Syracuse (6-2, 3-2 ACC) is set to face Boston College (4-4, 1-3) on Saturday at 12 p.m. EST, televised on The CW.
The current betting odds from BetMGM place Boston College as a slight favorite by 1½ points.
Historically, Syracuse has the advantage in their series, leading with 34 victories to Boston College’s 23.
This matchup carries significant implications as Boston College seeks two more wins to become bowl eligible. With just four games remaining, they have a tight schedule ahead, including two challenges against ranked opponents.
On the other hand, Syracuse is looking to secure their seventh win, which would mark the second time in six years they hit that milestone, inching closer to a coveted 10-win season, a feat they haven’t achieved since 2001.
A key highlight in this game will be the contest between Syracuse running back LeQuint Allen and the Boston College defense.
Allen displayed an impressive performance last week against Virginia Tech, rushing for 121 yards on 21 carries and scoring three touchdowns, including a crucial score in the final seconds of regulation and another in overtime to clinch the victory.
Currently, Boston College has been allowing an average of 140 rushing yards per game, ranking 10th in the ACC.
Several players will be critical to watch in this matchup. For Syracuse, linebacker Marlowe Wax has recently earned ACC linebacker of the week honors, showcasing his skills with 1.5 sacks and nine tackles in the comeback win against Virginia Tech.
He also forced a fumble and recorded a recovery during the game.
On the Boston College side, running back Treshaun Ward leads the Eagles with 369 rushing yards.
He has also made an impact in the passing game with 251 receiving yards, recently catching his fourth touchdown pass of the season against Louisville, making him the first BC running back since 2007 to achieve at least four receiving touchdowns.
This game is also notable as it commemorates the 100th anniversary of the teams’ initial meeting, which Syracuse won 10-0.
Since joining the ACC, Syracuse leads the last 11 matchups with a record of 5-6.
In their recent performances, Syracuse managed a comeback from being down 21-3 against Virginia Tech, while Boston College faced adversity after surrendering a 20-0 lead against Louisville.
Additionally, Boston College’s defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku stands out nationally, ranking fifth in the country with nine sacks and contributing 12 tackles for a loss.
The Eagles’ defense has been a force this season, recording 11 interceptions, positioning them 14th in the FBS rankings, although they had nine interceptions last year.