We discussed¬†last week the questionable line Vegas¬†had created for Syracuse’s games vs. CMU. The Chippewas were coming off a dominant performance against a Power 5 team on the road, running by Kansas 45-27. SU was reeling after losing to MTSU at the Dome. It didn’t seem like the Orange should’ve been favored over any team in the country by double-digits, let alone one that just put up 6 touchdowns against a Big 12 team.
But the oddsmakers knew what they were doing as¬†SU raced past CMU 41-17. Now the shoe is on the other foot, as the Orange is huge underdogs to LSU. Granted, this is a totally different challenge than anything Syracuse will deal with this season. This is an SEC team that was ranked in the top 15. This is one of the nation’s toughest venues. This is a night game against a superior opponent.
But the Bayou Bengals looked about as lethargic in its last game as the Orange did coming off the MTSU loss. LSU was blown out at Mississippi State 37-7, a loss so bad some are already questioning Ed Orgeron’s promotion to full time in the offseason. Vegas has LSU as a three-touchdown favorite in this game. Can SU stay within 21 points?
Syracuse is actually 4-0 ATS of their last four games facing the SEC. Meantime, LSU is 1-2 this season against the line. (This article¬†helps if you’re still trying to grasp the spread.) SU is just 2-11 in its last 13 games on the road, while the Tigers have won 8 of their last ten at Death Valley.
Coming up with a win is too much to ask for a young Syracuse team. But staying within shouting distance is a fair request as LSU has shown how vulnerable it was on both sides of the ball last weekend. Can Syracuse stay within 21 points of LSU? Let’s hope so.
