Nov 30, 2024; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange quarterback Kyle McCord (6) drops again to go towards the Miami Hurricanes throughout the first half on the JMA Wi-fi Dome. Necessary Credit score: Wealthy Barnes-Imagn Pictures When No. 21 Syracuse faces Washington State within the Vacation Bowl on Friday in San Diego, the matchup presents itself, in some ways, as stability vs. chaos.
The Orange (9-3) have received their final three video games, together with a 42-38 upset of Miami within the regular-season finale, to enter the postseason with appreciable momentum. Extra importantly, Syracuse has a head coach/quarterback combo that it could rely on, as first-year coach Fran Brown has turned across the program, thanks largely to standout signal-caller Kyle McCord.
In the meantime, the Cougars (8-4) are coping with the alternative scenario — and their three-game dropping streak to finish the common season is the least of their issues.
Cougars coach Jake Dickert lately bolted for Wake Forest, whereas quarterback John Mateer introduced that he’s transferring to Oklahoma. Greater than 25 Washington State gamers have reportedly entered the switch portal, which has turned Syracuse from a slight favourite on this sport to a two-touchdown favourite at some sportsbooks.
As for Syracuse, Brown has his sights set on double-digit victories in his first 12 months on the helm. This system has solely received 10 video games in a season as soon as during the last 20 years.
“(We’re) simply making an attempt to get to 10 wins,” mentioned McCord, who completed tenth within the Heisman Trophy balloting after throwing for a national-best 4,326 yards and 29 touchdowns. “I believe that might be an enormous accomplishment for us and the crew. I am excited for it.”
Not solely has McCord determined to play within the bowl sport, however he’s reportedly difficult the NCAA for an extra 12 months of eligibility.
“We do not choose out round right here. We love soccer,” Brown mentioned.
In the meantime, Washington State is scrambling underneath appearing head coach Pete Kaligis and new No. 1 quarterback Zevi Eckhaus.
A senior who has thrown solely seven passes this season, Eckhaus can be making his first begin for the Cougars. And he has huge footwear to fill, as Mateer threw for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns and ran for a team-high 826 yards and 15 extra scores.
“My message to (the gamers) was, ‘I do know who we’re. We’ll play this sport, and I will offer you every little thing that I’ve within the subsequent 9 days, that once you look again in 10 years, you will go, ‘Wow, that was a really particular time and I did not even understand it,” Kaligis mentioned. “I simply love them a lot. I need them to have every little thing. I need them to have every little thing within the subsequent eight days.”
Washington State has misplaced its final three bowl appearances and has not received a postseason contest because the Alamo Bowl on the finish of the 2018 season.
Lastly, a commonality between the 2 applications, as Syracuse is also on the lookout for its first bowl win because the conclusion of the 2018 season, as that victory within the Tenting World Bowl has been adopted by bowl losses in every of the final two years.
“I believe (a win within the Vacation Bowl) would put us heading in the right direction (in future years) to have the ability to attain our final purpose,” Brown mentioned, “which is to get to the faculty playoffs, which is to win the convention championship after which win a nationwide championship. That was the purpose your complete time.”
–Area Degree Media
