Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lincoln Kienholz (3) celebrates his first down in the first half against Florida State during ACC college football at L&N Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky. Oct. 9, 2026.
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Louisville vs Syracuse Prediction 10/17/2026 Today’s College Football Picks

Pick details

MATCHUP Louisville Cardinals Syracuse Orange
Team Records 3-3 2-3
Spread -14.5 -112 +14.5 -108
Moneyline -650 +470
Total Over 55.5 (-112) Under 55.5 (-108)
Where JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse, NY
When Saturday, October 17, 2026
Time 07:30 PM EDT
TV ACC Network

The Louisville Cardinals and the Syracuse Orange meet in week 7 college football action from the JMA Wireless Dome on Saturday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Louisville Cardinals vs. Syracuse Orange Prediction.

Louisville Cardinals Recap

The Louisville Cardinals come into this game looking to add on to their 44-20 win over Florida State last time out to sit at 3-3 this season. After this game, Louisville will head home for a game against Stanford.

Cardinals Snap Two-Game Slide

Lincoln Kienholz has thrown for 1,534 yards, 9 touchdowns and 1 interception on 69.5% passing while Isaac Brown leads Louisville in rushing with 557 yards and 4 touchdowns. Keyjuan Brown sits behind Brown on the ground with 367 yards and 3 touchdowns. Tre Richardson leads the Cardinals in receiving with 445 yards and 29 catches along with 2 touchdowns, while Lawayne McCoy trails with 420 yards and 20 catches along with 4 touchdowns. On defense, T.J. Capers has a team-high 48 tackles while Louisville’s defense as a whole has combined for 12 sacks and 5 interceptions.

Syracuse Orange Recap

The Syracuse Orange come into this game looking to bounce back from their 28-25 loss at the hands of Virginia last time out to sit at 2-3 this season. After this game, Syracuse will head on the road for a matchup against the North Carolina Tar Heels.

Orange Looking To Rebound

Steve Angeli has thrown for 731 yards, 4 touchdowns and 5 interceptions on 54.8% passing while Tylik Hill leads Syracuse in rushing with 405 yards and a touchdown. Shavane Anderson Jr. sits behind Hill on the ground with 146 yards and 3 touchdowns. Umari Hatcher leads the Orange in receiving with 560 yards and 37 catches along with 6 touchdowns, while Daunte Bacheyie trails with 217 yards and 11 catches along with 4 touchdowns. On defense, Chris D’Appolonia has a team-high 30 tackles while Syracuse’s defense as a whole has combined for 12 sacks and 2 interceptions.

Louisville Cardinals @ Syracuse Orange Betting Trends: Week 7


Why the Syracuse Orange will win

  • The home team has won each of the last six games between Louisville and Syracuse.
  • Louisville has lost six of its last eight October games as a road favorite.
  • Louisville has failed to cover the spread in each of its last 11 October games as a road favorite.
  • The home team has covered the spread in each of the last six games between Louisville and Syracuse.
  • The home team has won the first quarter in each of the last six games between Louisville and Syracuse.
  • The home team has won the first half in each of the last six games between Louisville and Syracuse.

Why the Louisville Cardinals will win

  • Syracuse has lost each of its last 10 games against conference opponents.
  • Louisville has won four of its last five October games against non-AP-ranked teams.
  • The favorite has covered the spread in eight of the last nine games between Louisville and Syracuse.
  • Syracuse has failed to cover the spread in each of its last five home games against conference opponents.
  • Louisville has won the first quarter in six of its last eight games.
  • Syracuse has lost the first half in 13 of its last 14 October games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.

Total Points Facts

  • Each of Syracuse’s last five home games against conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
  • Each of Louisville’s last four October games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.

Syracuse Orange Player Prop Facts

  • Heading into Week 7, Umari Hatcher/Malachi Toney lead the Atlantic Coast Conference for receiving touchdowns (6) this season.

Louisville Cardinals Player Prop Facts

  • Heading into Week 7, Kaleb Beasley ranks T2nd amongst FBS players for interceptions (4) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

  • Three of Syracuse’s five games this season have been decided by a margin of three points or less – equal-most amongst FBS teams.
  • Syracuse ranks 6th among FBS teams for time of possession per game this season (34:06).
  • Louisville ranks 1st among FBS teams for Q3 points per game this season (13.3).
  • Louisville ranks 1st among FBS teams for H2 points per game this season (24.0).

Louisville Cardinals vs. Syracuse Orange Prediction

I’m on Louisville here. It’s a big number and Brian Brohm hasn’t been great as a favorite as the head coach at Louisville. However, the Cardinals are still the better team here and while Syracuse was competitive last time out, I feel like I still need to see it with Syracuse before I believe it. Louisville’s proven with a tremendous ground attack and I think the Cardinals get a big W on the road here. Give me Louisville.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Louisville -14.5

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