Syracuse, N.Y. -- Syracuse football rose six spots to No. 13 in this week's College Football Playoff rankings, beneficiaries of a strafing in the middle of last week's poll that saw several teams lose and create a path for the Orange to ascend.
That development has legitimized the Orange as a candidate for a major bowl, either the Peach Bowl on Dec. 29 in Atlanta or Fiesta Bowl on New Year's Day in Glendale, Ariz., the ultimate prize at the end of this breakthrough season under third-year coach Dino Babers.
Lots of games still to play out before the CFP selection committee releases its final rankings Dec.