Pitt Football: 3 reasons the Panthers will beat Syracuse in Week 3
By Nick Fiore
2. Pitt’s dominant defense
Pitt was expected to have one of the top defenses in the ACC this year and they showed why in Week 2. Austin Peay was held to 136 passing yards and one yard on the ground. Granted, Austin Peay is an FCS program but the Pitt defense looked like they could contend with Clemson for the best unit in the conference.
The front, led by Patrick Jones II, will dominate against the Syracuse offensive line. Tackle Keyshon Camp and end Rashad Weaver were forced to miss the Austin Peay game because of COVID-19 protocol, but are expected to play against Syracuse. That trio of Jones, Camp and Weaver has NFL potential written all over it and could contend as the top defensive line in the country.
Those guys should be in the Syracuse backfield all game.
The duo of Paris Ford and Damar Hamlin at safety also may be the top pairing in the nation.
One of the very few bright spots coming out of last Saturday’s game for the Syracuse offense was receiver Taj Harris, who had five catches for 64 yards. He looks like Tommy DeVito’s go to guy this year but is in for a tough matchup against Pitt’s secondary.
They have such a big advantage in the trenches here I don’t see how DeVito isn’t running for his life all game. The Syracuse offense could be in for a long day come Saturday.