SMU vs Syracuse Picks and Predictions for Saturday, October 31, 2026
SMU visits Syracuse on Saturday after putting 59 points on California last weekend. The No. 19 Mustangs are 6-1 and second in the ACC at 4-1, following that 59-20 victory. Syracuse sits 17th in the conference at 1-4 and is 3-4 overall, although the Orange just beat North Carolina 31-30 in overtime. Kickoff is at 12:00 pm ET from the JMA Wireless Dome on ESPN2. SMU is favored by 10 points, with the total at 58.5. Cash a winning ticket using our free NCAAF picks.
SMU Finding Ways to Win
California had no answer for SMU last Saturday. The Mustangs scored 59 points, their highest total of the season, and allowed only 20. It was their fourth straight victory since losing 41-31 at Louisville in September. SMU had beaten Virginia 23-13 and Boston College 25-16 before the California game. Those weren't particularly high-scoring performances, but the defense did enough to give the offense room to work. The Mustangs have also won their last three conference games, putting them close to the top of the ACC standings.
Kevin Jennings has completed 72.6% of his passes for 2,062 yards and 19 touchdowns. He's thrown five interceptions, but only eight sacks have been recorded against him. Kendrick Raphael has helped on the ground, rushing for 641 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 5.3 per carry. Yamir Knight leads SMU's receivers with 443 yards, although the passing production is spread around. Defensively, Marques White has 5.5 sacks, and Alexander Kilgore leads the team with 39 tackles. Syracuse will have plenty to handle on both sides.
Injuries: Tyren Polley Jr., D. Green, Ira Singleton IV and L. Rhodes are out. M. Uter, Nick Reed and C. Reed are questionable.
Syracuse Has Been Playing Close Games
Syracuse needed overtime to beat North Carolina 31-30 last Saturday. It was the Orange's second overtime victory this season, following a 42-41 win at UConn earlier in October. The problem is what happened between those games. Syracuse lost 28-25 at Virginia and 34-26 against Louisville. The Orange have also fallen to Pittsburgh, leaving them with just one ACC victory. They've scored enough to make several games interesting, but their defense hasn't been giving them much breathing room.
Umari Hatcher has been Syracuse's biggest weapon, catching 54 passes for 887 yards and eight touchdowns. Quarterback Steve Angeli has thrown for 987 yards, with six touchdowns and five interceptions, although he's questionable for Saturday. Malachi Nelson has added 532 passing yards, and Amari Odom has another 398. Tylik Hill leads the rushing attack with 461 yards. Syracuse's defense has some playmakers, including Davien Kerr with three interceptions and Tunmise Adeleye with four sacks. Chris D'Appolonia leads the Orange with 51 tackles.
Injuries: N. Edwards is out. Amari Odom, Tripp Woody and Steve Angeli are questionable.
Key To The Game
Syracuse has allowed at least 27 points in each of its last five games, which is worrying against Jennings and SMU. The Mustangs have plenty of ways to move the football, particularly with Raphael running well. Syracuse can respond through Hatcher, but its quarterback situation deserves attention. Both Angeli and Odom are questionable, leaving some uncertainty about who will handle the passing game. SMU has been more reliable defensively, and getting pressure on Syracuse's quarterback could decide how competitive this becomes.
SMU vs Syracuse Game Pick
- SMU Mustangs -10
Syracuse has been entertaining lately, but that doesn't mean the Orange have been convincing. Their last two victories required overtime, and the defense has struggled throughout October. SMU arrives with four consecutive wins and just put up 59 points against California. Jennings has been accurate, and Raphael gives the Mustangs a running threat Syracuse will have trouble containing. The quarterback injury concerns make things even tougher for the Orange. I expect SMU to establish control before halftime and eventually pull away. I'll take the Mustangs to cover the 10-point spread.
SMU vs Syracuse Over/Under Pick
- Over 58.5
Syracuse's recent scores make the over worth considering. The Orange have played consecutive games producing 61, 60 and 53 combined points, with another finishing at 83 against UConn. SMU's latest game produced 79 points, and Jennings has thrown 19 touchdowns this season. Syracuse's defense has struggled, but Hatcher gives the Orange a chance to contribute through the passing game. Even if SMU builds a comfortable lead, Syracuse has shown it can score late. I'm expecting the Mustangs to do most of the damage, with enough help from Syracuse to take this over 58.5.