Syracuse Orange vs. Washington State Cougars 12/27/24 – The Syracuse Orange (9-3) will be facing off against the Washington State Cougars (8-4) in the Holiday Bowl. Syracuse has had a pretty good season, thanks to their prolific offense and four consecutive wins leading to this contest. Meanwhile, Washington State has been battling hard but of late they have been on a lean patch. Both teams seek to make amends on a larger platform. Snapdragon Stadium is due to stage what should be an interesting tussle on Friday night.
Syracuse Orange vs. Washington State Cougars 12/27/24
| When: | Friday, December 27, 2024, at 8:00 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | Snapdragon Stadium |
| TV: | FOX |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange | -17 (-105) | Over 59.5 (-110) | -900 |  |
| Cougars | +17 (-115) | Under 59.5 (-110) | +550 | |
| ||||
This time tomorrow…
🆚 @WSUCougarFB
⌚️ 8:00pm ET / 5:00pm PT
🏟️ @SnapdragonStdm
📺 @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/uHErNeF5h7— Syracuse Football (@CuseFootball) December 27, 2024
Syracuse has been well placed as the favorite, with a -17 spread and a -900 moneyline. A hard task ahead for the Washington State, but that said, they do seem to have value at +17 if they at least manage to keep the game close. The total of 59.5 indicates that there should be a good amount of points scored in the game, quite similar to how both teams score. With both teams scoring, the OVER might be a good bet, considering how many points Syracuse can put up.
Kyle McCord QB vs. John Mateer QB
Kyle McCord has put together quite the season for Syracuse with 4,326 passing yards, 29 TD passes, and a 65.8 percent completion rate. He has a great ability to distribute the ball around to Jackson Meeks, which makes him dangerous. However, the ragged edge of McCord’s game (12 interceptions) remains a bit concerning, overshadowed by his bigger playmaking ability.
John Mateer of Washington State has also thrown for 29 touchdowns but has a better passer rating of 164.1 and thus more yards per attempt at 9, as well as Matched McCord in the number of touchdowns. Despite strong stats, Mateer has had a strong offensive line to protect him as he has been sacked 31 times. His relationship with Kyle Williams, who posts 17.1 yards per reception, is going to be essential against the Syracuse secondary,
Syracuse’s Momentum Heading into the Bowl
Syracuse comes in strong form having won four of their last five matches. Their offense features LeQuint Allen, who has 901 rushing yards with 14 touchdowns as their running back, and receiver Jackson Meeks, who has accumulated 911 yards and seven touchdowns. The Orange have managed to secure some tight matches including one against Miami, which they won 42-38. Even though their defense has been occasionally shaky, Syracuse’s tremendous depth on offense makes advance them as the strongest contender.
Washington State’s Struggles Late in the Season
The Cougars are currently on a three game losing streak after suffering narrow defeats to Wyoming and Oregon State. Key among them is Wayshawn Parker whose 735 rushing yards with an average of 5.4 yards per rush per game comes in handy, while tight Kyle Williams is their most potent threat in the 1,026-yard range and 13 TD’s. However, inconsistency and defensive woes have been huge factors that put Washington State as heavy underdog.
Trends
Syracuse Orange Betting Trends
The total has gone OVER in 4 of their last 5 games.
Syracuse is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 December games.
They are 17-2 SU in their last 19 games as favorites.
Washington State Cougars Betting Trends
The total has gone OVER in 4 of their last 5 Friday games.
Washington State is 0-5 ATS in their last 5 December games.
The Cougars are 4-11 SU in their last 15 games as underdogs.
Syracuse Orange vs. Washington State Cougars Betting Prediction
Syracuse’s recent results and offensive ability give them a fair advantage. It is reasonable to believe Mccord will add the necessary touches to offset the defensive frailties of Washington State, while Allen and Meeks will offer some balance. However, the Washington State side will have to perform close to perfection to cover this spread and given their evident inability to defend their tackles, it does seem like they will not be able to achieve that.
Thus, for gamblers, there is quite some value to be found in placing bets on Syracuse, the favorite at -17, while the OVER 59.5 also seems in line with the scoring averages of both teams. Or placing prop bets on McCord touchdown passes or Meeks’ receiving yards could also be interesting.
Score Prediction: Syracuse Orange 45, Washington State Cougars 24.
Hilbert Mayer
Sports Writer
Hilbert Mayer is a professional sports writer, betting analyst, and content strategist with over 15 years of experience in the sports industry. Before focusing on sports betting analysis and handicapping, Hilbert worked as a sports writer for various news outlets, covering everything from game recaps to in-depth matchup features. Today, he specializes in MLB, NFL, March Madness, and UFC betting, combining his journalistic background with deep statistical expertise and real-world betting insights. His proven track record, sharp reads, and ability to break down complex matchups make him a trusted voice among both casual bettors and seasoned sharps.
Published on: December 27, 2024
Last updated: March 26, 2025