For the second time this season, the Syracuse Orange are headed to the deep South to face an ACC foe as 17.5 point underdogs, according to FanDuel, which estimates the total game scoring at 54.5.
Syracuse is hoping to avoid becoming a rambling wreck on the road to Atlanta, where they will match up against the 7th ranked Georgia Tech Yellowjackets, undefeated on the season and flying atop the ACC standings.
In their fourth game of the season,the Orange traveled to Death Valley to face a struggling Clemson
team that was anticipating a convincing bounce back against an inferior opponent. Despite being on the wrong side of a 17.5 point spread, Syracuse upset the Tigers in hostile enemy territory, 34-2.
However, that seems like ages ago, as so much has transpired since then, including Steve Angeli going down with a torn Achilles in the third quarter of that game.
Since Rickie Collins has taken over as the starting quarterback following that injury, the Orange have been winless, and now sit at 3-4 on the season after three consecutive losses, all of which have come by double digits.
Despite losing in Dallas, Syracuse was able to cover in their 31-18 loss against the SMU Mustangs, improving to 2-0 against the spread against ACC teams on the road, both times as significant underdogs.
On the season, the Orange are 4-3 against the spread, but this week just feels bleak. Georgia Tech went into Durham last week and dominated the Blue Devils.
With a defense that has been phenomenal all season, Georgia Tech is a tough opponent for an Orange offense that has struggled mightily recently, which leads me to predict Orange turnovers leading directly to Tech points. I am leaning towards taking Georgia Tech on the points.
In terms of the total, I would definitely take the under. The Syracuse defense played well last week, and although Haynes King has been phenomenal running the football this season for Georgia Tech, I look for Syracuse to be successful keeping him in check. And combined with a questionable Syracuse offense, this game should be a lower-scoring defensive battle.
We will be sure to keep track of the line movement throughout the week.
Let us know your thoughts on the spread for this coming week? Is there any way you can throw money on Syracuse right now?
