Syracuse vs Pittsburgh Official TNIAAM Predictions & Poll

The Syracuse Orange (2-3, 0-1) have lost two straight against decidedly better teams on the road. Can they course correct vs. a similarly talented team at home? The Pittsburgh Panthers (2-3, 0-1) are coming off a win over Rice, but have otherwise looked unimpressive all year. Both teams need this win to keep bowling a possibility.

Syracuse and Pitt will kick off at 12:30 p.m. ET on your local RSN (you can see the full affiliate list here) or ACC Network Extra, if you’re streaming.

So what does the TNIAAM staff think will happen in this game?

Andy Pregler

Syracuse 48, Pitt 17

I think this is finally the game where we see Dino's cake come out of the over. It's still too hot to put all the frosting on, but it's clear that against less talented FBS opponents, this team will be able to put a game away. (Which is why it's so frustrating to see them shoot themselves against equal opponents.) Ish has himself a day and the crowd and fanbase is renewed with energy.

Kevin Wall

Syracuse 30, Pitt 24

After two weeks of frustration I think the Orange cash in at home this Saturday. Expect to see a better start from the offense against the Panthers and an early lead will keep the Homecoming crowd engaged. Dino Babers says he wants to run the ball, but I think he'll look to exploit the Pitt secondary early and often.

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Adam Hillman

Syracuse 27, Pitt 20

Neither team here is an optimal position halfway through he season. Both teams are 2-3, with no real quality wins on their resume and not really a great shot at a bowl game. Yet, I see home-field advantage, along with the revenge factor from last season's beating, playing a huge factor as the Orange score a late Steve Ishmael touchdown to get back to .500.

John Cassillo

Syracuse 35, Pitt 20

I’ve picked Syracuse to win every game this year (I didn’t submit a pick for the LSU game), and I’m not about to stop now. The Orange offense takes full advantage of a struggling Pittsburgh secondary, while SU’s defense also gets after Max Browne enough to disrupt the Panthers’ middling attack. This isn’t a “blowout” necessarily, but against a rebuilding Pitt team, Syracuse is able to show itself as a cut above the league’s bottom tier.

Now it’s your turn...