I am also applying to Syracuse for a Ph.D., and I did my undergrad at Ole Miss. So if there's something to know about these programs, I guess I missed the memo, too. In all honesty, they are smaller programs, which is probably why they're overlooked. Also, they're not in the top twenty or so, which also deters applicants.
I wish you the best of luck in your application process. Try not to fret right now; worrying will get us nowhere (currently)--though I do know that's easier said than done.
"This is fine. This is fine." -- my life motto