Louisville Cardinals (3-3) vs. Syracuse Orange (2-3)
October 17, 2026 7:30 pm EDT
The Line: Syracuse Orange 490 / Louisville Cardinals -675; Over/Under: 55.5
(Get latest betting odds)
In this article we will formulate a Syracuse vs Louisville prediction for this College Football game on Saturday, October 17th at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, New York. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this Week 7 matchup.
Syracuse Orange Betting Preview
The Syracuse Orange are 2-3 (0-3) this season after they lost to Virginia by a score of 28-25 in their last game. Syracuse led 17-7 at halftime, but they allowed the first 21 points in the second half and couldn’t recover in the loss. The Orange out gained UVA by a total of 430-282, went 5-15 on third downs, and tied the turnover battle at zero in the game. Malachi Nelson threw for 217 yards and one touchdown, while Umari Hatcher caught eight passes for 126 yards and one score. Tylik Hill rushed 23 times for 118 yards in the loss.
Prior to that game, Syracuse defeated UConn by a score of 42-41, but lost to Pittsburgh by a score of 27-13 before that. The Orange have scored 32.8 points per game with 281.6 passing yards and 165.8 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 24.0 points against per game this season. Syracuse is dealing with injuries to their top three quarterbacks, so we will see how is healthy enough to start this one.
Louisville Cardinals Betting Preview
The Louisville Cardinals are 3-3 (2-2) this year after they defeated Florida State by a score of 44-20 in their last game. Louisville was tied 14-14 at halftime and they scored 30 points in the second half for the lopsided win. The Cardinals out gained FSU by a total of 537-362, went 4-9 on third downs, and won the turnover battle by a total of 1-0 in the game. Lincoln Kienholz threw for 140 yards, while Lawayne McCory caught three passes for 78 yards. Isaac Brown rushed 17 times for 235 yards and two scores in the game.
Prior to that win, Louisville lost to NC State by a score of 31-28 and Wake Forest by a score of 30-27. The Cardinals have scored 39.5 points per game with 262.8 passing yards and 231.7 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 27.7 points against per game this season. Lincoln Kienholz has thrown for 1,534 yards with nine touchdowns and one interception this year.
Why the Virginia Tech Hokies will win
- The home team has won each of Georgia Tech’s last three games.
- Georgia Tech has lost six of its last eight games.
- Georgia Tech has failed to cover the spread in six of its last seven games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- The home team has covered the spread in seven of Virginia Tech’s last nine games.
- Virginia Tech has won the first quarter in each of its last six home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- The favorite has won the first half in each of Virginia Tech’s last nine games.
Why the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets will win
- Georgia Tech has won four of its last five games as a road underdog against Virginia Tech.
- Virginia Tech has lost three of its last four October games as a favorite.
- Virginia Tech has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games against conference opponents.
- Georgia Tech has covered the spread in each of its last four games in October.
- Georgia Tech has won the first quarter in each of its last four October games as an underdog.
- Georgia Tech has won the first half in each of its last four games against non-AP-ranked teams.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Georgia Tech’s last six games against conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
- Eight of Virginia Tech’s last nine games as a home favorite have gone OVER the total points line.
Virginia Tech Hokies Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 7, Aycen Stevens is one of only five players to record at least one sack in five consecutive appearances this season.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 7, Rahkeem Smith ranks 3rd amongst FBS players for kick return yards (371) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Virginia Tech ranks T6th among FBS teams for Q1 opponent points per game this season (1.7).
- Virginia Tech ranks T8th among FBS teams for 1st downs this season (150).
- Georgia Tech ranks T128th among FBS teams for 4th down conversion percentage against this season (77.8).
- Georgia Tech ranks T127th among FBS teams for interceptions this season (1).
Syracuse vs Louisville Prediction
Syracuse comes into this matchup after losing three of their last four games, but all three losses were by 14 points or less. Louisville has lost two of their last three games and they have allowed 30+ points in three of their last four. The Cardinals have been disappointing so far this year, but Brown is one of the best running backs in the country. I would love to take the points here, but I have no idea what the plan is at QB for the Orange. Take Louisville to cover here.
