Week 11 brings us one of the more peculiar matchups, as Syracuse and Boston College clash in a game that perfectly captures the mixed emotions of their seasons. Both teams are feeling optimistic about their first-year head coaches yet can’t shake a sense of disappointment in how things have played out so far.
When these two meet on Saturday, expect a nail-biter. Outside of a few odd results, both teams have made a habit of living and dying by one-score games.
That’s great for the casual fan but a potential nightmare for bettors. Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to see our pick for who wins—and who covers—in this Syracuse vs. Boston College showdown.
Syracuse vs. Boston College Betting Preview
All Syracuse vs. Boston College odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. The CFN Spread comes from College Football Network’s Football Playoff Meter.
- CFN FPM Spread
Boston College -1 - Spread
Boston College -2 - Moneyline
Boston College -122, Syracuse +102 - Over/Under
52 points - Game Time
Nov. 9, Saturday, Noon ET - Location
Alumni Stadium | Boston - Predicted Weather at Kick
48 degrees, sunny, 13 mph winds - How To Watch
CW
Boston College has seen its promising season start to slip away after a 4-1 start as the Eagles have lost three straight games. Syracuse, meanwhile, has been excellent outside of two inexplicably bad performances in the two losses.
MORE: Simulate the College Football Season with CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor
With a spread of two points and a total of 52.5 points, Vegas expects a close game. The implied final score is close to 27-25 in favor of the Eagles.
Syracuse’s Winning Probability
Syracuse is likely kicking itself for its weird early season home loss to a bad Stanford team, as the Orange could be ranked with a win in that one. The Orange have a 48.2% chance to win this one, according to CFN’s FPM. The rest of the schedule is difficult, but there are several winnable games.
- at Boston College: 48.2%
- at California: 44.4%
- vs. UConn: 83%
- vs. Miami-FL: 17%
Boston College’s Winning Probability
Conversely, Boston College has a 51.8% chance of beating Syracuse at home, which translates to a spread of about one point. Needing two wins for bowl eligibility, there are two clearly winnable games left. If the Eagles lose Saturday, they’ll need an upset to make a bowl.
- vs. Syracuse: 51.8%
- at SMU: 20.1%
- vs. North Carolina: 66.9%
- at Pittsburgh: 36.4%
Prediction for Syracuse vs. Boston College
It feels like both Syracuse and Boston College have been punching above their weight this season. Syracuse, in particular, has pulled off several improbable one-score wins, defying the odds time and again.
That tells us two things. First, the Orange are thriving under first-year head coach Fran Brown, who’s making a strong case for ACC Coach of the Year. Secondly, it suggests a regression to the mean could be on the horizon.
Last week, Syracuse looked like they were about to get blown out by a Virginia Tech team missing its starting quarterback and running back. But then, in true Orange fashion, they staged a remarkable comeback.
For all their “luck,” Syracuse could actually be even better if they find some balance on offense. The big question: Can LeQuint Allen establish the run in this matchup, or will Kyle McCord be forced to air it out 50-plus times yet again?
On the other hand, Boston College seems to be trending in the wrong direction. After a promising start, the Eagles have now dropped three straight games.
What’s puzzling about Boston College is their identity. They’re seen as a run-first team, yet they’ve managed just one 100-yard rushing performance all year — when Treshaun Ward hit 102 yards against Michigan State.
Their defense hasn’t been much better, particularly against the run, and that could spell trouble on Saturday.
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Given how inconsistent these teams have been, this game is tough to predict. That said, I’m leaning toward the Orange, assuming they commit to feeding Allen and take some of the load off McCord. If they can do that, they should have the upper hand. On the flip side, they’ll need to avoid giving Boston College’s offense any momentum. While the Eagles’ offense isn’t great, Bill O’Brien has a knack for exploiting defensive vulnerabilities.
I’ll take Syracuse here, though not with much confidence. Both teams tend to favor long, methodical drives unless they’re forced into shootouts, so the under feels like a safe play as well.
This has all the makings of one of those quirky but entertaining ACC noon games.
Prediction: Syracuse 24, Boston College 21
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