On December 27, 2024, Syracuse University will compete against Washington State University in the highly awaited 2024 Holiday Bowl, to be held at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California. This matchup is particularly intriguing, considering the turmoil faced by Washington State, which has seen drastic changes to its coaching staff and roster just as the postseason begins.
Once positioned for possible contention, the Cougars have experienced significant upheaval, starting with the resignation of head coach Jake Dickert on December 18. He left to join Wake Forest, following the departure of key coaching staff, including offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, who took up the same position at Oklahoma, and defensive coordinator Jeff Schmedding, who was fired. Dickert cited defensive inefficiencies as the reason for the coaching shakeup, stating, “After evaluating our program, we have not met the standard defensively, and I felt a change was needed for the best interest of the program.”
But the coaching instability isn't Washington State's only issue. Since the end of the regular season, 28 players from the team have entered the transfer portal, including standout quarterback John Mateer, who amassed 44 combined touchdowns this season and has since committed to Oklahoma. These departures leave the Cougars’ roster severely depleted as they prepare for the game, prompting interim head coach Pete Kaligis to declare, “You’re going to see a different team than you saw at San Diego State the first time.”
Despite Washington State's struggles, they still look to finish the season positively, aiming for their first bowl win since 2018. The team, now with Zevi Eckhaus as the starting quarterback, has shown resilience. Eckhaus, transferred from Bryant University where he excelled, expressed his enthusiasm for leading the team: “I’m very, very fortunate, very blessed, to be in this position.” His leadership will be pivotal as the Cougars face off against the Syracuse team, which enters the bowl game ranked 22nd nationally.
Syracuse has been enjoying its best season since 2018, with an impressive 9-3 record under head coach Fran Brown. The Orange concluded their regular season with three consecutive victories, including a notable win over the then-ranked No. 13 Miami Hurricanes. Their star quarterback Kyle McCord, who transferred from Ohio State, has shattered records this season, including single-season school records for passing yards and touchdowns. Syracuse's potent offense, averaging 363.1 yards per game, presents a significant challenge for the Cougars, especially with Washington State being ranked 90th defensively.
This bowl game marks the first meeting between these teams since 1979, when Syracuse triumphed 52-25. The Holiday Bowl is also returning to Snapdragon Stadium; this venue opened its doors for college football events in 2022, having hosted previous games at other locations like the now-demolished San Diego Stadium.
Entering this matchup, Syracuse is favored by 17 points, heightened by concerns surrounding Washington State's roster changes. While the Cougars face uncertainty, their players remain determined: linebacker Tanner Moku stated, “Just ready to attack for the most part, going to war with the guys who are still here.” This underdog mentality could spur some surprising performances from Washington State’s remaining veterans and fresh talent stepping onto the field.
For fans eager to catch the action, the game will be broadcast live on Fox, with kickoff set for 8 p.m. ET. Before the game kicks off, the first 10,000 attendees will receive complimentary admission tickets to SeaWorld San Diego, creating added excitement and engagement as spectators gear up for the game. After the game, attendees will delight in the KGB Sky Show, adding festive atmosphere to the Holiday Bowl’s conclusion.
There will undoubtedly be plenty of excitement surrounding the Holiday Bowl as both teams take the field amid unique circumstances. With Washington State striving to overcome their losses and Syracuse eyeing to capitalize on their momentum, this matchup promises to deliver compelling college football drama.
