It’s Homecoming. It’s Rivalry Week…or maybe better referred to this way:
either way the Syracuse Orange (3-3, 1-2) and Pittsburgh Panthers (4-2, 2-1) meet tomorrow night at 7:30 on the ACC Network. The JMA Dome crowd will likely be on edge from the start so here’s what we predict they will see.
Kevin (4-2): Pittsburgh 34, Syracuse 20
The Orange haven’t shown any reason to have confidence in them figuring out their issues enough to beat a surging Pitt team. While everyone is focused on quarterback changes, I think Pitt’s veteran linebackers are going to be the difference in this one. Syracuse is able to move the ball a little bit early on, but the Panthers force two turnovers in the second half and make this a comfortable win for Pat Narduzzi’s crew.
Dom (4-2): Pittsburgh 30, Syracuse 17
Unfortunately, Syracuse is catching Pitt at the absolute worst time it can. The Panthers are averaging 41 points per game in its last two, compared to the Orange, who have scored 21 points combined over its last two. ‘Cuse is coming off the bye and maybe that gives more time for its own offense to jell, but even then, Pitt has an electric running game and a quarterback who now knows what he’s doing. Syracuse gets in the end zone a few times but can’t make enough stops to come away with the victory.
Casey (3-3): Pitt 23, Syracuse 13
Pitt is hot and coming off a great road win in Tallahassee. They’ve seemed to have found a legitimate quarterback in true freshman Mason Heintschel, who has thrown for over 300 yards in both games he’s started for the Panthers. For Syracuse, they’re averaging just a little over 10 points in their last two games. I think the Orange defense and a night-game crowd help keep things close in the first half. However, a lack of offensive firepower gives Pitt the nod in a low-scoring defensive game. Not to mention, Pitt’s veteran defensive core won’t do any favors for Syracuse’s struggling offense.
Augie (4-1): Syracuse 31, Pitt 28
Syracuse has been reeling, Pittsburgh has been on fire. The last time the Orange played at home, they scored three points and lost to Duke by five touchdowns. And guess what, I am going to go with the Orange, because that is how college football works. I think the BYE is really going to help Rickie Collins. It is going to slow down the quarterback that looks like he has been so sped up recently. I think he is going to look much more composed and make some big throws this weekend. Fran Brown is going to have some tricks up his sleeve, and throw them all at Pitt, and it is going to work. Collins to Villari under the two minute warning to give the Orange the lead, and they hold on to improve to 4-3.
Max (4-1): Pittsburgh 31, Syracuse 20
Until I see something different from Rickie Collins, I can’t have confidence in backing the Orange. These two teams are trending in polar opposite directions, and while SU’s offense might look more in rhythm coming off the BYE, it still won’t be enough against Pitt’s offensive attack. Mason Heintschel will tally 300+ passing yards for his third straight game since taking over the starting reins, and Syracuse adds a garbage-time touchdown to make the final score somewhat respectable.
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