Syracuse football bowl watch: ACC sidequest unlocked!

The Syracuse Orange technically started their conference schedule way back in Week 3 when the Clemson Tigers rocked ‘Cuse in the Dome. However, with no more non-conference games left, it feels more appropriate to say that the ACC slate is officially upon us as the Orange take on the N.C. State Wolfpack this week. Unlike in past years, a week off did not drop Syracuse from the conscience of the national media, but it definitely scattered their targets a bit.

Independence Bowl, December 26, Shreveport, LA

Sporting News: vs. California Golden Bears

ESPN’s March Schalbach: vs. Army Black Knights

Military Bowl, December 27, Annapolis, MD

Bleacher Report: vs. Navy Midshipmen

Pinstripe Bowl, December 27, New York, NY

Sports Illustrated: vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers

Camping World Bowl, December 28, Orlando, FL

LWS College Football: vs. Iowa State Cyclones

247 Sports: vs. Iowa State

Belk Bowl, December 31, Charlotte, NC

USA Today: vs. Costal Carolina Chanticleers

CBS Sports: vs Army

Sun Bowl, December 31, El Paso, TX

Stadium: vs. Arizona Wildcats

So as you can see, projections are all over the place for the Orange. Some of these bowls imply that the Orange will finish in the top tier of the ACC. Others imply that the Orange are a mid tier school hovering around 7-5/6-6. This Thursday is the first game that I think we start to see the result of the game directly impact these projections.

A loss and the Orange probably fall out of the more reactionary picks, and fall more to Independence or Pinstripe Bowl projections for the rest. Win? All bets are off and we see a continued scattering of projections, but with more Belk options thrown in.

Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl, December 23, Tampa Bay, FL

ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura vs. Former National Champions UCF Knights

However, this, I must frame. Give me our Bad Boys Mowers. Give me Gasparilla. Give me a very salty UCF who will somehow say this game is beneath them. Give. Me. All. Of. It.