Syracuse vs. Washington State Predictions, Picks, Odds, Breakdown for Holiday Bowl

Syracuse travels to San Diego to face Washington State in the Holiday Bowl. Syracuse enters the game with few outs, while Washington State has been decimated by outs and even lost head coach Jake Dickert to Wake Forest. It’s time to continue our college football odds series with a Syracuse-Washington State prediction and pick.

Last Syracuse-Washington State match – Match history

These two teams have only played once before, in 1979 at Syracuse. Syracuse only won that game 52-25. This confrontation features two teams moving in different directions. Syracuse is playing well and should have most of its team available, while Washington State will field a completely different team with the number of players transferring in and the departure of Jake Dickert.

Overall series: Syracuse leads 1-0

Here are the Syracuse-Washington State College Football odds, courtesy of FanDuel.

College football odds: Syracuse-Washington State odds

Syracuse: -16.5 (-112)

Money line: -800

Washington State: -16.5 (-108)

Financial line: +540

Over: 59.5 (-110)

Minus: 59.5 (-110)

How to watch Syracuse vs. Washington State

Time: 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT

Television: FOX

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Why Syracuse could cover the spread/win

Syracuse had a great offensive year. They average 456.1 yards and 32.6 points per game. Kyle McCord was the key to the success of this offense. He has 4,326 passing yards, 29 passing touchdowns and 12 interceptions with a 65.8% completion percentage. Overall, the receiving corps was very balanced. The primary receiver is Jackson Meeks. Meeks has 911 yards and seven touchdowns on 73 receptions. The running and passing games have been a great complement to McCord. LeQuint Allen has 901 yards and 14 touchdowns on 211 carries. Syracuse’s offense has been excellent and should be able to move the ball throughout Washington State’s defense. The Cougars have struggled on defense all year, and entering this game, the problems will only get worse with the number of players the Cougars are missing due to the transfer portal. This should be an easy matchup for the Orange on paper.

Syracuse’s defense has been inconsistent this year. They allow 369.7 yards and 28.7 points per game. Defense will be key in this game as Washington State loves to pass the ball, even with all the players missing. They are solid against the pass but have struggled against the ground game. They allow 216 yards through the air and 153.7 yards on the ground. The Orange defense doesn’t play a complete Washington State offense, but they still need to step up and play a key role in this game. Syracuse’s defense should overwhelm the Cougars in this game.

Why Washington State Could Cover the Spread/Win

Washington State’s offense has been excellent this season on offense. They average 440.4 yards and 36.8 points per game. John Mateer has done everything for this offense since he is in the transfer portal. Zevi Eckhaus will start the Cougars in this match. Eckhaus has 61 passing yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions with an 85.7% completion percentage this season, but he’s been a starter at Bryant at the FCS level, so this isn’t anything new for him . The receivers have been excellent this year, and while some, like Kris Hutson, have transferred, Kyle Williams plays and has been the team’s primary receiver. Williams has 1,026 receiving yards and 13 passing touchdowns on 60 receptions. With Mateer and Wayshawn Parker out for this game, Leo Pulalasi will be the starting running back. He has 241 yards and two touchdowns on 51 carries this year. Washington State’s offense still has playmakers despite the exodus, but it has a huge challenge against the Orange in this game. They are going to struggle in this match.

Washington State’s defense has struggled this season. They allow 429 yards and 28.1 points per game. They also struggled against the ground game and passing attack, allowing 255.3 yards through the air and 173.7 yards on the ground. The Orange offense has greatly improved this year and should move the ball and score all over Washington State’s defense. The Cougars will find themselves completely overwhelmed in this match on defense because they have lost too much to be able to compete with the Orange. This matchup heavily favors Syracuse and will decide the game for both teams.

Syracuse-Washington State Final Prediction and Selection

Syracuse is by far the better team in this game. Washington State lost too much to Transfer Portal to be in this game. They also lost their head coach to another job, Wake Forest. Syracuse should be able to pass anywhere on the Cougars with Kyle McCord. Expect the Orange to overwhelm and blow out Washington State in this game. They will win, cover and win the Holiday Bowl.

Syracuse-Washington State Final Prediction and Selection: Syracuse -16.5 (-112)