We had a handful of college football games last weekend in what is unofficially known as “Week 0,” but things truly get underway this weekend with a full slate of action.
In addition to several big non-conference matchups–including Oregon vs. Georgia and Notre Dame vs. Ohio State–some teams get their conference schedule started right away.
Included in that is the Syracuse Orange, who start ACC play by hosting Louisville Saturday night in the JMA Wireless Dome (formerly Carrier Dome).
It’s a big year for the Orange, who have had five losing seasons in six tries under head coach Dino Babers. If Syracuse cannot win this week as home underdogs, it will be hard to reach the 6-6 mark for bowl eligibility, which will put Babers’ future in upstate New York in question.
Recent History Does Not Favor the Orange
Syracuse was 5-4 last year, just needing one more win in their final three games to get to the six-win mark and reach a bowl, but a 41-3 loss to the Cardinals marked three-straight lopsided losses to end the season on a down note.
In fact, over the past three seasons, Louisville has a combined score of 127-37 over Cuse in three lopsided results with the Cardinals also winning seven of the previous eight matchups since the teams have been in the ACC.
Syracuse vs. Louisville Last 10 Head-to-Head Results
| Year | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Away | L, 3-41 |
| 2020 | Away | L, 0-30 |
| 2019 | Away | L, 34-56 |
| 2018 | Home | W, 54-23 |
| 2017 | Away | L, 10-56 |
| 2016 | Home | L, 28-62 |
| 2015 | Away | L, 17-41 |
| 2014 | Home | L, 6-28 |
| 2012 | Home | W, 45-26 |
| 2011 | Away | L, 10-27 |
Betting Lines for Louisville vs. Syracuse
Most sportsbooks, including FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars in New York, have Syracuse at a 4.5-point underdog. The number opened at five and was bet down to 4.5 and even four in some markets, as around 60% of the bets are on Louisville. A whopping 89% of the money is on the over with a point total of 57.
| Team | Point Spread | Over-Under Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | -4.5 | 57 | -185 |
| Syracuse | +4.5 | 57 | +150 |
Louisville vs. Syracuse Betting Analysis
In the last eight meetings, the Cardinals scored at least 23 each time. The Orange failed to get a touchdown in each matchup, but they are better poised to succeed on offense this year. Sean Tucker, who ran for nearly 1,600 yards last year, returns and should be a force, and quarterback Garrett Schrader returns, but he will have to show big improvement over last year to keep up with Cardinals senior Malik Cunningham, who accounted for five total touchdowns in last year’s matchup.
Intensity should be high for the Orange since it’s the season opener and it’s a home game, but the Cardinals offense might be too much to handle in this one. We feel more confident in the over, however.
Prediction: Louisville -4.5, Over 57
