This week, Holy Cross (1-3) is set to face off against Syracuse (2-1) in a college football matchup on Saturday at 12 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on ACC Extra/ESPN+. According to BetMGM College Football Odds, Syracuse is favored to win by 28 1/2 points. Syracuse holds the series record with 24 wins compared to Holy Cross’ 5.

Syracuse is coming off a tough loss against Stanford last week and will be looking to bounce back strongly against Holy Cross. A convincing win against Holy Cross is vital for Syracuse as they prepare to face tougher opponents in the upcoming games. Conversely, Holy Cross will aim to keep the game competitive and potentially secure a moral victory before entering Patriot League play.

A key matchup to watch out for is between Holy Cross’ running game and Syracuse’s rushing defense, which has been inconsistent this season ranking 104th nationally. Syracuse’s offensive line will also be under scrutiny after allowing four sacks in the previous game. Improvement in protecting the quarterback and creating running lanes will be crucial for Syracuse against upcoming stronger competition.

Players to keep an eye on include linebacker Frankie Monte from Holy Cross, who had an outstanding performance with 17 tackles in the last game. For Syracuse, tight end Oronde Gadsden II will need to find ways to contribute offensively, especially after being double covered against Stanford.

Some notable facts and figures include Holy Cross forcing 10 fumbles and Syracuse maintaining an undefeated record of 21-0 against FCS teams. Syracuse’s quarterback, Kyle McCord, has been impressive with three consecutive games throwing for over 300 yards. Syracuse’s passing offense ranks fourth nationally, while their rushing offense lags behind at 117th.

After playing four consecutive home games to start the season, Syracuse will hit the road for three games before returning home to face Virginia Tech. Holy Cross has faced close losses, including a narrow defeat against Yale, and will strive for a better outcome against Syracuse following their lone win over Bryant.

This matchup between Holy Cross and Syracuse presents an opportunity for both teams to showcase their strengths and make adjustments as they progress through their respective seasons.