Syracuse football hosts another Empire State team this Friday evening.
The Orange welcomes nearby Colgate to the Hill in week three. The Raiders, a Football Championship Subdivision ("FCS") program, suit up in the Patriot League. Colgate is located about an hour's drive from Syracuse University, in Hamilton, N.Y.
Last week, the 'Cuse stormed back from an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter to ultimately prevail at home over non-conference foe UConn in overtime, 27-20. Colgate, meanwhile, is searching for its first victory of this young 2025 season.
Syracuse football vs. Colgate odds, spread and total
When I wrote this article, FanDuel had the 'Cuse as a massive 37.5-point betting favorite at home against the Raiders, with the over/under set at 66.5 points.
Syracuse football vs. Colgate how to watch
Date: Friday, Sept. 12
Game Time: 7:00 pm EST
Venue: JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, N.Y.
TV/Streaming: ACC Network and fuboTV
Colgate's record: 0-2 overall
Syracuse's record: 0-2 overall, 0-0 in the ACC
Syracuse’s full 2025 schedule: Click here
Syracuse football vs. Colgate prediction and pick
The Orange and the Raiders have battled each other dating back to 1891. In their all-time series together, Syracuse football holds a modest 32-31-5 record against Colgate, per SU Athletics.
Most recently, in early September of 2023, the 'Cuse crushed the Raiders at the Dome, 65-0. The Orange has won 17 in a row over Colgate, with the last Raiders triumph occurring in November of 1950.
According to cuse.com, Syracuse football has won nine of its last 14 encounters that took place on a Friday. Later in the 2025 season, on Halloween, the Orange will welcome North Carolina and its head coach, the legendary Bill Belichick, to Central New York.
While Colgate is 0-2, the Raiders' two losses are by a combined 10 points to a pair of foes that are ranked in the FCS top 25, Monmouth at home and Villanova on the road.
Undeniably, Syracuse football has things to work on after a 1-1 start to 2025. Still, the comeback versus UConn showed the team's fight and grit. I don't envision Colgate giving the Orange too much of a game on Friday evening, and I mean no disrespect to the Raiders.
The spread is huge in this non-conference duel, and it's tough to pick the 'Cuse covering. Then again, two years ago, the Orange drubbed the Raiders. On Friday night, I've got Syracuse football prevailing over Colgate by a final count of 45-17.