How to watch Syracuse vs. Washington State: Picks and odds for the Holiday Bowl, where the Cougars face a mass exodus

Given the losses in the coaching carousel and the transfer portal, the Holiday Bowl could be the biggest postseason disappointment for fans of free-flowing offenses. What would have been a gunfight was reduced to a target practice. Washington State, once a 2.5-point underdog to Syracuse, now faces a two-touchdown margin after a mass exodus of coaches and on-field talent.

How to watch Syracuse vs. Washington State

Two weeks ago, the showdown in San Diego pitted Syracuse’s savior quarterback Kyle McCord against Wazzus’ John Mateer in a scoreline befitting the Holiday Bowl’s high-profile history. But Mateer is gone, heading to Oklahoma to follow offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle from Pullman to Norman. The list of other missing names would fill a telephone book.

Coach Jake Dickert is out, as are the team’s defensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach and running backs coach. Whoever remains will coach a team that is missing not only Mateer, but also running back Wayshawn Parker (trading to Utah), No. 2 wide receiver Kris Hutson (trading to Arizona) and seven other starters on both sides of the ball are distributed. If it were a home game, there would be no one there to accept tickets. Star receiver Kyle Williams hasn’t opted out yet, but given his 1,026-yard, 13-touchdown season likely features him on most NFL draft boards, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he chose not to go with this ship sinking.

Compare that to the Orange, who not only have their star quarterback McCord under center, but also suffered the biggest loss of cornerback Jayden Bellamy. Three more defensive players with 100 or more snaps will change, but other big names will not be missing. McCord leads the country in yards, attempts and completions and is fifth with 29 touchdowns. Mateer also had 29 passing TDs, leads the country with 44 total points and is 18th in passing yards, in case you needed a final dose of “what if?”

The 22-year-old McCord is fighting the NCAA in hopes of getting another year of eligibility, but if 2024 is his final year, he will end his career after leaving his name all over school records. He is the all-time leader in yards and touchdowns in a season, second in single-game yards and 10th in career yardage, despite having only played one year for Syracuse. He also ranks eighth in career touchdowns. In its productive season, the Orange averaged 361 yards and 32.6 points per game, and the team won nine games for the first time since 2018 and just the third time this millennium.

Oronde Gadsden II, Trebor Pena and Jackson Meeks combined for 19 touchdowns and all have at least 860 yards receiving. Additionally, running back LeQuint Allen has 1,377 scrimmage yards and 17 total points.

No wonder that most participants signed up for another lap of the race track. Unfortunately for spectators, it’s now less of a race and more of a low-risk victory lap. But it gives McCord a chance to chase a few more records, even if he takes them against Wazzu’s water boys.

Syracuse vs Washington State odds

Syracuse vs. Washington State picks

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(Photo by Kyle McCord: Ian Maule/Getty Images)