With Terrel Hunt and AJ Long sidelined with injures, the Orange turned to Austin Wilson, who threw two interceptions and got hurt before being benched in favor of fourth-stringer Mitch Kimble in the second half.
Remember the enthusiastic summertime talk of the Orange eyeing a rare 3-0 start? Now, unless SU knocks off No. 22/24 Duke this week, it will be the first season ever in which there were zero home victories against FBS opposition.
Whether his team needs a miracle or not, Syracuse coach Scott Shafer knows his squad has its work cut out for it if it wants to be eligible for a post-season bowl following a 24-17 loss to North Carolina State on Saturday.
This weekend figures to be another big weekend in the ACC. Florida State will play Louisville to try to retain its lead in the Atlantic Division, while will try to hold off five different two-loss teams in the Coastal.
Despite the offensive struggles, the staff shake-up, the four-headed monster of Notre Dame, Louisville, Florida State and Clemson, and the specter of the NCAA, miraculously, a bowl berth is still possible for the Orange.