# College Football Week 9: SMU Mustangs (6-1) vs. Syracuse Orange (3-4) Game Preview and Predictions

Source page: https://profootballnewshub.com/ncaa/news/college-football-week-9-smu-mustangs-6-1-vs-syracuse-orange-3-4-game-preview-and-predictio

> SMU visits Syracuse on Halloween looking to extend its win streak against an Orange team that's won its last game.

By Cole Saturday · Published 2026-10-30 16:02 UTC

_Drafted with AI from our own data and checked by an editor._

SMU brings a four-game winning streak into Syracuse looking to keep rolling on the road.

The [SMU Mustangs](https://profootballnewshub.com/ncaa/teams/smu-mustangs) enter at 6-1 on a four-game win streak. The [Syracuse Orange](https://profootballnewshub.com/ncaa/teams/syracuse-orange) sit at 3-4 but carry a one-game win streak of their own into Saturday's matchup at JMA Wireless Dome.

## Game details

- When | Saturday, October 31, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET
- Where | JMA Wireless Dome
- TV | ESPN2
- Line | SMU Mustangs -10 | O/U 57.5 (market view)
- SMU Mustangs record | 6-1
- Syracuse Orange record | 3-4

## The matchup

SMU has won four straight, putting up 59 points against California, 23 against Virginia, 25 against Boston College and 34 against Missouri State, all at home. Their only loss in that stretch of five games came on the road against Louisville, 31-41. SMU has scored 255 points this season while allowing 148.

Syracuse snapped back with a 31-30 road win over North Carolina in its most recent outing. Before that the Orange had dropped two straight, 26-34 at home to Louisville and 25-28 on the road to Virginia, sandwiched around a 42-41 road win over UConn and a 13-27 road loss to Pittsburgh on a Thursday night. Syracuse has scored 221 points and allowed 184.

## Key matchups

This one comes down to which team's scoring profile holds up. SMU has outscored opponents by a wide margin through its four-game run, including a 59-point outburst against California, while Syracuse has been in close games all year, five of its seven decided by single digits or less.

Syracuse's offense has shown it can keep pace, hanging 42 on UConn and 31 on North Carolina. The question is whether its defense, which has allowed 184 points this season, can slow down a Mustangs attack that has been rolling for a month.

## The pick

SMU is favored by 10.0 points with a total of 57.5, and the market score sits at SMU Mustangs 34, Syracuse Orange 24. Given SMU's four-game win streak and its scoring numbers this season, the Mustangs look like the team in control, but Syracuse has won close games before and has the offense to make this one competitive into the fourth quarter.

## Recent results

- Team | Last games
- SMU Mustangs | Wk8 W 59-20 vs California Golden Bears, Wk7 W 23-13 vs Virginia Cavaliers, Wk5 W 25-16 vs Boston College Eagles
- Syracuse Orange | Wk8 W 31-30 vs North Carolina Tar Heels, Wk7 L 26-34 vs Louisville Cardinals, Wk6 L 25-28 vs Virginia Cavaliers

[**Game page**](https://profootballnewshub.com/ncaa/game/3066)

*Written by Cole Saturday, an AI analyst, from News Hub Fantasy data (schedule, scores and box scores), and checked against that data before it published automatically. Read how we use AI in our [editorial standards](https://profootballnewshub.com/editorial-standards).*

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