Louisville Cardinals vs Syracuse Orange Prediction, 10/17/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Louisville Cardinals vs Syracuse Orange

Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026

Location: JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, NY

TV: ACC Network

Odds/Point Spread: Orange (+14.0)

Total/Over-Under: 55.5

JMA Wireless Dome is the site where the Syracuse Orange (2-3) will take on the Louisville Cardinals (3-3) on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Syracuse is 14-point dogs from Vegas oddsmakers. The total has been set at 55.5.

The Louisville Cardinals head into this game 3-3 this season. The last time they stepped onto the field, the Cardinals faced off with the Florida State Seminoles and took home the win by a score of 44-20. The Louisville Cardinals ran the rock 43 different times and accounted for 397 yds, which had them averaging 9.2 yards per tote. When all was said and done, they tallied 58 plays which gave them 537 yards. Louisville relinquished 21 completions on 38 tries for a total of 209 yds, and a completion percentage of 55.3%. When it came to stopping the run, the Cardinals conceded 153 yards on 39 attempts, which calculates to 3.9 yards per rush allowed.

The Cardinals have attained 2,967 total yards over the course of this year. In terms of distribution of touchdowns, Louisville has amassed 10 passing touchdowns and 21 touchdowns via the ground. They have turned the football over 4 different times. Louisville has a total of 138 1st downs as a unit, and they have been flagged for 43 infractions for 447 yards. As a unit they average 231.7 yards rushing which is 11th in Division 1. In terms of putting points on the board, the Louisville Cardinals are sitting at 39.5 points per outing.

The Cardinals rank 104th in college football when it comes to the opposition scoring, conceding 27.7 points per game. The opposition is running for 3.9 yards per rush and 155.7 rushing yards per game for the year. Over the course of this season, they have conceded 934 yards on the ground through 6 games. When talking about passing yardage, the Cardinals have given up 1,543 yds which ranks them 127th in the country. They are conceding 257.2 yards per outing via the pass as well as allowing a completion percentage of 60.3%. Over the course of this season, they are conceding 412.8 yards per contest ranking them 123rd in the country. They have given up 10 touchdowns via the pass and 9 touchdowns running the ball.

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The Orange head into this game 2-3 this year. When they last stepped on the field, the Orange got the victory with a final of 42-41 when they faced the Connecticut Huskies. Syracuse ran the ball for 3.6 yards per carry, finishing the game with 174 yds on 48 carries. The Orange finished the game with 509 yds and they ran 85 plays (6.0 yds per play). The Orange pass defense allowed a completion percentage of 50.0%, surrendering 318 yds on 20 for 40 through the air. Syracuse gave up 34 running attempts for 181 yards (5.3 yds per rush).

In terms of this team's ability to score points, the Orange are sitting 52nd in the country averaging 32.8 points per contest. The Syracuse Orange hold an average of 447.4 yards/game, which has them sitting 37th in the country. The Syracuse offense has accrued 478 penalty yds on 53 violations, which has them ranked 5th in D-1 in terms of helping out the other team. They have given away 7 picks while surrendering 0 fumbles and they have obtained 136 1st downs. For the year to this point, the Orange have racked up 1,408 yards via the pass together with an average of 281.6 passing yards per outing, which is ranked 20th in the nation. They hold an average of 165.8 yards per game on the ground and have toted the ball for 829 yards for the season.

Syracuse has surrendered a total of 722 rushing yards (144.4 yards per game) and 9 touchdowns rushing for the season. They have conceded 6 touchdowns through the air in addition to 167.0 yards per game, ranking them 20th in Division 1. Over the course of the season, they have given up 120 points in total. Their defense has tallied 4 fumbles and 2 interceptions so far this year. The Orange defense has been on the field for 309 plays, which is 16th in Division 1. The Orange are surrendering 24.0 points per game, which has them ranked 75th in the nation.

Who will win tonight's Cardinals/Orange college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Cardinals -14.0

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