The Syracuse Orange will look to earn their first 10-win season since 2018 as they face off against a depleted Washington State Cougars team in the Holiday Bowl.
The Cougars ended the regular season poorly and are now scrambling to put together a competitive team for this game, which is why I’m taking the Orange to cover in my Syracuse vs. Washington State predictions.
Read on for a full analysis of this postseason matchup in my free college football picks for Friday, December 27.
Syracuse vs Washington State prediction and best bet
My best bet
Syracuse -16.5 (-115 at BetMGM)
Picks made at time of writing may not reflect live odds.
My analysis
When the Holiday Bowl was first announced, Syracuse was posted as a slight favorite at most sportsbooks, and my first instinct was to like them to cover. After all, coach Fran Brown and quarterback Kyle McCord both made it clear that the team would be taking this game seriously, and the Orange finished the year on a high note with a win over Miami.
On the other side of the field, everything has fallen apart for Washington State. The Cougars have since lost head coach Jake Dickert to Wake Forest, while starting QB John Mateer — who threw for 29 touchdowns and ran for 15 more — is off to Oklahoma. Reports indicate that 25 or more Washington State players have entered the transfer portal.
Not only has WSU lost its head coach, but also much of the staff, including both its offensive and defensive coordinators. Leading tackler Buddah Al-Uqdah also won't play after announcing he’d be entering the transfer portal.
Meanwhile, Syracuse is at full strength, with Brown stating that “we don’t opt out around here.” McCord is coming into this game having finished 10th in the Heisman Trophy voting after throwing for 4,326 yards and 29 touchdowns this season, and he will be looking to make another strong impression on NFL scouts. When compared to some of the top programs in the country, the Orange offense is no joke, and it will have all of the weapons that helped them average 32.6 points per game this season.
Even at full strength, the Cougars would have a tough time keeping up in a shootout. Now it’ll be a question of whether the remaining players can make this competitive by halftime.
Syracuse vs Washington State same-game parlay (SGP)
Syracuse -16.5
Under 59.5
Syracuse Over 34.5
Syracuse should have little trouble winning this game by a wide margin, and that’s why I’m all in on taking the Orange to cover the spread. And with the Washington State offense in tatters, there’s a good opportunity here to make a same-game parlay with significant value.
While these teams have traditionally played above this number, the Cougars are undermanned and will struggle against a Syracuse defense that boasts plenty of talent. Meanwhile, McCord should consistently power the Orange into the end zone, giving us a chance to pair an Over on Syracuse’s total with the full game Under.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Best Syracuse vs Washington State bonus
Up to $1,500 in bonus bet insurance at BetMGM
Make your football plays at BetMGM, which is offering new users up to $1,500 in bonus bets (if your first bet doesn't win)!
Sign up now to join the King of Sportsbooks, or learn more with our comprehensive BetMGM sportsbook review.
Eligible U.S. locations only. Also, see our full list of BetMGM bonus codes.
21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
More bowl game picks and odds from Covers
- Free college football picks
- Bowl game odds and schedule
- College football National Championship odds
- Heisman Trophy odds
- College football odds
Syracuse vs Washington State odds
Syracuse vs Washington State live odds
Syracuse vs Washington State opening odds
- Syracuse vs. Washington State spread: Washington State +16.5
- Syracuse vs. Washington State moneyline: Syracuse -225, Washington State +185
- Syracuse vs. Washington State Over/Under: 61.5
Odds courtesy of BetMGM
Syracuse vs Washington State spread and Over/Under analysis
- Both Syracuse and Washington State played to identical 6-6 records against the spread this season.
- The Orange finished the year on a three-game winning streak, while the Cougars lost their last three contests.
- The Over had a slight 6-5-1 edge in Syracuse’s games this year and went an even 6-6 when Washington State took the field this season.
- The Orange averaged a combined total of 61.3 ppg this year, while the Cougars come in averaging a total of 64.9 ppg.
Syracuse vs Washington State betting trend to know
Washington State is 0-3 ATS in its last three games overall. Find more college football betting trends for Syracuse vs Washington State.
Syracuse vs Washington State game info
| Location: | Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, CA |
| Date: | Friday, 12-27-2024 |
| Kickoff: | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | FOX |
Syracuse vs Washington State latest injuries
Looking for who’s opted out of this game? Check out our updated college football bowl game opt-out tracker.
Syracuse vs Washington State weather
Monitor gametime conditions with our College football weather info.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
