The 2012 New Era Pinstripe Bowl will feature a matchup between the Syracuse Orangemen and the West Virginia Mountaineers. The game will take place on Saturday December 29th and will be televised live at 3:15 pm on ESPN 2.Currently the odds for the game have West Virginia favored by 4 points, while the total sits at 73.5.

Old Big East Conference rivals West Virginia and Syracuse will be matched up in rather unlikely circumstances in the New Era Pinstripe bowl on Dec. 29.  The two Big East deserters sit at 7-5, with WVU already in its new league and the Orange on their way out before the start of the 2013 season.

It is a disappointing outcome for West Virginia, which was once ranked in the Top 5 with BCS aspirations. The team's offensive leaders Geno Smith and Tavon Austin were both expected to be in New York at season's end—but for the Heisman Trophy presentation, not the Pinstripe Bowl. 

West Virginia and Syracuse are long-time rivals dating back to the World War II era. The two teams have played every season since 1955, and that streak was expected to end this season with WVU's move to the Big 12 Conference. However, the battle for the Schwartzwalder Trophy will continue for at least another year, now that the two teams have been matched up in the Pinstripe Bowl. Syracuse leads the all-time series 32-27, even despite eight-straight victories by the Mountaineers in the 2000s.

For West Virginia the best player on the field will be Tavon Austin. He's one of the most talented players in the nation and can do just about anything with the ball in his hands. With nearly 1,300 receiving yards, 600 rushing yards and 900 return yards, he's undoubtedly the most versatile and electric player in college football. He holds the WVU career records for receptions with 284, receiving yards with 3,383 and is second in receiving touchdowns with 29.

For Syracuse their key player is QB Ryan Nassib. Ryan has amassed more than 9,000 yards passing in his career, including 3,619 yards this season. He has also tossed 24 touchdowns to just nine interceptions this year. On the year, he has eclipsed 300 yards in six games and he'll have a great chance to do that against a weak West Virginia pass defense.

Syracuse Stat Rankings--- The Orange come in 21st in total offense, 22nd in passing, 54th in rushing and 64th in scoring (29.3 ppg) On defense the Orange are 52nd overall, 65th vs the pass, 49th vs the run and 54tyh in points allowed (25.7 ppg). 

West Virginia Stat Rankings--- The Neers are 8th in total offense, 5th in passing offense, 48th in rushing, and 7th in scoring (41.6 ppg). On defense West Virginia is 111th overall, 123rd vs the pass 42nd vs the run and 116th in points allowed (38.1 ppg).

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