In reflecting on Syracuse football and what’s transpired over the past few weeks, I started thinking about a particular movie.
“Look, If you had one shot or one opportunity. To seize everything you ever wanted in one moment. Would you capture it or just let it slip?”
In the film “8 Mile,” Eminem plays “Rabbit,” a guy from the trailer parks of Detroit with a dream to make it big as a rapper one day. But it seems every time Rabbit gets the opportunity, he gets nervous, overwhelmed and unable to display the skills he and his friends know exist within him. He keeps trying and eventually he overcomes that adversity and puts on an amazing display on stage for all to see.
Going into the bye week, the Syracuse Orange football team needed one more win to secure bowl eligibility with three games left. Previous to that, they’d lost three big games by three points in each and then went on to win the next two. They are 5-4 going into that bye week and left many fans like me optimistic they could even win all three to finish off the season.
But sadly, much like Rabbit in 8 Mile, the pressure was on and unfortunately, they failed. First, they lost at Louisville 41-3, which was their worst loss of the season. And then this past weekend in Raleigh they had another opportunity but sadly lost to a ranked NC State team, 41-17.
Syracuse football has one last shot to get a sixth win and qualify for a bowl.
This Saturday, Syracuse football has the opportunity for one more chance to get that bowl game and finish their season 6-6 without a losing record. It will not be an easy chore as they will face yet another ranked team in the Pittsburgh Panthers with a Heisman-quality QB.
But it’s at home in the Carrier Dome and it’s Senior Night at 7:30 pm. This is a chance to send those seniors off in style and say thank you. Not only pulling out one more chance at an upset but going back to a bowl game for the first time since 2018.
Right now, many Syracuse football fans are frustrated or worse. They’re contemplating change and disappointed to have been so close but failed and facing yet another losing season. Made worse by the fact that not only did you lose three games by 3 points each earlier in the season but then they come off the bye week with possibly the two worst losses of the season, when a win was needed most.
Last season, Syracuse had one win and many had very little expectations for this program this season. Vegas set the odds at 3-4 wins and some fans and others had Head Coach Dino Babers on the hot seat.
But running back Sean Tucker has excelled, the defense has shown glimpses of greatness, and quarterback Garrett Shrader at times displayed leadership and skills that reminded some of Eric Dungey. If Syracuse can beat Pitt this Saturday and finish 6-6 with a bowl game pending, Rabbit has finally taken the stage and stepped up to the expectations that I truly believed existed in this team.
Syracuse football fans, staff and players can finally face the most critical naysayers with pride chanting “Let’s Go Orange” just like in 8 Mile when everyone threw their hands up and started chanting for “The 313” as Rabbit finally slays Papa Doc on the mic.
So to my fellow fans, Syracuse Orange players and staff, I say hang in there and let’s give it one more chance this Saturday because I believe Syracuse can win. Let’s show up this Saturday knowing we have nothing to lose and everything to gain by leaving it all out there on that field.
Put your cardiologist or Crouse on speed dial and go into this game believing we can win! We ride together…we die together…Orange fam for life.