Stanford vs Syracuse Picks and Prediction – 9/20/2024

In Friday night college football action, the Stanford Cardinal will invade the JMA Wireless Dome to face the Syracuse Orange. Make sure you are ready for all the football action with our college football picks. This will be the ACC Conference debut for the Cardinal (1-1), who are averaging 361.5 yards and 34 points per contest. Last time out, Stanford outscored FCS Cal Poly by 27 points during the second half of a 41-7 home victory. 

Stanford took a 14-7 halftime lead on a two-yard touchdown run by Justin Lamson. Tiger Bachmeier returned a punt 90 yards for a score early in the third quarter. Ashton Daniels threw for 221 yards and two touchdowns for the Cardinal, who outgained the Mustangs by a 437-229 margin. 

There is plenty of optimism in Syracuse with the arrival of new head coach Fran Brown and Ohio State transfer QB Kyle McCord. The Orange (2-0) feature an explosive passing attack that averages 367.5 yards and is scoring close to 35 points per game. Last week, Syracuse amassed 5151 yards of total offense during an entertaining 31-28 home victory versus 23rd ranked Georgia Tech. 

Syracuse QB Kyle McCord completed 32 of 46 passes for 381 yards and four touchdowns. Oronde Gadsen II caught six passes for 93 yards and found the end zone twice. Lequint Allen contributed a game-high 83 rushing yards for the Orange. 

Stanford ranks 10th nationally in returning production from last season and are very well coached by Troy Taylor. Syracuse really struggled to stop the run in their season opening victory against Ohio and the Cardinal will find success in that area. Take Stanford to keep things close and cover the number. Final Score Prediction, Syracuse Orange win 31-27.