Western Michigan vs Syracuse Prediction - College Football Picks 9/9/23

Syracuse Orange (1-0) vs Western Michigan Broncos (1-0)

Game Info: Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 3:30 pm (JMA Wireless Dome)

Betting Odds: Syracuse Orange -24 -- Over/Under: 57 Click Here for the Latest Odds

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The Syracuse Orange will host the Western Michigan Broncos in a non-conference game on Saturday afternoon at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, New York. Syracuse rolled to an easy victory against Colgate in their opener, while Western Michigan had a few issues with St. Francis, before pulling away in the second half. 

Western Michigan Preview

The Western Michigan Broncos are 1-0 this season after they defeated St. Francis PA by a score of 35-17 in their first game. Western Michigan scored the only points of the first quarter to lead 7-0 and was able to score two touchdowns in the second quarter to lead 21-10 at the half. St. Francis scored early in the third to make the score 21-17, but WMU score the final 14 points of the game. The Broncos out gained their opponent by a total of 509-281, but they did turn the ball over once in the game. Western Michigan threw for 170 yards and rushed for 339 yards, while going 10-17 on third downs and 3-3 on fourth down attempts. Jack Salopek threw for 170 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, while rushing for 36 yards. Jalen Buckley had a huge day on the ground, rushing 30 times for 194 yards and one touchdown. Kenneth Womack caught four passes for 54 yards in the win. Western Michigan is not expected to have a great year and they did have some struggles against St. Francis, which is not a great sign coming into this game. 

Syracuse Preview

The Syracuse Orange are 1-0 this season after they defeated Colgate by a score of 65-0 to open their season. Syracuse scored 23 points in the first half and led 37-0 at the half. The Orange came out of halftime and put up 28 points in the third, before taking it easy in the fourth. Syracuse out gained Colgate by a total of 677-106 yards and each team turned the ball over three times. The Orange rushed for 271 yards and threw for 406 yards, while going 9-16 on third down attempts. Syracuse held Colgate to only 3-17 on third down conversions. Garrett Schrader threw for 257 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception, while adding 40 rushing yards. LeQuint Allen rushed for 107 yards and one score, while Umari Hatcher caught four passes for 105 yards and a touchdown. The Orange absolutely dominated this game and I think they will have another big offensive day in this matchup.

Syracuse Orange Team Facts

  • Syracuse has won each of its last 12 matches as a favorite when playing with a rest disadvantage.
  • Syracuse has covered the spread in seven of its last eight games against non-conference opponents.
  • Syracuse has won the first quarter in each of its last three games against opponents from the Mid-American Conference.
  • Syracuse has won the first half in each of its last three home games against opponents from the Mid-American Conference.
  • Each of Syracuse's last four games have gone OVER the total points line.

Western Michigan Broncos Team Facts

  • Western Michigan has won three of its last four games as an underdog.
  • The underdog has covered the spread in seven of Western Michigan's last eight games.
  • Each of Western Michigan's last seven games have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

  • Syracuse ranked T30th among FBS teams for H1 points allowed per game last season (10.7).
  • Syracuse ranked T30th among FBS teams for Q1 win percentage last season (.538).
  • Western Michigan was one of only 26 FBS teams to win 2+ games when trailing after Q3 last season.
  • Western Michigan ranked T28th among FBS teams for H2 points allowed per game last season (10.6).

Pick

Syracuse put up some very impressive numbers in their first game, but it was against a FCS opponent, while Western Michigan struggled with their own FCS opponent, before pulling away. Syracuse should have another big offensive day in this matchup and while Western should have a better offense than Colgate, I don’t expect the Broncos to give the Orange much trouble here. I think Syracuse will roll once again this week and I am taking them in a blowout win. 

David’s Pick Syracuse -24

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The pick in this article is the opinion of the writer, not a PickDawgz site consensus.

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