Pitt football looks to continue unexpected rise vs. Syracuse

Pitt football has won the last two games against the Syracuse Orange, and look to extend that streak as they open up conference play.

The Pittsburgh Panthers started their season just how they imagined with a 55-0 beatdown on Austin Peay. Pitt was balanced on both sides of the ball, moving the ball on offense through the air and on the ground, and by keeping Austin Peay to just 136 total yards.

Pitt entered 2020 with some thinking they could be a dark-horse to compete for a ACC title, and that is backed by their underrated defense and experienced quarterback, Kenny Pickett.

Pitt takes on the Syracuse Orange who were knocking on the door of upsetting the North Carolina Tar Heels in their season opener last Saturday, but a strong fourth quarter by the Tar Heels sent the Orange home with a disappointing loss. Led by safety Andre Cisco, the Orange’s secondary is one of the best in the country and if they can perform the way they did against Sam Howell and his receivers, they should have no issue keeping in this one.

While Pitt wants to stay ranked, Syracuse wants to prove that last week was no fluke, and that they should have upset North Carolina. Can the Orange overcome last week’s breakdown, or does Pitt put them in their place?

Here is everything you need to know for the game between Syracuse and Pitt.

Date: Saturday, Sept. 19
Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
Location: Pittsburgh, Penn.
Venue: Heinz Field
TV: ACCN
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Keys to Victory

For Pitt, they cannot afford to get ahead of themselves. There are not many games that the Panthers can enter with the label of being the better team. Their defense speaks for itself and will set the tone early for Syracuse. The defense needs to diminish Syracuse’s confidence early.

For the Pitt offense, Pickett needs to get in a rhythm and avoid any and mistakes against this talented secondary. The Orange have a lot of confidence in that secondary and will dare you to pass on certain situations.

For Syracuse, they will need the rest of their defense to lend a helping hand to their secondary. If their front-seven can apply pressure on Pickett, it will make things a lot easier for Cisco and the rest of the Syracuse secondary.

On offense, they need to find the endzone, something they did not do in their season opener. Even if their defense can slow down the Pitt offense, it will be nothing but the same as last week if their offense can’t get anything going.

Betting Odds

Odds courtesy of The Action Network

Point Spread: Pitt -21.5
Over/under: 50

Prediction

Syracuse has all the makings of pulling off the upset but their offense is very concerning. They will find ways to score but the Pitt defense is just too much for the Orange to handle and turn the ball over several times. The Pitt offense exploded last week but that was against Austin Peay, so are they really that good? They can be. Thanks to some extra possessions provided by their defense, Pitt’s offense has a field day and remains undefeated on the season.

Final Score: Pitt 45, Syracuse 20