Syracuse Orange (3-1) vs. UNLV Rebels (4-0)
October 4, 2024 9:00 pm EDT
The Line: UNLV Rebels -6 / Syracuse Orange +6; Over/Under: +54.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Syracuse Orange and the UNLV Rebels meet in week 6 college football action from Allegiant Stadium on Friday night. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a UNLV vs Syracuse Prediction.
Syracuse Recap
The Syracuse Orange come into this one looking to build on to their 3-1 record after taking down Holy Cross last time out by a final score of 42-14. After this game, Syracuse will head back east for a matchup with NC State before their bye week.
McCord Keeping Orange Offense Afloat
Kyle McCord has thrown for 1,459 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions on 64.4% passing while LeQuint Allen has rushed for a team-high 287 yards and a touchdown. Trebor Pena has a team-high 26 receptions for 316 yards and 5 touchdowns while Jackson Meeks, Umari Hatcher, and Oronde Gadsden II each have 200+ receiving yards and 2+ TDs so far this season. Another two Syracuse receivers have 100+ receiving yards as well on the year. On defense, Derek McDonald has a team-high 26 total tackles including 16 solo tackles while King Joseph Edwards has a team-high 3 sacks and Fadil Diggs has a pair of sacks. As a unit, Syracuse’s defense has combined for 9 sacks and 4 interceptions so far this season.
Why the Syracuse Orange will win
- UNLV has lost 11 of its last 12 home games in October.
- Syracuse has won six of its last seven games against non-conference opponents.
- Syracuse has covered the spread in seven of its last eight road openers.
- UNLV has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four October games as a home favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
UNLV Recap
The UNLV Rebels come into this one looking to remain unbeaten after sitting at 4-0 on the year after knocking off Fresno State in a 59-14 rout last time out. After this game, UNLV will head out on the road to take on Utah State.
Rebels Offense Doesn’t Skip A Beat Amidst QB Change
Hajj-Malik Williams has thrown for 182 yards and 3 touchdowns on 81.3% passing while also rushing for 207 yards and a touchdown. Greg Burrell, Kylin James, and Michael Allen have all logged 100+ rushing yards so far this season. Ricky White III leads the Rebels with 20 grabs for 253 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns so far this season. On defense, Jackson Woodard leads the Rebels with 31 total tackles and 3 sacks while Jalen Catalon has a team-high 4 interceptions. As a team, UNLV has combined for 13 sacks and 9 interceptions so far this season.
Why the UNLV Rebels will win
- Syracuse has lost 10 of its last 11 road games in October.
- UNLV has covered the spread in 12 of its last 13 games against non-conference opponents.
- Syracuse has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games against non-conference opponents.
UNLV vs Syracuse Prediction
I’m on UNLV here. I get the case to be made for the Orange with how well Kyle McCord has looked leading this offense. However, UNLV didn’t skip a beat with Matthew Sluka leaving as Williams and this UNLV offense just jumped all over Fresno State and I think they come out firing here. It’s not often that the Rebels get a chance to host a non-conference foe and it’s looking more and more like UNLV could be the team to rep the Group of 5 when the college football playoffs roll around if this keeps up. I’ll lay it and play it with UNLV here.
