Syracuse Orange vs Miami Hurricanes Picks and Predictions November 30th 2024

Syracuse Orange vs Miami Hurricanes November 30th 2024

ESPN will be covering this week 14 Miami Hurricanes and Syracuse Orange matchup, set for 3:30 ET at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse. The over/under line is at 67.5 points, with Miami coming in as the -10.5 point favorite. Miami is 10-1 on the season, while Syracuse sits at 8-3. The money line odds have Miami at -446 and Syracuse at +341.

Miami vs. Syracuse Key Information

Miami enters Week 14 with a 10-1 record, holding a 47.7% chance of winning the Atlantic Coast. They are a lock for bowl eligibility and have the 8th best odds to make the CFB playoff at 79.4%. The Hurricanes are 5-0 at home and 4-1 on the road this season.

Miami has been favored in 10 of their 11 games, going 9-1 as the favorite. Their average scoring margin is +22.5 points per game, and they are 6-4 against the spread this season.

This week’s over/under line is 67.5 points, the highest they’ve seen all season. Miami’s over/under record is 6-3-1, with their games averaging 67 points per contest. The average line for their games has been 58.7 points.

Miami’s offense has been the best in college football this season, leading the nation in scoring with 44.7 points per game and ranking first in our offensive power rankings heading into week 14. They’ve also been the best team on third downs, converting 56.6% of their attempts. Cam Ward has thrown for 3,774 yards with 34 touchdowns, and Miami ranks third in passing yards per game, averaging 360.2.

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Ward has a passer rating of 118 and has completed 67.2% of his passes. Xavier Restrepo leads the receiving corps with 979 yards and 10 touchdowns on 60 catches. Miami is 67th in rushing attempts per game, averaging 182.1 yards on the ground.

Miami’s defense put together a strong performance in their recent game, allowing just 14 points and 193 total yards against Wake Forest. They limited Wake Forest to 12 first downs and 94 rushing yards on 40 attempts, while also giving up just 99 passing yards and forcing an interception.

On the season, Miami’s defense is ranked 35th nationally, giving up 22.3 points per game. They are 24th in the country against the run, allowing 112.7 rushing yards per game, and 48th against the pass, giving up 194.3 yards per game. Opposing quarterbacks have a passer rating of just 73 against Miami, which ranks 24th in the nation.

The Orange Can Win If…

Syracuse enters Week 14 with an 8-3 record, but they have no chance to win the Atlantic Coast. However, they are guaranteed to be bowl-eligible. The Orange are 3-1 at home this season and are ranked 60th in our power rankings.

Syracuse has been favored in four of their 11 games, going 3-1 as the favorite. Their average scoring margin this season is +3.9 points, and they are 3-5 against the spread.

This week’s over/under line is set at 67.5 points, the highest of the season for Syracuse. Their over/under record is 3-4-1, with an average line of 54.7 points and an average game total of 59.5 points.

Syracuse’s offense is centered around their passing game, leading the nation in both passing attempts and completions per game. They are second in passing yards, averaging 361.5 yards per game, and rank 35th in scoring with 31.7 points per game. Our offensive power rankings place them 24th heading into week 14.

Kyle McCord has thrown for 3,946 yards, completing 65.3% of his passes, with 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He has a passer rating of 95. Syracuse is 12th in third-down conversions, converting 47.7% of their attempts. On the ground, they average 94.2 rushing yards per game.

Syracuse’s defense has allowed 27.8 points per game this season, including 24 points in their recent win against UConn. They gave up 352 total yards, with 124 rushing yards on 17 carries and 228 passing yards, while forcing no interceptions.

Opponents have averaged 153.8 rushing yards per game on 29.3 attempts, the 13th fewest attempts in the nation. Syracuse’s secondary has allowed 203.9 passing yards per game, with quarterbacks completing 65.2% of their passes and posting a 92.1 passer rating.

Our combined score projection for this Miami vs. Syracuse matchup is 62 points, which is below the current over/under line of 67.5 points. We recommend taking the under in this one.

Miami is favored by -10.5 points, and we have them winning 37-25, making them the pick to cover the spread as road favorites.

Quarterbacks Take Center Stage as No. 6 Miami Visits Syracuse

A high-stakes ACC matchup will feature two of the nation’s most prolific quarterbacks when No. 6 Miami travels to Syracuse on Saturday. With Miami looking to secure a spot in the ACC Championship Game and Syracuse aiming for its first victory over a Top-10 opponent since 2017, the stage is set for an offensive showcase.

Miami’s High-Powered Offense

The Hurricanes (10-1, 6-1 ACC) boast the nation’s top-scoring offense, averaging 44.7 points per game, and much of their success comes from quarterback Cam Ward. Ward leads the country with 34 touchdown passes and ranks second in passing yards (3,774), making him a nightmare for opposing defenses. He’s been particularly dangerous indoors, which bodes well for Miami’s visit to Syracuse’s dome.

Ward has an arsenal of weapons at his disposal, starting with wide receiver Xavier Restrepo, who is just 21 yards shy of his second consecutive 1,000-yard season. Restrepo also has 10 touchdown receptions, tied for seventh in the nation.

Ward’s supporting cast includes big-bodied tight end Elijah Arroyo, who averages a team-best 18.5 yards per reception, and wideouts Isaiah Horton and Jacolby George, who have combined for 12 touchdown catches. Miami’s rushing attack is equally formidable, featuring power back Damien Martinez (739 yards, 5.5 average, eight touchdowns), versatile sophomore Mark Fletcher Jr., and explosive freshman Jordan Lyle (8.6 yards per carry).

On defense, safety Mishael Powell is a key playmaker, with five interceptions—second in the ACC. Special teams also remain a strength, as kicker Andres Borregales is nearly automatic, hitting 52-for-52 extra points and 15-for-16 field goals this season.

Syracuse: A Record-Breaking Year for McCord

Syracuse (8-3, 4-3 ACC) enters the game led by Kyle McCord, who tops the nation in passing yards (3,946) and has set a new single-season record for the Orange. McCord, a transfer from Ohio State, is coming off a career-best 470-yard performance in last week’s 31-24 win over Connecticut.

While McCord has been prolific, his 12 interceptions have hindered Syracuse’s efficiency—he ranks just 46th nationally in passer rating. However, McCord has a talented receiving corps, including tight end Oronde Gadsden II and wideouts Jackson Meeks and Trebor Pena, all of whom rank among the ACC’s top six in receiving yards. Gadsden, the son of former Miami Dolphins receiver Oronde Gadsden, is on a tear with three consecutive 100-yard games.

Syracuse’s ground game is anchored by LeQuint Allen, who has 819 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. But the defense remains a concern, ranking 13th in the ACC in points allowed (27.8), compared to Miami’s fourth-ranked unit (22.3).

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Key Matchups

1. Ward vs. Syracuse Secondary
   With Syracuse’s defense struggling, Ward has an opportunity to put up big numbers. If Powell and Miami’s defense can contain McCord, the Hurricanes could cruise to victory.
2. Syracuse Receivers vs. Miami Defense
   Gadsden’s recent form makes him a matchup nightmare, but he’ll face a tough test against a Miami secondary that thrives on creating turnovers.
3. Red Zone Efficiency
   Both offenses can move the ball, but red-zone execution will be pivotal. Miami’s balanced attack and Syracuse’s reliance on McCord could determine the game.

What’s at Stake

• Miami: A win secures a spot in the ACC Championship Game against SMU, keeping their CFP hopes alive.
• Syracuse: With a win, the Orange would reach nine victories for the first time since 2018 and take a step toward solidifying a marquee bowl game appearance.

What They’re Saying

Miami coach Mario Cristobal: “He’s all about winning,” Cristobal said of Powell. “He’s a smart, self-starting team player.”

Syracuse coach Fran Brown: “It’s going to be intense in the stands. It’s going to be intense on the field. I think this is a game everyone wants to see.”

Both teams have plenty on the line, but Miami’s depth and offensive firepower could give them the edge in a potentially high-scoring affair.