Syracuse vs. Notre Dame Prediction
Can Notre Dame get back on track today when it hits the road to face Syracuse at Noon ET on ESPN?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, Notre Dame is the clear favorite in this game, as the Irish are getting odds of -10.5 points against the Orange. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 72.5 points. These two have split their four meetings since 2003, with Syracuse going 3-1 against the spread in those games.
Bet on Syracuse vs. Notre Dame
The Irish are now just 1-3 on the season following a 38-35 loss to Duke at home to fall to. After the loss, the Irish fired DC Brian VanGorder, as they are giving up 33.5 points and 454 yards per game on defense, and that is against lackluster offenses like Michigan State and Duke. The offense has been solid, averaging 37 points per game behind DeShone Kizer, who has thrown for 1,096 yards and 11 touchdowns while rushing for 186 yards and five scores. The Irish are 1-3 against the spread, more due to the defensive struggles.
Syracuse improved to 2-2 on the season with a 31-24 win at Connecticut last week. The Orange are also 2-2 against the spread this season, covering the spread in both wins. Like ND, Syracuse is struggling on defense, allowing 34.5 points and 466.8 yards per game. The Orange are giving up over 200 yards per game right now. Offensively, Syracuse is putting up 496.5 yards per game, but only averaging 28 points. Eric Dungey has thrown for 1,367 yards and nine touchdowns this season to lead the Orange. He has had a great target to throw to in Amba Etta-Tawo, who is leading the country in receiving. He has caught 40 passes for 706 yards and five touchdowns. He should likely pose a real problem for the ND defense.
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You keep waiting for Notre Dame to have a response game, but it just hasn’t happened. Syracuse has had its two losses come to respectable teams in South Florida and Louisville, both at home. It’s hard to see the Irish fixing all of their defensive problems in a week. While Kizer should be able to handle the offense, I am not sure ND can stop Etta-Tawo and Syracuse consistently enough to cover. Syracuse has more talent on offense than Duke, in my opinion, so look for this game to be close.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 5 PREDICTION: SYRACUSE +10.5