It's official. For the first time since 2004, the Syracuse Orange are bowl eligible after a 13-10 victory against host Rutgers on Sunday.
Despite the victory, ESPN.com Big East Blogger Brian Bennett and CollegeFootballNews.com still have the Orange (7-3, 4-2 Big East) playing the New Era Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 30 at Yankee Stadium.
"Keep in mind, too, that these bowl slots will be based on geography and ticket sales, not necessarily actual pecking order," wrote Bennett on Sunday. "So I see the Pinstripe Bowl taking Syracuse, even though the Orange may tie for the league lead or finish second."
Both websites also still believe Pittsburgh (5-4, 3-1) will take the league title and earn the BCS bowl bid to play in the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Ariz., on Jan. 1.
"I have very little confidence that the Panthers will actually win out, but at this point they're still the team in charge," says Bennett.
According to CBSSports.com, SU is still getting an invite to the Mieneke Car Care Bowl on Dec. 31 in Charlotte, N.C. The Orange will play South East Conference's Clemson at noon.
Rutgers (4-5, 1-3), which needs two wins to be bowl eligible, is still on the outside looking in.