Ohio is coming off back-to-back 10-win seasons yest they find themselves as a double-digit underdog on Saturday against a Syracuse football program which has epitomized mediocrity the last seasons by going a combined 13-13. The truth of the matter is the Bobcats were decimated by the transfer portal and graduation. This is indicative of them heading into the season ranked #127 when it comes to returning production rate. 

Syracuse made a seemingly great hire last December when they brought in former Georgia assistant coach Fran Brown to replace the ousted Dino Babers as their new head coach. Brown was named the 2023 college football national recruiter of the year by 247 Sports. Brown didn't disappoint by bringing in the 37th ranked recruiting class which is unchartered waters for the Syracuse football program. The big catch of that class was last year's Ohio State starting quarterback Kyle McCord. Brown is also the beneficiary of 16 returning starters from last year bowl team. 

Any college football Game 1 home favorite of 15.5 or greater that won 6 games or fewer the season before and has won less than 14 of their previous 22 games, resulted in those sizable home favorites going 36-13 ATS (73.5%) since 2009. Give me Syracuse minus points.