It's been a stressful day waiting for the news as to wether or not that nonrefundable Manhattan hotel room was going to be a wise investment. Turns out, it is. The Syracuse Orange will return to the Pinstripe Bowl for the 2nd time in three seasons.

New York's College Team is returning to the New Era Pinstripe Bowl for the second time in three years. The 2012 Syracuse Orange, which finished the season winning five of its last six games and won a share of the BIG EAST championship with a 5-2 league mark, will play in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl on December 29 in Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, NY (3:15 pm, ESPN). The Orange defeated Kansas State in the inaugural Pinstripe Bowl, 36-34, in 2010.

"On behalf of Syracuse University, the athletics department and our football program, we are honored to have been selected to participate in this prestigious Bowl game," said Syracuse Director of Athletics Dr. Daryl Gross. "What an honor to be invited to the New Era Pinstripe Bowl and once again be affiliated with the Yankee organization, which we consider the greatest sports franchise in history. We are so proud of head coach Doug Marrone, his staff and the team. We are honored and thrilled to represent in this fabulous bowl game in Yankee Stadium as co-Big East champions in football. I can't think of a better place to showcase New York's college team. This is a fabulous opportunity for our institution, as many alums live in the area and our fans can descend upon New York City for the holidays. We are looking forward to a great bowl week and an extraordinary game."

No word on the opponent yet but it's likely to either be West Virginia or Baylor.

You can purchase tickets and travel packages at the Official Syracuse Athletics Bowl site. Tickets start at $50 but Syracuse students can get them for $25 (limit of two per student).