On Senior Night, Syracuse football defense to collide with elite Pitt offense

We all want Syracuse football to close out its 2021 regular season with an upset of top-25 and long-time rival Pittsburgh on the Hill, so that the Orange can reach a sixth victory to attain post-season bowl eligibility.

But this is a monumental task for the ‘Cuse (5-6, 2-5), which has gotten crushed two weeks in a row on the road by Atlantic Coast Conference opponents.

First, Louisville demolished the Orange. Then, more recently, this past Saturday, the team’s struggles on defense and in the passing attack were once again on display, as nationally ranked N.C. State pasted the ‘Cuse, 41-17.

This coming Saturday night in Central New York, Syracuse football will honor some of its veteran players on Senior Night, and the Orange will welcome No. 20 Pittsburgh (9-2, 6-1) to the Hill.

For a ‘Cuse defense that has allowed 41 points each over the last two ACC affairs, it doesn’t get any easier, as the Panthers have one of the most prolific scoring offenses not just in the conference, but also around the country.

The Syracuse football defense will have its hands full with a potent Pitt offense.

The Panthers’ electric offense is headlined by one of the best quarterbacks nationwide, senior Kenny Pickett. He is having some kind of special 2021 stanza.

According to statistics on the ESPN Web site, Pickett is No. 5 in the country with 3,857 passing yards, to go along with 36 passing touchdowns against only six interceptions.

Pickett has talented wide receivers to throw to, led by sophomore Jordan Addison, who is No. 4 nationally with 1,272 receiving yards to go along with 15 receiving touchdowns, per NCAA stats.

Additionally, Pittsburgh is averaging 43.9 points per contest, and that scoring production is No. 3 around the country and No. 1 in the ACC.

The Panthers’ ground game isn’t as potent, but it’s also not overly sub-par. Pitt averages 159.0 rushing yards a game. That is far below the 230.6 rushing yards that the Orange collects per encounter, which is tops in the conference.

However, that the Panthers get nearly 160 yards a game on the ground does keep opponents’ defenses honest. They can’t simply sit back and wait for Pitt to throw the ball all the time.

Now, if we examine the Syracuse football pass defense, it is No. 3 in the league, giving up 203.8 passing yards per duel. The Orange’s scoring defense, at about 26 points a game, is No. 7 in the conference.

Unfortunately, after two consecutive blow-out losses, and based on the foe that the ‘Cuse is about to play, I’m not super optimistic that Syracuse football will be able to effectively contain Pickett, Addison and the rest of their Panthers teammates.