Syracuse Football: Staff picks not optimistic on Orange versus Pittsburgh
By Neil Adler
Syracuse football has another massive challenge, and a huge opportunity, when the Orange travels to Pitt this Saturday. Take a look at our staff picks.
For the second week in a row, Syracuse football is a substantial underdog to its Atlantic Coast Conference opponent. And, for the second-consecutive game, the Orange is suiting up on the road against a league crew currently rated in the Associated Press top-25 poll.
The ‘Cuse (0-1) is coming off a loss in its 2020 campaign opener to then-No. 18 North Carolina last Saturday afternoon in Chapel Hill, N.C., in an ACC clash where Syracuse football hung tough for a while, only trailing the Tar Heels 10-6 heading into the fourth quarter.
However, the offense couldn’t get anything going all afternoon, and the defense got worn out in the final period. As such, UNC rattled off three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to come away with a 31-6 victory.
Now, the Orange has to regroup as it squares off on Saturday at noon with the Panthers (1-0) from Heinz Field, where no fans are permitted for this affair.
Following its 55-0 rout of Austin Peay last weekend at home in Pitt’s 2020 term opener, the Panthers entered the AP top-25 poll at No. 25 in the rankings. Here are a few stories from earlier this week to get you all caught up on Syracuse football versus Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh has dominated series with Orange of late
Syracuse football, this Saturday, to face second ranked opponent in a row
Orange drops to last in weekly ACC power rankings
Syracuse football is one of country’s lowest-ranked teams, per CBS Sports
Against Pitt, running game absolutely has to improve
QB Tommy DeVito needs to step up game, and he can
The Panthers have a really stingy defense that totally shut down the Austin Peay running game a week ago, allowing a paltry 1 rushing yard. That doesn’t bode well for a ‘Cuse running attack which had a relatively poor performance versus the Tar Heels.
Once again, the Syracuse football defense will have to continue to create turnovers – and, consequently, short fields – for an Orange offense that has to put some touchdowns on the board, rather than settle for field-goal attempts.
Pitt is roughly a three-touchdown favorite against the ‘Cuse, much like North Carolina was. See how our staff writers are forecasting Syracuse football to fare at the Panthers.