SU will definitely make a bowl game, said Syracuse Director of Athletics Daryl Gross said during an interview on ESPN Radio CNY on Wednesday afternoon.

“We are going bowling,” Gross said. “We’re going bowling for sure.”

After a last-minute win against Boston College on Saturday, the Orange earned its sixth win to become bowl eligible for the third time in four years. Unfortunately for SU, 76 other teams have qualified for the postseason and there are only 35 bowl games. Gross said Syracuse is considering six possible bowl destinations, “most” of which are Atlantic Coast Conference bowl slots while “a couple” are not.

When asked again regarding his certainty of SU playing in a bowl game, Gross confirmed his confidence.

“Life is never 100 percent sure, is it? I can’t even say I’m 100 percent sure that I’m not going to get hit by a bus,” Gross said with a chuckle. “But I do feel really good about it. I wouldn’t get worried or anxious about it.”

The Orange played in the Pinstripe Bowl in 2011 and 2013, and may wind up in New York again. However, that depends on if Notre Dame, which has a large alumni base in NYC, decides to go play in Yankee Stadium. Apparently the Fighting Irish players aren’t thrilled about lining up in the snow.

Gross, who compared the whole bowl-selection process to the stock market, alluded the “Notre Dame sweepstakes” may be an early domino in determining which teams will play where.

“One day you’re not in the mix, the next day Notre Dame’s going somewhere else and someone else is going somewhere else,” Gross said.

The Heart of Dallas bowl is another possible destination. With the Big 12 unable to fill its slot, the Orange would be competing against the likes of Washington State, Pittsburgh and Oregon State — and fan support is a huge factor.

“We like what we have to offer to a bowl,” Gross said. “We think our folks will come and travel to somewhere that makes sense, and we’ll take it from there.”

Regardless of its destination, Syracuse’s chances of playing in a bowl game increase if No. 1 Florida State plays in the Bowl Championship Series national championship game and No. 13 Clemson is selected for a BCS bowl. That would open up an additional ACC slot for one of the conference’s 11 bowl-eligible teams.

“There’s a lot going on,” Gross said. “This Saturday, with us not playing, lends to a great weekend of watching football.

“We feel really good about it.”

Published on December 4, 2013 at 5:26 pm

Contact Stephen: sebail01@syr.edu | @Stephen_Bailey1