Syracuse bowl watch: There’s still a chance at the New Year’s Six

The No. 12 Syracuse Orange are staring down the barrel of a HUGE game versus No. 3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish and major bowl implications lay on the line.

If the Orange defeat ND, they will be a win over Boston College away from the Fiesta or Peach Bowls. Lose? Those probably (maybe?) fall off the table, but there’s still a chance at the Camping World Bowl, the highest non-Playoff guaranteed ACC bowl game. Needless to say, the projections are all over the map. You can tell who's high on Syracuse, and who wants to hold judgement until after Saturday’s game.

Andy Pregler

New Year’s Six Bowls (Dec. 29, Jan. 1)

College Football News: Fiesta Bowl vs LSU Tigers

Action Network: Peach Bowl vs West Virginia Mountaineers

Fan Duel: Peach Bowl vs UCF Knights

STOP TEASING ME. But in reality, the Action Network/Fan Duel are betting sites going for more projection than what’s happening now. The fact that they like ‘Cuse’s chances probably relate to Ian Book’s health (though Notre Dame Coach Brian Kelly says he’s starting). If ‘Cuse wins this Saturday, expect to see most projections throw us in here.

Camping World Bowl (Dec. 28)

SB Nation: ‘Cuse vs Texas Tech Red Raiders

Bleacher Report: ‘Cuse vs Texas Tech Red Raiders

NJ.com: ‘Cuse vs Iowa State Cyclones

ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura and Mitch Sherman: ‘Cuse vs Iowa State Cyclones

247 Sports: ‘Cuse vs Iowa State Cyclones

SI: ‘Cuse vs Iowa State Cyclones

The new “Pinstripe Bowl vs. Maryland” projection! But seriously, with N.C. State losing on Thursday and Boston College’s quarterback potentially out for the year (again), SU suddenly looks the clear favorite for No. 2 ACC bowl slot in both ranking and draw.

Pinstripe Bowl (Dec. 27)

CBS Sports: ‘Cuse vs Purdue Boilermakers

Still some holdouts for the Pinstripe Bowl, but at this point, I’d argue that the final game between the Orange and BC will be for the Camping World Bowl, while Syracuse gets the Pinstripe if they lose (BC goes to the Music City Bowl if they lose, since they were in last year’s Pinstripe). Right now, projections seem to indicate SU is a favorite in the game even if numbers say otherwise).

Music City Bowl (Dec. 28)

Orlando Sentinel: ‘Cuse vs South Carolina Gamecocks

Lol guys, we’re going to be in Orlando and you just can’t deal, can you? But seriously, we’re probably out of the Music City Bowl at this point and this makes me sad.

Sun Bowl (Dec. 31)

Sporting News: ‘Cuse vs Arizona Wildcats

Sure! Why not. Sumlin vs Babers would be a heckuva a narrative matchup, but I don’t see ‘Cuse here either with the Sun Bowl in the same tier as the Pinstripe.

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As John’s explained for a couple weeks now, winning out is the only guaranteed path to the NY6. A 9-3 record puts us squarely on the bubble — though a win over ND has us more in than out, while a loss to the Irish and a win over BC probably means Camping World. Two losses means Pinstripe.

Thoughts? Share your HOT BOWL TAKES below.