UNLV vs. Syracuse Score Prediction: Rebels Host Orange in Must-Watch Friday Night Game
By Dan Lyons,
1 days ago
One of Week 6’s unlikely headliner matchups occurs on Friday night, when 3-1 Syracuse makes the trip west to face 4-0 Group of 5 power UNLV.
The Rebels have been one of the most consequential teams in college football in the early season, for both on- and off-field reasons. UNLV is ranked in the AP Top 25 for the first time ever, with road wins over a pair of Big 12 programs (Houston and Kansas) and an absolute beatdown of fellow Mountain West contender Fresno State last week, 59-14. The Rebels are one of the highest-ranked teams in the Group of 5 Coaches Poll , and will remain in strong playoff position with a win over ACC upstart Syracuse. The Orange, in their first year under former Georgia assistant Fran Brown, are out to a strong 3-1 start. Former Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord has been one of the most prolific passers in the FBS, with 1,459 yards and 14 touchdowns so far this season.
UNLV and Syracuse have never faced off on the gridiron. The game was a late addition to the teams’ schedules, as a result of conference realignment. Army had to remove the Orange and Rebels from their 2024 schedule after joining the American Athletic Conference, leading the two programs to book this game.
UNLV is coming off of its most impressive offensive game yet, after inserting quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams after Matthew Sluka’s departure from the program.
Christopher Trim&solIMAGO
How to watch UNLV vs. Syracuse, game odds
Location: Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas Kickoff: Friday, Oct. 4 at 9:00 p.m. ET TV: FS1 Spread: UNLV -6.5 Over/Under: 58.5 Announcers: Trent Rush and Petros Papadakis
Why UNLV Will Win
Putting the ethical concerns of the Matthew Sluka NIL situation aside, it certainly looks like the Rebels have upgraded their offense with the switch to Hajj-Malik Williams at quarterback. Like Sluka, the Campbell transfer is a dual threat player, and perhaps an even more dangerous one. In his Week 5 start against Fresno State, Williams threw for 182 yards and three touchdowns, adding 119 yards and a score on the ground. He completed 13 of his 16 attempts, showing more accuracy (in a small sample) than Sluka, who completed just 43% of his throws as Rebels starter. That should help unlock Ricky White III, one of the best wide receivers in the Mountain West, who has 253 yards and five touchdowns already this year. The Rebels have played solid defense, especially in the secondary, where they’ll work to limit McCord and Syracuse’s high-flying passing game. Syracuse opponents have found success pressuring McCord, and UNLV has 13 sacks on the season, tied for 20th in the nation. The Orange have also struggled against mobile quarterbacks, with Georgia Tech’s Haynes King rushing for 67 yards and two touchdowns and Stanford’s Ashton Daniels picking up 45 yards on the ground in the Cardinal’s upset of Syracuse .
Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord has been among the most prolific passers in the country after transferring in from Ohio State.
Rich Barnes-Imagn Images
Why Syracuse Will Win
McCord continues to put up big numbers every week , and has been impressive in his ability to spread the ball around. The Orange have seven legitimate threats in the passing game at this point, headlined by Trebor Pena (316 yards, five touchdowns) and Jackson Meeks, who exploded for 161 yards and a touchdown against Holy Cross. Oronde Gadsden II, an NFL talent at tight end, hasn’t had a big game since his 93-yard, two touchdown performance in the win over Georgia Tech, as he increasingly faces double teams. That has opened up space for other receivers to make plays, and puts significant pressure on opposing defenses. Syracuse’s defense has had tough moments, but fields a talented, opportunistic secondary that should present more challenges than the two struggling Big 12 defenses that UNLV has faced. If Williams looks to beat the Orange with his legs, expect the Orange to use athletic pass rusher Fadil Diggs, an offseason transfer from Texas A&M, as a spy to keep him contained.
Final Analysis
Friday’s game should be one of the most even matchups of Week 6. McCord has put up incredible numbers when kept clean, but will turn the ball over when teams bring pressure, and Syracuse’s offensive line has struggled against a Syracuse pass rush. UNLV’s ability to get in the backfield and get the Orange offense out of rhythm will decide the game.
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