The 45th edition of the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl will unite teams from opposite coasts, showcasing a clash between Syracuse of the ACC and Washington State representing the Pac-12. This exciting matchup is set to take place on Friday, December 27.
Syracuse closed out their season in strong fashion, stringing together three consecutive victories to finish with a 9-3 record. The highlight came in their season finale, where they toppled a highly-ranked Miami squad, which held the No. 6 spot nationally at the time.
The 2024 season brought renewed energy to Syracuse football, fueled by Fran Brown’s hiring and his recruiting success. Key additions like former Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord, Georgia wide receiver Jackson Meeks, and Texas A&M defensive end Fadil Diggs, along with returning leaders Oronde Gadsden, Marlowe Wax, and Justin Barron, raised expectations further. A strong finish to the recruiting cycle cemented fan optimism.
Syracuse validated the hype with a standout season, including early wins over Georgia Tech and UNLV, clutch performances, and milestones like four November victories, multiple road conference wins, and a top-10 upset. McCord led the nation in passing yards, Trebor Pena topped the ACC in receptions, and Syracuse dominated the ACC leaderboards in receiving stats, with LeQuint Allen tying for second in total touchdowns.
The regular season ended in dramatic fashion against No. 6 Miami, a team heavily favored and vying for an ACC Championship Game berth. Despite falling behind 21-0 early, Syracuse stormed back, outscoring Miami 41-17 the rest of the way to secure a thrilling 41-38 victory and their second nine-win regular season since 2001.
Washington State (+168)
Washington State, appearing in the Holiday Bowl for the fifth time, wrapped up their season with an 8-4 record. After a strong 8-1 start, the Cougars stumbled in their final three games. Each was decided by a single score, with defeats coming against New Mexico, Oregon State, and Wyoming.
The Cougars kicked off the season with four consecutive wins, highlighted by victories against Texas Tech and Washington. Under the guidance of head coach Jake Dickert, redshirt sophomore quarterback John Mateer delivered a historic performance, shattering school records for rushing yards and touchdowns in a single season. Mateer also led the nation in total touchdowns accounted for. This year’s Holiday Bowl selection marks Washington State’s eighth bowl appearance in nine years and their 11th in the past 13 seasons.
Syracuse vs. Washington State Prediction and Betting Picks
Syracuse has covered the spread in six of their 12 games this season. Washington State holds a 5-6 record against the spread. The Cougars have failed to cover as underdogs of 5.5 points or greater in their lone opportunity this year. In terms of totals, seven of Syracuse’s 12 games have gone over. This compares to five of Washington State’s 11 matchups hitting the over. Syracuse to win and cover the spread.
Starting out in the betting industry, Henry later found his calling in sports writing. Specializing in soccer, golf, and darts, he also offers insights into a wide array of sports across the globe. After earning a BA Honors degree in Business and Management, Henry advanced through the ranks at William Hill in England. His career isn't just limited to sports; he's also made a mark in Property and Finance, fields in which he remains engaged. Henry now resides in Barcelona, where he enjoys playing golf year-round as part of the Real Federacion Espanola de Golf.