CFB Most Influential Programs
#30 Syracuse Orange
School: Syracuse Orange
First Game: November 23rd, 1889
Winning Percentage: .561 (52nd)
Appearances in AP/Rank: 210 (42nd)
Average AP Ranking: 14th
National Titles: 1
Claim to Fame: Syracuse Running Back Ernie Davis was the first black man to win the Heisman Trophy in 1961.
Why I have them in my Collection: While one could argue that their on-field success is somewhat mediocre, they are one of only a handful of Division 1, let alone FBS teams to have won a national championship. Furthermore, even though it was a basketball driven decision, Syracuse and their football team have always been a player in realignment on the East Coast.
In the original Big East, Syracuse, and Boston College were the only programs playing “big time” college football. Wanting to keep the conference together, this prompted the other schools to feel the need to invite other football schools. They would eventually add Pitt instead of Penn State for basketball reasons, a decision the conference would come to rue.
After a lot more expansion and contraction adding more football focused schools, the eventual nail in the coffin for the original Big East came when Pitt and Syracuse finally left for the ACC in 2013. Syracuse, in its own way, was the school that book ended the Big East Conference as it was originally conceived in 1979.
Thank you for reading Preston’s Sports Musings. If you enjoy the sports thoughts that fly through my mind on a wide range of subjects, consider becoming a free subscriber.
If a subscription is not in the cards at the moment, consider clicking the link below for a one time donation with “Buy Me A Coffee”. Anything is always appreciated, and you can click the button below as well:
More than anything if this piece moved you, share it far and wide with friends! I love reaching new people and learning new perspectives:
If you believe the writing I do here would be a beneficial read for the people in your life, please consider sharing my publication: