As the Holiday Bowl odds rise in Syracuse’s favor, bookmakers are responding by increasing the odds

Ahead of the 2024 Holiday Bowl, the odds have changed dramatically. Syracuse, which was initially only favored by 4.5 points when the match was announced, is now the favorite by 17.5 points. The change comes amid an exodus of players from Washington state and coaching instability, and sportsbooks have quickly adapted – not just in odds but also in their promotions.

Holiday Bowl game details

Use the interactive widget below to find out the latest spread, over/under and moneyline odds and probabilities for the Syracuse-Washington State game at Snapdragon Stadium.

• Teams: Syracuse vs. Washington State
• Date: Friday, December 27, 2024
• Start: 8:00 p.m. EST
• Location: Snapdragon Stadium
• NCAAF Rankings: Updated AP Top 25
• College football news: Check out the official NCAA Football News website for the latest updates

Opportunities

Odds for the key markets in the college football duel between Syracuse and Washington State.

• Spread: Syracuse -17.5 (-110), Washington State +17.5 (-110)
• Money line: Syracuse -800, Washington State +610
• In total: Over/Under 59.5 (-110/-110)

The odds and odds presented here are the best available on select sports betting sites at the time of publication and are subject to change. Please note that you cannot bet on in-state college teams in New York.

Why the odds are changing

Washington State is at the center of the turmoil, with 27 players entering the transfer portal since Dec. 9, including quarterback John Mateer. The departure of head coach Jake Dickert and the loss of key coordinators further destabilized the team. While the Cougars are expected to field a largely intact roster for the game, bettors remain cautious and the odds reflect the uncertainty surrounding the program.

Syracuse, on the other hand, goes into the game with a stable squad and coaching staff and is therefore the clear favorite. This combination of chaos on the one hand and stability on the other has led to sportsbooks heavily favoring Syracuse in the betting markets.

Sportsbook Answer: Holiday Bowl Parlay Boosts

To combat the biased odds and keep bettors happy, sportsbooks like Bet365 have introduced increased odds for the game. These promotions offer increased odds on specific outcomes, from riskier underdog scenarios to safer bets on Syracuse dominance.

New Holiday Bowl Parlay Odds

Here are some of the latest Bet365 boosts with Holiday Bowl odds:

Improved 2-leg parlay

• Moneyline: Washington State (vs. Syracuse)
• Moneyline: USC (vs. Texas A&M)
• Increased odds: +1825 (previously +1560)

This high-stakes game assumes that both Washington State and USC win. They offer a huge payout but rely on the Cougars to defy the odds.

Syracuse-focused boost

• Money line: Syracuse
• Over 23.5 points in the 1st half for Syracuse
• Over 9.5 points in the 1st quarter for Syracuse
• Increased odds: +300 (was +275)

A safer play that highlights Syracuse’s potential to dominate early in the game.

Boost of optimism in Washington state

• Money Line: Washington State
• Over 16.5 points in the 1st half
• Over 6.5 points in the 1st quarter
• Increased odds: +850 (was +750)

Despite the turmoil, this bet assumes Washington State will find a way to remain competitive, albeit against significant odds.

A strategic move by Bet365

Sportsbooks like Bet365 are well aware that pre-game developments such as instability in Washington State can shift betting interest largely in a different direction. By offering these stimuli, they aim to reinvigorate the excitement and current value of results that would otherwise be overlooked. This encourages bettors to try less conventional bets, whether through risky bets or high-profile predictions.

And Bet365 isn’t the only sportsbook offering Holiday Bowl bonuses to attract bettors. These new betting offers from DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars and BetMGM illustrate a similar trend in the online sports betting industry.

Final thoughts

With Syracuse coming in as the clear favorite, the betting landscape is more dynamic than ever, and sportsbooks are finding creative ways to lock in bettors. Whether you bet on increased parlays or stick to traditional betting, the Holiday Bowl promises plenty of excitement – ​​on and off the field.