Since its beginnings in 1889 , Syracuse had been independent program until 1991 . The Lambert Trophy is an annual award given to the best team in the East in Division I FBS college football . The trophy , established in 1936 , recognizes supremacy in Eastern college football . The Big East first crowned an official champion in 1993 . In 2013 , Syracuse joined the ACC † Co-champions Since the establishment of the team in 1890 , Syracuse has appeared in 26 bowl games . Included in these games are 10 combined appearances in the " New Year 's Six " bowl games ( the Rose , Sugar , Cotton , Orange , Fiesta and Peach ) and 1 Bowl Championship Series ( BCS ) game appearances . The New Year 's Six represent six of the ten oldest bowl games currently played at the FBS level ( missing the Sun , Gator , Citrus and Liberty bowls ) , continuing their original history of putting the very best teams in the country against each other . Syracuse 's all-time bowl record is 16 wins , 9 losses and 1 tie ( 16 – 9 – 1 )
Big East
Big East Conference (1979–2013)
Syracuse Orange football