The only bowl game on December 21 features a pair of 6-6 programs who won their regular season finales to gain bowl eligibility. South Florida rolled over Charlotte, 48-14, as 7 ½-point favorites at home, while Syracuse edged out Wake Forest, 35-31, at home as 1 ½-point favorites. Injuries and the transfer portal have taken their toll on these two rosters, but even so, it is bowl time for both teams. Let’s break down this matchup between South Florida vs Syracuse as you plan your NCAAF betting for the first week of bowl season.
2023 College Football Boca Raton Bowl Odds: South Florida vs Syracuse
When: Thursday, December 21, 2023, 8:00 pm ET
Where: FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, FL
TV: ESPN
Radio: No National Broadcast
Live Stream: ESPN+
NCAAF Odds: Syracuse -3 / O/U 61 // Syracuse -150 / South Florida +130
Why should you bet on the South Florida Bulls?
Obviously, this game is a lot closer to South Florida than it is to upstate New York, so the Bulls should have a large presence in the stands, but Syracuse does have a large fan base, so the Orange will have noise on their side as well. The Bulls are in their first bowl game since 2018, so their presence should be significant. Quarterback Byrum Brown has thrown for more than 3,000 yards, posting a 23:11 TD:INT ratio. He threw for 253 yards and four scores in the season finale against Charlotte, and he can also run, averaging 62.1 yards per game. The top tailback is Nay’Quan Wright, who only ran for 12 more yards this season than did Brown. Sean Atkins (81.1 receiving yards per game) and Naiem Simmons (48.4) are the top two targets.
The defense is a bit generous, permitting 34.9 points per game, creating a -4.1 average point differential. The top tackler was linebacker Jhalyn Shuler (85), and D.J. Gordon IV had 3 ½ sacks. In their 12 games, the Bulls’ defense forced 20 turnovers. A key loss on the defensive side is defensive end Lloyd Summerall, who posted 21 tackles and is now in the transfer portal.
Bet on South Florida to Win Today
| 2023 Boca Raton Bowl Odds | SPREAD | MONEYLINE | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Syracuse Orange | -3 | -150 | U 61 |
| South Florida Bulls | +3 | +130 | O 61 |
Why should you put your money on the Syracuse Orange?
Syracuse comes into the Boca Raton Bowl with an interim head coach in Nunzio Campanile, as Dino Babers was shown the gate despite getting the Orange into a bowl. Quarterback Garrett Shrader is on the shelf after having shoulder surgery. This means that freshman Braden Davis is the new starting quarterback. At 6’5” and 200 pounds, he will be hard to bring down, but he only completed one pass this season – for a six-yard loss. Tight end Dan Villari was used in Wildcat schemes during the season and could also appear at quarterback. Tailback LaQuint Allen will play – he led the team with 88.5 rushing yards per contest and scored nine times. The three best receivers, led by Damien Alford and Umari Hatcher, will all play.
The Syracuse defense only permitted 23.8 points per game. Linebacker Leon Lowery (3 ½ sacks, 46 tackles) and defensive end Terry Lockett (24 tackles) will miss the game, but Marlowe Wax, who led the Orange with 99 tackles, and Kevon Darton, who was the sack leader with five, will both play. The Syracuse defense grabbed 21 turnovers in their 12 games.
Bet on Syracuse to Win Today
South Florida vs Syracuse Final Score and Prediction
Syracuse comes in with an interim head coach (and a new head coach, who will also be on the sidelines) and with chaos at quarterback. South Florida has continuity at quarterback and head coach. It’s hard to see the Orange getting excited about this game, at least in comparison to what the Bulls will have going. I predict a final score of South Florida 24, Syracuse 16.
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South Florida vs Syracuse Boca Raton Bowl
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