Syracuse Orange Football: Predictions and Poll vs. Pitt Panthers

The Syracuse Orange (5-1, 2-1) conclude their three-game road trip at the #19 Pitt Panthers (6-0, 2-0). It's a crucial game as Syracuse looks to become bowl eligible in Fran Brown's first season and keep its 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 will be difficult for the Orange to get another close win, but I think this game will come down to the wire. Pitt has rallied to fourth quarter comeback victories twice and I think they're looking to take the lead in the final minutes and 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 prime time on a Thursday night. Also, I'd like to add that, like Georgia Tech, I think Pitt is a bit overrated – of its six wins, three were one-score games, two were losses to Kent State and Youngstown State, and for its fifth win this season, it beat narrowly a North Carolina team that was forced to use its third quarterback. And it's not like Syracuse has beaten any world champions, 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 weather forecast called for a cool night on the Allegheny, I might feel differently about the outcome. But with temperatures hovering around 60 degrees at kickoff and not expected to drop drastically until overnight, the Orange offense should have plenty of time to do what it does best and spread the ball all over the field. This could be a chance for Justus Ross-Simmons to step up, either as a strong threat to complement Jackson Meeks or as a substitute for Pena. I think it's up to the defense to make one last stand at the end, and they will take the Stanford lesson to heart and get it done.

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

As dominant as Syracuse's offense has looked so far, this is the game in which an underrated Pitt defense paired with an equally strong Panthers offense puts an end to the Orange's recent road successes. I could see it ending up being a one-score game, but I give major credit to the Pitt of Doom atmosphere that Syracuse has struggled with this entire century.

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

The Orange won on the road against UNLV as underdogs and they'll do it again here. While this is the toughest matchup yet for Syracuse, it is also the toughest for Pitt, which has only one win against a team with a winning record. Kyle McCord throws three touchdown passes, helping eliminate SU's Steel City Demons with a one-score victory on national television.

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