South Florida vs. Syracuse 12/21/23 – In a matchup that promises excitement, the South Florida Bulls, standing at an even 6-6, face off against the Syracuse Orange with an identical record in the upcoming NCAAF Boca Raton Bowl. Set for Thursday, December 21, 2023, this game not only highlights the parity within the league but also offers a glimpse into the competitive spirit that defines NCAAF bowl free picks. As these two teams clash at FAU Stadium, fans and analysts alike are gearing up for what could be one of the more intriguing bowl games of the season.
South Florida vs. Syracuse 12/21/23
| When: | Thursday, December 21, 2023, at 8:00 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | FAU Stadium |
| TV: | ESPN |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Florida | +3 -107 | o55.5 -110 | +142 |  |
| Syracuse | -3 -113 | u55.5 -110 | -162 | |
| ||||
Another opportunity awaits.#ComeToTheBay | #StayInTheBay pic.twitter.com/TiSLvLKnxb
— USF Football (@USFFootball) December 21, 2023
Byrum Brown QB vs. Garrett Shrader QB
Byrum Brown has put together an impressive junior season running the South Florida offense, compiling over 3,000 yards through the air. Brown has shown pinpoint accuracy (64.3% completion rate) and big-play ability (23 passing TDs), with the mobility to extend plays with his legs. He pilot’s a quick-tempo system designed to skirmish downfield. Brown must avoid the big mistake against Syracuse’s opportunistic secondary.
On the other side, junior Garrett Shrader leads an Orange offensive built to grind out long drives on the ground. Shrader has thrown for a modest 1,686 yards and 13 scores, but does most of his damage carrying the ball as a rusher. The dual-threat operates the read-option game to near perfection and could exploit South Florida’s porous run defense that allows 186 rushing yards per contest.
South Florida’s Offensive Firepower
The Bulls unleash an uptempo offensive centered around Brown’s aerial passing game, with speedy targets like Sean Atkins ready to break big gains after the catch. South Florida racks up 33.8 points per game, utilizing a fast pace to find holes in opposing defenses. Brown has multiple options to spread the ball around the field, taking what defenses give them through the air. Stopping the balanced Bulls attack is easier said than done.
Syracuse’s Physical Ground Game
While South Florida wants to speed up the tempo, Syracuse will aim to slow things down, dominate time of possession, and pound teams into submission via the run game. Hard-nosed rusher LeQuint Allen leads the charge for the methodical Orange offense, which looks to impose its will in the trenches. If Syracuse can control both lines of scrimmage and move the chains with consistency, it can mitigate the damage from South Florida’s passing weapons by keeping them off the field.
NCAAF Betting Odds: Syracuse Orange -140, Over/Under: 61.5
The betting odds slightly favor Syracuse Orange, with a Moneyline of -140 compared to the Bulls’ +120. The over/under is set at a high 61.5, indicating expectations of a high-scoring affair.
Trends
South Florida Bulls Betting Trends
The total has gone OVER in 7 of South Florida’s last 9 games.
South Florida are 6-14 SU in their last 20 games.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of South Florida’s last 7 games against Syracuse.
South Florida are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games against an opponent in the Atlantic Coast conference.
Bulls are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games played in December.
South Florida are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games played on a Thursday.
Syracuse Orange Betting Trends
Syracuse are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Syracuse’s last 5 games.
Syracuse are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games.
Syracuse are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games against South Florida.
Orange are 2-8 SU in their last 10 games against South Florida.
Syracuse are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 games against an opponent in the American Athletic Conference conference.
South Florida Bulls vs. Syracuse Orange Betting Picks
In analyzing both teams, Syracuse seems to have a slight edge, especially given their recent performance and South Florida’s struggles in bowl games and Thursday matchups. The key will be Syracuse’s ability to contain Brown and exploit the Bulls’ defensive weaknesses.
For bettors, while Syracuse seems the safer pick on the Moneyline, the spread offers an intriguing proposition, especially with South Florida’s propensity to be involved in high-scoring games. The over/under is a tough call, but given both teams’ trends, leaning towards the OVER might be a prudent choice.
For those looking at prop bets or additional betting angles, exploring individual player performance, especially the quarterbacks and key running backs, could offer value. Remember to check top betting websites for the latest odds and insights as game day approaches.
Free Pick and Prediction: Syracuse 34, South Florida 30
