Tulane-Syracuse
Time: 12:30 PM EST, Sept 21
Spread: SYR -17
M/L: SYR -800, TUL +550
O/U: 54.5

The Syracuse Orange sit at 1-2, but it’s been a rough start to the season. The team shutout Wagner (woo?) last week 54-0 but lost its first two matchups to Penn State and Northwestern by a combined score of 71-44.

Then-No. 19 Northwestern went bonkers against the Orange, amassing 581 yards and 375 in the air, as Trevor Sieman and Kain Colter combined to throw 30-of-37 with four combined TDs and no picks. Syracuse won’t face anywhere near that kind of challenge this week against Tulane though, and college football oddsmakers at 5dimes accordingly find the Orange to be 17 point favorites.

One problem for the Orange has been the inexperience at QB. Despite being a senior, Drew Allen had not seen any significant time prior to this year, which leaves the Oranges’ season prospects somewhat in the realm of the unknown. Allen has a big strong 6’5″ frame, and can handle hits, and he’s a pretty accurate arm too (57.3 percent this season).

Allen has a host of receiving options in Jarrod West (10 catches), Ashton Broyld (18) and Christopher Clark (11), so Syracuse could open this one up by airing it out. It’s even likely, considering both of Syracuse’s featured backs, Jerome Smith and Prince-Tyson Gulley, are averaging a paltry 4.4 yards and 3.2 yards, respectively.

Tulane comes in with a winning record, but don’t let the 2-1 deceive, as the team has faced Jackson State, South Alabama (L) and La Tech in the first three weeks. The Green Wave have a soft schedule, though, and this week against Syracuse is unarguably their toughest outing of the year. Nick Montana has had success throwing the ball, but really only has one receiving option in Ryan Grant. Grant’s 24 catches are nearly half of the team’s 56 receptions.

When not throwing to Grant, Orleans Darkwa and Rob Kelley have done a solid job rushing the ball, and have combined for nearly 300 yards together. The Green Wave ostensibly have some options offensively that could give Syracuse issues, and though college football oddsmakers set the Moneyline at extremely unfavorable odds, Tulane has a reasonable shot at covering this spread given their offensive talents. Contrary to that only runs the fact that the Tulane defense gave up 465 yards to South Alabama, while amassing only 372.

Check out our winning picks this season here at Maddux Sports!