Coming off its second and final bye week of the current campaign, Syracuse football is set to play arguably its most important game so far in the 2024 season when the Orange travels to long-time rival Pittsburgh this Thursday night.
The 'Cuse (5-1, 2-1 in the ACC) has won three straight games, including the last two on the road. The Orange will wrap up its month-long road tour in October when it faces the No. 19 Panthers (6-0, 2-0 in the ACC) in a key Atlantic Coast Conference clash.
To date in the 2024 term, head coach Pat Narduzzi has guided Pittsburgh to an impressive first half of this season. After going just 3-9 in 2023, the Panthers have yet to lose and are one of four squads that remain undefeated in ACC competition.
For Syracuse football, the program needs one more victory to qualify for the post-season for the third year in a row, although first-year head coach Fran Brown, his top-flight staff and their players are hungry to continue piling up triumphs and contend for a ACC championship as well as a potential berth to the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff.
The Orange's two-point home setback to Stanford last month isn't looking so hot these days, given the Cardinal's struggles of late. However, when it heads to Pittsburgh, the 'Cuse has a chance to beat a third foe in the 2024 season that was ranked in the major top-25 polls at the time of the contest.
Syracuse football previously knocked off then-No. 23 Georgia Tech at the JMA Wireless Dome and then-No. 25 UNLV in Las Vegas.
Syracuse football at No. 19 Pittsburgh odds, spread and total
When I wrote this article, FanDuel had the Orange as a 5.5-point betting underdog at the Panthers, with the over/under set at 62.5 points.
Syracuse football at No. 19 Pittsburgh how to watch
Date: Thursday, Oct. 24
Game Time: 7:30 pm EST
Venue: Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh
TV/Streaming: ESPN and fuboTV
Pittsburgh's record: 6-0, 2-0 in the ACC
Syracuse's record: 5-1, 2-1 in the ACC
Syracuse’s full 2024 schedule: Click here
Syracuse football at No. 19 Pittsburgh prediction and pick
Here's the week-nine depth chart for the Orange, courtesy of 247Sports analyst Mike McAllister. A couple of things to mention here. Brown says that freshman defensive back Marcellus Barnes is "ready to go" against the Panthers.
Marlowe Wax Jr., the team's star senior linebacker who has been out for multiple games due to an injury, will "probably play next week" when Syracuse football hosts Virginia Tech on Saturday, Nov. 2, according to Brown.
Fran Brown says this morning LB Marlowe Wax will “probably play next week.”
— Ashley Wenskoski (@AshleyWenskTV) October 21, 2024
CB Marcellus Barnes is “ready to go” this week. Says he has to compete for his spot
Redshirt freshman wide receiver Zeed Haynes, a Georgia transfer, remains out while he deals with a "family issue ... Hope we have the opportunity to see him in the near future," Brown says. Orange Nation sends love to Zeed and his family.
Fran Brown on WR Zeed Haynes:
— Ashley Wenskoski (@AshleyWenskTV) October 21, 2024
“He’s not back right now. He’s handling his family issue that he’s taking care of. Everyone will know when he’s back- I’m gonna throw a party when he’s back. Hope we have the opportunity to see him in the near future.”
On Thursday evening, the 'Cuse and Pittsburgh will meet for the 80th time. In their series together, which dates back to 1916, the Panthers are 43-33-3 versus the Orange, per SU Athletics.
Here is Pitt's 2024 resume at this juncture. The Panthers have won at home over Kent State, West Virginia, Youngstown State and California. Pittsburgh possesses road successes against Cincinnati and North Carolina.
The Syracuse football defense will have its hands full in this encounter. Per the league's Web site, the Panthers are currently No. 3 within the ACC in points per game, at 40.8. They're also No. 3 in the conference in total yards per contest, at 481.3. Pitt's offensive attack is also balanced well, with 175.5 rushing yards and 305.8 passing yards per affair.
The 'Cuse offense, too, is clicking on all cylinders, led by senior quarterback Kyle McCord, junior running back LeQuint Allen Jr., and a wide array of talented wide receivers and tight ends. For comparison's sake, the Panthers' defense is slightly better than the Orange's in both points and total yards allowed per game.
One thing to mention. Coming off its first bye week, Syracuse football suffered a two-point loss to Stanford on the Hill. Let's see how the 'Cuse responds at Pittsburgh coming off another bye week. I should note that the Panthers are coming off their second and final bye week as well.
This week, in the most recent Associated Press and Coaches top-25 polls, the Orange is second within both ballots in the "others receiving votes" category. Should the 'Cuse upset an undefeated Pittsburgh group on the road this Thursday, I'd be shocked if Syracuse football doesn't reside in the top-25 polls following the week-nine docket of contests.
I'm having a tough time predicting the outcome! I'm expecting a lot of points on the scoreboard for both teams, and I do think that the Orange will cover the spread. But I'm going to project the Panthers to prevail at home by a final count of 35-31.