We know that Syracuse football is going bowling at the end of the 2024 campaign. We just don't know where the Orange is headed in the post-season.
The 'Cuse (6-3, 3-3 in the ACC), despite a disappointing six-point setback at Boston College last Saturday, has clinched a bowl game for the third straight year. The Orange has three regular-season games left: at California this Saturday, followed by home dates with UConn and then Miami.
As far as I can tell, following the team's loss to the Eagles, Syracuse football is likely all but eliminated from contention to reach the ACC championship game that will transpire early next month in Charlotte, N.C.
Regardless, first-year head coach Fran Brown, his staff and their 2024 roster can still get to a quality bowl game, should the Orange notch several more victories in the regular season. Let's see how this all plays out.
The latest bowl projections for Syracuse football ahead of week 12.
Candidly, some of the bowl predictions that I've come across this week aren't all that appealing, but hey, I'm still proud of my alma mater for reaching at least a half-dozen wins, if not more than that, in the squad's first season under Brown and his assistants.
Jerry Palm of CBS Sports has the 'Cuse playing American Athletic Conference member East Carolina (5-4) at the Fenway Bowl on December 28 in Boston.
Brad Crawford, an analyst with 247Sports, predicts that the Orange will battle Big Ten Conference school Minnesota (6-4) at the Duke's Mayo Bowl on January 3 in Charlotte, N.C.
Steven Lassan of Athlon Sports has Syracuse football going toe to toe with American Athletic Conference squad and No. 25 Army (9-0), also at the Fenway Bowl on December 28 in Boston. I'd really like to see the 'Cuse go bowling in a warm-weather destination, although playing Army would be cool.
Brett McMurphy of the Action Network predicts that Syracuse football will square off against Mid-American Conference school Toledo (6-3) at the First Responder Bowl on January 3 in Dallas.
My new @ActionNetworkHQ bowl projections. Non-playoff: Mayo: Duke-Nebraska; Sun: Georgia Tech-USC; Holiday: Clemson-Arizona St; Pinstripe: Michigan-Pitt; Las Vegas: A&M-Washington; Armed Forces: WVU-Minnesota; LA: Cal-UNLV; Rate: Baylor-Rutgershttps://t.co/60CCitQ7Z1 pic.twitter.com/o21twMZwEu
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) November 11, 2024
This week, in CBS Sports' most recent rankings of all 134 Football Bowl Subdivision ("FBS") programs, Syracuse football was No. 35 overall, down one spot from the prior week. Its next foe, Cal, is No. 59 nationally and moved up seven spots.
ESPN's Football Power Index ("FPI"), currently, has the 'Cuse at No. 64 overall and No. 12 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. California is No. 35 nationwide and No. 6 in the conference.