By Anthony Cacchione and Bob Wason

Staff Writers

Syracuse fans can thank Josh Parris for getting Syracuse into a bowl game. The sophomore caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Terrell Hunt to win their final regular season game against Boston College, which put the Orange into a bowl game. The question after that was, which bowl? And that question was answered on Dec. 8. Syracuse (6-6) will be playing the Minnesota Golden Gophers (8-4) on Dec. 27 in the Texas Bowl in Houston, Texas. So what does Jamesville-DeWitt High School think of this?

Many students are confident the Orange will win. “It’s going to be a great game. Minnesota is a really good team, but I think S.U. will win 24-21,” said sophomore Jimmy Boeheim. Junior Jake Binder agrees with Boeheim. “I love the way S.U. has been playing towards the end of the season. I think they will win 28-24,”. Senior, Brian Kelner, thinks that S.U. will win in convincing fashion, “35-10.” 

Some students think S.U. football represents their city, and therefore want to support S.U. “I’m going to watch the whole game, I have to support my city,” said junior Isaiah Williams; “it will be tough but Syracuse will pull it out, and I think the score will be 24-17.” Another junior, Brady Wing, will be watching for the same reason. “I’m going to be wearing all orange that day, (because I) need to represent my city,” said Wing; “I think Syracuse is going to win 28-21.” 

But not all students are that confident. Junior Jake Kalbus, who calls himself a “die-hard S.U. football fan,” doesn’t think S.U. will win. “Minnesota is really good, I don’t think S.U. will be able to stick with them all game. I think Minnesota will win 27-14.” 
Another junior, Shakir Henry, who calls Syracuse “trash,” went even farther than that. “It won’t be close. S.U. (is) going to get blown out. Minnesota’s about to win 173-12.”

Syracuse will have their work cut out for them. Minnesota finished the regular season 8-4 and went 4-4 in the Big Ten Conference, although they lost their last two games. Before that, the Golden Gophers were 8-2 and ranked #25 in the BCS poll. They then lost close games to #19 Wisconsin and #4 Michigan State to close out the regular season.

Syracuse, on the other hand, finished the season on a higher note. After losing to #1 Florida State and Pittsburgh, they beat Boston College on a last second touchdown to earn bowl eligibility with a 6-6 record and 4-4 record in the ACC.

The game will be on ESPN on Friday, Dec. 27 at 6:00 pm.