No way around it, this win is incredibly big for the Orange, Dino Babers and his new coaching staff. Halfway through year one, the Orange has a win over a top 25 opponent, something that hadn’t been done since 2012, Doug Marrone’s last year leading the Orange.

A week after a terrible performance at Wake Forest, where it was legitimate to question and criticize the coaching staff and the play calling, the team came out and put together its best performance under Dino Babers.  This time around things were different, the offense hummed and put up 31 points. After four weeks of suspect play, the defense showed up to play for the second consecutive week, giving the offense every opportunity to go and win the game. And this week, the offense took that opportunity.

Syracuse’s offense looked like a finely tuned machine at times with Eric Dungey hitting Brisley Estime and Erv Philips on quick routes all day while taking shots deeper down field to Amba Etta-Tawo and Steve Ishmael. Dungey was masterful once again, throwing for more than 300 yards and running for more than 100.

Simply put, the offense carved through one of the best defenses in the country, and one that had held its past three opponents to just 20 combined points.

Syracuse’s defense was solid all day, at times bend but don’t break, at times letting the Hokies back into the game, but also incredibly opportunistic. First, with the Orange holding an 8 point lead and Virginia Tech threatening, Rodney Williams made a fantastic diving interception at the goal line. Later, after the Orange opened up a 2 touchdown lead with five and a half minutes to go, Chris Slayton forced a fumble which locked the game up with four minutes to go in the game.

From the opening kick, the Orange dominated the Hokies while also playing like a team trying to pull an upset over a top 20 team. SU was aggressive— and successful— on fourth down, converting 4 of 5 times.

This was far and away the most complete game the Orange played this year with all three phases showing up and putting together a full 60 minutes.

The cake is not done baking, as Dino would say, but today should give a glimpse at what could be when this thing really is up and running at 100%.