No matter what happens to the Syracuse Orange this weekend vs. Florida State, they’ll (likely) still have some bowl potential for the season finale against the Pittsburgh Panthers. A game like that, between mid-tier (at best) ACC schools deserves the most glorious of television treatments, of course:
Game time & networks for select #ACCFootball Week 13 games announced, with six-day hold on five games: https://t.co/bBKSwCGzDO pic.twitter.com/TCBSqwvsTx
— ACC Football (@theACCfootball) November 14, 2016
On November 26, Syracuse and Pitt will kick off at Heinz Field at 12:30 p.m. ET on ACC Network (check your local listings next week). Pitt is currently 6-4 (3-3), though they just got finished upsetting Clemson 43-42 on Saturday. The Orange, as you’re well aware, are 4-6 (2-4) and need at least one more win to get to bowl eligibility.
As we’re discussed many times, the Syracuse-Pittsburgh series is a long-standing one that no one cares about on either side of the “rivalry.” The Panthers lead the all-time series 37-31-3, though the records only recently tilted in their favor. Pitt has won 10 of 11 dating back to 2005. Syracuse hasn’t beaten Pitt on the road since 2001 (a 42-10 triumph).
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It’s a bummer we’re not a more upbeat group heading into these last couple games, but perhaps the Orange surprise us. I’m already sad about the season ending, giving way to a long offseason (though a long offseason that could be shorter if we go 5-7).