The gap in the 2002 football schedule will likely be filled this week, but the odds of seeing a high-quality opponent in the Carrier Dome appear slim.

Syracuse will announce a 12th opponent pending the signing of a contract, Director of Athletics Jake Crouthamel said from his office Friday. The game will be played in the Carrier Dome either Sept. 14 or 21.

While Crouthamel would not reveal the opponent, he hinted that the game will not be against a big-name school.

“Last year we scheduled a strong opponent (Georgia Tech) with that 12th game, and we lost. We don’t want to repeat that,” Crouthamel said.

Several major programs still have open dates on their schedules, including Nebraska, which has an open date Sept. 21. Crouthamel said he was not contacted by Nebraska. Huskers’ Director of Athletics Bill Byrne declined to comment.

When asked if Syracuse talked to any Division I-AA or Division II schools, Crouthamel said, “We didn’t exclude anybody.”

Crouthamel said Syracuse’s 2002 schedule is already difficult enough. He pointed out that Syracuse plays defending national champion Miami, as well as six other teams that went to bowl games. Among those are Auburn and Brigham Young, two teams SU plays on the road next season.

“It’s pretty damn good,” Crouthamel said. “We play the No. 1 team in the country. Even though that 12th game may not meet with the public’s approval, we still have the strength of schedule.”

Syracuse had a very difficult time scheduling its 12th opponent, Crouthamel said. Because of its 10-3 record and Insight.com Bowl victory, many schools declined to play Syracuse when offered.

Crouthamel refused to schedule a road game. Had SU failed to find a team willing to play in Syracuse, though, it would have played 11 games. He said the decision was made to play 12 games because an extra game is an additional source of revenue for the university.

“There were some teams that didn’t want to play us,” Crouthamel said. “Don’t ask me what it’s a result of. They just don’t want to play us.”

Published on February 17, 2002 at 12:00 pm