Saturday, October 10 · 7:30 EST · Scott Stadium
What the spread says
Syracuse heads to Virginia off an exciting win over Connecticut. The Orange are 8½-point underdogs in college football odds. The total for college football week 6 odds is 50 points in this ACC matchup.
This does not sit on a key number. Virginia is -115 ATS, and Syracuse is -105.
Open with the number and where it sits relative to the key numbers.
There’s good reason why the number is so big
What the Team Totals Reveal
Syracuse is 2-2, having defeated New Hampshire and Connecticut. In the two ACC games, the Orange lost at home to Cal. Then, it went to Pitt and fell by 14 points.
Virginia has a conference win over North Carolina State in its opener. The Cavs were outmatched and outgained in a surprisingly bad loss to Florida State last week. They allowed 10 sacks, and quarterback Beau Pribula paid the price for the pressure, going 14-of-32.
While Florida State is far from a national power, this game presents a perfect chance for the Cavaliers to rebound, as college football lines suggest. The number is big, but don’t look for another faulty effort.
Remember, Syracuse gave up 34 points and an overtime touchdown to Connecticut, which is now 2-3.
The line suggests Virginia would win this one around 30-20. That’s reasonable. Don’t expect the Orange to score that many points. As the Cavs have to be smarting.
Reading the Total
The number of 50 is right in the middle of a typical college football game, which usually sits at 45 to 55. Games can be as low as the high 30s to the 70s.
The line suggests Virginia would win this one around 30-20. That’s reasonable. Don’t expect the Orange to score that many points. As the Cavs have to be smarting.
Halves and Quarters
One would expect there to be points scored early and often in this game.
Syracuse isn’t going to thwart Virginia’s offense. The Orange have enough firepower to score until the game gets out of hand. That figures to be late in the third quarter through the game’s finish.
It may have been like an under-the-radar game on a packed college football schedule. However, value is value and needs to be found where it exists. The Cavaliers are a better team than the Orange, especially at home.
Pick
Look for the Cavaliers to rebound here after an uncharacteristically bad loss in Tallahassee. Syracuse coming into Charlottesville is a great way to forget what happened against Florida State.
Pick: Virginia -8½ points.
