Syracuse Orange (5-6) vs Pittsburgh Panthers (9-2)
Game Info: Saturday, November 27, 2021 at 7:30 pm (Carrier Dome)
Betting Odds: Syracuse Orange +13 -- Over/Under: 58 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The 17th ranked Pittsburgh Panthers will travel to the Carrier Dome to take on the Syracuse Orange this Saturday night in College Football action.
The 17th ranked Pittsburgh Panthers won their 3rd straight game and improved to 9-2 on the season after defeating the Virginia Cavaliers, 48-38, this past Saturday. Pittsburgh had no trouble generating offense against Virginia and was able to pull away after 1-yard TD run by Rodney Hammond Jr. gave the Panthers a 41-31 lead with 9:43 left in the 4th quarter. Pittsburgh was outgained by Virginia by a 514-509 margin and committed 2 turnovers in the victory. Leading the way for the Panthers was WR Jordan Addison who had 14 receptions for 202 yards & 4 TD.
On the season, Pittsburgh is averaging 43.9 ppg on 530.7 total yards per game (370.1 passing yds/g; 160.6 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Pittsburgh has been led by QB Kenny Pickett who has completed 67.1% of his passes for 3857 yards, 36 TD, & 6 INT. The top receiving threats for Pickett and the Panthers have been Jordan Addison (74 rec, 1272 yards, 15 TD), Jared Wayne (41 rec, 594 yards, 4 TD)), Lucas Krull (29 rec, 362 yards, 6 TD), & Gavin Bartholomew (21 rec, 260 yards, 3 TD). Leading the way for the Pittsburgh backfield has been the duo of Israel Abanikanda (109 att, 580 yards, 5 TD) & Vincent Davis (106 att, 432 yards, 4 TD).
Defensively, Pittsburgh is allowing their opponents to average 24.1 ppg on 363.2 total yards per game (265.1 passing yds/g; 98.1 rushing yds/g).
The Syracuse Orange lost their 2nd straight game and dropped to 5-6 on the season after being defeated by the 20th ranked NC State Wolfpack, 41-17, this past Saturday. Syracuse had no answers on the offensive end for the NC State defense on the road and could not fight back after the Wolfpack went into halftime with a 28-7 lead. Syracuse was outgained by NC State by a 399-236 margin and lost the turnover battle by a 1-0 margin in the loss. Leading the way for the Orange was RB Sean Tucker who had 105 rushing yards & 1 TD on 13 carries.
On the season, Syracuse is averaging 25.9 ppg on 377.8 total yards per game (147.2 passing yds/g; 230.6 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Syracuse has been led by RB Sean Tucker who has 1467 rushing yards & 12 TD on 233 carries while also hauling in 18 receptions for 237 yards & 2 TD. QB Garrett Shrader has completed 50.5% of his passes for 1228 yards, 7 TD, & 4 INT while also rushing for 783 yards & 14 TD. The top receiving threats for the Orange have been Courtney Jackson (29 rec, 297 yards, TD), Damien Alford (12 rec, 240 yards, 2 TD), & Anthony Queeley (14 rec, 192 yards, 2 TD).
Defensively, Syracuse is allowing their opponents to average 25.9 ppg on 330.1 total yards per game (203.8 passing yds/g; 126.3 rushing yds/g).
The Panthers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS loss & 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games. The Orange are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games overall and 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games as an underdog.
Syracuse has been solid ATS at home this season, however, this is a team that has really struggled as of late, as the Orange have been outscored by their last two opponents (Louisville & NC State) by an 82-20 margin. Pittsburgh continues to pile up wins as they have won 7 of their last 8 games and has been led by one of the better offenses in College Football as the Panthers come into this game ranked 3rd in scoring offense & 5th in passing offense. Syracuse has a solid rushing attack, however, the strength of Pittsburgh defense is against the run as the Panthers currently ranked 8th in rushing defense and as I think the Panthers offense does plenty against a struggling Syracuse defense, I think the play here is to take Pittsburgh to cover. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick Pittsburgh Panthers -13
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Follow Brett Nault on Twitter @BrettCU05