SYRACUSE - Syracuse coach Greg Robinson has yet another loss to ponder as the Orange prepare for their final home game of the season and the eventual announcement that Robinson won't be coming back next year.

If Robinson's fate hadn't been a foregone conclusion, it should be now that the Orange (2-7) cannot win six games to be eligible to play in the postseason. They lost that chance on Saturday at Rutgers despite a spirited start.

Doug Hogue scored on an 82-yard touchdown run on the Orange's first possession and Da'Mon Merkerson recovered a blocked punt in the end zone less than two minutes later for a 14-0 lead. Syracuse also forced three turnovers and still was soundly beaten 35-17, gaining just 72 yards of offense over the final 50 minutes of the game.

“I think, like any team, they hurt from it,” said Robinson, whose record dropped to 9-35 overall and 3-23 in the Big East as his fourth season draws to a close. “That was a game for them that I think in their own minds they really believed they could win. I think we all felt like we let it get away from us.”

Though clearly disheartened his team failed to build on its 28-21 upset of Louisville the previous week, Robinson said Monday on the Big East teleconference that he didn't anticipate a let down in practice this week.

“I think by the time we got done with our workout practice (Sunday), they had a little bounce,” Robinson said. “The thing that I do say about this team - I don't see them deviating much from what they do. Their preparation has always been good, and I expect it will be the same (this week).”

After Saturday's loss, Robinson was asked about his job security and remained defiant, trying to maintain a positive outlook despite all the criticism. “I don't think like that, I don't think like that at all,” said Robinson, who at midseason admitted there hadn't been the progress that was expected when he took the job in January 2005. “That is not something in my control. My job is to get this football team back on track and get them to play better than they did today.”

Later in the press conference, when asked if Syracuse athletic director Daryl Gross had spoken to him about the future, Robinson said: “We are going to quit talking about all this. I am not going to talk anymore about that stuff. Get off of it.”

At Robinson's weekly press conference Sunday evening, the subject was broached again.

“My destiny is in my hands, I believe that,” said Robinson, who was somewhat subdued but still in a joking mood.

Syracuse hosts Connecticut (6-3, 2-2) on Saturday night. The Huskies are the only team in the conference that Robinson is perfect against in the Carrier Dome.

“I think our guys want to end their last home game with a win,” Robinson said. “I think there's a lot of different things you can find motivation for. Each (of us) needs to find in their own way - what does it take to get focused and headed in the right direction?”

Robinson said he planned to consider playing both Cam Dantley and Andrew Robinson at quarterback.

“It's not something that I'm big on,” Greg Robinson said. “I do think that Andrew deserves a chance to go into a game where he knows he has a chance to possibly go in.”