Doug Marrone did an excellent job returning some credibility to Syracuse football after Greg Robinson left the program in an ash heap. Marrone guided the team to a 25-25 record in four years and the Orange earned their second postseason win of his tenure with last year’s 38-14 thrashing of West Virginia in the Pinstripe Bowl. Despite Syracuse’s success last season, this year’s squad could be in trouble with Marrone (Buffalo Bills) being replaced by first year head coach Scott Shafer and quarterback Ryan Nassib moving on to the pro ranks. The latest College Football Win Totals at offshore bookmaker 5Dimes have Syracuse’s number set at 4.5 games, but, according to our own Marco D’Angelo, that may be too high.

 

The Orange face two difficult non-conference opponents in Penn State and Northwestern, and their switch to the ACC has left them with a difficult conference slate as well. Finding a road win in league play will be a challenge with stops at NC State, Georgia Tech, Maryland, and Florida State on the docket, and Syracuse’s conference home schedule features Clemson, Wake Forest, Pittsburgh, and Boston College.

 

Syracuse should get wins over Wagner and Tulane outside of conference action and its best chances at victory in ACC play are Wake Forest, Pittsburgh, and BC. Those are, at best, swing games, though, setting up what looks like a three or four win season for Syracuse.

 

 

Syracuse Orange Odds to win the 2014 BCS National Championship +150000

Syracuse Orange Odds to win the ACC +5300 (nine of 14)

Syracuse Orange Odds to win the ACC Atlantic +2300 (two of seven)
Syracuse Orange Regular Season Wins: Over 4.5 (-120), Under 4.5 (-120)

 

October 5th Syracuse (+8) vs Clemson
November 16^th Syracuse (+16) at Florida State

 

What college football bettors need to know about betting a win total on the Syracuse Orange - a free pick from Pregame.com's Marco D'Angelo, with Ken Thomson.