Washington State vs. Syracuse Prediction, Odds and Key Players for Holiday Bowl

Reed Wallach | Dec 17, 2024

Nov 30, 2024; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange quarterback Kyle McCord (6) warms up prior to the game against the Miami Hurricanes at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images / Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

Syracuse and Washington State meet in the 2024 Holiday Bowl in a battle of two high powered offenses, but also groups that can be impacted by the transfer portal.

The Orange had a resurgent season under first year head coach Fran Brown, unlocking former Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord, who led the country in passing this season. The Orange have a talented group of pass catchers that are expected to play in the Holiday Bowl against Washington State, who stunned many with a strong start to the year around quarterback John Mateer.

However, with Wazzu offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle heading to Oklahoma for the same role, there are questions as to the availability of Mateer and others, impacting the point spread.

Where do we sit in terms of betting odds and valuable wagers to make on the Holiday Bowl? We have you covered below!

Syracuse vs. Washington State Odds, Spread and Total

Spread

Syracuse: -10.5 (-118)
Washington State: +10.5 (-102)

Moneyline

Syracuse: -400
Washington State: +310

Total: 59.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Syracuse vs. Washington State How to Watch

Date: Friday, December 27th
Game Time: 8:00 PM EST
Venue: Snapdragon Stadium
How to Watch (TV): FOX
Syracuse Record: 9-3
Washington State Record: 8-4

Syracuse vs. Washington State Key Players to Watch

Syracuse

Kyle McCord: The nation’s leading passer, McCord dazzled in Western New York this season, leading Syracuse to upset wins over the likes of UNLV and Miami throughout the year. He passed for 4,326 yards this season but also did rank towards the bottom in interceptions with 12, bottom 10 in the country.

Washington State

Zevi Eckhaus: The Bryant transfer will start the Holiday Bowl after Mateer jumped in the portal during the bowl practice period. While he rarely played this season, he passed for nearly 8,500 yards in three seasons at Byrant with 75 touchdowns to 25 interceptions. He will try to guide the Cougs to a stunning bowl win.

Syracuse vs. Washington State Prediction and Pick

There is a ton of uncertainty around this game.

For starters, head coach Fran Brown declared that the whole roster will play in the bowl game, and McCord confirmed that he would play in this one as well. Despite some questions across the roster, as of this writing Syracuse looks pretty set for a full roster.

Meanwhile, Washington State lost its play caller and a handful of starters, including running back Wayshawn Parker and wide receiver Kris Hutson in addition to a few other starters. The line movement has indicated that key players are out, and it shifted through double digits when Mateer opted out.

There are a ton of questions as to what the Cougars do on offense. While Eckhaus has experience at the FCS level, Sryacuse has an incredibly potent passing game that will give the Cougars defense fits. While Syracuse's defense can be had, the Orange are rightly a clear favorite.

The Syracuse offense will face little resistance against the Washington State defense that is 90th in EPA/Play despite an easy schedule and allows more than six yards per play. While the team feasted on turnovers, top 20 in the country with 22, that was its best way of stopping the opponent.

McCord may gift the Cougs a few turnovers to keep this game competitive, but I expect this game to feature plenty of chunk plays from both sides.

The drop-off from Mateer to Eckhause is big, but this is still a Syracuse defense that is outside the top 100 in EPA/Play. I believe that the Cougars can put points on the board, even if its in extended garbage time.

The line has shifted towards Syracuse, but the total has also dropped. I believe that this game will feature plenty of points in what should be a convincing victory for the Orange, something in the neighborhood of 38-24, sending this game over the total.

PICK: OVER 59.5