Syracuse vs. West Virginia has chance to be among most entertaining bowl games

it’s exciting to play in the Camping World Bowl this year, and even more so because the Syracuse Orange get to face off with the longtime nemesis West Virginia Mountaineers. The two high-scoring teams could potentially create some fireworks down in Orlando... assuming the Mountaineers’ top draft-eligible players actually suit up (looking specifically at QB Will Grier).

Having high-powered offenses and at least one porous defense (WVU) should make for one of the more entertaining games of the 2018-19 bowl season, at least if you ask some onlookers. We’d trend pretty high on the matchup here. Yahoo actually ranked the game fifth overall, and the Washington Post picked it sixth.

... and CBS Sports says 19th because apparently they hate fun?

In any case, plenty more from both local and national outlets coming soon on the game. We’ll also have previews and plenty more jokes and garbage too in the lead-up.

That, plus the rest of your Syracuse-related links below:

Ranking all 39 college football bowl games from the Gasparilla Bowl to the Orange Bowl (CBS Sports)

19. Camping World Bowl: No. 16 West Virginia vs. No. 20 Syracuse -- Dec. 28, 5:15 p.m.: It’s a good thing these teams are in the Camping World Bowl because you might want to bring a tent and a sleeping bag. This game should last at least four hours, and will likely creep closer to five given the way these offenses work, and the defenses don’t.

Syracuse football has to ‘paint Orlando orange’ to prove critics wrong (Syracuse.com)

“If people feel that there’s a knock that we don’t travel,” Wildhack said, “well, here’s a chance for us to prove all those critics wrong. We’ve got to paint Orlando orange. That’s what we really need to do. It’s a great opportunity to really show the nation the support that this program has and not only are we headed in the right direction, but this program is about to take off.”

Syracuse football team awards: Eric Dungey is MVP; Rex Culpepper gets courage honor (Syracuse.com)

After a brief hiatus, Syracuse football brought back its end-of-season team banquet and awards ceremony, where 14 players were honored Sunday night at Drumlins. Senior quarterback Eric Dungey took home the Bill Horr Award, given to the team’s most valuable player. But it was another quarterback’s award that brought the room to its feet. Rex Culpepper was honored with the first-ever Jim DaRin Award for Courage.

How to help pathetic ACC football keep up with elite Clemson (The Post and Courier)

A five-point plan: Beg, leverage, bribe, threaten, blackmail. Whatever it takes to get Notre Dame into the ACC Championship Game eligibility pool. Convince the Irish that while it might have hurt their playoff cause this year, it might help in the future. Forget the Atlantic Division-Coastal Division winners format. Go with the top two teams in the College Football Playoff rankings, regardless of division...

Report: League execs believe Carmelo Anthony has played his last NBA game (Rockets Wire)

Team execs have told @WindhorstESPN Carmelo Anthony has likely played his last NBA game, but what about the teams whose primary interest isn’t, um, well, winning right now? Melo is a popular locker room guy, fan fave & if his defense is lacking, maybe a front office won’t mind?

Syracuse women’s basketball drops three spots to 15th in latest AP Poll (AP)

Syracuse football DT Chris Slayton accepts invite to East-West Shrine Game (Syracuse.com)

Bowls an opportunity for ACC to ease disappointment of regular season (Daily Press)

Dajuan Coleman, Syracuse Stallions hope to draw crowds in busy entertainment market (Daily Orange)

College basketball recruiting: Top-50 power forward Akok Akok commits to UConn (CBS Sports)