Syracuse Football: Why I think the Orange can beat the odds and upset top-10 Miami

So let's get this straight. AP voters don't think Syracuse football is good enough to be ranked even though seven teams have identical records and UNLV, a team SU beat, is 9-2 and ranked 21st. And of course, Colorado (a team many think could play against the Orange in a bowl game) and a few SEC teams "look better" so they're ranked.

ESPN's College GameDay doesn't think Syracuse versus the Miami Hurricanes is good enough to attend the game, instead choosing to go to College Station for Texas versus Texas A&M for the 8th time in the history of the show.

But because Texas is ranked higher than Miami even though they have the same record and Texas A&M is one of those ranked teams with the same record as Syracuse, so I guess that makes it acceptable.

Let's ignore the fact that Miami and Syracuse haven't played since 2017 and Miami hasn't been to the Dome since 2002 and GameDay has never been to Syracuse and instead go with another riveting matchup of SEC teams that has the same potential as the Syracuse/Miami one.

Syracuse football has a huge game coming up this Saturday against Miami at home.

Oh and let's also enjoy that the odds are literally in Miami's favor by 10.5 points, according to FanDuel. I get that Miami only has one loss this year and was in the top 5 before that but it was against Georgia Tech two weeks ago, a team Syracuse beat 31-28 on September 7th. And I've seen the social media and comment sections expecting Miami to blow out Syracuse.

Let them doubt Syracuse. The good thing about sports is that it isn't decided by sports writers, social media pundits or ESPN executives, this game will be decided on the field. And it will be decided with teams led by Syracuse QB Kyle McCord and Miami QB Cam Ward, who by the way are ranked 1 & 2 respectively in the country...not just the ACC...IN THE COUNTRY in passing yards, with Kyle leading the way with 3,946 yards.

And both quarterbacks have been prolific passers utilizing multiple receivers and both should have an opportunity to play on Sundays even though other quarterbacks constantly get the attention.

So yes, I am writing this as a biased homer for Syracuse but that doesn't mean what I said is incorrect. I have links and facts to support my statements whether some like them or not. And I just don't understand those who are looking past this matchup or expecting it to be a blowout.

Nor do I understand ESPN not wanting to try something new but I guess that SEC paycheck being more substantial and the geniuses relying on "eye tests" for rankings have decided Syracuse doesn't deserve the opportunity. Ooh, or my favorite using the past to justify that Syracuse has to do more to earn it instead of being open-minded.

Look, I don't know what will happen on Saturday but my point is that neither does anyone else. Syracuse has the players to be able to compete with anyone when everyone is healthy and ready. Kyle McCord is setting records at Syracuse, LeQuint Allen has not once but twice been that guy in overtime to help Syracuse win, several receiving options defenses have to plan for and the defense has players who can make big plays as well.

And let me tell you something, if you sleep on the determination of this team and this staff, they will carve you up like a surgeon at Crouse with precision wanting to leave behind a legacy that this program can build off of and potentially a 10-win season if they can win the bowl game, too.

So to that I say, to quote the great poet Taylor Swift, haters gonna hate hate hate hate so shake it off and go out there and smack this Hurricanes team in the mouth. Don't just spoil their opportunity to get into the ACC championship game, rise up and show that Syracuse is a team that these doubters have to take seriously.

Show those voters who left you off the poll and those ESPN executives that they had the opportunity and blew it not believing in Syracuse.

I believe. Go Orange!