Cardinals phenom Isaac Brown waited for fullback Justyn Reid to reach a Florida State linebacker, then raced 97 yards for a touchdown. Louisville’s running back finished with 235 yards on 17 carries in a 44–20 win. Syracuse gets that offense at 7:30 p.m. Saturday for Family Weekend, their first game at the JMA Wireless Dome in five weeks. Below is my preview, prediction, and pick for today’s college football game between the Syracuse Orange and the Louisville Cardinals.
Here’s how I’ll play it. I’ll be pumping out these predictions for individual games all season, with plenty of coverage here on DraftKings Network. Follow my handle @dansby_edits for more betting plays.
For easy access to tail my CFB picks swiftly, click here to join the CFB Committee Betting Group on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Syracuse vs. Louisville prediction, preview
Louisville blocked that touchdown beautifully, from Reid meeting the linebacker head-on to receiver Lawayne McCoy staying with his man downfield. The Cardinals continued opening lanes after left tackle Anwar O’Neal departed and Lance Robinson moved across from the right. O’Neal remains out; right tackle Cason Henry is probable. Crowd noise could complicate protection calls for that reshuffled line. A false start would give Syracuse a chance to rush instead of absorb another running play.
Syracuse needs their linebackers to reach Brown before he accelerates. UConn back Cyncir Bowers gashed them for 163 yards on 16 carries, and linebacker Antoine Deslauriers is questionable. Louisville quarterback Lincoln Kienholz makes that pursuit harder: Florida State defenders stepped toward him on an option, freeing the running back outside. Offensive coordinator Brian Brohm, who assumed play-calling last week, should return to those exchanges. Kienholz also overlooked Brown underneath while hunting a deep completion. Against Syracuse’s tighter coverage, he needs those easy completions when McCoy cannot shake free downfield.
Tylik Hill gives Syracuse a way to answer on the ground. The running back followed 140 rushing yards at UConn with 118 at Virginia, and Louisville coach Jeff Brohm still faults his defense for conceding runs through the middle. Those gains would spare Syracuse some desperate passing downs. Receiver Umari Hatcher caught a pass behind the line at Virginia and ran for an 11-yard gain. Later, he hauled in a 51-yard throw during a 91-yard touchdown drive. Louisville has to tackle him immediately, especially when Hill has already shortened the distance to a first down.
Louisville vs. Syracuse pick, best bet
Quarterback Malachi Nelson directed that possession, but he and Steve Angeli remain questionable; Amari Odom is out. Angeli has resumed first-team practice reps after throwing five interceptions against FBS opponents this season. If neither can play, Georgetown transfer Danny Lauter has starting experience, though his six throws at Virginia leave considerable uncertainty about this offense.
After Hill burst 48 yards at Virginia, Syracuse gained just four on the next three plays and missed a field goal. Louisville edge rusher A.J. Green forced intentional grounding after Florida State reached the Cardinals’ 30, driving the Seminoles backward before they punted. I expect Hill and Hatcher to earn scoring chances, but too many possessions should end with Syracuse asking an unsettled quarterback to convert third-and-long. Louisville can finish with Brown or Kienholz running. Nelson’s possible return stops me at 15.5.
Best bet: Louisville -15.5 (-110).
Projected score: Louisville 38, Syracuse 20.
Best Bet: Louisville -15.5 (-110) at Syracuse
For easy access to tail my CFB picks swiftly, click here to join the CFB Committee Betting Group on DraftKings Sportsbook.
