Syracuse Football: Holy Cross at SU how to watch, betting odds, prediction in week 5

Syracuse football wraps up its four-game home stand to start the 2024 season on Saturday afternoon, when the Orange will host Holy Cross at the JMA Wireless Dome.

The 'Cuse, last Friday night on the Hill, suffered a heart-breaking setback to fellow Atlantic Coast Conference member Stanford, 26-24, on a last-second field goal by the Cardinal.

Without question, Syracuse football had opportunities to knock off Stanford in Central New York, but the Orange's rushing attack was held in check, senior quarterback Kyle McCord threw two interceptions (including a pick-six), the Cardinal generated 173 yards on the ground, and the 'Cuse committed way too many penalties.

Given that Syracuse football was a sizable betting favorite at home versus Stanford, this proved a rough outcome for the Orange, but there are many games left to be played in the current term.

Let's see how the 'Cuse responds this coming Saturday when Holy Cross visits the Hill. The Crusaders, located in Worcester, Mass., are a member of the Patriot League. In football, Holy Cross competes at the Football Championship Subdivision ("FCS") level.

Holy Cross at Syracuse football odds, spread and total

When I wrote this article, FanDuel had the Orange as a 26.5-point betting favorite at home against the Crusaders, with the over/under set at 55.5 points.

Holy Cross at Syracuse football how to watch

Date: Saturday, Sept. 28
Game Time: 12:00 pm EST
Venue: JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, N.Y.
TV/Streaming: ACC Network Extra and fuboTV
Holy Cross' record: 1-3
Syracuse's record: 2-1
Syracuse’s full 2024 schedule: Click here

Holy Cross at Syracuse football prediction and pick

Here's the week-five depth chart for the Orange, courtesy of 247Sports analyst Mike McAllister. One interesting tidbit is that senior Justin Barron, who is one of the team's primary defensive backs, is listed on this depth chart as a linebacker.

To date in the 2024 campaign Holy Cross has beaten Bryant, while the Crusaders have lost to Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Yale (by a combined 11 points).

Syracuse football and Holy Cross have met on the field dating back to the early 1900s. In their all-time series together, the Orange owns a 24-5 edge and has won 13 straight over the Crusaders. Their most recent meeting transpired in September of 2019, when Syracuse football crushed Holy Cross at home, 41-3.

SU Athletics has noted that the Orange's non-conference encounter with the Crusaders will be the first sellout in the tenure of first-year head coach Fran Brown.

At his weekly press conference, Brown said in part regarding the 'Cuse fan base, "Make sure you come again (this week). I'm disappointed that we weren't able to get the W for the fans (last weekend). I thought they did an amazing job. I thought they were louder than ever – I mean I could barely hear sometimes. Come and repeat the same thing. It was amazing, the atmosphere was legit. And now that it's going to be sold out, I can imagine what it will be like. I'm very thankful for the fans. I appreciate everything they have done."

We're all bummed that the Orange dropped a close one to Stanford last Friday evening. But I have no doubt that Brown and his top-flight staff will have the 'Cuse ready to roll come Saturday afternoon versus Holy Cross.

I never want to take an opponent for granted, however, I've got Syracuse football handling the Crusaders by a final count of 42-17.