anyone remember only winning one game last season? I bet you remember that!
Syracuse football still has SEVEN games left and only needs three more to be a safe bet for a bowl game. And while the harshest critics will tell you that they don’t see this team winning many, if any of those games, how about we wait and see?
It’s not like Syracuse football has not been competitive in these losses…in fact, a couple of officiating decisions I disagree with wholeheartedly and a play or two here and there, and this week’s home game against Wake Forest is a battle of two undefeated teams. Games are decided on the field and I don’t assume a team I root for will automatically lose. Who knows, maybe this team gets better as the season goes on and they win out…we will just have to watch and see.
Some other reasons why I still think Syracuse football can have a special season.
Syracuse football can score and defend
Are you not entertained? Can we acknowledge for a minute that this team’s defense is putting in tremendous work out on that field? Even the most pessimistic of fans have to see that! And what about the improved offensive line play with running back Sean Tucker and quarterback Garrett Shrader both finding success running and scoring behind them?
This isn’t a hopeless team where plays aren’t made on both sides of the ball…there are exciting plays made in every game and players working together as a cohesive unit and I love it.
The fan experience
Losing stinks! I know some think that if you see the positives, you’re accepting mediocrity but that’s ridiculous. Maybe it’s because while everyone wants their team to win, we don’t all view life the same way nor do we view sports the same. I love Syracuse football and all Orange sports but I also remind myself that sports are called games and games are meant to be entertainment and enjoyed.
And while there is a competitive aspect and you want to win, at the end of the day I watch to escape life, root for my team, grab a dome dog and have fun. It doesn’t mean you don’t care if you’re not obsessing over losing, because even I felt perplexed after the FSU game, but now I’m ready to watch Syracuse football #BeatWake this Saturday at 3:30 pm on ESPN2 and look towards it with hope and optimism.