Last week, some considered the game against Wake Forest the biggest game of the SU season because it was a chance to grab its first ACC win of the year, and try to show they aren’t the worst team in the ACC. But now that that game is in the books, and the Orange came away with a solid win, it’s time to turn the attention to the new most important game… this week. And I don’t mean that as the typical coach speak of “the next game is the most important” I mean that this game is important to the success of the Orange.
For one, a win would give Syracuse its first 3-0 start since 1991… 1991! Coach P was in his first year as head coach! Next, a win would go a long way in getting the Orange to a bowl game. I know, it may be crazy, but this would put the Orange half way to bowl eligibility. And we know that the Orange likely won’t beat LSU next week, and there are a few other games on the schedule that we have chalked up as losses—FSU and Clemson for example.
This is the best team that Syracuse has played to this point in the season. Rhode Island was a cake walk, Wake Forest is the worst team in the ACC, Central Michigan is a team that went to a bowl game last year. Yes, the Orange beat them 40-3 last year, but even Coach Shafer will tell you they are a better team than they are last year.
This weekend is the time to get win number 3 of the season. If the Orange can’t pick up its 3rd win this week, it may be waiting 3 weeks until the team travels to Tampa to take on USF.
