It’s week six and the Syracuse Orange are looking to bounce back after their first loss of 2018. On Saturday, SU puts its 4-1 (1-1 in the ACC) record on the line against the Pittsburgh Panthers (2-3, 1-1). As we’ve talked about all week Syracuse hasn’t won on the road against the Panthers since 2001.
Las Vegas is expecting the Orange to take the victory but the line is swinging in the other direction as it’s down to 4. Over/under is also around 58, if you’re interested.
Before things kick off at 12:20 p.m. ET tomorrow at Heinz Field, the TNIAAM staff predicts what might happen in this one...
Steve Haller
Syracuse 38 Pittsburgh 20
I don’t think Vegas has this one right. Watching that Pittsburgh secondary has Dungey career day written all over it. I think they do stop us to a degree and I’m mildly worried about the trip to Oakland, but bogey-team or not, this iteration of Pitt shouldn’t be able to hang with this Orange squad.
Cory Crisan
Syracuse 20 Pittsburgh 14
Orange need to respond after letting Clemson take a W from them last week. This won’t be a 130+ point affair like last time, but it’s going to be closer than people might think. Syracuse’s defense allowed Clemson to run all over them last week. Expect them to clamp down on the Panthers.
Matt McClusky
Syracuse 31 Pittsburgh 17
What does a Syracuse team look like following a loss like the one it had at Clemson? What does a Syracuse team do on the road against a conference opponent it should beat rather easily? This is a new world, folks, one we haven’t been a part of in a long time. Now, in the past, SU has typically followed up national-television moments (Va Tech in ‘16 and Clemson last year) with flame-outs. However, after that near-miss against the Tigers, there are a couple of big differences here. The first change is that the Orange looks different. This team appears to have talent and depth on both sides of the ball. Secondly, Eric Dungey is still upright and playing football. With that in mind, and factoring in that Pitt has given up 134 points in its three losses, should lead to something of a statement win. Syracuse should be able to wear down the inferior Panthers with temp on offense and pressure on defense, and earn its first win in western PA since the days of Paul freaking Pasqualoni.
Kevin Wall
Syracuse 34 Pittsburgh 20
I don’t think the Orange played an amazing game last week and still almost walked out of Clemson with the win. It seems as though this team is focused on turning things around and this is an opportunity to take care of business against a struggling Panthers squad. Moe Neal looks ready for a big game as the Orange jump out early and cruise to a comfortable road win.
Andy Pregler
Syracuse 42 Pittsburgh 17
Here’s where we get what I feel is the true “statement” game. Syracuse isn’t supposed to handle a bad Pitt team, they’re supposed to take the W and get the hell out of town. I think Dungey comes out and goes off, with at least 3 touchdowns in the air and another on the ground. Moe Neal gets over 100 on a soft Pittsburgh run defense, and the d-line gets another chance to create pressure and force mistakes from a less than seasoned quarterback. Winning this game in this way will make me believe this isn’t a mediocre team beating up on bad teams; they’re a legit 7-9 win caliber team ready to take anyone less than them to the woodshed.
John Cassillo
Syracuse 38, Pitt 31
To some extent, I buy it that Pitt could play well with their backs to the wall here. The run game should show up and there are potential reasons to be optimistic about defensive players beyond the secondary. However, with minimal ability to stop the pass or a mobile QB like Dungey, it should lead to an Orange win. The Panthers keep it close. Just not close enough, and SU nabs win No. 5.
Now it’s your turn...
Poll
What will be the outcome of the Syracuse vs Pittsburgh game?
This poll is closed
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92%
Syracuse wins and it’s one more win to Bowl Eligibility
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7%
Pittsburgh wins and we spend the next two weeks sobbing while we’re apple picking