Syracuse football: TNIAAM roundtable on the Holiday Bowl

The Nunes staff share their reactions to SU’s 2024 Bowl matchup

Over the weekend, the Syracuse Orange officially locked in which bowl game the program would play against as well as its opponent.

Syracuse will be heading to the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl to face the Washington State Cougars on December 27. The Orange will look to win their first bowl game since 2018 and cap off year one of the Fran Brown era on a high note.

With that all now finalized, the TNIAAM staff came together to share their thoughts on Syracuse getting a spot in the Holiday Bowl:

What are some immediate takeaways on the Orange heading to the Holiday Bowl?

Dom: Considering what ended up playing out with the College Football Playoff bracket being finalized, I assume most fans like myself thought we’d be headed to the Gator Bowl or something that was on the East Coast. I’m not as concerned about how much “rep” there is with the Holiday Bowl as I am with the quality of opponent (wish Syracuse was playing an SEC team) and the logistics (San Diego is expensive for a super-majority of the fanbase).

Mike: Look, it’s a warm weather bowl in front of a national TV audience. I’m really bummed they didn’t get the Gator Bowl – even more so because Duke somehow did – but this is still a decent pull compared to some alternatives. (If it was the Pinstripe again we’d actually riot.) San Diego is honestly a bigger destination than Jacksonville so use it to schmooze some big donors and restock the transfer portal fund.

Kevin: I was hoping to get a chance to see a Florida bowl, but this is a nice reward for the team. It’s not a big-name opponent but Syracuse gets a primetime game to show the nation what Fran Brown is building. Look at it this way, this is a 3-4 hour commercial for the Orange football program.

Max: As most of you know, I was a Pop-Tarts Bowl truther, so there was definitely a feeling of disappointment at first. But it’s not all bad, as the Holiday Bowl is a staple of Bowl Season dating back to 1978. The Cougars also aren’t an SEC powerhouse that the Orange would’ve seen in the Gator Bowl, and another win would be huge for Fran Brown’s program.

Are there any significant implications for Syracuse’s bowl game performance, regardless of the result?

Dom: Washington State went 8-4 overall but ended the year with three straight losses. After the Orange’s performance to upset Miami, getting to 10 wins and ending this first year with Fran Brown on another win is as good of a note to end on as it can possibly get. Plus, considering just how uncertain next year looks across the board, a 10-win season in year one is something Brown and the program can rightfully hang their hat on.

Mike: Seconding Dom’s points, while I don’t think anything can top that comeback over Miami, you still want to play a good game here. It’s not the end of the world if SU loses but the flip side would break the recent stigma from a close game against Minnesota and the absolute disaster in Boca.

Kevin: Getting to 10-3 in Brown’s first year will mean Syracuse finishes the year in the top 20. We know what the schedule looks like next year, but getting the staff a leg up in their 2026 recruiting coming off a double-digit win will be beneficial for the long-term health of the program.

Max: Syracuse burst into the national spotlight with its win over Miami. Here’s another chance for the Orange to make a name for themselves. A win would amend recent embarrassing performances in bowl games and give SU momentum heading into a challenging 2025 schedule. Losing wouldn’t take away anything from this season, but it’d be nice to cap off an extremely successful year with a dub in San Diego.

Do you think this game will convince Syracuse’s NFL Draft prospects to suit up?

Dom: I still think any bowl game just gives players more of a spotlight, especially if said player is projected to go outside the first three rounds in the draft. If I had to lock in a prediction, you’ll probably see more of Syracuse’s stars on offense sit out but most of the defense opting to play.

Mike: I think Kyle McCord can rest his case for the NFL, along with Oronde Gadsden; this isn’t a matchup that will particularly move the needle with their respective draft stocks, barring some career performances. On the other side though, Marlowe Wax and Justin Barron should opt in. I’m 50/50 on Fadil Diggs but maybe they get Fatim in for a few snaps with him?

Kevin: I actually think this game could be a good showcase for McCord. It’s a stand alone game and a chance to make a huge statement in front of a national television audience. The Cougars defense has been pretty porous so one more 300+ yard game from McCord can get him momentum heading into the senior showcases.

Max: I’m leaning no, potential draftees don’t suit up. While it is a nationally televised game, I don’t think WSU is good enough to increase anyone’s draft stock. This is where not getting the Gator, Mayo or Pop-Tart Bowl hurts, as Syracuse is stuck with the Pac-12 conference instead of the SEC, Big Ten or Big 12. Money talks and I get that the payout was higher for the Holiday Bowl, but this might turn prospects away as a result.

Initial thoughts on the matchup and early predictions for how the Holiday Bowl goes?

Dom: This game will come down to who just boasts more offensive firepower and especially who from both sides ends up not playing. Both teams can certainly put up points, but that could easily change if several key players on either roster choose to not suit up. I still think Syracuse should at least be a field goal favorite regardless.

Mike: I’m interested to see if this is the Jakhari Williams tryout game. Yes ‘Cuse should still be looking for a vet in the portal – maybe even the guy on the other sideline – but I think he deserves a shot after learning the system all year behind a great gunslinger. I also think the rosters will pretty evenly reflect the other’s opt-outs one way or the other and we’ll be treated to another close game.

Kevin: I know people wanted to play a SEC school but this might give the Orange a chance to win even if there are opt-outs. There’s a lot of value in getting a 10th win especially if you can do it in a great tv spot, but the main benefit of getting back to a bowl is the extra practice time. We should get to see more of Brown’s 2024 recruiting class in this game, so you hope this helps them be better prepared for 2025.

Max: It really depends on who suits up. If McCord plays, he should have no problems carving up a Cougars defense that allows nearly 28 points per game. On the flip side, WSU’s offense does put up over 33 points per contest, so regardless of who opts-in, it should be a high-scoring affair.

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What are your thoughts about the game?