Stanford Cardinal at Syracuse Orange: ACC Opener Under the Friday Night Lights
When: Friday, September 20, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, New York
Spread: Syracuse -9.5 (WagerWeb)
Total: 57
Model Prediction: 24-24 Tie (Value on Stanford +9.5)
The Storylines:
The Friday night lights will shine bright on the JMA Wireless Dome as the Syracuse Orange host the Stanford Cardinal in a compelling ACC matchup. This game marks Stanford’s first foray into ACC conference play, adding an extra layer of intrigue to an already fascinating clash.
Syracuse enters the game undefeated, riding high on the arm of transfer quarterback Kyle McCord. The Ohio State product has been lighting up the scoreboard, completing 69% of his passes for a staggering 735 yards and eight touchdowns in just two games.
However, Stanford presents a unique challenge. The Cardinal boast a dual-threat quarterback in Ashton Daniels, whose mobility could exploit Syracuse’s early-season struggles against running quarterbacks. Daniels’ ability to extend plays and scramble for yards will be a key factor in this matchup.
Both teams are looking to build on promising starts to the season. Stanford, after a disappointing 3-10 campaign last year, has shown signs of improvement under second-year coach Troy Taylor. Syracuse, meanwhile, is aiming to carry their early momentum into conference play under new head coach Fran Brown.
Key Matchups:
- Syracuse’s Pass Defense vs. Ashton Daniels: Syracuse’s defense will need to find ways to contain Daniels and limit his impact on the ground.
- Stanford’s Defense vs. Kyle McCord: The Cardinal defense will be tasked with slowing down McCord’s aerial assault. They’ll need to generate pressure and force turnovers to keep Stanford in the game.
Prediction:
Our model predicts a 24-24 tie, suggesting that this game could be closer than the oddsmakers anticipate. Stanford’s ability to exploit Syracuse’s weakness against mobile quarterbacks could be the key to keeping this game within reach. Given the predicted close margin, there appears to be value in taking Stanford plus the points (+9.5).
Overall:
This Friday night matchup promises to be an exciting contest with plenty of storylines. Stanford’s ACC debut, the clash of styles between a pass-heavy Syracuse offense and a Stanford team that relies on its dual-threat quarterback, and the potential for a close game all add up to a must-watch matchup.
Our Pick – Stanford +9.5