Pinstripe Bowl: Kansas State vs. Syracuse
By Ty Duffy
Weather: New York City. December. What could go wrong? The Blizzard of the Century has only thrown off just about everything for the teams involved, which should lead to some riveting football.
Proceeds: Profits from the Pinstripe Bowl will be used to repay NYC taxpayers, who furnished $2 billion to fund New Yankee Stadium. Wait, they’re not? Well, at least New Yorkers have the jobs that weren’t created and the millions that aren’t being pumped into the South Bronx.
The History: It happened in another building.
Familiarity: This is the third time Kansas State and Syracuse will meet in a bowl game since 1997. Kansas State won the Fiesta Bowl 35-18 in 1997. Syracuse beat Kansas State 26-3 in the 2001 Insight Bowl.
Because This Drives Me Insane: A “line” is the group of people forming it, not the metaphorical marker on which they are standing. You stand “in line” because you are “in” a group of people in a line. You don’t stand “on line” because you are not “on” a group of people in a line, unless you on the human carpet at some weird S&M bar.
Key Matchup: Daniel Thomas against Syracuse’ front seven. Thomas rolls over porous defenses, but good defenses can humanize him. UCF and Nebraska limited Thomas to 3.5 and 2.9 yards per carry respectively and no touchdowns.
Syracuse has a solid defense. After two years under Scott Shafer, the Orange finished 5th in total yardage defense and 13th in scoring defense. Good thing masterful CEO Rich Rodriguez panicked, undermined him, changed his system midstream and ran him out of Ann Arbor after his first year.
The Orange must limit Thomas to short gains to have a chance.
Prediction: I think Kansas State wins a close game. Even held in check, Kansas State is capable of scoring 20-25 points. Syracuse and its 106th ranked offense is not.
[Photo via Getty]