Syracuse vs Pittsburgh Prediction College Football Picks 10/24/24

The Syracuse Orange and the Pitt Panthers meet in week 9 college football action from Acrisure Stadium on Thursday night. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Syracuse vs. Pitt prediction.

Syracuse Recap

The Syracuse Orange come into this one looking to build on their current three-game win streak after a 24-17 win over NC State last time out to improve to 5-1 on the year. After this game, Syracuse will head home for a game with Virginia Tech.

Orange Looking To Make Move In ACC

Kyle McCord has thrown for 2,160 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions on 65.6% passing while LeQuint Allen has rushed for a team-high 449 yards and 4 touchdowns. Trebor Pena has a team-high 42 receptions for 458 yards and 5 touchdowns while Jackson Meeks has 38 grabs and a team-high 459 receiving yards with 4 TDs and Oronde Gadsden II has 433 receiving yards and 3 TDs so far this season. Another two Syracuse receivers have 200+ receiving yards as well on the year. On defense, Derek McDonald and Justin Barron each have a team-high 39 total tackles while King Joseph Edwards has 3 sacks and Fadil Diggs has a team-high 4 sacks. As a unit, Syracuse’s defense has combined for 13 sacks and 6 interceptions so far this season.

Why the Syracuse Orange will win

• Syracuse has won three of its last four games as an underdog.
• The road team has covered the spread in each of Syracuse’s last four games.
• Pittsburgh has failed to cover the spread in 10 of its last 13 October games as a home favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.

Pitt Recap

The Pitt Panthers come into this game looking to improve on their 6-0 start to the year after a 17-15 win over Cal last time out. After this game, Pitt will head on the road for a huge game against SMU.

Panthers Trying To Stay Undefeated

Eli Holstein has thrown for 1,697 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions on 63.5% passing while Desmond Reid has rushed for a team-high 494 yards and 3 touchdowns. Konata Mumpfield has a team-high 26 receptions for 463 yards and 3 touchdowns for Pitt’s receiving group while Kenny Johnson has 258 receiving yards with 2 touchdowns. Desmond Reid has 341 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns while Censere Lee and Raphael Williams Jr. each have 200+ receiving yards on the year as well. On defense, Donovan McMillon has a team-high 56 total tackles while Rasheem Biles has 40 total tackles including 23 solo tackles and 3 sacks. Kyle Louis has 3 sacks and a pair of INTs while Jimmy Scott has 4 sacks and Nate Matlack has 3 sacks. As a unit, Pitt has a team-high 18 sacks and 5 interceptions.

Why the Pittsburgh Panthers will win

• Pittsburgh has won each of its last six games.
• Syracuse has lost 16 of its last 19 road games against conference opponents.
• Syracuse has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last eight road games against conference opponents.
• Pittsburgh has covered the spread in six of its last seven games at Acrisure Stadium.

Syracuse vs. Pitt Prediction

I’m leaning towards Syracuse here. I get why Pitt’s favored here, and Kyle McCord has had some questionable performances in second halves this season. However, Syracuse’s offense can hang here, and this feels like a game where the team that has the ball last wins this game. I think this comes down to 3 or 4 points so give me the points with Syracuse here.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Syracuse +6