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Syracuse defensive end Jay Bromley didn't leave too large an impression during ACC media days. Despite his appearance, only half the reporters that we quizzed were able to name him as a Syracuse player.

(Frank Ordonez / The Post-Standard)

How well does the ACC media contingent know Syracuse after the ACC media days? Not too well, although that's probably not stunning.

Give me a quiz on Wake Forest, Duke or Boston College right now and I'd look a whole lot of stupid. I don't think anyone blames SU coach Scott Shafer for using notes to reference other teams during media day. We all need them right now.

"I guess there's ignorance behind not knowing people and teams and that sort of thing," Shafer said Monday inside the Grandover Resort at the ACC Football Kickoff. "But that's for (the media) to decide. I think we should be whatever we were at the end of the season."

On Thursday, I posted a quiz that tested some basic knowledge of the Syracuse football program. You fared pretty well (results at the bottom).

I also called 10 ACC reporters who agreed to take this quiz, seven of whom voted at ACC media days and three who are smart observers of ACC sports. Based on the results, one reporter qualified as a "Syracuse expert," three ranked as "solid ACC beat reporters" and six failed our quiz.

There's still a whole preseason and non-conference schedule for reporters to bone up on their knowledge, a big reason why I granted those willing to take our quiz anonymity.

We also ran across four writers who abstained from the process out of concern for how the ACC conducts its votes, because their newspaper prefers them not to vote based on ethics or because they didn't feel they knew enough to provide an educated voice.

As for the results? Only one reporter was able to name all three SU players that were drafted this past season and only one reporter was able to name six players from this year's Syracuse squad (The average was 3.1, but everyone that was quizzed was able to name at least one). Two reporters couldn't name a pair of the Syracuse legends who wore 44.

But hey, on the plus side, everyone knew that Shafer coaches SU and that Syracuse is at least 75 miles away from Manhattan. Baby steps.

Some of the answers were telling, some were amusing and some were way off-base, so I figured I'd share the best ones.

Who is the head coach?

"Scott Shafer. But I couldn't have picked him out of a lineup before last week."

What number is Syracuse football famous for?

"Is that a Jim Brown thing? Oh, I'd just have to guess. ... 12?"

Name two players that wore 44?

"Jim Brown and ... I have no idea."

Name three players on this year's Syracuse team?

"Jerome Smith. He was robbed. (Florida State's) James Wilder really isn't that good. He was robbed."

Where did Syracuse finish in the Big East last year?

Said with confidence: "It was pretty low. I'd say fifth."

On the challenges of polling in general in the expanded ACC (by either coaches or media)?

"Now you've got teams that you're only going to see once every six years, twice every 12, so you're really not going to know them very well anyway."

On the polls' ACC history

"There are a ton of people that cover the teams from Virginia. The league is based in North Carolina. That's how it's always been."

The smart response

"I probably couldn't name more than one player on Syracuse (the writer went on to name three). I participate because I think it's important that the year-end poll be done by the media. You've got to think about where it was held -- North Carolina -- which means there's a lot of North Carolina people there that are going to vote. For fans to think it's some sort of slight against Syracuse, I don't think that's the case. There are a lot of writers who have covered the ACC and, right now, they probably couldn't name five players from Georgia Tech. I just haven't gotten that far yet. I'd say just take it for what it's worth. It's fun and it gives us a reason to talk about football this time of year."

And also a reason to argue. Something we'll certainly do twice as hard when the postseason awards -- you know, the ones that actually count -- come along.

That, it seems, is unlikely to change any time soon.

POLL RESULTS

(From more than 1,100 votes on syracuse.com and 10 ACC reporters)

1. Can you name Syracuse's head football coach? (Scott Shafer)

ACC media 100%, syracuse.com voters 98%

2. Can you name three players on the current Syracuse football team? (roster)

syracuse.com voters 91%, ACC media: 70%

3. Can you name three MORE players on the Syracuse football team? (roster)

syracuse.com voters 81%, ACC media: 10%

4. What defensive set is Syracuse's base defense? (4-3)

syracuse.com voters 80%, ACC media: 50%

5. Can you name the bowl Syracuse went to last season? (Pinstripe)

syracuse.com voters 99%, ACC media: 80%

6. Can you name where Syracuse finished in the Big East last season? (tied for first)

syracuse.com voters 66%, ACC media: 30%

7. When was the last time Syracuse was ranked in the Top 25? (2001-02)

syracuse.com voters 98%, ACC media: 30%

8. What is Syracuse's Class of 2014 recruiting class currently ranked, according to Rivals? (In the 60s)

syracuse.com voters 34%, ACC media: 40%

9. Can you name the three Syracuse players selected in the NFL Draft this past season? (Justin Pugh, Ryan Nassib, Shamarko Thomas)

syracuse.com voters 90%, ACC media: 10%

10. Approximately how many miles is the drive from Syracuse to New York City? (250)

syracuse.com voters 86%, ACC media: 50%

11. Do you know what number Syracuse football is famous for? (44)

syracuse.com voters 98%, ACC media: 90%

12. Can you name two people who wore that number? (list)

syracuse.com voters 98%, ACC media: 80%

13. Approximately how many people can the Carrier Dome hold for football? (50,000)

syracuse.com voters 93%, ACC media: 70%