The Syracuse Orange'(6-6) battle the'South Florida Bulls (6-6) in the RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl Thursday. Kick from FAU Stadium is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s'lines around the Syracuse vs. USF'odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
Syracuse closed its season with a 35-31 win over Wake Forest to cover as a 2.5-point home favorite to earn bowl eligibility. QB Garrett Shrader – who will be out Thursday after undergoing shoulder surgery – went 10 of 15 for 173 yards with 3 touchdowns and an interception. His top receiver was WR Damien Alford, who hauled in 4 receptions for 126 yards and 2 TDs. While Shrader (10 carries for 46 yards) scored the Orange’s sole rushing TD, it was RB LeQuint Allen'(32 for 144) who led the team in rushing.
Redshirt freshman QB'Braden Davis'is expected to start for Syracuse – he completed his only pass attempt in the regular season for -6 yards.
USF ended its 2023 campaign with a 48-14 win over Charlotte to cover as a 6-point home favorite. QB Byrum Brown'threw for 253 yards with 4 TDs and an INT on a 22-of-30 performance. RB'Kelley Joiner'led the team in receiving with 4 receptions for 71 yards and 2 TDs. Brown had the Bulls’ only rushing TD while RB'Michel Dukes (15 carries for 104 yards) led the team in rushing.