Pitt Panthers Vs. Syracuse Orange GameDay Preview And Prediction
By Larry Snyder
The University of Pittsburgh Panthers (5-1, 3-0 in ACC) pursue perfection on the road Saturday in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Blue and Gold are in the Empire State for an encounter with the Orange of Syracuse University (3-3, 1-1 in ACC).
One of the keys for Pat Narduzzi‘s squad is their ability to capture victory in close contests. The Panthers are 4-1 in match-ups decided by single digits this season.
-= Related: Experience, Depth Are Key To Pitt’s 2015-16 Season =-
One of the key components to the Pitt offense is Tyler Boyd, a Fred Biletnikoff Award nominee this season. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound junior wide receiver is the most prolific pass catcher in Panthers history. Boyd has 41 catches in five contests this season and 204 career receptions.
The resurgence of the Pitt defense continues as it leads the ACC and is third in the nation with 3.67 sacks per contest. The Blue and Gold recorded 22 sacks in six games. Junior linebacker Matt Galambos leads with four sacks so far this season.
Head coach Scott Shafer and the Orange lost 44-38 on the road last week against the University of Virginia Cavaliers. In 2013, he guided the Orange to a 21-17 victory against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the Texas Bowl to become just the second head coach in program history to win a bowl game in his inaugural season.
Here is your Game Day roundup:
When: Saturday, Oct. 24
Kickoff: 12 noon ET – Gates open at 9:00 a.m.
Site: Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York
Playing Surface: Field Turf
Syracuse Ticket Information: carrierdome.com
Series Began: 1916
Series Overall: Pitt leads 36-31-3
ACC Series: Pitt leads 2-0
At Pittsburgh: Pitt leads 21-11
At Syracuse: Syracuse leads 18-15-3
Neutral Sites: Syracuse leads 2-0
Last Meeting At Pitt: Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014 (Pitt won 30-7)
Last Meeting At Syracuse: Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013 (Pitt won 17-16)
Current Series Win Streak: Pitt has won the last two match-ups in 2013 and 2014.
Television: ESPNU
Announcers: Anish Shroff and Ahmad Brooks
Radio Coverage: 93.7 FM – The Fan and the Pitt IMG Sports Network
Announcers: Bill Hillgrove and Pat Bostick with Larry Richert reporting from the sidelines
More from Pitt Panthers
- Pitt Basketball: Justin Champagnie Needs to Get Back on Track
- Pitt QB Kenny Pickett Must Improve in Week 14
- Pitt Exposed as a Pretender After Ugly Loss to Virginia Tech
- Pitt’s Gerald Drumgoole Jr. Is Vital to Offensive Improvement
- Pitt Must Be Careful of Potential Trap Game in Week 12
Sirius XM Satellite Radio: Sirius Channel 113, XM Channel 194
Live Video Stream: WatchESPN
Pitt Gameday LIVE Mobile App: Download for iOS / Download for Android
Live Stats: Game Tracker
Pitt Social Media – Twitter: @GoPittFootball / @PittAthletics
Odds: Pitt -7 According to the Bovada Online Sportsbook with the Over/Under at 49.
Local Television Replay: ROOT Sports Pittsburgh on Monday, Oct. 26 at 7:00 p.m.
My Prediction: Pitt remains unbeaten in the ACC and in first place in the Coastal Division with a 31-20 victory over Syracuse.
Up Next: Pitt returns home to Heinz Field Thursday, Oct 29 when they take on the North Carolina Tar Heels. The contest will kick-off at 7:00 p.m. ET. It will be broadcast on the ESPN.
Next: Steelers: Previewing The Chiefs Match-Up