The Miami Hurricanes control their own destiny — one win and they’re in the ACC Championship Game. However, standing in the way is a Kyle McCord-led Syracuse Orange team that has the ability to pull off an upset.
Can the Hurricanes survive to play for a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff? Find out our thoughts on the spread and total in this Miami (FL) vs. Syracuse prediction.
Miami (FL) vs. Syracuse Betting Preview
All Miami (FL) vs. Syracuse odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. The CFN spread comes from College Football Network’s Football Playoff Meter.
- CFN FPM Spread
Miami -7 - Spread
Miami -11 - Moneyline
Miami -425, Syracuse +330 - Over/Under
67.5 points - Game Time
Saturday, Nov. 30, 3:30 p.m. ET - Location
JMA Wireless Dome | Syracuse, N.Y. - Predicted Weather at Kick
N/A - How To Watch
ESPN
Miami’s path is clear: win one more and enter the ACC championship at 11-1 with a chance to win and earn a first-round bye. But Syracuse might be the quietest 8-3 team in college football and has experienced enormous success in its first year under Fran Brown.
MORE: Simulate the College Football Season with CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor
The spread feels a bit high here, but the Orange are 11-point underdogs. The total shows the talent on offense, and with a total set at 67.5 points, sportsbooks imply a final score close to 39-28, in favor of the Hurricanes.
Miami (FL)’s Winning Probability
CFN’s FPM isn’t quite as high on the Hurricanes, giving them a 68.8% chance to win Saturday. The Hurricanes will then need to beat the SMU Mustangs to ensure themselves a spot in the College Football Playoff.
- at Syracuse: 68.8%
Syracuse’s Winning Probability
Syracuse has a 31.2% chance to win at home, per FPM. The Orange would move to 9-3 with a win and finish in the top 25 of the College Football Playoff rankings. While it certainly won’t be enough to challenge for an at-large bid, a 9-3 season would mark the most wins by a Syracuse team in 24 years.
- vs. Miami: 31.2%
Prediction for Miami (FL) vs. Syracuse
While the spotlight is on the Hurricanes in this one, people seem to be overlooking a strong Syracuse team.
The Orange have handled business against most of their less talented and evenly matched opponents, quietly amassing an impressive 8-3 record. McCord just keeps slinging it, and he actually holds the lead over Cam Ward on the passing yardage leaderboard.
That explains the huge total in this game as Syracuse just keeps slinging the ball and faces a below-average Miami defense.
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Quarterback play is the key here. While these two QBs are the top two in the country in yardage — each likely reaching 4,000 passing yards this season — they’ve been prone to some terrible plays as well.
The two quarterbacks have 19 combined interceptions this season, including several that have been run back for touchdowns. Ward and McCord need to avoid the awful play.
That’s more important because each defense hasn’t been able to struggle. If one defense gets a couple of momentum-swinging plays, that team will likely win.
Ultimately, I trust Ward and the quick-strike Miami offense a bit more than I trust the methodical Orange. It’s just so hard to win when the offense scores on a 12-play, six-minute drive, only for the opposition to score in three plays.
If McCord has to press, I think he’s the first to blink and will make a big mistake at some point. Expect points, but maybe not a combined 68 points. Likewise, expect the Hurricanes to win, but probably not to cover.
Syracuse deserves more respect than to be a double-digit home underdog to a team that has won several close games this season. But, the Orange aren’t likely to win outright.
Give me Miami in another nervy win.
Prediction: Miami (FL) 35, Syracuse 27
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