The USF Bulls are in their first bowl game since 2018 and look for their first bowl wins since 2017. The Syracuse Orange are looking for their first bowl since the 2018 season. Let’s preview this game and give out a Boca Raton Bowl USF Bulls vs Syracuse Orange prediction.

USF Bulls Betting Preview 

The USF Bulls haven’t won back to back games since September, but they’re coming off a win over Charlotte to become bowl eligible. Byrum Brown is completing 64.3 percent of his passes for 3,078 yards, 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Sean Atkins and Naiem Simmons combined for 1,542 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, while Khafre Brown has 26 receptions. The USF Bulls ground game is averaging 186.2 yards per contest, and Nay’Quan Wright leads the way with 757 yards and 7 touchdowns. Defensively, USF is allowing 34.9 points and 455.3 yards per game. Jhalyn Shuler leads the South Florida Bulls with 85 tackles, DJ Gordon IV has 3.5 sacks and Logan Berryhill has 3 interceptions.

South Florida Bulls Team Facts

• South Florida has lost 35 of its last 37 games as an underdog.
• South Florida has failed to cover the spread in each of its last five Thursday games against non-AP-ranked teams.
• South Florida has won the first quarter in each of its last four games against non-conference opponents.
• South Florida has lost the first half in each of its last four games against opponents from the Atlantic Coast Conference.
• Each of South Florida’s last five games against non-conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.

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Syracuse Orange Betting Preview 

The Syracuse Orange have lost 6 of their last 8 games, but they beat Wake Forest in the last week to become bowl eligible. Garrett Shrader is completing 62.6 percent of his passes for 1,686 yards, 13 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Damien Alford and Umari Hatcher have combined for 978 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns, while Donovan Brown has 25 receptions. The Syracuse Orange ground game is averaging 184.2 yards per contest, and LeQuint Allen leads the way with 1,062 yards and 9 touchdowns. Defensively, Syracuse is allowing 23.8 points and 378.2 yards per game. Marlowe Wax leads the Syracuse Orange with 99 tackles, Kevon Darton has 5 sacks and Jason Simmons Jr. has 2 interceptions.

Syracuse Orange Team Facts

• Syracuse has won each of its last 13 games as a favorite.
• The favorite has covered the spread in seven of Syracuse’s last eight games.
• Syracuse has lost the first half in four of its last five games against non-conference opponents at neutral venues.
• Syracuse has won the first quarter in each of its last three games against opponents from the American Athletic Conference.
• Four of Syracuse’s last five games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.

USF Bulls vs Syracuse Orange prediction

The Syracuse Orange are more than capable of leaning on LeQuint Allen and the better defense and gr dining out a victory. However, this line is a lot of trust in a Syracuse program that’s going through coaching changes and doesn’t have Garrett Shrader at quarterback. The USF Bulls were terrible defensively, but they do have more stability on their coaching staff, they’re 15th in total offense, and they’ll have the home crowd advantage. It’s only a four-hour car ride from Tampa to Boca Raton. I’ll take a shot with USF and the points.