Syracuse has a fourth chance to gain bowl eligibility on Saturday, when the Orange host the Cincinnati Bearcats in search of an elusive sixth win (12 p.m., ESPN2, Big East Network).
Syracuse stunned West Virginia 49-23 on Oct. 21 to move within one win of bowl eligibility, but has dropped three straight conference decisions since. After hosting Cincinnati on Saturday, the Orange visit the Pittsburgh Panthers on Dec. 3 to conclude the regular season.
Cincinnati has lost two straight, but the Bearcats are still alive for the Big East title. They can clinch a share of the conference championship with wins against Syracuse and Connecticut in the final two weeks of the season.
Syracuse is 3-0 under head coach Doug Marrone following a bye week, but will be playing without star safety Phillip Thomas, who was suspended last week for one year following a violation of Syracuse athletic department policy.
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