Holiday Bowl 2024: Syracuse vs. Washington State predictions, odds for Friday
The Syracuse Orange and the Washington State Cougars have traveled to San Diego to compete in the Holiday Bowl.
It will be the first time the two teams have met since 1979. The Orange beat the Cougars 52-25 in a nonconference game.
Washington State will have a chance to even the overall series at one game apiece but will have to do it without its head coach and starting quarterback.
Jake Dickert left his post at Wazzu on Dec. 18 to become the new head coach at Wake Forest, just two days after Dave Clawson's unexpected resignation. Pete Kaligis will serve as Wazzu's interim head coach.
Washington State quarterback John Mateer entered the transfer portal and became an attractive name to other notable programs. He committed to Oklahoma last week. Zevi Eckhaus is expected to start for the Cougars (8-4 overall).
Syracuse has remained fairly stable throughout the weeks that have followed the regular season.
Quarterback Kyle McCord is coming off a strong performance against Miami and is expected to play in the Holiday Bowl. The Orange (9-3 overall) has won its last three games of the season and produced the program’s first regular season over .500 since 2018.
Here's what you need to know:
2024 Holiday Bowl: Syracuse vs. Washington State predictions
Syracuse.com: Syracuse 48, Washington State 7
Chris Carlson writes "The biggest question is whether Syracuse’s pile of touchdown passes will be the last in Orange for quarterback Kyle McCord. It won’t be a very entertaining game, but Syracuse fans who tune in will get to see send-off touchdowns for Oronde Gadsden II and Jackson Meeks as part of a blowout win."
ClutchPoints: Syracuse expected to win big
Jake Faigus writes "This matchup features two teams trending in different directions. Syracuse is playing well and should have most of their team available, while Washington State will be fielding a completely different team with how many players have transferred and Jake Dickert leaving."
Sports Illustrated: Washington State must rally around those that stayed
Jared Miller writes "For better or worse, (Zevi Eckhaus and Pete Kaligis) will be running the ship for the Cougs this Friday in the Holiday Bowl and their chances of success go up if the rest of the team and staff can rally around them and do everything in their collective power to make life easier on them."
Sports360Az: Washington State is drastic underdog
Jon Wilner writes "The Cougars opened as 5.5-point underdogs, then lost quarterback John Mateer (to the transfer portal) and coach Jake Dickert (to Wake Forest) and the line tripled. Syracuse won nine games, beat Miami in the regular-season finale and will have both its head coach (Fran Brown) and quarterback (Kyle McCord) in the bowl game. This has all the ingredients necessary for a beatdown of the highest order."
PickDawgz.com: Syracuse 'could run away with this one'
Chris Ruffolo writes "I’m on Syracuse here. It’s a massive number, and maybe you’d be just be better off playing a team total on the Orange, but Washington State’s cupboards are barren to put it nicely, and it’s entirely possible that the situation gets worse before it gets better. The Orange came on strong offensively to close out the year, and I think that the Orange could run away with this one as it’s just felt like Washington State’s mailed it in on this bowl game. Give me the Orange."
2024 Holiday Bowl: Syracuse vs. Washington State odds
The Syracuse Orange are favorites to defeat the Washington State Cougars, according to the BetMGM NCAA odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NCAA betting promos in 2023.
Betting odds, as of Thursday afternoon:
- Spread: Syracuse (-17)
- Moneyline: Syracuse (-800); Washington State (+550)
- Over/under: 59.5