In Week 5 of the 2025 College Football Regular Season, the Duke Blue Devils travel to Syracuse to compete against the Syracuse Orange at the JMA Wireless Dome. The game is scheduled for Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 12:00 PM and will be broadcast on ACCN. This Atlantic Coast Conference showdown features two teams with a solid start to the season.
Duke enters the game with a 2-2 record, having won their last game against North Carolina State Wolfpack 45-33. The Blue Devils have yet to secure a victory on the road this season, standing at 0-1 away from their home turf. With a strong offensive showing in their previous games, Duke aims to improve their road performance.
Syracuse holds a 3-1 record, including a recent 34-21 win over Clemson Tigers on the road. The Orange have been impressive at home, maintaining a 2-1 record at the JMA Wireless Dome. Syracuse’s balanced attack has been effective in both passing and rushing, setting the stage for an exciting contest.
Syracuse vs Duke At a Glance
- Venue: JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, NY — Dome
- Game Time: Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 12:00 PM
- TV Broadcast: ACCN
- Duke Record: 2-2 overall; 0-1 on the road
- Syracuse Record: 3-1 overall; 2-1 at home
- Game Odds: Duke is the favorite with a moneyline of -207
Syracuse Orange Ready to Continue Strong Season Performance
Team Overview
The Syracuse Orange have shown an impressive display in the 2025 season, particularly in their passing offense. Ranking 2nd in the nation, they have accumulated 1,416 passing yards, highlighting their potent aerial attack. Their ground game, however, lags behind, ranked 95th with only 479 rushing yards.
Defensively, Syracuse has had its challenges, allowing 110 points, placing them 78th in the rankings. Nonetheless, their ability to create turnovers stands out with 3 interceptions and 2 fumbles recovered, both ranked 4th in the nation.
Recent Game Performance
In their recent victory over Clemson, Syracuse managed to keep turnovers at bay, with no interceptions or fumbles. Their passing game was on point with 278 yards, while they also amassed 157 rushing yards, showcasing balanced offensive production.
The previous week, Syracuse had a commanding win against Colgate, scoring 66 points. Their offense was explosive, putting up 447 passing yards and achieving 32 first downs, demonstrating their offensive versatility and dominance.
Key Players
Quarterback Steve Angeli leads the Syracuse offense with a remarkable 1,352 passing yards this season, though he’s out for the rest of the season due to injury. Yasin Willis has been effective on the ground with 233 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns.
Wide receivers Justus Ross-Simmons and Darrell Gill Jr. have been pivotal in the passing game. Ross-Simmons has 5 receiving touchdowns while Gill Jr. leads with 310 receiving yards, providing reliable targets downfield.
Betting Trends
- SU – As Favorite: 19-1 in the last 20 games (95.0%)
- O/U – After Win: 6-0 in the last 6 games (100.0%)
- O/U – As Underdog: 5-0-1 in the last 6 games (83.3%)
- SU – Home Games: 10-2 in the last 12 games (83.3%)
- O/U – All Games: 7-1-1 in the last 9 games (77.8%)
- SU – All Games: 13-4 in the last 17 games (76.5%)
Upcoming Challenges
Looking ahead, Syracuse will host Duke at the JMA Wireless Dome. This game could test their defensive capabilities against a potent Duke offense. The Orange will aim to build on their recent performances to secure another win at home.
Following the Duke game, Syracuse faces the SMU Mustangs on the road. This away game will be crucial for maintaining their momentum and further establishing their presence in the national rankings.
Duke’s Road Challenge: Blue Devils Seek Victory Away from Home
Quarterback Analysis
The Duke Blue Devils’ offense is heavily reliant on quarterback Darian Mensah, who has made a significant impact with 1,305 passing yards, ranking him 3rd nationally. His ability to distribute the ball effectively is evident, with 11 passing touchdowns this season. Mensah’s impressive performance makes him a key player to watch as Duke faces Syracuse.
Backup quarterback Henry Belin IV has seen limited action, appearing in only one game and accumulating 22 passing yards. While his role has been minimal, he provides depth at the position, which could be crucial in unforeseen circumstances.
Rushing Attack
Anderson Castle leads the rushing efforts for Duke, contributing 193 yards on the ground across four games. With three rushing touchdowns, Castle plays a vital role in the Blue Devils’ ground game. However, Duke’s rushing offense ranks 85th nationally, highlighting a potential area for improvement.
Nate Sheppard, another key figure in the rushing attack, has gained 188 yards this season. Although he hasn’t found the end zone yet, his contributions add depth to Duke’s running back rotation.
Receiving Corps
Sahmir Hagans stands out in the receiving corps, with 179 receiving yards and four touchdowns. His performance ranks him 176th in receiving yards nationally, and he provides a reliable target for Mensah. Cooper Barkate is another top receiver, amassing 337 yards and a touchdown, which ranks him 18th in receiving yards nationally.
With a variety of capable receivers, including Andrel Anthony and Que’Sean Brown, the Blue Devils have a diverse set of options to exploit defenses. This depth is vital as they face a challenging Syracuse defense.
Team Betting Trends
- As Favorites: 20-2 (90.9%) in the last 22 games (2021–2025)
- Home Games: 18-4 (81.8%) in the last 22 games (2022–2025)
- Over/Under in Home Games: 5-0 (100.0%) in the last 5 games (2024–2025)
- Over/Under in All Games: 4-0 (100.0%) in the last 4 games (2025)
- Over/Under as Underdogs: 3-0 (100.0%) in the last 3 games (2024–2025)
- Over/Under with Totals ≥ 50: 3-0 (100.0%) in the last 3 games (2025)
- Overall Record: 19-10 (65.5%) in the last 29 games (2022–2025)
- Over/Under in Away Games: 11-4 (73.3%) in the last 15 games (2022–2025)
- Over/Under After Loss: 6-2 (75.0%) in the last 8 games (2023–2025)
Syracuse vs Duke Prediction: Over 60.5
The upcoming game between Syracuse and Duke promises a high-scoring encounter. Syracuse’s offensive prowess is evident as they rank 16th in points for and 2nd in passing yards for the 2025 season. Their recent trend shows a strong inclination to hit the over, especially when playing at home or as underdogs, with a remarkable 5-1 record in over/under for home games.
On the other hand, Duke is no stranger to putting up points, ranking 27th in points for and 6th in passing yards. However, their defense has struggled, allowing 129 points, placing them 89th in that category. Given their recent form and the stats from both teams, this game is likely to surpass the 60.5 total.
In the previous encounter between Duke and Syracuse, the teams combined for 62 points, reinforcing the potential for another high-scoring game. The offensive capabilities of both teams, combined with Syracuse’s recent trend of hitting overs, make the over an attractive option for this matchup.
Considering the data and trends, the prediction leans towards a final score of Syracuse 38 – Duke 34, comfortably surpassing the current line of 60.5.
- Syracuse vs Duke Prediction: Over 60.5
- Syracuse vs Duke Score: Syracuse 38 – Duke 34
