Syracuse vs. Purdue Predictions, Picks & Odds Week 3
The Orange have attracted attention due to their strong start against weaker opponents, as we look at our top Syracuse-Purdue game predictions based on the best college football odds.
Syracuse has jumped out to a 2-0 start, and while the Orange haven't received much attention from AP Top 25 voters, the Football Power Index has shown great enthusiasm for this Syracuse squad.
When a middling Big Ten team like Purdue is seen as a notable step up in competition, it highlights that the quality of Syracuse's previous opponents has been lacking; the question now is whether the Orange can perform against a Power Five opponent on the road.
As part of our college football Week 3 predictions, here is our best Syracuse vs. Purdue prediction and our college football picks (odds via our best college football betting sites; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Syracuse vs. Purdue prediction: Week 3
Syracuse -2.5 (-105 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐
Though it would seem difficult to buy too much into Syracuse’s results through two games given that Western Michigan (126th in overall efficiency) and FCS Colgate were the opponents, the metrics for the Orange jump straight off the page. Syracuse ranks sixth in the nation in FPI’s overall efficiency after outscoring its two opponents 113-7.
Purdue doesn’t show as favorably with a total efficiency at No. 60 in the country. The Boilermakers have held Virginia Tech and Fresno State to an average of 63.5 rushing yards per game (T-12 in FBS) but they’ve been gashed through the air.
Purdue’s tendency to struggle against the pass (116th in FBS in pass defense, allowing 323 yards per game) contributes to its 89th-ranked defensive efficiency. While I’m not buying into Syracuse as the sixth-best team in America, I do see an advantage in this matchup for the Orange behind the efficient Mississippi State transfer Garrett Schrader.
Although the efficiency metrics give a substantial edge to Syracuse, the Orange are favored by less than a field goal. This will be Syracuse’s first road test of the season, but considering Purdue has already suffered a home loss this year to Fresno State, I’m not necessarily concerned about the environment shift for the Orange. The projected advantage in the passing game gives confidence in Syracuse covering this small spread.
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Syracuse vs. Purdue best odds
All of our best sports betting apps list Syracuse at -2.5, but shopping around for the best odds on this wager is important given the disparity across the board.
DraftKings and BetMGM are spots to avoid for Syracuse backers, as the -115 odds on this spread aren’t a strong value. Caesars and bet365 both offer the Orange at standard -110 odds. FanDuel takes the cake with Syracuse -2.5 with discounted -105 odds.
Syracuse vs. Purdue odds
Syracuse opened as a 1.5-point road favorite and has moved across the board to -2.5 at our best sports betting sites. Over 50% of the wagers have come in on the road favorite Orange.
The total opened at 56.5 and has increased by a point to 57.5 across the board. Caesars presently checks in slightly higher, at 58. Just under 70% of wagers on this game total have gone to the Over.
Syracuse vs. Purdue game info
- When: Saturday, Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m. ET
- Where: Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, IN
- How to watch: NBC
- Weather: 71 degrees, 6 mph winds, 19% chance of precipitation
Syracuse-Purdue prediction made Thursday at 2:45 p.m. ET.
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