South Florida Bulls (6-6) vs. Syracuse Orange (6-6)
South Florida Bulls vs. Syracuse Orange 12/21/23 – As college football season nears its exciting climax, the Boca Raton Bowl provides an intriguing matchup between South Florida Bulls and Syracuse Orange who both currently sit at 6-6. Set to take place Thursday at FAU Stadium with broadcasts live on ESPN, this contest promises an abundance of NCAAF bowl game day insights!
South Florida Bulls enter this game boasting an impressive backfield presence led by Nay’Quan Wright, a standout running back with 757 rushing yards and seven touchdowns to his credit. Sean Atkins also makes up part of their offensive arsenal, having amassed 961 receiving yards with five scores to his name – both players will play key roles in determining their fortunes in this contest.
Syracuse’s offense is led by running back LeQuint Allen, who has amassed 1062 rushing yards and nine touchdowns this season. Wide receiver Damien Alford adds another dimension with 527 receiving yards and three scores – their contributions will be instrumental as Syracuse seeks to counteract Bulls’ challenge.
South Florida Bulls vs. Syracuse Orange Game Info
| When: | Thursday, December 21, 2023 at 8:00 PM ET |
| Where: | FAU Stadium |
| TV: | ESPN |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Byrum Brown QB vs. Garrett Shrader QB
South Florida’s quarterback, Byrum Brown, has put together an impressive season, passing for over 3,078 yards with 23 touchdowns while posing a continuous threat as a runner. The experienced signal caller excels at keeping plays alive with his mobility, often turning broken plays into big gains with his legs oraccurate throws on the run. However, ball security issues have hindered his overall efficiency at times this season. His ability to avoid drive-killing turnovers will be pivotal against the opportunistic opposing defense.
Conversely, Syracuse’s quarterback, Garrett Shrader has built on a strong first year as a starter, improving his completion percentage and overall passing production. The dual threat orchestrates the offense effectively and has cultivated chemistry with his top receiving targets. Additionally, his underrated mobility continues to give defenses fits, whether scrambling to move the chains or plowing into the end zone on designed quarterback runs. That said, sporadic lapses in accuracy can lead to stalled drives or worse. If the veteran quarterback can maintain composure against pressure and consistently deliver catchable balls, he should find success against a middling pass defense.
NCAAF Odds/Point Spread: Syracuse Orange -140, Total Odds: 61.5
The current betting odds favor Syracuse slightly, with a moneyline of -140 and a spread of -2.5. The total odds for the game are set at 61.5, indicating expectations of a high-scoring encounter. These odds provide valuable insights for bettors, suggesting a closely contested game with Syracuse having a slight edge.
South Florida Bulls Betting Trends
South Florida is 1-5 straight up in its last 6 games against ACC opponents. The Bulls have gone over the point total in 7 of their last 9 contests overall. They are just 1-6 against the spread (ATS) in their past 7 games played in December. South Florida is on a 5-game ATS losing streak in Thursday games.
Syracuse Orange Betting Trends
Syracuse has gone 2-8 straight up and 2-6 ATS in its last 10 meetings with South Florida. The Orange are 5-11 ATS over their past 16 games against American Athletic Conference foes. Syracuse has played over the total in 4 of its previous 5 outings this season. The Orange have gone 2-6 straight up and ATS over their last 8 games overall.
South Florida Bulls vs. Syracuse Orange 12/21/23 Betting Picks
Considering the analysis and betting trends, this game appears to be a tight affair with both teams having their strengths and weaknesses. The key could lie in the quarterback duel and the ability of each team’s defense to handle their opponent’s offensive threats.
Given the trends and performances, Syracuse seems to be the safer pick, albeit with a narrow margin, emerging as a premium top pick. Prop bets, particularly around the quarterbacks’ passing yards and touchdowns, could offer enticing opportunities. The over/under bet is another intriguing aspect, with both teams showing a propensity to be involved in high-scoring games.
Free Pick and Prediction: Syracuse Orange 35, South Florida Bulls 31