As Syracuse football enters top-25 polls, here's why 'Cuse should be higher than UNLV

On Sunday, Syracuse football deservingly arrived in the major top-25 polls, following the Orange's upset of No. 6 Miami the day before in the 2024 regular-season finale at the JMA Wireless Dome.

The 'Cuse improved to 9-3 overall and 5-3 in Atlantic Coast Conference competition after the squad had its largest comeback victory in program history on Saturday. The Hurricanes raced out to a 21-0 lead in the first half, but Syracuse football ended up prevailing by a final count of 42-38.

First-year head coach Fran Brown has declared that the Orange "is back," and it's hard to disagree with his assertion. The 'Cuse was projected to finish at No. 12 in the ACC standings, according to the league's preseason media poll, but Syracuse football is currently in a tie for fourth place in the conference.

The major top-25 polls were revealed on Sunday afternoon. In the Coaches poll, the Orange is No. 25. Over at the Associated Press poll, Syracuse football is No. 23. Also on Sunday, ESPN updated its top-25 power rankings, and the 'Cuse is No. 24.

Fun things. I assume that later this week, when the College Football Playoff top-25 ratings are updated, the Orange will make the cut, and deservingly so.

But why is UNLV ahead of Syracuse football in the top-25 polls?

Okay, so I don't get too hung up on top-25 polls. For one, they're subjective. Secondly, I'm just ecstatic that the Orange is ranked following week 14. The 'Cuse will play in a bowl game for the third straight year, and if the team can prevail in the post-season, Syracuse football will reach 10 victories for the first time since 2018.

That being said, one facet that struck a nerve with me on Sunday was seeing UNLV ahead of the Orange in the polls. The Rebels are No. 19 in both the AP and Coaches ballots. Syracuse football, respectfully, should be higher than UNLV.

However, this column isn't meant to bash the Rebels. UNLV (10-2 overall) has put forth a terrific 2024 season and, later this week, will battle No. 10 Boise State (11-1 overall) in the Mountain West Conference championship game. The winner of that clash is likely to make the 12-team College Football Playoff.

Here's my beef. While UNLV has a better overall record than the Orange, the Rebels to date have yet to beat a ranked foe. Syracuse football has a top-10 win and three top-25 victories, including a conquest of UNLV in early October on the road, 44-41 in overtime.

So the 'Cuse has that head-to-head result in its favor, plus a trio of triumphs over ranked groups. On the flip side, the Rebels' losses are "better." UNLV fell to the Orange by three points and against Boise State, at home, by five points when the Broncos were ranked No. 17.

For Syracuse football, it lost by two points at the Dome to Stanford (3-9 overall), and that setback stings. The Orange also fell on the road to then-No. 19 Pittsburgh (7-5 overall) by 28 points and to Boston College (7-5 overall) by six points.

A few more metrics to share on this topic. In ESPN's Football Power Index ("FPI"), UNLV is currently No. 40 overall, while the 'Cuse is No. 53 overall. In the FPI strength of record category, though, Syracuse football is No. 27, while the Rebels are No. 29.

The Orange's current strength of schedule, per the FPI, is No. 71. UNLV's is No. 107.