Syracuse Orange vs. UNLV Rebels Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 4th 2024

Preview and Prediction

Every group faces obstacles throughout a lengthy season, but the 25th ranked UNLV team encountered a significant amount of adversity last week.

The Rebels passed their initial test after losing their starting quarterback, Matthew Sluka, and will now face another challenge on Friday when they host Syracuse in an intriguing non-conference matchup.

UNLV (4-0) has earned a spot in the rankings for the first time in program history, but it has not been a smooth journey for the team.

Their first three victories were led by Sluka, who threw six touchdowns and ran for a team-high 253 yards. However, Sluka left the team last Tuesday due to a disagreement over unfulfilled NIL promises.

The sudden departure forced UNLV coach Barry Odom to quickly prepare Hajj-Malik Williams to start against Fresno State. Despite the challenge, the Rebels dominated the game with a final score of 59-14. Williams, a transfer from Campbell, threw three touchdowns and ran for one. He completed 13 out of 16 passes for 182 yards and added 12 carries for 119 yards.

"It's always tough to play against someone like Hajj who can both run and throw," Syracuse coach Fran Brown said. "It's a nightmare for the defensive coordinator and the head coach. You think about it all week."

Meanwhile, Odom does not want his team to become complacent with their spot in the rankings. After Friday's game, the Rebels will face three of their next four games on the road, with their only home game being against No. 21 Boise State.

Therefore, UNLV cannot afford any mistakes during this tough stretch.

"I believe this is where UNLV football belongs," Odom said, referring to the national rankings. "That's one of our goals - to be in the top 25 and continue to climb, and have a position where every week, on the national stage, we have a place in the rankings."

Wide receiver Ricky White has had an inconsistent performance in UNLV's first four games. In Weeks 1 and 3 against Houston and Kansas, respectively, he only had five catches for 15 yards and no touchdowns. However, in the other two games against Utah Tech and Fresno State, he had a total of 15 catches for 238 yards and five touchdowns.

White will definitely be a key focus for Syracuse (3-1) as they develop their defensive strategy. The Orange had a strong defensive showing last week against Holy Cross, limiting them to only 203 total yards and a 2-of-14 conversion rate on third downs.

But like his UNLV counterpart, Brown is not satisfied with his team's performance.

"I don't think we're anywhere near our full potential," Brown said after the game. "We just have to keep growing."

Syracuse's quarterback, Kyle McCord, has thrown two interceptions in each of the last two games, but has generally been impressive in his first season with the team. The Ohio State transfer has thrown for 1,459 yards and 14 touchdowns in four games, with at least 339 passing yards in each game.

Trebor Pena leads the team in catches (26), receiving yards (316), and touchdown receptions (five), but other Syracuse receivers have also had standout performances over the past month.

In their game against Holy Cross, Jackson Meeks had 10 catches for 161 yards and a touchdown.

"My mentality is always the same - to attack, attack, attack," Meeks said.

This will be the first ever meeting between these two teams.

PREDICTION

Syracuse Orange

UNLV Rebels

Syracuse Orange vs. UNLV Rebels Recap OCT 4TH 2024

LeQuint Allen powered into the end zone in overtime for the decisive touchdown -- his fourth score of the game -- as Syracuse nipped No. 25 UNLV 44-41 on Friday in Las Vegas.

Ranked for the first time in program history, the Rebels (4-1) had to settle for a 41-yard Caden Chittenden field goal on the first possession of overtime. They then appeared to force the Orange (4-1) into a long field-goal attempt, but a roughing-the-passer call gave the visitors new life.

Three plays later, Allen took a handoff and lowered his shoulder into Jackson Woodard before driving him into the end zone for the winning 1-yard score. Allen finished with 19 carries for 71 yards and two TDs and added two receiving scores from Kyle McCord (40 of 63, 355 yards, three touchdowns, one interception).

UNLV quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams went 21 of 25 for 227 yards with three touchdowns and an interception while adding 53 yards and a score on the ground. Ricky White III racked up 10 catches for 135 yards and a TD and also recorded a key punt block for UNLV.

With the game tied at 31-31 midway through the fourth quarter, Woodard intercepted a McCord pass in the red zone. Shortly thereafter, Williams threw a go-ahead 9-yard TD strike to White with 2:58 to go.

The Orange drove back down the field, cashing in on McCord's 6-yard, back-shoulder TD pass to Jackson Meeks with 23 seconds to play. Allen broke a tackle on a fourth-and-1 run to keep the drive alive.

Syracuse jumped out to a quick start, as Allen found the end zone on each of the Orange's first two drives. Williams answered with consecutive TDs -- a 6-yard pass to Kaleo Ballungay and then a 3-yard TD run to draw the hosts even 14-14.

The Rebels then stuffed Orange punter Jack Stonehouse deep in Syracuse territory, bringing him down before he could release the kick. Two plays later, Williams found Casey Cain for a 9-yard score.

Syracuse responded with 17 straight points, including a 6-yard hookup from McCord to Allen early in the third quarter and a 21-yard TD rumble by Yasin Willis to put the Orange up 31-21 midway through the third.

However, UNLV rebounded to score the next 17 points. In the last minute of the third quarter, White blocked a punt by Stonehouse. The ball bounced 45 yards all the way to the end zone, where Charles Correa landed on it for the tying touchdown, setting up the exciting finish.