New Hampshire at Syracuse

Syracuse's defense fell apart last season, allowing nearly 35 points a game in a steep step back from 2024, and that kind of unit doesn't turn things around against overmatched competition just because the opponent is walking in from the FCS ranks. New Hampshire enters with a new head coach in Sean Goldrich, but the roster is the same group that went 8-5 a year ago and pushed for a playoff spot, meaning there's enough talent to put up some points against a Syracuse defense that struggled against far better competition all of last year. Syracuse's own offense was the weaker link in 2025, averaging just over 20 points per game, but even a limited offense should find room to move against an FCS defense at home, especially with the other side already established as the bigger concern. Home favorites against an outmatched opponent tend to pull away rather than sit on a lead, and once this one gets out of hand, backups on both sides typically keep the scoreboard moving rather than shutting it down. The total leans on Syracuse's defense more than anything else, and that unit gave every reason last season to expect points. Take the OVER this afternoon.