Wild stat emerges after Syracuse Orange’s upset over SMU

November 1, 2026 - 01:34

The Syracuse Orange delivered a major shock on Saturday afternoon, taking down the No. 19 SMU Mustangs by a score of 30-27. The upset win did more than just boost morale for a team that has struggled through much of the season. It also continued a strange and notable statistical trend that has followed Syracuse through its ups and downs.

Entering the game, the Orange held a modest 3-4 overall record, including a difficult 1-4 mark in ACC play. On paper, Syracuse looked like a heavy underdog against a ranked SMU squad. Yet the Orange found a way to compete and ultimately secure a victory that few outside the program saw coming.

The win keeps Syracuse's bowl hopes alive. The team now needs three more victories to reach eligibility, a goal that once seemed distant but now feels within reach after knocking off a ranked opponent. The result also adds another layer to the unusual stat that has emerged around Syracuse this season, a pattern that makes the Orange one of the more unpredictable teams in the conference. For a program searching for consistency, the upset over SMU serves as proof that Syracuse can compete with anyone on its schedule when things click.