Ohio Bobcats (0-0) vs. Syracuse Orange (0-0)
August 31, 2024, 3:30 p.m. EDT
The Line: Syracuse Orange -17.5 / Ohio Bobcats +17.5; Over/Under: +46.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Ohio Bobcats and Syracuse Orange face off at the JMA Wireless Dome on Saturday in Week 1 of college football. Here’s a prediction for Syracuse vs. Ohio. This article contains picks for Syracuse vs. Ohio.
Ohio Bobcats Betting Preview
The Ohio Bobcats have posted two straight 10-win seasons and are now entering their fourth year under coach Tim Albin. Ohio has new coordinators in Brian Smith and John Hauser. Ohio is saying goodbye to quarterback Kurtis Rourke, leading rusher Sieh Bangura and its top two receivers, so adjustments will have to be made. Parker Navarro and CJ Harris are graduate students, so the starting quarterback will be experienced in terms of playing time on the roster.
On defense, Bryce Houston returns after leading Ohio with 127 tackles, Bradley Weaver had 6 sacks and Austin Brawley had 2 interceptions. Ohio lost a lot of players in the transfer market and this type of roster turnover could lead to some teething issues. However, Ohio is coming off two of its best seasons in school history under Albin, so I wouldn’t write the Bobcats off just yet.
Betting Preview for Syracuse Orange
The Syracuse Orange have won 5 or more games in each of the last three seasons and are now entering the Fran Brown era. Brown is a first-time head coach and comes from Georgia as the defensive backs coach. Additionally, Syracuse has landed three great players in the transfer portal: Devin Grant, who was selected to the MAC first team in Buffalo, quarterback Kyle McCord from Ohio State and wide receiver Justus Ross-Simmons from Colorado State. The biggest name, of course, is McCord, who threw for 3,100 yards and 24 touchdowns for Ohio State last year and was selected to the third team in the Big Ten. That gives Syracuse a real chance in every game this season.
On defense, Marlowe Wax returns after leading Syracuse with 110 tackles, Kevin Jobity Jr. had 2.5 sacks and Jayden Bellamy had 1 interception. Syracuse is expected to be a mediocre team in the ACC and with a new head coach there will be teething issues. However, Syracuse has a legit quarterback and that makes the Orange dangerous.
Why the Syracuse Orange will win
- Syracuse has won nine of its last ten season opening games.
- Ohio has lost three of its last four season opening games.
- Syracuse has covered the spread in each of its last five games against Mid-American Conference opponents.
- Ohio has failed to stay within the spread limit in five of its last six season openers.
- Syracuse has won the first half in each of its last seven games against opponents from the Mid-American Conference.
- Syracuse has won the first quarter in each of its last four games against opponents from the Mid-American Conference.
Facts about the total score
- Each of Ohio’s last six road games against non-AP ranked teams has been UNDER the total point threshold.
- In each of Syracuse’s last four games against non-league opponents, they have scored UNDER the total.
Facts about the game/league
- Syracuse ranked 25th among FBS teams in H2 points allowed per game (10.0) last season.
- Syracuse ranked 27th among FBS teams in Q3 points allowed per game last season (4.1).
- Ohio ranked 1st among FBS teams in Q1 points allowed per game last season (0.8).
- Ohio finished 3rd among FBS teams in H1 points allowed per game last season (5.7).
Prediction Syracuse vs. Ohio
The Ohio Bobcats have a lot of power to replace, and starting the season on the road usually doesn’t help. There is a certain amount of hype about the The Syracuse Orange have locked themselves into the transfer portal this season because of the amount of talent on the roster and the high power. Syracuse has become a closet contender in the ACC that might surprise some people. If that’s true, these are games Syracuse should win comfortably. Syracuse has a record of 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 games as a double-digit favorite. Ohio has a record of 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as a double-digit underdog. Give me Syracuse in a blowout Week 1 win over Ohio.
