Syracuse vs. Western Michigan Total Pick
Will Syracuse find themselves struggling when they go on the road to face Western Michigan in their season opener on Friday at 6PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
143 Syracuse at 144 Western Michigan
Friday, August 31, 2018
6PM ET – Waldo Stadium
TV: CBS Sports Network
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Syracuse is favored on the road, as the Orange are getting odds of -5.5 points against Western Michigan. The over/under total is currently listed at 65 points. The public betting for this game currently has 56 percent going on Syracuse on the road. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our College Football Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Syracuse whimpered to end of 2017
Syracuse lost its last five games of the season to finish the year at 4-8 overall. It was the second straight 4-8 season for Dino Babers, who comes into his third year needing some success. The Orange were 6-5-1 against the spread in 2017 with a 9-2-1 mark with the under.
Defense was the problem for Syracuse last season, as the Orange gave up 386 points over its 12 games. The offense put up 329 points, which was enough to be competitive. Syracuse returns quarterback Eric Dungey for his senior year. He threw for 2,495 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2017 and also had nine interceptions. He also led the team in rushing with 595 yards and nine scores. Dungey will need to find new favorite targets as gone are Steve Ishmael and Ervin Philips, who combined for 194 catches for 2,251 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Western Michigan hits .500
Western Michigan lost its row for the 2017 season as coach P.J. Fleck left for Minnesota. Former player Tim Lester took over and led the Broncos to a 6-6 record. They dropped three of their last four and didn’t make a bowl game. WMU was 5-7 against the spread and 8-4 with the over.
The Broncos had a pretty good offense last year, putting up 407 points. However, their defense allowed 348. Jon Wassink played pretty well under center before an injury ended his season early. As a sophomore, he threw for 1,391 yards and 14 touchdowns with just four interceptions. He returns his top receiver from a year ago in D’Wayne Eskridge, as well as Keishawn Watson, who caught seven touchdowns in 2017. WMU has a tough hole to fill at RB, as Jarvion Franklin rushed for 1,228 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2017.
College Football Betting Trends
Syracuse
The Orange have hit the under in their last four road games and in nine of their last 13 games against MAC opponents.
Western Michigan
Western Michigan has hit the over in six of its last seven home games and in 13 of its last 20 non-conference games.
Prediction:
This is a lofty total for a Syracuse team not known for a lot of blistering offense. However, I can see this being a shootout. Western Michigan has the offense to light up this Syracuse defense and the Broncos have been suspect to big plays, which should open the door for the Orange to score some points. With this game being at Western Michigan, I expect the points to pile up.
College Football Prediction: Syracuse/Western Michigan Over 65