Welp, Week 1 is in the books, Syracuse Orange fans.
It wasn’t the way we wanted the season to start, an emphatic 45-26 loss to Tennessee, but we don’t shy away from anything here at the Military Bowl O’Meter.
The Orange offense began the season with two punts and a fumble that was returned for a touchdown. And before you knew it, Fran Brown’s crew trailed 17-0 at the end of the first quarter.
There were a handful of positives that still have us hopeful for some postseason play down the road, though.
Yasin Willis bulldozed his way to 91 rushing yards and three touchdowns, Texas transfer Johntay Cook emerged as one of SU’s top receiving options and Steve Angeli finished with 274 passing yards against an experienced Volunteers defense in his Orange debut.
Nonetheless, the Military Bowl O’Meter remains untouched with an Orange loss after Week 1:
Fortunately, brighter days should be around the corner with two very winnable games. Currently a 6.5-point favorite against UConn this week, SU has a great chance to go over .500 when it faces Colgate on Sept. 12.
Before we get ahead of ourselves, here’s where the “experts” project the Orange in postseason play after their first game.
ESPN – Mark Schlabach and Kyle Bonagura
No bowl
ESPN didn’t have the Orange bowling before last week, so it’s no surprise that they remain off the board after the loss to the Vols. They project North Carolina and Duke in the Military Bowl, respectively, so SU can flip the script by winning both games later this season.
Go Bowling Military Bowl vs Navy Midshipmen
Yes! At least someone gets it. CFN must’ve read my critique of a Pinstripe Bowl rematch against Minnesota in last week’s edition. Glad they changed their minds and moved over to the good side.
No bowl
Seems a bit unfair that Syracuse got booted from the Fenway Bowl after losing a tough Week 1 game, but hey, that’s life. Not sure that Pitt/Memphis is the thrilling Military Bowl matchup that we’re looking for, either.
The Athletic
Update pending
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Are you still optimistic about a bowl game appearance? Let us know in the comments.
