Syracuse Football Predictions, How To Bet on Syracuse in 2023

Syracuse Orangemen Football Predictions, Total Wins Expected, Handicapping Tips

Expert college football handicapper Ron Marmalefsky runs down the Orangemen’s chances for 2023 and provides expert tips for betting on Syracuse football in 2023. Ron looks at areas to watch, favorability of schedule, offers a predicted record for Syracuse football in 2023 and offers some handicapping tips for betting on the Orangemen this season.

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Syracuse Football Preview 2023: Syracuse Picks for Betting

I felt Syracuse could reach a bowl game last year with solid new offensive coordinator Robert Anae on board. 

The Orangemen jumped out to a 6-0 start, but finished 7-6, counting their bowl loss.  Anae leaves, but the bigger change is defensively, with Rocky Long coming over to coach the defense.  The thin line between finishing 7-5 and 5-7 remains in play.

College Football WEEK 1 ULTIMATE Betting Guide Video

Syracuse Football Predictions: AREAS TO WATCH, Strengths and Weaknesses

Take out the Wagner game (ran 36-394), and the adjusted regular season rush numbers read 364-1342, which is just around 3.7 per carry. 

That’s lower than any of the past five seasons, including 5.4 in 2021.  Lead RB Tucker (5.2 per carry) is gone, so that’s one watch area.  Look for more passing now, with QB Shrader back, and a more than solid TE.  If so, Syracuse needs to do a better job in pass protection.  The OL has averaged 38 sacks allowed over the past seven seasons. 

Syracuse, with Rocky Long’s input in 2020, switched to his signature 3-3-5 alignment defensively. 

Two coordinators later (accepted other jobs), Long himself comes east for the 1^st time to run the defense.  At 73 years old, the beat writers said it was a desire to coach at a Power Five school. 

I still find it a bit strange.  With seven of their top eight tacklers returning, there’s talent and experience to work with.  The run defense was fine last year, although not as good as it was in 2021.  The pass defense has hovered around 66% for the past three years and that’s an issue.  One of the nation’s top kickers is off to the NFL.  His replacement is a September must watch.

Syracuse 2023 Predictions, Syracuse Schedule: How Hard is the Schedule?

Syracuse can start 3-1 or better if they beat Colgate, Western Michigan (new coach) and Army (Long thrives on facing one-dimensional units).  It’s 4-0 if they win at Purdue, who also sports a new coach. 

The Orange have had success keeping games vs. Clemson close.  I’ll pre-check Clemson’s offense, and both new kickers.  UNC will be rested before hosting Syracuse. 

That doesn’t always translate into a win, and with any sort of a run game the Orange could make things interesting vs. that type of defense. 

Maybe they stay close at FSU the following week, but this looks like a loss for now. 

It’s rare for a Power Five school to have three consecutive road games, but at least the Virginia Tech game is on a Thursday, and twelve days later. 

VT beat them 41-36 at their place in 2021.  Having an extra day off before hosting Pitt can’t hurt.  This game is in the Bronx.  Syracuse closes at Georgia Tech (GT in a negative scheduling situation) and home to Wake Forest.

Syracuse Football Bottom Line: Total Wins Future Pick

Coaching moves are not just about the Head Coach.  They lost their offensive coordinator to a lateral job in the same conference, and are working on their 3^rd defensive coordinator in as many years thanks to another lateral move. 

The middle of the ACC is muddled as always.  I think the Orangemen must be 4-3 to have a good shot at another bowl appearance, which likely requires them to either beat Purdue or upset Clemson. 

It’s tricky, but I’ll give them 6-6.  Better requires seamless coordinator transitions, a hint of a run game, better pass protection, and no massive drop at kicker.  My ACC schedule gird says six or seven wins.  Rocky Long can fix the pass defensive percentage. 

If that doesn’t happen, Syracuse could be in bowl danger should progress stall in other areas.

Syracuse Football HANDICAPPING TIP:

I wanted to fade them when not a rush pick last year and that worked, but it only came up once. 

I’m willing to remain in that camp in 2023 due to first four games being on the easier side.  I am hopeful to back them vs. Clemson on 9/30, but hope to fade them, if possible, vs. Pittsburgh in November.  Everything else depends on how quickly Syracuse responds to the new staff.

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