Syracuse football has to reach end zone, capitalize on turnovers versus Pitt

Syracuse football is nearly set to play at Pittsburgh, the Orange’s second-consecutive contest against a squad in the AP top-25 poll.

In the history of the Syracuse football program, the Orange has suited up against Pittsburgh, its foe this Saturday at noon, more times than versus any other crew that the ‘Cuse has faced.

Per a media release from the Orange athletics department, Syracuse football and the Panthers represent the Orange’s most-frequent series. On Saturday afternoon from Heinz Field, the two former Big East Conference rivals and current Atlantic Coast Conference members are scheduled to do battle for the 76th instance.

Pitt, as we’ve previously disclosed, owns the overall advantage, 40-32-3, and the Panthers have also captured 15 of the last 18 encounters in their series with Syracuse football that dates back to 1916 and has gotten annually held since 1955.

In its 2020 stanza opener, Pittsburgh (1-0) at home crushed Austin Peay, 55-0, and the Panthers certainly boast a mighty impressive defense, as well as a credible offense.

That doesn’t bode well for an Orange unit that couldn’t get anything going on offense in its 2020 term opener, a 31-6 defeat at the hands of then-No. 18 North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C.

The new 3-3-5 defensive scheme employed by the ‘Cuse fared pretty well, for the most part, against the Tar Heels. Syracuse football (0-1) won the turnover department versus UNC, however, the Orange couldn’t punch the ball into the end zone at all, settling for field-goal attempts.

That didn’t pan out in a positive manner in the North Carolina match-up, and it’s not a recipe for success when the ‘Cuse takes the field against the Panthers.

If and when Syracuse football creates a turnover, the team’s offense has to rely on a balanced attack of efficient running and passing to give the Orange defense a breather, help slow down the Pitt offense and, most importantly, score multiple touchdowns to have any realistic shot of knocking off the No. 25 Panthers on the road.

Easier said than done, I know. ACC leaders did the ‘Cuse no favor with its 2020 schedule, putting the Orange on the road twice in a row to start the fall campaign, and also versus a pair of ranked adversaries.

With stiff challenges come prime opportunities, however, and Syracuse football, if it can muster up enough points, has a chance to even its record at 1-1, notch a marquee league conquest and snap a two-game losing streak to Pittsburgh.