NCAAF Week 12: Syracuse vs. Louisville odds, preview, and pick
Louisville Cardinals quarterback Malik Cunningham (3) throws the ball against the University of Miami Hurricanes. (Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire)
November 16th, 2020
Two ACC schools are seeking a rare victory in 2020 as the Syracuse Orange (1-7) visit the Louisville Cardinals (2-6) at Cardinal Stadium on Friday night (7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN). The home team will spot plenty of points in this one. Can the Cardinals cover, or will the underdog Orange prevail? Here’s our wagering preview.
The Orange offense is awful
Syracuse’s scorers are among the worst in the country in both passing yards per game (106th, 177.8) and rushing yards per game (119th, 86.0). It looks like they will once again trot out third-string freshman quarterback JaCobian Morgan, who at least looked respectable (19-for-30, 188 yards, one touchdown, one interception) in a 16-13 loss to Boston College on Nov. 7.
Who does this remind me of... let me think... 🤔 @donovanjmcnabb @jacobian_morgan @NunesMagician @MattPark1 @CuseFootball pic.twitter.com/Az7KcuTXBV
— John Wallace (@44JohnWallace44) November 9, 2020
Running back Sean Tucker, held to 63 or fewer yards in three of his last four games, is the feature back in the Orange’s feeble rushing attack.
Louisville should ground down the Syracuse stoppers
Even without leading rusher Javian Hawkins (undisclosed) last week, the Cardinals managed a season-high 317 rushing yards against Virginia, albeit in a 31-17 defeat. Dynamic junior quarterback Malik Cunningham tallied a career-best 197 yards on the ground along with two rushing touchdowns in the loss.
This was one heck of a run from Malik Cunningham. It didn't even look like he was thinking about going out of bounds, just focused on the end zone. pic.twitter.com/q7K5qA1z3Y
— Tyler Greever (@Tyler_Greever) November 14, 2020
It would be a boon for Louisville if they get both Hawkins and leading receiver Tutu Atwell (528 yards, five touchdowns) back for Friday’s affair.
The Cardinals boast the better defense
The Cardinals clearly have the better of the two offenses, and it looks like they also have an edge when it comes to defense too.
Top Plays: Clemson vs. Syracuse 🐅🐾 pic.twitter.com/budCuyqAUO
— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) October 26, 2020
Louisville is 56th in the nation in total defense (392.1 yards allowed per game), not a terrible mark for a team sporting a 2-6 record. Syracuse, by contrast, is 107th in the same category (464.4 yards allowed per game).
Syracuse and Louisville statistics and rankings
| Team | Passing Yards | Rushing Yards | Passing Yards Allowed | Rushing Yards Allowed |
|---|
Syracuse Orange | 177.8 (106th) | 86.0 (119th) | 240.8 (74th) | 223.6 (114th) |
Louisville Cardinals | 239.0 (57th) | 201.6 (32nd) | 195.6 (31st) | 196.5 (93rd) |
Head-to-head trends make strong case for Cardinals, Over
The programs are plenty familiar with one another, but the Cardinals have had the Orange’s number of late. Louisville is 8-2 straight-up and 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 matchups.
Syracuse has had trouble putting together successive covers, as they enter Friday’s affair at 1-5 against the spread in their last six games following a spread victory. The Cardinals, who failed to cover last week, are 5-1-1 against the spread in their last seven games following a spread loss.
Totals bettors should note that the Over has cashed in six consecutive Louisville home games, and that these two teams have exceeded the total in four of their last five head-to-head contests.
Predicted score: Louisville 42, Syracuse 21
NCAAF picks: Cardinals spread, Over
Wager on all NCAAF Week 12 action now at BetAmerica!
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