Boca Raton Bowl: Syracuse vs. USF odds, picks and predictions
The Syracuse Orange (6-6) battle the South Florida Bulls (6-6) in the RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl Thursday. Kick from FAU Stadium is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Syracuse vs. USF odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
Syracuse closed its season with a 35-31 win over Wake Forest to cover as a 2.5-point home favorite to earn bowl eligibility. QB Garrett Shrader — who will be out Thursday after undergoing shoulder surgery — went 10 of 15 for 173 yards with 3 touchdowns and an interception. His top receiver was WR Damien Alford, who hauled in 4 receptions for 126 yards and 2 TDs. While Shrader (10 carries for 46 yards) scored the Orange's sole rushing TD, it was RB LeQuint Allen (32 for 144) who led the team in rushing.
Redshirt freshman QB Braden Davis is expected to start for Syracuse — he completed his only pass attempt in the regular season for -6 yards.
USF ended its 2023 campaign with a 48-14 win over Charlotte to cover as a 6-point home favorite. QB Byrum Brown threw for 253 yards with 4 TDs and an INT on a 22-of-30 performance. RB Kelley Joiner led the team in receiving with 4 receptions for 71 yards and 2 TDs. Brown had the Bulls' only rushing TD while RB Michel Dukes (15 carries for 104 yards) led the team in rushing.
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Syracuse vs. USF odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 11:28 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Syracuse -145 (bet $145 to win $100) | USF +120 (bet $120 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Syracuse -3 (-110) | USF +3 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 56.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Syracuse vs. USF picks and predictions
Prediction
Syracuse 38, USF 31
Moneyline
PASS.
While not by much, the odds are more profitable on the Syracuse (-145) spread than on the ML.
Against the spread
BET SYRACUSE -3 (-110).
Syracuse went 4-1-1 ATS as a favorite in the regular season, according to TeamRankings.com.
Outside of its dominant win against a much lesser opponent in Charlotte, USF has not beaten an opponent by more than 4 points since Week 5. It has allowed 49 or more points in 4 of its last 7 games.
Over/Under
BET OVER 56.5 (-110).
The Over has hit in 7 of USF's last 9 games. It has also hit in 4 of the last 5 for Syracuse and has cashed in 3 straight.
Both teams tend to move the ball downfield quickly with explosive plays and consistent offense. Points should come in droves leading to a shootout finale in Boca Raton.
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