2015 College Football Week 4 LSU vs. Syracuse Picks & Predictions
By Anthony Rome
Assuming LSU can avoid a letdown and overcome the pitfalls of traveling, the Tigers should be a sound play today for bettors when they visit Syracuse at 12:00PM ET.
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Mybookie.ag, LSU is a 24-point road favorite versus Syracuse after the line opened at that same number. The total, meanwhile, has dropped a full point, falling from 47.5 down to 46.5.
The Orange are in trouble at the quarterback position. Starter and captain Terrel Hunt suffered an Achilles tendon injury in the first quarter of the season opener against Rhode Island and then his backup, freshman Eric Dungey, is unlikely to play today after he was speared by Central Michigan linebacker Mitch Stanitzek last week. That means the combination of Austin Wilson and walk-on Zach Mahoney will see time under center today.
The Tigers are coming off back-to-back wins versus Mississippi State and Auburn, which makes them primed for a letdown. Throw in a travel week and an early kickoff and the 24.5 points seem like a gift for underdog bettors. That said, Syracuse stood a better chance to compete with LSU had Dungey not gotten hurt. With him unlikely to play, look for Leonard Fournette and Co. to wear down the Orange's defense and bury Syracuse in the second half.
This would also be a great time for LSU to loosen the reins of quarterback Brandon Harris, who has been efficient thus far, but hasn't been allowed to do much in the passing game. Given how weak Syracuse's secondary is, perhaps Harris will be allowed to test his arm more today.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 4 FREE PICK: LSU TIGERS -24