SYRACUSE, N.Y. — In what may be the most underrated low-key Game of the Week during Rivalry Week, Syracuse hosts the sixth-ranked Miami Hurricanes in a game featuring the top two signal callers in Kyle McCord and Cam Ward.
McCord, who infamously entered the transfer portal after Ohio State’s 30-24 loss to eventual national champion Michigan, and before their 14-9 loss to Missouri in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl, leads the nation in passing yards (3,946 yards) and tied for seventh in TD passes (26).
Ward—formerly out of Washington State—is second in passing yards (3,774) and first in TD’s (34).
While Miami and Syracuse aren’t exactly rivals, or even have much of a history, Saturday’s primetime matchup could be seen as a proverbial showcase of two of college football’s best in a one-game winner-take-all rivalry.
Making their first trip to Syracuse since 2007, and a spot in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game on the line, the Canes are gonna be all business and locked in, with the hopes of securing one of the CFP’s first round byes.
While Ward may not say it, but thanks to the standout performances of Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty and Colorado Buffaloes two-way star Travis Hunter, this may be Ward’s last chance to make his case for being in New York for the Heisman, as a top three draft spot in the 2025 NFL Draft.
In the case of McCord, this matchup vs. one of the storied big name programs in college football history in Miami, with a personal chance for redemption following his unceremonious departure from Columbus, and how Ohio State fans treated and criticized him during his time in Columbus.
McCord has a chance to put a perfect exclamation point in what has been one of the most remarkable turn-around moments for a transfer portal player in recent memory since Joe Burrow.
Who went to, you guessed it, Ohio State.
Be that as it may, in what has been arguably the best season in college football memory, it seems fitting that it’s two best quarterbacks are facing off in its finale weekend.