Syracuse’s Otto the Orange named one of top 10 college football mascots ever

If you haven’t heard already, this year marks 150 years of college football. And while things started pretty rough with Rutgers’ shoddy claim to a shared title with the only other team to exist (Princeton), things have gone pretty well since those early, dark days.

Sports Illustrated took a shot at ranking the top college football mascots of all time, and netted out with a list that included Syracuse’s Otto the Orange at No. 9. We’d put him at the top of the list for obvious reasons, but you can potentially see how the names in front of Otto get there. He’s already become a big part of the sport and SU in what’s amounted to just a few decades. And his uniqueness certainly helps him stand out.

The fact that Otto’s there for football, in particular, despite arguably being more of a “basketball” mascot also speaks to the program’s resurgence of late. Perhaps you disagree. But in any case, always enjoyable to see the lovable orange get the credit he deserves here.

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

The Greatest Mascots in College Football History (SI.com)

Syracuse University: Otto the Orange. Otto is as sweet as the fruit he embodies. He’s gone through a couple name changes—earlier versions were reportedly called both Clyde and Woody—but Otto’s lovable essence has always prevailed.

Group text: Predicting ACC football for the 2019 season (The Athletic)

Bruce Feldman thinks another 10-win season is coming and if he’s right Syracuse would be heading to the Orange Bowl.

Dino Babers explains why defense won Syracuse football scrimmage (Syracuse.com)

“They’re doing a fantastic job communicating,” Babers said of the defense. “You’ve got a bunch of seniors out there who have played a bunch of ball. Anytime that a guy might not be in the right spot, you’ve got someone else talking, ‘no, no, no, yes, yes, yes, yes’ and they’re putting them in the right spot.

Dynamite Duo Powers Orange ‘D’ (Cuse.com)

It may be a friendly race to get in the offensive backfield, but that competition wouldn’t be successful without teamwork. Sometimes Robinson may see something and call it out to Coleman who’s then in better position to make the play. The stat gets marked in Coleman’s column, but Robinson deserves credit for making the read. Other times, Coleman may recognize a certain alignment or formation and he signals Robinson. They feed off each other.

Syracuse’s Bourama Sidibe needed trip to embassy to get visa to play in Italy (Syracuse.com)

“The thing with Bol was he didn’t have the right visa,” Sidibe said. “He had to have a visa that would have been valid when he came back to the U.S. and he doesn’t have that.” Ajak, a freshman center, told Sidibe that South Sudan issued him a 3-month temporary student visa. As a Syracuse student, he obviously will reside in the United States longer than that. But he will rely, said Sidibe, on his F-1 or I-20 designation.

PFF Rankings: College starting quarterback rankings for 2019 (Pro Football Focus)

Table is set, now Josh Black, Syracuse look to take next step (Rockford Register Star)

Giants announce Amba Etta-Tawo suffered a torn Achilles tendon (Giants Wire)

Syracuse to Honor 1959 and 1979 Football Teams (Cuse.com)