The No. 16 SMU Mustangs (6-1, 4-1 ACC) and Syracuse Orange (3-4, 1-4) square off in an ACC matchup Saturday at JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, New York. Kickoff is set for noon ET (ESPN2). Let's analyze college football odds around the SMU at Syracuse odds and make our expert college football picks and predictions for the best bets.
Trailing 20-17 at halftime, SMU (-18.5) outscored the visiting Cal Golden Bears 42-0 in the second half enroute to a 59-20 (Over 55.5) victory Saturday. QB Kevin Jennings completed 16 of 23 passes for 223 yards and 3 TDs, becoming SMU's all-time leader with 73 career passing TDs. RB Kendrick Raphael ran for 104 yards and 2 TDs on 22 carries and also caught a 22-yard TD pass. SMU held Cal to 40 yards rushing and outgained
the Golden Bears 492 yards to 305.
Syracuse (+7.5) overcame a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to snap an 11-game ACC losing streak with a 31-30 OT victory over the visiting North Carolina Tar Heels Saturday. After North Carolina scored a TD and kicked the extra point on their first possession of OT, Syracuse decided to go for 2 and the win after WR Calvin Russell III caught a 4-yard TD on fourth down. Russell, who had 8 catches for 86 yards, then scored the winning 2-point conversion. Syracuse was well balanced with QB Steve Angeli completing 20 of 34 passes for 256 yards and 2 TDs, WR Umari Hatcher catching 4 passes for 104 yards and 1 TD and RB Ahmad Miller rushing for 125 yards and 1 TD on 30 carries.
SMU leads the all-time series vs. Syracuse 2-0, with the first game taking place in 1932. More recently, SMU defeated Syracuse 31-18 in Dallas, Texas, last October. Jennings completed 29 of 35 passes for 285 yards and 4 TDs with 1 INT in the victory.
– Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports
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SMU at Syracuse odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 8:07 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): SMU -375 (bet $375 to win $100) | Syracuse +310 (bet $100 to win $310)
- Against the spread (ATS): SMU -10 (-112) | Syracuse +10 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 57.5 (O: -110 | U: -108)
SMU at Syracuse picks and predictions
Prediction
SMU 27, Syracuse 20
Moneyline
PASS.
Despite Syracuse's record, this isn't a gimme for SMU, but I'm not picking the upset. Syracuse ranks fourth in the ACC in total offense (450.6 yards per game), just behind SMU (470.4 YPG).
But their defense is middle of the pack in the league (336.3 YPG), while SMU is third (303.3 YPG). SMU is giving up an average of 21.1 points per game, while Syracuse is allowing 26.3 PPG.
Against the spread
BET SYRACUSE +10 (-105).
The Orange have been competitive, with 3 of their 4 losses by 1 score. Their other loss came by 14 points at the Pitt Panthers.
SMU isn't road tested, with their last 4 games all at home. In their 2 games away from Dallas this season, they squeaked by the Florida State Seminoles and lost at the Louisville Cardinals.
I think the Orange may put a scare into the Mustgangs, but ultimately SMU will prevail.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 57.5 (-110).
Just when it appeared SMU's offense was headed for another middling performance, they poured it on in the second half against Cal for their highest scoring output of the season. Prior to the game, SMU was averaging 26.5 points against ACC opponents this season. Syracuse is averaging 22.6 points across their 5 ACC games.
Betting odds calculator
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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: SMU Mustangs at Syracuse Orange odds, picks and predictions
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