For the first time in three years, No. 17 Florida State enters a regular season game off a loss. Last week’s last-second 22-16 loss at Georgia Tech on a blocked field goal and 78-yard return sent shockwaves through college football again. Syracuse has lost four-straight following three wins to start the season, including last week’s last-second 23-20 loss to Pittsburgh.
ODDS
The side and total have been bet up with Florida State now a 20.5-point favorite over Syracuse with a total of 52.
KEY MISMATCH
Florida State’s running attack against Syracuse’s defensive front.
Not a mismatch, but a key for Syracuse to stay competitive is to slow Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook. He leads the ACC in rushing with 123 yards per game and six rushing touchdowns through five games. The Orange run defense is above average allowing 131 rushing yards per game at 3.2 yards per rush, but have allowed six rushing touchdowns in three league games.
The Orange defense could be worn down a bit following the physical game with Pitt in which the Panthers pounded the ball 46 times on the ground for 188 rushing yards.
KEY STAT
6.2 – both offenses average 6.2 yards per play, but Florida State’s defense is superior allowing just 16 points per game in five ACC contests.
130 – both teams run defenses allow nearly 130 rushing yards per game and 4.6 yards per rush in ACC play, but the Syracuse pass defense is allowing a league-worst 282 passing yards per game.
1 – Seminole quarterback Everett Golson threw his first interception last week, and he has 11 touchdown passes and is No. 2 in the ACC in total offense at 235 yards per game.
6 – the Orange have been out-gained by all six FBS opponents by an average of 61 yards per game, while the Seminoles have outgained opponents by 95 yards per game including 33 YPG versus ACC opponents.
BETTING ANGLE
The Seminoles are sandwiched between their first loss of the season at Georgia Tech and next week’s showdown at Clemson.
The Seminoles are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games as a double-digit favorite. Florida State is also 3-7 in its last 10 games when installed a home favorite.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
This will mark the third road game in four weeks for Syracuse, who routinely find ways to lose and has seven freshmen on their two-deep. Still, Eric Dungey leads the ACC in pass efficiency and the hangover for Florida State plus look ahead game to Clemson and recent failures as big chalk makes the Seminoles too risky at this price point.
The Orange have scored at least 20 points in every game this season and that includes against LSU when they played without quarterback Eric Dungey. At a minimum, the back door should be open for Syracuse to cover this three touchdown spread. Despite last week’s blocked field goal miscue, the Seminoles still have the superior special teams units and top kicker in this contest.
The Seminoles piled up over 500 yards offense on both Louisville and Miami on this field, but the potential letdown combined with the Clemson look ahead likely results in less offense and execution against Syracuse.
Florida State 31, Syracuse 20
BookMaker sent out the college football spread for this game at Florida State -19.5 with a total of 49.5. Live wagering during commercials offers an adjusted moneyline, total and spread. Log in and start gambling during the game now!
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