Pitt Football: 3 reasons the Panthers will beat Syracuse in Week 3
By Nick Fiore
Syracuse and Pitt football had vastly different opening week experiences and now meet Saturday. Here’s why Pitt should come out with another win.
Pitt started off its 2020 season with a blowout win over FCS Austin Peay. The game was never in doubt for the Panthers and after going up 42-0 at halftime, the teams agreed to play 10-minute quarters in the second half.
The offense looked good and the defense was dominant as expected. They did everything that should’ve been asked of them against a clearly inferior opponent. Pitt was one of the few teams to actually get a tune-up game this season and not head straight into conference play. This could play a factor for them the next few weeks as they got a near-full game to work on things from practice without really being tested.
Syracuse took a loss to start its season against North Carolina. The Orange were in the game through the first half but key mistakes in the red zone, a struggling offensive line and a Tar Heels offense that caught fire late prevented the Orange from pulling a huge upset.
Both teams looked sloppy offensively and the Orange’s 3-3-5 defense was able to shut down Heisman hopeful Sam Howell and this electric Tar Heels offense for most of the game.
Even after a short offseason to implement this schematic change, the defense looked good and seems like it’ll be the stronger unit, and the likely reason behind any Syracuse wins this year. Safety Andre Cisco increased his lead as the current active interception leader in all of college football, picking off Sam Howell early in the third quarter.
This week, Pitt and Syracuse face off at Heinz Field. Pitt opened as a 21-point favorite and is expected to get their first conference win.
Here’s why Pitt will roll past Syracuse.