Syracuse Orange football: predictions and poll vs Pitt Panthers

The Syracuse Orange (5-1, 2-1) are wrapping up their three-game road trip at the #19 Pitt Panthers (6-0, 2-0). It’s a pivotal game as Syracuse looks to become bowl eligible in Fran Brown’s first season and keep their ACC Championship hopes alive.

Here’s what we think will happen tonight…

Kevin (4-2): Pitt 34, Syracuse 28

Without Marlowe Wax and Trebor Pena, it might be tough for the Orange to pull off another close win, but I think this game’s going to come down to the wire. Pitt has rallied twice for fourth quarter comeback wins and I think they make a play in the final few minutes to take the lead and hold on to stay undefeated.

Carson (4-1): Syracuse 31, Pitt 28

Syracuse seems to play best when the lights are brightest and the lights don’t get much brighter than in primetime on a Thursday night. Also, I’d like to add, like Georgia Tech, I think Pitt is a bit overrated — of its six wins, three were one-score games, two were blowouts against Kent State and Youngstown State, and for its fifth win of the season, it barely beat a North Carolina team forced to start its third-string quarterback. And, not that Syracuse has beaten any world beaters, but this is a Pitt team that still has a lot to prove against tougher competition. I like SU’s chances in the Steel City.

Mike (4-2): Syracuse 34, Pitt 27

If the forecast was calling for a chilly night on the Allegheny, I might feel different about the outcome. But with temps set to be around 60 at kickoff and not dropping drastically til overnight, the Orange offense should have plenty of time to do what it does best and air the ball out all over the field. This could be the chance for Justus Ross-Simmons to get involved, either as a deep threat complementing Jackson Meeks or a sub for Pena in the slot. I think it comes down to the defense to make one last stand at the end and they’ll take the Stanford lesson to heart and get it done.

Dom (4-2): Pitt 38, Syracuse 28

As dominant as Syracuse’s offense has looked so far, this is the game where an underrated Pitt defense coupled with an equally as potent Panthers offense puts an end to the Orange’s recent success on the road. I could see this being a one-score game by the end, but I’m giving a huge advantage to the Pitt of Doom atmosphere which Syracuse has struggled in this entire century.

Max (5-1): Syracuse 35, Pitt 27

The Orange won as underdogs on the road against UNLV and they’ll do it again here. While this is the toughest matchup so far for Syracuse, it’s also the toughest for Pitt, who has just one win against a team with a winning record. Kyle McCord tosses three touchdown passes and helps to eliminate SU’s Steel City demons in a one-score win on national television.

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Now it’s your turn