Syracuse Football: As Sean Tucker rolls, a bowl game is quite viable for SU

One more game – that’s right, Syracuse football is one win away from bowl eligibility. In a season where many doubted they’d win 3 or 4 and after last season with no fans in the stands and only one win, this is an accomplishment in itself.

With three games left, and make no mistake these will be tough games, Syracuse has to beat Louisville, NC State or Pittsburgh to get that magical 6th win.

I’m the guy before this season who said this could be a magical season and hyped up #WhyNotCuse after Josh Black in the preseason stated to the press “Why not us?” After three VERY close losses and an ugly game against Rutgers, this team could have been that team but regardless I’m proud of the effort and accomplishments they’ve achieved.

Five wins are still like a delicious pie for Orange fans to salivate over, and a bowl game would be like making that pie ala mode with some delicious Byrne Dairy ice cream.

Syracuse football is very much in the post-season bowl conversation.

Let’s be honest, this is a team sport and a team accomplishment. The defense has been stellar, with Mikel Jones amongst the nation’s leaders in solo tackles, Cody Roscoe and Kingsley Jonathan ranking up there in sacks and tackles for losses, and it has been exciting to watch a young secondary with Duce Chestnut, Garrett Williams and others providing stellar play.

And let’s not forget an offense that had you told me we’d lose quarterback Tommy Devito and wide receiver Taj Harris to the transfer portal, I’d have given up hope of any success. But the offensive line has been impressive at times despite occasional injury concerns and youth. Quarterback Garrett Shrader has at times shown flashes of Eric Dungey, leading some impressive drives including an amazing game-winner to Alford to beat Virginia Tech.

But how can we not mention the accomplishments of the country’s leading rusher, number 34 (for now) Sean Tucker?

You can’t deny his success. In only 9 games, he already has 1,267 yards making him 1st in the country in overall yards and third all-time in Syracuse history for rushing yards in a single season. He’s only 82 yards from Walter Reyes and 105 behind the all-time leader, Joe Morris.

He’s popping up more in Heisman Trophy talk including some oddsmakers even listing his odds to win, and Tucker is a contender for other major college football awards as well. And the cries to award him a 44 jersey are only getting louder as even his own teammates like Josh Black add to the voices screaming from the mountain top.

This season has been a roller coaster of emotions. It’s possible that Syracuse football ends up with only 5 wins of course but they could also end it with 8 wins. With this defense playing as well as they are, the offensive line showing massive improvements, and the dual-threat of Shrader and Tucker, the possibilities are unknown but Orange fans are left not only entertained but also with visions of bowl grander dancing in their heads as it’s within our grasp.

I believe in this team and even when I felt like someone maybe did need to “take me to Crouse” to see a cardiologist, I always hoped that with all the critics and all the naysayers looking for change, a bowl game was possible.

And now, within the grasp of reality, I’m truly hoping this season ends not with a whimper but with a bowl game.