Syracuse Defeats South Florida: This Win Was A Big Deal, You Guys

When the Syracuse Orange defeated the South Florida Bulls 37-36 on Saturday, they did a couple things that this program hasn't done in a while. And by doing so, they might, MIGHT, have finally pushed this program back down the road we all want them to go.

Back-To-Back Wins

Hey, we're no Alabama or Oregon. We have goals and bars to meet but they're set quite a bit lower. And so, something as simple as winning back-to-back football games actually still means something to us. With this win, we accomplished that for the first time since October of last year (the Tulane and West Virginia wins). And it's the first time we beat Big East opponents back-to-back since 2010 (West Virginia & Cincy).

It might not sound like much but when you're as all over the map as we are, it's something to be able to string together a couple wins in a row, especially if one of them is on the road. Speaking of...

We Won A Road Game Against A BCS Opponent

Also the first time we've won a road game, any road game, since October of 2011 (Tulane). The last time we beat a BCS Conference team in a true road game? Rutgers in November of 2010 (I'm discounting the Pinstripe Bowl). With three more road games on the docket, that's the kind of good news you nee.

Ryan Nassib's Eighth Fourth-Quarter-Comeback

For all the smack that Nassib gets throw his way by Syracuse fans, myself included, that's a pretty impressive stat. Especially when you consider that's his first this season. He's pressure-tested, that much is sure.

Interesting that so many of those "first time since..." stats send us back to October of 2011. The Orange were 5-2 and primed for a run at a major bowl. The floor fell out from under us and now, somehow, inexplicably, it's like we're just getting back to something resembling that. At least A bowl. Question is, can we keep it going this time?