Syracuse vs. Virginia Tech: Orange open as 16.5-point underdogs

When the Syracuse Orange host the Virginia Tech Hokies this Saturday, October 15, they’ll be significant underdogs. According to opening betting lines, anyway, the Orange are 16.5-point underdogs.

SU, as you know, comes into the matchup at 2-4 (0-2) and hasn’t grabbed a win since beating UConn 31-24 several weeks ago. The Orange haven’t played at the Carrier Dome since week three, a 45-20 defeat at the hands of USF. Virginia Tech, on the other hand, is 4-1 (2-0), and was ranked 25th heading into last weekend. After beating then-Coastal favorite North Carolina 34-3 down in Chapel Hill, they’re likely to be a top 15 or so team when they arrive in Syracuse.

Given all of that, the several-score advantage Vegas is projecting for the Hokies seems to make a lot of sense. Syracuse’s offense sputtered against Wake Forest, scoring just nine points against the Deacons. Virginia Tech has thus far been a better defense (according to the numbers) than that one the Orange saw just a few days ago.

The line could jump plenty in either direction as the week goes on, but no swing is likely to put Syracuse within a score. Vegas hasn’t released an over/under here just yet. However it’ll prove challenging given the Orange’s dip in offensive production creating some doubt over our year-long thoughts to just bet the over for any SU game.

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