Over on the main SB Nation page today, there was an interesting conversation: If you could change one historical college football result by a touchdown, which would you choose? And how would that impact the sport’s history as a result?
The choices there were very good. But obviously this is a Syracuse blog, so we’ll want to focus on Syracuse results. There’s one pretty clear recent game we’d love to change. Plus a another that you can probably guess.
Top pick:
Syracuse vs. Clemson, 2018
As you well know, Syracuse led for most of the game against the Tigers down in Death Valley, only to give up the game-winning touchdown with over a minute left to lose, 27-23. A Syracuse win could’ve had some wide-ranging changes, both in terms of last season and the wider narrative going into this year, too.
First, a Syracuse win completely alters the ACC and maybe even the national title race. That Orange team would’ve wound up 10-2 (7-1) and earned a bid to the conference championship game. Had they won there (not farfetched), SU would’ve wound up in the Peach Bowl at the very least — though there’s a long-shot case for an 11-2 Syracuse team to make the College Football Playoff field with a league title and a road win over Clemson.
The Tigers could’ve won the national title just the same in that case. Had Syracuse won the Peach Bowl vs. Florida (wouldn’t necessarily bank on it), the Orange would’ve finished the year in the top 10.
Though it would destroy the concept of the article a bit, there’s also a compelling case that Syracuse would’ve avoided tripping up vs. Pitt after the Clemson game had they won instead. That Orange squad would’ve been 11-1 in the regular season and if they’d taken home the ACC title, they would’ve absolutely made the CFP field.
Even without finishing top-four, SU owning back-to-back wins over Clemson likely sets up a lot more #narrative about the Orange, and amps up recruiting both last season and this year too.
The other option should be fairly obvious as well:
1988 Sugar Bowl vs. Auburn
Breaking the tie wouldn’t give us an outright title, but the unbeaten AND untied Orangemen would have a more compelling case for votes, and would make these t-shirts a lot more marketable. Maybe we’d be able to lay a legitimate claim to the championship and up our official count to two? That’s more important than the consequences of 2018’s Clemson game... provided you actually get the votes for a split title (debatable).
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What about you? Is there another Syracuse football result you’d change by a touchdown? Would you prioritize the 1987 game over last year’s Clemson loss because of a greater chance at a national title? Weigh in below.