Syracuse vs Pittsburgh Betting Preview
An ACC battle is set for Saturday afternoon when the Syracuse Orange (6-2, 3-1 in ACC) visit the Pittsburgh Panthers (4-4, 1-3). Syracuse is second in the Atlantic division and are 2.5 games back of Clemson. Pitt sits near the bottom of the Coastal. Caesars Sportsbook has the opening line at Pitt -3.5 and the over at 50.5 points scored. This game will air live on the ACC Network.
Through eight games, Syracuse is scoring 32.6 points per game and are gaining 396.8 yards per game, 232.3 through the air and 164.5 on the ground. Defensively, the Orange are averaging just 18.4 points against, and 303.1 yards allowed, 164.5 passing and 138.6 rushing.
After eight games, Pitt is scoring 30.9 points per game and are gaining 409.5 yards per game, 227.4 through the air and 182.1 on the ground. Defensively, the Panthers are averaging 27.9 points against, and 351.1 yards allowed, 231.1 passing and 120.0 rushing.
Syracuse vs Pittsburgh Prediction
Last time out, Syracuse hosted Notre Dame and were beaten 41-24. This game was tied at seven after the first quarter, but the Fighting Irish scored 17 unanswered points to take a 24-7 lead midway through the third quarter. Syracuse made it a one score game entering the fourth, but Notre Dame scored 14 unanswered to start the final quarter to put his game away. Two Syracuse passers combined to go 16/36 for 225 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions in the loss. Defensively, the Orange allowed 362 total yards and forced one Notre Dame interception.
Pitt visited #21 North Carolina and left with a disappointing 42-24 defeat. The Panthers led 17-14 at the half, and 24-14 early in the third quarter, but UNC woke up and dominated the final 25 minutes. The Tar Heels scored the final 28 points to get the 18-point win and to stay in the driver’s seat in their race for the ACC Championship Game. Israel Abanikanda ran the ball 26 times for 127 yards, a 4.9 average, and three touchdowns in the loss. Defensively, the Panthers allowed 474 total yards and did not force any UNC turnovers.
Series History: Pitt has won four straight meetings and now lead the all-time series 42-31-3.
Pick: Pitt is going into a downward spiral, so I am going to back Syracuse to cover the spread on the road.