Week 1: Rams vs Orange Odds

College football betting sees the Syracuse Orange taking on the Rhode Island Rams Thursday September 4th at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football predictions.

Syracuse (0-0) vs. Rhode Island (0-0)
Week 1
Date: Friday, September 4th
Time: 7:30 PM
Venue:Carrier Dome, Syracuse, New York
NCAA Football Spread: N/A
NCAA Betting Total:  N/A
NCAA Moneyline Odds: N/A

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This will be a game between two teams that really struggled to get anything positive going in the 2014 season, both squads could very well be in for another long season this season as well.

Rhode Island head coach Jim Fleming will be entering his 2nd year as coach of URI, after going 22 – 1 as the coach of Sacred Heart. 11 out of his 12 losses as a coach, came last season alone with the Rams. He is trying to rebuild the football program at URI, but will surely struggle again this year and it’s going to take some time.

Syracuse’s problem last year was the plague of injuries that crippled the team, from starting QB Terrell Hunt to play makers Brisly Estime and Ashton Broyld.

With all that offensive fire power shut down for them, Syracuse could only manage 13 PPG and 167 yards per game during conference play.

Syracuse will get Hunt back at the QB spot this year, but will lose their top two rushers from last year, causing worry offensively for the Orange.

Syracuse

Syracuse will be looking to improve on a very underwhelming season in which they finished with a record of 3 – 9, including 1 – 7 in conference play.

The Orange are excited to get QB Hunt back in the pocket, but he will have to get him back used to things, I think a game versus an easier RI team is a great game for him to get back to the routine.

He is expected to do a lot of passing with their 2 top rushers from last year not returning.

Last year Syracuse’s defense wasn’t the best, allowing 24 PPG. They have lost eight of their starters from last season on the defensive side of the ball, so expect things to get off to a shaky start while the players get used to each other. The Orange will rely heavily on DE Thompson and LB Hodge to lead the fight defensively.

Rhode Island

Second year head coach Jim Fleming is on a mission to improve this school’s football program and he knows it’s going to take a lot of work to get it to where he wants.

Fleming’s squad had a rough year last season as they got beat up every game, completing the season with a 1 – 11 record, including 1 – 7 in the Colonial conference.

Not sure if this is good news or bad news, but 18 starters will be returning from last, Fleming is sure hoping the experience of last year can benefit them this season.

This season’s starting QB James Caparell threw 3 TDs and 9 INTs last season, completing 46% of his passes for 746 yards.

Harold Cooper was the team’s leading rusher last season, going for 417 yards on 4.6 yards per carry.

As a whole the Rams really had a hard time moving the ball last year, averaging only 266 yards per game.

To put their struggles into perspective, the entire offense averaged 266 yards per game last year, while their run defense alone allowed 231 yards per game, a total of 443 yards per game and 34 points per game.

On top of that the Rams have also lost their leading tackler LB Andrew Bose.

NCAA Football Handicapping Trends

• The Rams are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games
• The Rams 1-4 ATS in their last 5 non-conference games.
• The Orange are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games overall
• The Orange 1-6 ATS in their last 7 home games.

Week 1 NCAA Football Prediction

Both teams and especially coaches for their jobs’ sake, will be praying for a better season than the last. I can see this game getting really ugly for URI with all of their woes.

This game will depend of the front lines, Rhode Island is returning 4 of their 5 starters on last years offensive line, while Syracuse lost 8 starters from last years defense and several new defensive lineman will be making their debut for the Orange.

4* Free NCAA Betting Pick: Syracuse

Rhode Island would really need a lot of things to go right for them if they want to stay in this game. I think if their O-Line can contain the Syracuse blitz and give room for their QB Caparell to operate, maybe they get their run game going a little bit, they could make things interesting.

Ultimately the quality of talent on this healthy Syracuse squad should outplay Rhode Island. By a wide margin.

Week 1 Score Prediction: Syracuse 34 – Rhode Island 9

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