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Syracuse vs. Washington State Prediction & Picks: Holiday Bowl Odds

Mike Spector

Last Updated: December 26, 2024 11:20 AM EST • 3 min 57 sec read.

Syracuse Orange quarterback Kyle McCord passes the ball against the Miami Hurricanes as we look at our Syracuse vs. Washington State prediction.
Syracuse Orange quarterback Kyle McCord passes the ball against the Miami Hurricanes. Photo by Rich Barnes/Imagn Images.

A completely different-looking Washington State Cougars team will take the field against the Syracuse Orange for the Holiday Bowl in San Diego on Friday from Snapdragon Stadium at 8 p.m. ET (FOX).

  • Washington State will come out with a new head coach, two new coordinators, and two new skill-position coaches in this game
  • Syracuse finished the season on a three-game winning streak
  • The Orange also ended the regular season playing nine one-score games, tied for the most in the country

Our Syracuse vs. Washington State prediction for the Holiday Bowl recognizes why this contest experienced one of the most significant line moves of any bowl game, but it agrees with the inflated spread.

Our college football bowl game opt-out tracker has you covered with the latest opt-out news and the impact on the college bowl game odds.

Syracuse vs. Washington State prediction & best pick: Holiday Bowl

College football picks based on the odds from our best college football betting sites. Odds subject to change.

  • Against the spread pick: Syracuse -16.5 () vs. Washington State ⭐⭐⭐
  • My best pick: Kyle McCord Over 2.5 passing touchdowns () ⭐⭐⭐

Syracuse vs. Washington State ATS prediction

Syracuse to cover the spread: -16.5 ⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: -110 via BetMGM | Implied probability: 52.38%

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Who is left to coach the Cougars?

Opt-outs and the transfer portal significantly impacted several teams. However, Washington State needs to deal with not only player turnover, but a mass exodus from the coaching staff.

The departure of head coach Jake Dickert (left for Wake Forest) heavily impacted the Cougars’ preparation for this bowl game. There were also vacancies after the team's offensive and defensive coordinator and running backs coaches left.

Washington State figured to be one of the few teams in the country that could keep up with Syracuse’s dynamic passing attack, as John Mateer passed for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns. 

However, Mateer has since committed to Oklahoma, leaving the Cougars without their top signal-caller.

Syracuse is setting offensive records

Syracuse scored 42 points in its regular-season finale upset of Miami, knocking the Hurricanes out of the College Football Playoff picture. 

The Orange had been averaging 31.7 points prior to that game, which would have ranked eighth on the school’s single-season record list.

Quarterback Kyle McCord already entered that game as the school’s single-season leader in passing yards. His 470 yards against UConn were the second-most during a game in school history.

The Orange should dominate time of possession

Syracuse lost the time of possession battle by more than two minutes in its upset of Miami. But the Orange ranked third in the country in time of possession entering that game, with more than 34 minutes of possession per outing.

Washington State’s offense is heavily compromised without Mateer, so the time of possession advantage should be even more magnified in this game.

Caesars is juicing this prop as high as -115 to back the favorites at -16.5. We're taking advantage of the best number at BetMGM for one of your college bowl game predictions this week.

Syracuse vs. Washington State best pick

Our NEW college football player prop odds tool can help you find the best odds on any market across legal sportsbooks in your area!

Kyle McCord Over 2.5 passing touchdowns ⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: +115 via bet365 | Implied probability: 46.51%

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Syracuse asked a lot of McCord this year, as he dropped back over 600 times and produced 29 touchdowns. 

He was set for a tough matchup on paper against a Washington State secondary that ranked in the top 35 in PFF’s coverage grade.

However, the Cougars lost 10 starters to the portal, including cornerbacks Ethan O’Connor and Stephen Hall, starting safety Adrian Wilson, and another safety in Jackson Lataimua who played 400 snaps. 

The Orange were already going to be a handful to deal with, as they're the only FBS team with at least three players averaging 67-plus receiving yards this season. But now we may not see Syracuse’s punter at all in this game as the team feasts on a decimated Cougars defense.

The only time McCord threw for three-plus touchdowns in his previous seven games was during the passer's last matchup against Miami. But it's worth a flier at plus-money odds through one of our best sportsbooks to back him to do so again. A $10 winning wager would pay out $21.50.

Syracuse vs. Washington odds

See all of this week's college football odds and NCAAF scores.

Syracuse vs. Washington State live odds

Syracuse vs. Washington State opening odds:

  • Syracuse: -6.5 (-110 via BetMGM)
  • Washington State: +6.5 (-110 via BetMGM)

Syracuse vs. Washington injuries

Holiday Bowl game info

  • When: Friday, Dec. 27
  • Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET 
  • Where: Snapdragon Stadium (San Diego, Calif.)
  • How to watch: FOX
  • Weather: 62 degrees, 1% chance of precipitation, wind 7-mph WNW
  • Favorite: Syracuse -16.5 (-110 via BetMGM)

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Written By:
Mike Spector
Mike started in the sports writing industry in July 2019, and gained a lot of followers in his first year after finishing with the No. 2 overall record in an annual NFL betting competition, which made picks against the spread, and from an Over/Under and moneyline perspective. Mike is an avid fan of the NFL, MLB, tennis, and all college sports. In his opinion, March Madness is the best sporting event there is, and he's especially euphoric starting with conference tournament time in college basketball. Mike's a big advocate of "fading the public" and making plays that are contrarian, constantly citing that "there are reasons why they have those big shiny buildings in Las Vegas." When making wagers, Mike always scours the best odds at all of the major sports betting sites, where he mostly sifts through DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and bet365. He's tried several others and is of the firm belief that bettors should not just stick to one sportsbook, as there is always likely better value to be had with the same wager. In addition, while Mike received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University, he has no issue betting against the Wildcats when it comes to college basketball wagering, and suggests other bettors should always put their “head” before their “hearts.”