A couple of teams that prefer to feature their running games, Head Coach Steve Addazio and the Boston College Eagles (+3) are set to face off against their in-conference counterpart Syracuse Orange (-3) at the Carrier Dome. This afternoon game will start at 12:00 p.m. ET and ACC Network will showcase the action.
Betting Preview: Syracuse Orange vs. Boston College Eagles
Boston College is a live dog in this one and is currently getting 3 points. The Eagles are also receiving +120 moneyline odds while the Orange are -140. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 60 points. There should be some good in-game betting opportunities while this match is taking place.
This game’s opening line was -2. The O/U hasn’t moved since it opened at 60.
The hapless Eagles are 5-3 against the spread (ATS) and are down 14.7 units so far in 2019. The team has recorded an Over-Under mark of 6-2.
The Orange are down 2.0 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 2-5 ATS and have an O/U record of 2-5.
The Eagles are 4-4 straight up (SU), including 2-3 SU against ACC opponents. The Orange are 3-5 SU overall and 0-4 SU in conference play.
The Eagles fell to Clemson 59-7 in a blowout where the passing game the primary culprit as Dennis Grosel completed just three passes on 14 attempts for 53 yards. AJ Dillon (76 yards on 19 rush attempts, one TD) and David Bailey (16 yards on 10 carries) led the running attack while Hunter Long (two receptions, 39 yards) and Kobay White (one catch, 14 yards) shared the receiving duties in the defeat.
A week ago, Florida State got the win against this Syracuse team by a score of 35-17. Tommy DeVito completed 20-of-33 passes for 151 yards. Moe Neal (74 yards on 20 rush attempts, one TD) and the signal-caller DeVito (32 yards on 13 carries) led the running game as Trishton Jackson (five receptions, 57 yards) and Jarveon Howard (four catches, 24 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the loss.
Boston College’s run the ball on 65.8 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Syracuse has a rush percentage of 52.3 percent. The Eagles have rushed for 255.6 yards/game (including 238.8 per game against Atlantic Coast opponents) and have 18 scores on the ground this year. The Orange are logging 120.3 rush yards per game (74.8 in conference) and have nine total rushing TDs.
If 2019 numbers are any indication, then it seems like the Eagles might have the more disruptive lines up front. Their offensive line has yielded only 23 sacks while the D-line registered 33 sacks. The Orange, on the other hand, have given up 37 sacks and their defense has created only 43 sacks.
The Eagles offensive scheme has averaged 199.1 yards through the air overall (208.6 per game versus conference opposition) and has 14 passing scores so far. The Orange have put up 247.4 pass yards per contest (225 against ACC foes) and also have 14 total pass TDs.
On the defensive side of the ball, Boston College has allowed 188.6 rush yards and 298.5 pass yards per game. The Syracuse defense has given up 267.4 yards per game to opposing passers and 160.0 yards per game to opposing runners. The Orange are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 5.85 to opponents, while the Eagles have given up an 8.07 ANY/A.
Offensively, Grosel has put up 185 passing yards on the year, and has completed 33 percent of his 45 attempts with three passing scores and one interception. Grosel has a 3.83 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 4.39 over the last two games.
For the home team, Tommy DeVito has managed to complete 155-of-239 passes for 1,685 yards, 12 TDs and five INTs. DeVito’s ANY/A stands at 5.59 for the year and 2.88 over his last two outings.
When these two squads faced one another a year ago, Syracuse knocked Boston College off by three touchdowns 42-21.
Boston College Eagles at Syracuse Orange NCAA Pick
SU Winner: Boston College, ATS Winner: Boston College, O/U: Over
Team Betting Notes
- The Eagles offense has produced eight pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Orange have accounted for nine such plays.
- The Boston College defense has allowed seven pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Syracuse has given up nine such plays.
- The Boston College offense has created 19 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Syracuse has created eight such runs.
- The Eagles defense has allowed 15 rushing plays of 20+ yards, while the Orange have given up 12 such runs.
- The Syracuse D has tallied more than triple the sack total of Boston College this season (25 to eight).
- Boston College has produced 5.3 yards per carry over its past three games and 5.1 over its last two.
- Syracuse has averaged 2.3 yards per carry over its last three contests and 2.9 over its last two.
- In its last three matchups, Syracuse is 0-3 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
- The Over/Under for Boston College’s last game was set at 59. The over cashed in the team’s 59-7 loss to Clemson.
- In its last three contests, Boston College is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
- The O/U for Syracuse’s previous game was set at 60. The under cashed in that 35-17 defeat to Florida State.
