Vegas Play of the Day: Syracuse at Miami

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017 | 2 a.m.

We’re entering the fourth season of the annual South Point-lined Play of the Day competition, effective July 1.

Starting bankrolls have reset to $10,000, with the maximum bet being to win $1,000 and the minimum wager $300. Ray Brewer won back-to-back titles in the 2015-2016 and 2016-17 seasons, after Taylor Bern prevailed in 2014-2015.

Syracuse plus-17 at Miami, $660 to win $600: Miami is undefeated on the season — but just rarely. The Hurricanes have won their last two games by a combined five points, pulling out victories in the finals seconds on each game. They are literally two plays away from having a two-game losing streak, which would have cut the betting number against visiting Syracuse in half.

In its last three games, Miami has scored 31, 25 and 24 points. That means two touchdowns from Syracuse, which plays at a fast pace and tries to run 100 plays a game, will be enough to cover the spread. Syracuse has one of the better passing offenses in the nation at more than 300 yards per game, giving confidence it can score at least one touchdown in each half.

Syracuse is coming off an upset victory last week against Clemson at home. Even though the Clemson quarterback got knocked out of the game, the win is still an indicator the Syracuse program is heading in the right direction.

This is a gigantic test for the Orange, but with 17 points to work with, a passable test by Vegas standards.

Current Standings: Granger (7-7, $11,475), Keefer (11-9-1, $10,341), Brewer (11-11, $8,930), Grimala (5-6, $8,715).

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21