sutomcat
No recent Cali or Iggy awards; Mr Irrelevant
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Welcome to Basketball Day!
Basketball is one of the most popular team sports in the world and we celebrate it today, on the anniversary of the birth of James Naismith, its creator. Naismith was born in 1861 in Almonte, Ontario, Canada. After leaving a position as the athletics director at McGill University in Montreal, Naismith came to the United States—a country where he would eventually gain citizenship—to the YMCA International Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts, to teach physical education. His superior asked him to come up with an indoor sport that could be played during winter, which would be fair and not too rough. In December 1891, Naismith came up with "basket ball."
Naismith nailed peach baskets to the balcony at each end of the YMCA's gymnasium, at the height of ten feet. He divided his students into two teams and told them to try to toss the ball into the baskets. During the first game, nine players were on each team, and they played with a soccer ball. Naismith came up with thirteen basic rules for basketball, which became the game's first rulebook. On January 15, 1892, it was published in Triangle, the International Training School's paper.
SU News
Syracuse Orange wide receiver Justus Ross-Simmons (12) stretches to the end zone. The Syracuse Orange Football team take on the Virginia Tech Hokies, Saturday Nov.2, 2024 at the JMA Wireless Dome Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.comdennis nett | dnett@syracuse.com
ACC Bowl Watch: How did win over Virginia Tech impact Syracuse football’s projections? (PS; $; Carlson)
Syracuse became bowl eligible with its sixth win on Saturday, ensuring the Orange will finish the regular-season with a .500 record or better for the third consecutive year.
That’s a feat the program hasn’t accomplished since the 1999, 2000 and 2001 seasons.
That record ensures that SU will head to a bowl game this season and has one national expert projecting Syracuse to one of the three ACC bowls traditionally considered the most prestigious.
ESPN’s Mark Schlabach projects Syracuse to play in the Gator Bowl against LSU.
This most common bowl projection among experts this week is that Syracuse will head back to the Pinstripe Bowl. Bowl games tend to prefer at least one team from their geographic area because it makes it easier to sell tickets.
Bowl games also do try to avoid having the same team repeatedly within a small timeframe. Syracuse played in the Pinstripe Bowl in 2022. It has played in the game three times in the past 14 years. That’s why I have the Orange headed somewhere else.
I think SU’s fans and players deserve more variety and the team’s success this year will warrant a new experience.
ESPN’s Football Power Index gives Syracuse an average projected finish of 7.4 wins, making a 7-5 finish the most likely outcome. I think the Orange will fare better than that.
College Football Playoff: Miami, Notre Dame
The College Football Playoff Committee will release its first rankings on Tuesday at 7 p.m. on ESPN.
I expect both Miami and Notre Dame will be in position to make the CFP field. Miami is a no-brainer. The placement of Notre Dame and SMU, both of whom have one loss, will be telling.
Gator Bowl vs. Big Ten: Southern Methodist
One of the ACC’s top teams that doesn’t make the CFP lands here. It shouldn’t be Clemson, which played in Jacksonville last season.
Pop-Tarts Bowl vs. Big 12: Clemson
The ACC has sent a ranked team to Orlando for the last seven seasons. Clemson visited in 2021. That’s probably just enough time for a repeat visit.
Holiday Bowl vs. Pac-12: Pittsburgh
One of the ACC’s top teams that doesn’t make the CFP will land here. It won’t be Louisville, which played in San Diego last season.
...
Syracuse football: Pop-Tarts Bowl O’Meter update (TNIAAM; Tomaiuolo)
Just when you thought Syracuse football’s Pop-Tart hopes and dreams were crushed, the Orange reeled us back in.
Down by seven points to Virginia Tech with five minutes to play, Kyle McCord and LeQuint Allen marched SU down the field with a game-tying touchdown drive. The Orange pulled out a gutsy 38-31 win in overtime after Allen’s third rushing touchdown and a walk-off fumble recovery by Texas A&M transfer Fadil Diggs.
Let’s check out how the dub over the Hokies reflects on our weekly Pop-Tart Bowl O’Meter:
Woohoo! In his first season at the helm, Fran Brown has his squad bowl-eligible after eight games. The Pop-Tart Bowl is back in the realm of possibility, but it will probably take a few more wins for the Orange to get there.
Here’s where “experts” project Syracuse to play in the postseason after locking in its spot in Bowl Season:
ESPN - Mark Schlabach and Kyle Bonagura
TaxSlayer Gator Bowl vs No. 14 LSU Tigers - Schlabach
Here’s a new one. If everybody opts in, this would be an all-time battle against one of the SEC’s bests and an excellent test for Brown in his inaugural year.
...
Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl vs Wisconsin Badgers - Bonagura
Looks like Bonagura just stole his ESPN counterpart’s prediction from last week. This would be a battle of memorable mascots in Otto vs. Bucky Badger, but I’d prefer Otto and a life-sized Pop-Tart instead.
Brett McMurphy - The Action Network
Duke’s Mayo Bowl vs Minnesota Golden Gophers
A tub of Mayo mascot is definitely second to the Pop-Tart, so this bowl game wouldn’t be the worst. Just please don’t give us the Gophers again.
Syracuse football: what’s college football saying about the Orange after week 10? (TNIAAM; Wall)
Each week, we’ll take a look at what other college football media sites are saying about the Syracuse Orange. Let’s see what they are saying after the Orange’s overtime win over Virginia Tech.
Syracuse.Com
Chris Carlson puts Syracuse 6th this week between Pitt and Virginia Tech. Boston College is ranked 12th.
ESPN
In this week’s SP+ rankings Syracuse moves up three to the 58th spot with the offense 39th while the defense ranks 69th and special teams 104th. The Orange are ranked between Georgia Tech and West Virginia. Boston College is ranked 65th with their offense 79th, defense 52nd and special teams 43rd.
The Football Power Index has Syracuse in 62nd place between Duke and Rutgers. FPI predicts the Orange for 7.4 wins. Boston College is ranked 60th by FPI this week.
ACC/ESPN Media
Andrea Adelson has Syracuse 6th and Boston College 15th.
CBS Sports
In the CBS Sports power rankings Syracuse is down one spot to 34th between Minnesota and Louisiana. Boston College is 59th in these rankings.
The Athletic
The Orange moves up two spots to 28th in The Athletic’s Top 134 Power Rankings placing them in between Army and UNLV. Boston College is 60th this week.
AP and Coaches Poll
Syracuse received twenty-four votes in the Coaches Poll.
Awards
Marlowe Wax was named ACC Linebacker of the Week.
ACC Week Ten Scores
Stanford 28 NC State 59
Duke 31 Miami 53
Virginia Tech 31 Syracuse 38
North Carolina 35 Florida State 11
Louisville 33 Clemson 21
Pitt 25 SMU 48
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(youtube; podcast; The Kyle McCord Show)
Syracuse football quarterback Kyle McCord answers questions from viewers regarding the Virginia Tech win, the upcoming game against Boston College, his dad's football career, college overtime rules, and more.
Newhouse after Noon 11-5-24 (youtube; radio; Newhouse after Noon)
The future broadcasters of tomorrow are here today LIVE from Newhouse on the campus of Syracuse University and it all starts right NOW!
Near the 20 minute mark they talk about who the top SU football backup QB is.
Syracuse football SURVIVES vs. VT, heads to Boston College (youtube; podcast; Orange Zone)
Samantha Croston, Ashley Wenskoski, and James Mungro recap Syracuse football's THRILLING, overtime victory over Virginia Tech and preview the next opponent for the Orange, Boston College
00:00-7:08: Syracuse SURVIVES, Overtime is LEQUINT TIME
7:09-8:15: Justus Ross-Simmons BREAKOUT
8:16-15:28: Fran Brown qualifies for a BOWL GAME in his first year- assessing his first season as head coach
15:29-16:43: Defense, Jack Stonehouse MVP
16:44-25:50: Taking a look at the rest of Syracuse's schedule, the band debacle
25:51-29:56: Predictions for SU vs. BC
‘Cuse Militia Podcast: Episode 500- Syracuse Football/Basketball: BC Preview/Le Moyne Fan Feedback! (Bleav.com; podcast; Cuse Militia)
Episode 500- Syracuse Football/Basketball: BC Preview/Le Moyne Fan Feedback!
Syracuse RB alum Antwon Bailey, Binghamton Soccer, Ingredients (youtube; podcast; WakeUpDT)
Wake Up Call with Dan Tortora welcomes Syracuse Orange RB alum Antwon Bailey to celebrate current 'Cuse RB LeQuint Allen, Jr., passing his record & speak on the 2024-25 season as well as his coaching, followed by an ALL-NEW "Bearcat Breakroom" featuring Binghamton University Goalkeeper Becca Kessler on the heels of stopping 4 of 6 penalty kicks to aid her team into the America East Women's Soccer Semifinals, concluding w/ the "Ingredients to Success" focusing on "Who We Are" presented by Avicolli's Restaurant!
Boston College Football Matchup Report: Syracuse (Week 10) (247sports.com; $; Wolfe)
The Boston College Eagles come out of their second bye week facing the home stretch of the 2024 season, beginning with the Syracuse Orange. BC has three home games in the next four weeks, although their remaining opponents have a combined record of 26-8 (0.765). On the other side of the field, Syracuse is 6-2 and coming off a wild comeback victory at home against (an albeit undermanned) Virginia Tech.
The Orange have had a bit of a strange season, with their two losses coming at home to a poor Stanford team and on the road against Pittsburgh, where quarterback Kyle McCord threw five interceptions and three pick-sixes. But even their wins have been wonky, beating Georgia Tech and UNLV by a field goal each (and needing overtime to defeat the latter) and only beating NC State and Virginia Tech by a touchdown. Their offense has been prolific, while the defense has been inconsistent at best.
Of course, Boston College is coming off a three-game losing streak where they let opponents hang around (Virginia), allowed them to quickly build an insurmountable lead (Virginia Tech), and choked away a three-score lead (Louisville). Many factors have contributed to these struggles, and some look like they might never be solved. Bill O'Brien desperately needs to right this ship and win this game for BC to keep hopes alive of making a bowl game.
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Kyle McCord eyeing No. 1 spot on 3 Syracuse football records lists entering final stretch of season (PS; Leiker)
Syracuse football quarterback Kyle McCord moved into the top three on three of the Orange’s
On all three, he is poised to move into the No. 1 spot by the end of the season. He already holds the No. 1 spot in season yards per game with a 345.1 yard average through eight games.
McCord completed 24-of-35 pass attempts for 280 yards and two touchdowns with one interception in SU’s overtime win against Virginia Tech.
He now has 244 season completions, 15 behind Ryan Nassib’s 2011 total and 50 behind his 2012 total that holds the program record.
With the average he currently holds, McCord could finish the regular season with another 122 completions to supplant Nassib and make the new record for single-season completions 366.
It’s a similar case in single-season passing attempts. Nassib holds the record with 471 in 2012 and is also in the second-place spot with 415 the season prior. McCord has attempted 381 passes this season and is on pace to finish with 571.
The final list McCord is likely to move to No. 1 on is single-season passing yards.
McCord is in third after Saturday, eyeing a jump over No. 2 Eric Dungey’s 2,868 yards in 2018 this weekend. He currently has 2,761 yards through the air.
He‘ll need 989 yards through SU’s final games to pass Nassib in 2012. That would require at least 247 yards per game through the end of the regular season or 197.6 yards per game through a bowl appearance, which McCord could opt out of.
McCord had thrown for 300-plus yards in every game this season until Saturday, when he finished with 280. With those numbers, surpassing Nassib is more than attainable.
...
Week 9 Media: BC vs. Syracuse - Boston College Athletics (bceagles.com)
GAME NOTES
FIRST-AND-10
» Boston College is home again following its second bye of the season when it hosts Syracuse at Alumni Stadium for a Noon ET kickoff on Nov. 9.» The game will be broadcast nationally by The CW, including CW56 in Boston. Thom Brennaman (play-by-play) and Max Browne (analyst) are on the call with sideline reporter and former Harvard running back Treavor Scales.
» Coverage on the Boston College Sports Network begins 30 minutes prior to kickoff on WEEI 93.7 FM. Jon Meterparel (play-by-play) is joined on the call by former BC linebacker Pete Cronan in the booth and quarterback Scott Mutryn on the sideline.
» Boston College is 7-6 all-time on Nov. 9., last playing on this date in 2019; a 31-38 loss to Florida State in the Red Bandanna Game.
» BC vs. Syracuse marks just the first match-up between any combination of the league’s three first-year head coaches when Bill O’Brien and Fran Brown take the field this Saturday.
» Boston College trails the all-time series, 23-34, including a 5-6 mark in ACC games. BC won last year’s contest, 17-10, at the Dome.
» One hundred years ago, the BC-Syracuse rivalry was born with a 10-0 win for the home team in central New York on Oct. 18, 1924.
» Defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku is tied for fifth in the country in total sacks at 9.0, which ranks second in the ACC. His 12.0 TFLs are also tied for ninth in FBS, but he is sixth with 1.5 per game.
» Thomas Castellanos is eighth nationally in passing efficiency (168.0) and 15th in yards per attempt (8.78), which rank second and third in the ACC, respectively.
» The BC defense has intercepted 11 passes, ranking 14th in the FBS and fourth in the ACC. BC intercepted just eight passes in 2023.
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Syracuse University’s Trailblazers (syracuse.edu)
Each year Syracuse University recognizes the 50 fastest-growing businesses owned or led by Orange alumni with the ’CUSE50 Alumni Entrepreneur Award. The ceremony takes place on campus and includes a symposium at the Martin J. Whitman School of Management—giving the awardees the chance to share valuable business insights with current Syracuse students and faculty.
Below are snapshots of some of the awardees showcasing the diverse range of industries represented.
Holly Conti ’09
Co-Owner, Full Swing Public Relations, IdahoFounded in 2019, Full Swing Public Relations serves diverse, small business owners of professional services companies such as law firms, health care providers and consultancies—helping clients increase their visibility, credibility and sales.
Conti studied communication and rhetorical studies in the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) and says Syracuse gave her the confidence and expertise to pursue a career in journalism and marketing.
“Part of the brilliance of a Syracuse University education is you learn how to discover your passions and find answers to challenges that arise for you during your life, and how to solve those challenges,” she says.
Fun fact: Less than 2% of women-owned businesses scale past the $1 million annual revenue mark, and Conti and her business partner reached that in under four years. As a working mother, Conti is proud to be an example of how you can show up fully for your family, work and self.
Oliver Fernandez ’08
President; McKenzie Construction; Washington, D.C.McKenzie Construction is a design-build construction firm that specializes in $1-10 million projects servicing the federal government across the United States.
At Syracuse, Fernandez studied civil engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science and walked on the football team. He says he had incredible mentors and coaches during this time, including Meredith Professor Emeritus Sam Clemence, who encouraged Fernandez to keep going, even when things got tough.
“For four years I pushed myself mentally in the classroom and physically on the football field,” he says. “This developed a work ethic that I carried into my career, which has been a game changer for me any time I face an obstacle in business.”
Fun fact: Fernandez says McKenzie Construction has successfully secured over $170 million worth of government construction projects to date.
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Inner Harbor Taproom Syracuse, NY on Instagram: "Come meet Syracuse Football’s Defensive Line at Meier’s Creek Inner Harbor! Before they head out to face Boston College, join us on Thursday, November 7th, at 8 PM to give them a warm send-off! Let’s
13 likes, 0 comments - meierscreekbrewinginnerharbor on November 5, 2024: "Come meet Syracuse Football’s Defensive Line at Meier’s Creek Inner Harbor! Before they head out to face Boston College, join us on Thursday, November 7th, at 8 PM to give them a warm send-off! Let’s show our support...
www.instagram.com
Syracuse Football on Instagram: "Week 10 Players of the Week ‼️"
cusefootball on November 5, 2024: "Week 10 Players of the Week ‼️".
www.instagram.com
ACC News
CFP Poll 2024 Nov 5 (RX; HM)
CFP Poll 2024 Nov 5
1st College Football Playoff Rankings
College Football Playoff Top 25 | ||
RK | Team | W-L |
1 | Oregon | 9-0 |
2 | Ohio State | 7-1 |
3 | Georgia | 7-1 |
4 | Miami | 9-0 |
5 | Texas | 7-1 |
6 | Penn State | 7-1 |
7 | Tennessee | 7-1 |
8 | Indiana | 9-0 |
9 | BYU | 8-0 |
10 | Notre Dame | 7-1 |
11 | Alabama | 6-2 |
12 | Boise State | 7-1 |
13 | SMU | 8-1 |
14 | Texas A&M | 7-2 |
15 | LSU | 6-2 |
16 | Ole Miss | 7-2 |
17 | Iowa State | 7-1 |
18 | Pittsburgh | 7-1 |
19 | Kansas State | 7-2 |
20 | Colorado | 6-2 |
21 | Washington St | 7-1 |
22 | Louisville | 6-3 |
23 | Clemson | 6-2 |
24 | Missouri | 6-2 |
25 | Army | 8-0 |
ANALYSIS - if the playoffs began next weekend
Assuming that the higher-ranked teams win out, the four highest-ranked conference champs with first round byes would be Oregon, Georgia, Miami and BYU.The four host teams for the first round games would be Ohio State, Texas, Penn State and Tennessee.
The four visiting teams for the first round would be Indiana, Notre Dame, Alabama, Boise State.
The first team out: SMU - the Mustangs need to climb two more spots to feel good.
ACC teams that are still alive: Pitt, Louisville, and Clemson. Of those, Pitt is the most realistic.
The ACC has a total of five ranked teams in the CFP poll, just like in the AP poll. Miami and SMU are in the same spots as the AP, but Pitt is 5 spots higher, Louisville is 3 spots higher, and Clemson is 4 spots lower.
The SEC has the same number of teams ranked in CFP as in the AP, but with one change: AP has Vanderbilt 24th, but the CFP has Missouri in that spot.
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2024 ACC CG Scenarios Week 11 (RX; HM)
2024 ACC CG Scenarios Week 11
Here's a midnight snack for you guys...
If the ACC CG were held this weekend, it would feature Miami vs SMU.
Miami still has 3 ACC games to play: at Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, and at Syracuse. With zero ACC losses, the Canes simply need to win at least 2 of their remaining games to get to Charlotte.
SMU is also undefeated in conference. Their season concludes with a trio of ACC games: BC in Dallas, at Virginia, then Cal at home in the finale'. The Mustangs own tiebreakers over Louisville, Duke and Pitt, so the only real threat is...
Clemson only has one ACC loss, and a pair of ACC road games in the next two weeks: at Virginia Tech, followed by at Pitt. They are one SMU loss away from going back to Charlotte. The Tigers finish the seasonn with games against The Citadel and South Carolina at home.
Louisville also has two ACC games remaining: at Stanford and home for Pitt. The Cardinals conclude the season at Kentucky. However, they already have losses to both Miami and SMU, so the tiebreakers are not favorable.
Pitt has only one ACC loss and therefore still has a shot at winning the ACC Championship, although they don't play Miami and SMU has a tie-breaker over them, so they'd need help.
Syracuse, Virginia Tech, and Wake Forest all have 2 losses in conference and would need lots of help and probably some kind of multi-team tie.
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Links, News and Rumors 2024 Nov 5th (RX; HM)
Links, News and Rumors 2024 Nov 5th
From AP: SMU’s 5-0 start in ACC is best ever for a first-year Power Four team
The Mustangs (8-1) were No. 13 in The Associated Press college football poll Sunday, their highest ranking in 39 years. More important, they are 5-0 in ACC play following their 48-25 win over Pittsburgh on Saturday.
That’s the best start ever for a team in its first year in a power conference, and the buzz is palpable in Dallas. With three regular-season games left, SMU controls its destiny in the race for the ACC championship game and the College Football Playoff spot that goes to the winner...
No. 4 Miami
Say this about the Hurricanes, they make it exciting. Their 53-31 win over Duke marked the third time in their nine wins that they had to erase a double-digit deficit in the second half. Miami is off to its best start in seven years and has its highest ranking since 2017. Cam Ward passed for 400 yards and five touchdowns. His 29 TD passes are tied with Steve Walsh for the school single-season record.
No. 25 Louisville
Losses in three of four games after a 3-0 start put a damper on Louisville’s season. The Cardinals have rebounded to win two straight, none bigger than their 33-21 victory at Clemson. Louisville went into the game 0-8 all-time against the Tigers. Isaac Brown carried the load for Louisville, running for 156 yards on 20 carries and scoring the game-breaking, 45-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Cards (6-3, 4-2) are fifth in the ACC and wrap up league play at Stanford and at home against Pittsburgh before their nonconference rivalry game at Kentucky.
Extra Points
_____Miami, Indiana and Army have not played a ranked opponent while going unbeaten. Indiana and Army are on track to meet Top 25 teams Nov. 23, the Hoosiers at Ohio State and the Black Knights against Notre Dame at Yankee Stadium. Miami could play at a ranked Syracuse on Nov. 30 if the Orange win their next three games to get to 9-2...
From the On3 Newsletter of Monday, November 4th, 2024:
Power conferences set initial revenue-sharing cap for 2025-26 sports year
There are 3 major aspects of the NCAA settlement, and a caveat...1. Profit sharing with current athletes
2. Increased cost due to roster size increasesSchools were informed of the projected $20.5 million cap last week, Dellenger said. That figure is 22% of the average Power Four school revenue in the previous year, and the cap will rise 4% each year as part of the settlement agreement...
3. Back pay for former athletesPotential scholarship increases are coming across sports, as are new roster limits if the agreement is certified. The proposed rosters include football (105), men's and women's basketball (15), baseball (34), men's and women's soccer (28) softball (25) and volleyball (18)...
The first back-damage payment is due May 15, 2025, or within 45 days of the settlement's finalization. According to the long-form settlement agreement, the average damages award for a football or men's basketball player at a power conference school will be approximately $135,000.
4. Potential gotcha
...The settlement also allows for objectors. Some have already come forward, including former and current rowers at Yale, Oregon State, George Washington and Texas. The deadline for objections is scheduled for Jan. 31, 2025, which is the same day the claim period will close.
OT: Is 2024 PSU Playoff Worthy? (RX; HM)
OT: Is 2024 PSU Playoff Worthy?
Last weekend, Penn State lost to Ohio State... again. In fact, the Nittany Lions have not actually beaten the Buckeyes since 2016 (and they've played them every year). Even so, certain sports writers are falling all over themselves to write that Penn State is a "lock" to make the playoffs. These are the same folks who were hesitant to even rank Pitt or SMU, many of whom want to argue that the ACC should only get one bid.
Ahead of the first CFP Ranking, many of these sports media guys say that the Nittany Lions "deserve" a playoff bid. My question is: based on what, exactly? Here are the teams Penn State has beaten this season, along with those teams' win-loss records, overall, in-conference, and vs P4 teams:
PSU record | ALL | Conference | P4 | |
Penn State | 7-1 | 4-1 | B1G | 5-1 |
Teams that Penn State has beaten... | ||||
Team | ALL | Conference | P4 | |
W. Virginia | 4-4 | 3-2 | XII | 3-4 |
Bowling Gr. | 4-4 | 3-1 | MAC | 0-2 |
Kent State | 0-8 | 0-4 | MAC | 0-3 |
Illinois | 6-3 | 3-3 | B1G | 4-3 |
UCLA | 3-5 | 2-4 | B1G | 2-5 |
USC | 4-5 | 2-5 | B1G | 3-4 |
Wisconsin | 5-4 | 3-3 | B1G | 3-3 |
Opponent W-L Totals | 31-37 | 19-25 | 18-27 |
Only two teams that PSU has beaten have an overall winning record (Illinois and Wisconsin), and neither of them has a winning record in the Big Ten conference. In fact, if we include all P4 games - even non-conference - the only team with a winning record against power opponents that Penn State has defeated is Illinois. All the rest have .500 or worse records.
Do I think that disqualifies them from the playoffs? No.
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ACC Football Power Rankings - Week 10 (backingthepack.com; PWolf)
1. SMU (last week: 48-25 W vs Pittsburgh)
Kudos to the Mustangs for showing out in their biggest ACC game ever. Brashard Smith ran for 161 yards and a pair of scores, Kevin Jennings threw for 306 yards and 2 TDs, and the defense forced two turnovers to move SMU to 5-0 in ACC play. A week after their worst performance of the year, Rhett Lashlee’s group put together their best. Games against Boston College, Virginia, and Cal remain after the bye week.2. Miami (last week: 53-31 W vs Duke)
Don’t let the final score fool you, this one was a battle until late. Duke actually led 28-17 early in the 3rd quarter, but slowly fell apart as the offense dried up and Miami’s offense got to work. Cam Ward threw for 400 yards and 5 TDs with 146 of those yards and 3 of the TDs going to3. Louisville (last week: 33-21 W @ Clemson)
Louisville took over the middle portion of the game and kept the Tigers from ever really threatening the rest of the way in an impressive road win. If not for three 3rd quarter drives resulting in FGs instead of TDs, the Cards would have made this one a laugher. Isaac Brown carried the offense with a 151 yard, 1 TD performance while Louisville’s special teams unit blocked a pair of Clemson field goals. This is going to end up a season of what-if’s for the Cards as all three losses have been by one score, including to both teams above them in these rankings. They’ll get a bye this week before finishing with road games against Stanford and Kentucky surrounding a home matchup with Pitt.4. Clemson (last week: 21-33 L vs Louisville)
Getting beat convincingly at home by Louisville was bad enough, but with Pitt - which remains on the Tigers schedule - getting pantsed by SMU, Clemson’s ACC title hopes also took an L on Saturday night. The offense just couldn’t do anything until late (first 8 drives went for 169 yards; the last 4 drives went for 271 yards), and that just wasn’t going to cut it as Louisville wasn’t helping things (0 turnovers, 35 penalty yards for the Cards). This probably is the 4th best team in the conference this year.5. Duke (last week: 31-53 L @ Miami)
The Blue Devils trailed 14-0 early and it seemed like this one was going to be over quick, but then the same turnover luck that had buoyed Duke’s season to this point popped up again and led to their first score. Three long manufactured TD drives later and the Blue Devils led 28-17 in the 3rd quarter. It seemed like maybe Duke was for real in this one... but then the offense managed just three more points the rest of the way and reality set in. This is a Duke team clearly good enough to hang with anyone in the conference, but also due dry spells that can make it lose to anyone. They’ll head to Raleigh this weekend.6. Pittsburgh (last week: 25-48 L @ SMU)
If that wasn’t their first loss of the year, I’d have dropped the Panthers a lot further here. That was one massive egg Pitt laid on Saturday night in what was supposed to be one of the best ACC games of the year. Pitt isn’t technically out of the ACC title race yet, but Miami and SMU are both undefeated and SMU would need to lose both of their remaining ACC games to fall below Pitt. Plus, the remaining slate for Pitt includes Clemson (another team ahead of them in the standings) and Louisville. I hope Pitt fans enjoyed the first seven weeks of the season.7. Syracuse (last week: 38-31 W vs Virginia Tech)
Despite trailing 21-3 midway through the 3rd quarter, Syracuse was able to find their footing and send the game to overtime with a LeQuint Allen TD run with 29 seconds left in regulation. The Orange scored a TD on their OT possession before recovering a fumble to end the game on VT’s possession. The win made the team bowl eligible in Fran Brown’s first season at the helm, which is quite an accomplishment. The team finally leaned on Allen’s running ability more in this one, and the result was the come-from-behind win. If only someone had been saying they should do more of that all year......
Duke vs. Miami Full Game Replay | 2024 ACC Football (youtube; video; ACC DN)
The No.5 Hurricanes overcame an 11-point second half deficit to get a decisive 53-31 win over Duke. Miami's offense continued to put up yards and points in bunches, totaling 526 total yards, led by QB Cam Ward who passed for 400 yards and 5 touchdowns. Damien Martinez and Mark Fletcher Jr. combined for 131 yards on the ground and a touchdown for UM. The defense forced 2 turnovers from the Blue Devils. Duke QB Maalik Murphy passed for 325 yards and 3 touchdowns and Peyton Jones rushed for 71 yards and a TD.
Other
A Philly cheesesteak pizza from Sabatino's, the 44th stop on our CNY Pizza Tour. (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com)(Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com)
CNY Pizza Tour, stop #44: Sabatino’s serves as an on-the-way-home snack when everything else is closed (PS; $; Miller)
We all have our go-to places when it comes to pizza. But ever since the country came out of Covid, it seems many of our favorites aren’t always open when we’re hungry.
It could be lunchtime on a Sunday, after an evening meeting on a weeknight or, for some, anytime on a Monday.
If you‘re hellbent on pizza during these dark hours, you‘ll have to hit a grocery store’s freezer section, a gas station’s display case or an unassuming neighborhood bodega.
Sabatino‘s on South Geddes Street is a convenience store that professes to be the “King of Pizza & Wings.” Honestly, on my way home the other night, this rundown market could brand itself as the “Peasant Pizzeria” and I would’ve been fine with that.
“It‘s always been tough to find good food in a neighborhood like this,” said Hani Kele, who stopped in for four chicken wings on Monday. “They’re trying hard.”
Sabatino’s has gone through several owners in the past 20 to 30 years. It just changed hands again, according to the employees working on Monday afternoon.
Here, you can buy chips, soda, baseball caps and cigars. And Aboud Audi, the youngest employee who served as the King of Pizza on Monday, will whip up a pizza. But you’ll need to tell him exactly what you want on it.
Let’s take a chance ...
Address: Sabatino’s, 1000 S. Geddes St., Syracuse. (315) 472-1111
Do they deliver: Yes, and you can call ahead for takeout.
What I ate: A large steak and cheese pizza.
Why this pizza? The owner wasn‘t here, so it was up to the two employees and one customer. This is what they chose.
RATINGS (out of 5)
Crust: 3/5. Aboud makes the dough here each day using a 5-foot-tall floor mixer. It rises overnight and is ready for the next day.
They don’t spin the dough here, just stretch a ball out to about 9 inches, lay it onto a semi-deep pizza pan and push it to the edge.
The outer rim of my pizza rose on the ends, almost turning the crust into a bowl. It ended up being just over an inch, probably the tallest edge I saw on a non-Chicago-style pizza this year.
Aboud kept the pizza in the pan for the first 10 minutes in the oven before resting it on the hot bricks for two minutes.
The pizza‘s center measured a pillowy soft ¾-inch when it finally came out of the oven. A slice easily folded with one hand, but it failed to let out any type of crunch.
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Syracuse broadcasting legend discusses retirement: ‘I felt that I couldn’t consistently reach my past standard’ (PS; Axe)
Sports broadcasting legend Bob Costas knew it was time to walk away and used a baseball analogy to put it all in perspective.
“I have too much regard for the game, for the craft, and for whatever my own standard has been to hit beneath my lifetime batting average,” Costas told Tom Verducci on Monday night in his first public comments on the decision to retire from doing baseball play-by-play.
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It was first reported last week that the Syracuse University alumnus would be retiring from doing play-by-play of Major League Baseball.
Costas hinted at retirement after calling Game 4 of the Yankees-Royals ALDS series for TBS, which turned out to be his last baseball broadcast.
“I felt that I couldn’t consistently reach my past standard,” Costas said on Monday. “There might have been individual games or stretches within games or moments in games that were just the same as if it was the 1990s or the early 21st century. But I couldn’t string enough of them together.”
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