Ohio Bobcats vs Syracuse Orange Prediction & Odds for Week 1

Syracuse and Ohio meet at the JMA Wireless Dome on Saturday afternoon in the 2024 season opener for both programs.

This matchup will begin at 3:30 p.m. ET on ACC Network.

Let's get to my Ohio Bobcats vs. Syracuse Orange prediction.

Ohio vs Syracuse Prediction

• Ohio vs. Syracuse Pick: Ohio Team Total Under 13.5
  • Click here to bet on the Ohio team total under instantly at FanDuel with QuickSlip — the bet is added directly to your bet slip at FanDuel automatically!

My Ohio vs. Syracuse best bet is the Bobcats to go under their team total with the best line currently available at FanDuel, according to our live NCAAF odds page.

Saturday, Aug. 31

3:30 p.m. ET

ACC Network

Ohio Odds
Spread	Total	Moneyline
+16.5 -108	44.5 -110 / -110	+575

Syracuse Odds
Spread	Total	Moneyline
-16.5 -112	44.5 -110 / -110	-850

Odds via DraftKings. Get up-to-the-minute NCAAF odds here.

• Ohio vs Syracuse Point Spread: Ohio +16.5 (-108) · Syracuse -16.5 (-112)
• Ohio vs Syracuse Total: Over/Under 44.5
• Ohio vs Syracuse Moneyline: Ohio +575 · Syracuse -850

Ohio vs Syracuse Preview

Ohio Betting Preview: Lots of New Starters

There's no other way to put it: The job Tim Albin has done at Ohio has been historic for both the school and the MAC.

The Bobcats wrapped up their 2023 season by winning the Myrtle Beach Bowl over Georgia Southern. The victory marked the first time in program history that Ohio recorded consecutive 10-win seasons.

The Bobcats also became the first MAC school to win five consecutive bowl games since Marshall’s run in the league from 1998-2002.

Unfortunately, Albin won't be able to rely on his proven stars for another successful campaign. In fact, Ohio only returns two starters on offense and four on defense.

The primary loss is at quarterback as Kurtis Rourke took his talents to Indiana in the offseason. The new starter will be Parker Navarro, who's looking to build off leading the Bobcats to their bowl victory.

Syracuse Betting Preview: McCord, Allen Lead Offense

With one game remaining last season, the Dino Babers era at Syracuse ended. Brown comes into the ACC program with no head coaching experience and only held a coordinator title for one season at Temple (2019).

From his years at Georgia, Brown is known as an elite recruiter. However, he inherits a veteran roster that returns 18 starters, including stud back LeQuint Allen.

Allen topped the 1,000-yard mark on the ground last season and led the Orange in receptions with 38. Behind an offensive line that returns four starters, he'll be looking to have another solid year.

The one big addition to the roster comes under center with Kyle McCord making the move from Ohio State. McCord has played in some big games, which should help his rookie coach in the early stages of the season.

Ohio vs Syracuse Pick & Prediction

There's a clear mismatch in returning production between these squads, but I think the biggest gap presents itself when Ohio has the ball.

So, my best bet is for the visitors to fall under their team total of 13.5 at FanDuel. I would play this down to 13.

I touched on the departures above, but I feel the need to go into more detail. Coming into this season, Ohio loses arguably the best quarterback in school history, its top two running backs, top six receivers and three starting offensive linemen.

If you aren’t able to move the ball, you have to rely on your defense to keep you in the game. I’m not expecting much success there either.

The Bobcats lose eight of their top 11 tacklers from last season. That includes three starting linemen, both defensive tackles and a pair of First Team All-MAC linebackers.

So, I’m expecting Syracuse to hammer away in the ground game behind Allen and a veteran offensive line. The Orange will likely go on long, draining drives and keep the ball away from Ohio's offense.

Pick: Ohio Team Total Under 13.5 (Play to 13)

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• Syracuse is 2-3 ATS in its past five games.
• Ohio is 3-2 ATS in its past five games.