Syracuse vs. Boston College Preview: Orange's Odds Favored to Snap 5-Game Skid

The odds favor the Orange in the Syracuse vs. Boston College matchup when the old Big East rivals meet this Saturday in Massachusetts.

It’s the final regular-season game of the 2022 college football season for both teams. It gives Syracuse (6-5, 3-4 ACC) a chance to finish the season with a winning record for the first time since 2018. For the Eagles (3-8, 2-5 ACC), they will be looking to end a losing season on a high note with “senior day” on Saturday.

After a few lean games on offense with quarterback Garrett Shrader dealing with an injury, the Orange charged back to put up 35 points on Wake Forest last week. Shrader threw for over 300 yards in the 45-35 loss, and Sean Tucker eclipsed the 100-yard mark rushing and scored twice.

In the process, he gained 3,000 yards for his career and needs 48 yards on Saturday to pass Delone Carter for third on Syracuse’s all-time rushing list.

The Orange defense has allowed 22.6 points per game, but they have given up at least 38 in three of their last four games. With the Eagles averaging just 17.3 points per game (and scoring more than 21 just once in their last six contests), this game provides the Orange defense a chance to return to its early-season form.

The Eagles’ strong suit is their passing game, where they are averaging 246 yards per game. The Orange defense, however, has still been strong against the pass, allowing just 183 yards per game. The run defense has been more of a struggle, but BC is gaining just 61 yards per game on the ground–the lowest number in the ACC.

Last year, Syracuse’s defense was strong in a 21-6 win in a home game. Due to COVID-related scheduling changes in the 2020 season, these teams haven’t played in Chestnut Hill since 2018, when the Orange won 42-21 as five-point underdogs.

With a 6-5 record, Syracuse is bowl-eligible and is projected to be playing in the Fenway Bowl at Fenway Park in Boston on Dec. 17 against an opponent from the American Athletic Conference. With its ties to the northeast, this is the most likely destination for the Orange among others that include the Military Bowl (Annapolis, Md.), Gasparilla Bowl (Tampa, Fla.), and Birmingham (Ala.) Bowl.

For the first time since game No. 6 against North Carolina State, the Orange are favored in a matchup. Here are the odds, courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook.

In the head-to-head series, the Orange have covered in five of the last seven meetings. They are also 4-1 against the spread when favored this season. While Syracuse is on a five-game losing streak, BC has dropped five of its last six. Each team’s lone victory in their last six games is against North Carolina State.

Regarding the over-under total, trends point toward the under. Head-to-head, six of the last eight meetings have gone under. In addition, seven of Syracuse’s last eight ACC contests have also gone under the total.

If Syracuse can contain Eagles wide receiver Zay Flowers (967 yards, 10 touchdowns), the offense doesn’t offer many more threats. We see the Orange bouncing back to get back into the win column and gain some momentum for their bowl matchup.

Prediction: Syracuse 30, Boston College 13 (SYR -10.5, UNDER 47)