SMU Mustangs vs Syracuse Orange Prediction, 10/31/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: SMU Mustangs vs Syracuse Orange

Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026

Location: JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, NY

TV: ESPN2

Odds/Point Spread: Orange (+8.5)

Total/Over-Under: 58

JMA Wireless Dome is the location where the Syracuse Orange (3-4) will attempt to defeat the SMU Mustangs (6-1) on Saturday, October 31, 2026. Syracuse opens this game as 8.5-point underdogs. The total comes in at 58.

The SMU Mustangs head into this matchup 6-1 for this season. In their last game, the Mustangs played the California Golden Bears and took home the win by a score of 59-20. The SMU Mustangs rushed the ball a total of 44 times and accumulated 256 yds, which came out to an average of 5.8 yds per attempt. Once the final whistle blew, they tallied 68 plays for 492 yards. SMU gave up 27 pass completions on 38 attempts for a total of 265 yds, and a completion rate of 71.1%. When it came to the battle of the line of scrimmage, the Mustangs conceded 40 yards on 28 tries, which calculates to 1.4 yds per rush surrendered.

The Mustangs have earned 3,292 total yards over the course of this season. When it comes to getting the ball in the endzone, SMU has totaled 21 touchdowns via the pass and 13 rushing touchdowns. They have surrendered the ball 9 times. SMU has accumulated 173 first downs, and they have been called for 50 penalties for 464 yds. Offensively they're averaging 157.1 yards in the run game which is 66th in Division 1. When talking about scoring points, the SMU Mustangs hold an average of 36.4 points per contest.

When it comes to yards via the pass, the Mustangs have allowed 1,254 yds which ranks them 19th in D-1. They have surrendered 179.1 yards per game through the air and giving up a completion percentage of 60.9%. In total, they have relinquished 303.3 yards/contest putting them 24th in college football. They have conceded 9 touchdowns via the pass as well as 8 touchdowns running the ball. Opposing teams are running for an average of 3.8 yards per run and 124.1 rushing yards per game on the season. For the year, they have given up 869 yards on the ground through 7 contests. The Mustangs are sitting in 48th in D-1 in terms of team defense, allowing 21.1 points per contest.

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The Orange head into this game 3-4 for this season. The last time they took the field, the Orange walked away with a victory by a final of 31-30 when they faced the North Carolina Tar Heels. Syracuse rushed the ball for 4.1 yards per tote, finishing with a total of 199 yds on 49 attempts. The Orange finished the game with a total of 455 yds on 83 plays (5.5 yds per play). The Orange secondary gave up a completion rate of 61.4%, surrendering 271 yds on 27 for 44 through the air. Syracuse conceded 25 rushing attempts for 101 yards (4.0 yards per rush).

In relation to their scoring prowess, the Orange are 52nd in the nation with an average of 31.6 points per game. The Syracuse Orange have an average of 450.6 yards/game, ranking them 22nd in Division 1. The Syracuse offense has racked up 631 yds of penalties on 68 violations, which has them ranked 6th in the country in terms of hurting your team. They have thrown 9 interceptions while allowing opponents to recover 1 fumble and they have been able to tally 185 1st downs. For the year so far, the Orange have thrown for 2,003 yards through the air in addition to an average of 286.1 passing yards per contest, which ranks 15th in college football. They are averaging 164.4 yards per game on the ground and have run for 1,151 yards for the year.

The Orange are relinquishing 26.3 PPG, which puts them 94th in D-1. Syracuse has allowed a total of 938 yards on the ground (134.0 yards/game) in addition to 14 touchdowns by way of the ground game for the campaign. They have surrendered 9 touchdowns from the passing game as well as 202.3 yards/outing, which has them ranked 53rd in the country. The Orange defense has been on the field for 439 plays, ranking them 30th in Division 1. Their defense has totaled 4 fumbles recovered and 4 interceptions for the year. This season, they have surrendered 184 pts.

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

Josh's Pick: Take the Mustangs -8.5

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