Bowl season is here. All conference championship games have been concluded, and the Cougs (8-4) learned Sunday morning that they will face the No. 21-ranked Syracuse Orange (9-3) in the DirecTV Holiday Bowl Dec. 27 in San Diego, Calif.
The two teams finished the regular season drastically differently. WSU lost its last three games to fall out of the top 25, while Syracuse won its last three games, including a win over formerly No. 6 Miami (Fl.), to jump into the top 25.
Roster continuity will be the biggest storyline for the contest with the Cougs already having lost starting running back Wayshawn Parker and two of their top three cornerbacks Ethan O’Connor and Warren Smith to the transfer portal.
O’Connor led the team with four interceptions while Parker led all Cougar running backs with 735 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
The Cougars also lost backup wide receiver Bebe Hills to the portal.
Syracuse has lost linebackers Anwar Sparrow and Kadin Bailey to the portal, the only two members of the Orange to do so thus far. Both were reserves used primarily on special teams in 2024.
Should the rosters remain the same, the game could turn into a shootout. The Cougs finished the season 11th in the nation scoring 36.8 points per game while Syracuse averaged 32.6. Additionally, WSU averaged 440.4 yards per game with the Orange averaging 456.1.
The quarterback matchup would be one to watch also. WSU’s John Mateer led the nation in total touchdowns with 44 while Syracuse’s Kyle McCord led the nation in passing yards with 4,326, throwing for 29 touchdowns.
Mateer participated in WSU’s first practice of bowl season Friday, potentially suggesting a return. McCord’s status is still unknown.
The two teams have only faced off one time previously in 1979. The Orange took the lone meeting 52-25 in a road game for the then Jim Walden-led Cougs.
Syracuse comes off of a top-10 win at home over Miami, effectively ending the Hurricanes’ playoff hopes.
The game will be held at Snapdragon Stadium, the home of the San Diego State Aztecs. The Cougs have already played on the field once this season, defeating the Aztecs, but struggling with field conditions.
Outside of just football, the biggest storyline to watch will be the condition of the field’s authentic grass, which has been an issue for both the home and road team all season.
Syracuse and WSU hold two of the nation’s most prestigious communication schools and now get the chance to duke it out on the football field.
The game will be at 5 p.m. Dec. 27 and broadcast on Fox.
