Syracuse Vs. Rutgers betting odds and predictions: Scarlet Knights 7.5-point favorites over Orange

For maybe the last time in awhile Saturday the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and Syracuse Orange football programs will square off in a Big East Conference showdown at High Point Solutions Stadium. According to the oddsmakers, Rutgers (5-0, 2-0 Big East) will enter as a 7 1/2-point favorite against the visiting Orange (2-3, 1-0).

This is the third time this season Syracuse will enter as the underdog. The Scarlet Knights are 3-2 against the spread. Meanwhile, the over/under sits at 48 points.

As for the match up, Syracuse features an air-it-out offense that likes to spread out the defense and move in a no-huddle style. Its defense is solid up front with some leaks at linebacker and holes in the secondary. Rutgers uses a ground-and-pound offense that is led by senior running back Jawan Jamison and quarterback Gary Nova. Its defense is ranked second in the Big East in total yards allowed per game.

Overall, the Rutgers is 11-30-1 Syracuse all-time including losses in two of the last three meetings. Last season, the Scarlet Knights defeated the Orange, 19-16, in overtime. In '10, Syracuse downed Rutgers in Piscataway, 13-10.

Prediction

There's a chance Rutgers is overlooking a Syracuse squad that features an offense it hasn't seen before this season. This will be a solid test for each side, but in the end points matter and the Orange come away with a solid road victory.

Final score: Syracuse 24, Rutgers 21