It sounds like a cliche, but the Washington State Cougars gave a valiant effort on Friday night in a Holiday Bowl loss to the Syracuse Orange. Starting in place

Yet, WSU plays into the postseason and will face No. 22 Syracuse (9-3) in the Holiday Bowl tonight. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. on Fox 28 from Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego. The Orange finished on a three-game win streak and placed fourth in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Washington State gives Syracuse a game, but doesn’t have enough to prevent the Orange from earning the eighth 10-win season in the program’s 136-year history