Andrew Carey (contributor) 4-1
This game at Pitt is an interesting one. The Panthers are not a good team, plain and simple. They rely on their run game and play more like a BIG 10 team rather than an ACC team. Both teams are going to need to have short memories heading into the contest after Syracuse dropped the heart-breaker to Clemson.
On the other side, Pittsburgh struggled mightily against UCF this past weekend. The Panthers now sit at 2-3 and are likely going to throw everything at Syracuse in a last ditch effort to try and save their season. Syracuse needs to start fast against a team that tries to hold onto the ball as much as possible. It is critical that Syracuse gets out of the gate fast and puts some points on the board.
I am looking at the Syracuse run defense, they need to step up this weekend and make inexperienced Pitt QB Kenny Pickett try to beat the Syracuse secondary with his arm. Ultimately, I think Brian Ward and his defensive staff gear up for that run game and do make Pickett beat them with his arm. The Syracuse secondary is by far the most deep that I’ve seen them have, Trill Williams made a nice interception this past weekend, add in Andre Cisco, Scoop Bradshaw, Chris Fredrick, Antwan Cordy, and now Ifeatu Melifonwu (who we saw the most of against Clemson) the Orange secondary has playmakers.
They will make the plays needed along with the Orange defensive line. The Syracuse offense needs to have a nice game. I would like to see Devin Butler turn in another nice performance after his 5 receptions for 45 yards vs Clemson. Jarveon Howard needs more series at RB, and I think in a physical game against Pitt the Syracuse coaches will unleash him more. Ultimately the Orange get the job done, 35-24.