Syracuse Orange vs
Washington St. CougarsPredictions & Preview

Syracuse Orange Favored Over Washington State Cougars with Key Losses Ahead of Holiday Bowl Clash

The Syracuse Orange will face the Washington State Cougars in the Holiday Bowl, with the Orange being the favorites with a -16 point spread. Syracuse had a 9-3 record in ACC play, while the Cougars had an 8-4 record without a conference. The question remains whether Syracuse can cover this significant spread in the upcoming game.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Orange -733 | Cougars +525
• Spread: Orange -16 (-110) | Cougars +16 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 59.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Syracuse will win straight-up is 88%.

Syracuse vs Washington St. Stats

Syracuse Orange

The Syracuse Orange are aiming for their 10th win of the season in the upcoming Holiday Bowl, following a successful season turnaround from last year. Led by senior QB Kyle McCord, the team has excelled offensively, with McCord surpassing 300 passing yards in all but two games this season. The receiving core, including Jackson Meeks and Trebor Pena, has also been impressive, contributing to the team's average of 32.6 points per game. However, the defense has struggled at times, giving up high point totals in games like the recent win against Miami. Syracuse is ranked 33rd in offense and 94th in defense, with an overall power ranking of 59. If you need help with college football predictions, consider consulting the Best NCAAF Handicappers.

Washington St. Cougars Analysis

The Washington State Cougars are heading into the Holiday Bowl on a three-game losing streak after starting the season strong at 8-1. Despite a dominant win against rival Washington, the team has struggled defensively in recent games, including losses to New Mexico and Oregon State. They also suffered a surprising narrow loss to Wyoming as heavy favorites in their last game, with their head coach departing and QB John Mateer entering the portal. In his absence, senior QB Zevi Ekhaus will be leading the offense. Key players like Wayshawn Parker and Kris Hutson are also out. The Cougars have relied heavily on their offense to win games, averaging 440 yards and 36.8 points per game, but their defense has been shaky, giving up 28.1 points per game. Despite these challenges, Washington State is ranked #12 for offense but only #90 for defense. Their upcoming matchup against Syracuse will be a test for the team.

Syracuse Orange Favored Over Struggling Washington State Cougars due to Key Losses

The Syracuse Orange enter this matchup as clear favorites due to the recent struggles of the Washington State Cougars, who have experienced significant losses in key positions. Washington State has been impacted by multiple players entering the transfer portal, including star quarterback John Mateer and top running back Wayshawn Parker. Additionally, the departure of their head coach has further added to their challenges. In contrast, Syracuse has maintained a stable roster with minimal absences on both offense and defense. The team has shown strong form in recent games, securing victories against competitive opponents such as California and a ranked Miami team. Syracuse's potent passing offense, which leads the nation in yards per game, poses a significant threat to Washington State's vulnerable pass defense, which ranks 118th nationally. As a result, the Cougars face an uphill battle in this matchup.

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