Syracuse vs. Pittsburgh prediction: College football odds, picks, best bets Thursday
The Pittsburgh Panthers are 6-0? Since when? They’ve pulled out some wild wins this year behind up-and-coming quarterback Eli Holstein and a potent, balanced offensive attack. But the 5-1 Syracuse Orange are no joke.Their 44-41 win over UNLV was among college football’s best wins this season. Read on for my Syracuse vs Pittsburgh predictions and college football best bets for Thursday’s prime-time ACC matchup (7:30 p.m.
ET, ESPN).I think the Panthers are due to drop a game. They needed a 14-point fourth-quarter comeback to down Cincinnati and a 10-point fourth-quarter comeback to sneak past West Virginia.The offense was abhorrent last week against Cal, where they won in a 17-15 grinder despite running 21 fewer plays and gaining 23 fewer yards. However, there’s also a lot to like about the Panthers.
They’re rushing attack is dangerous (fourth in EPA per Rush) behind top back Desmond Reid (496 yards, 6.3 YPC) and Holstein’s dual-threat ability (350 yards, 7.6 YPC).Their front seven has been stout against the rush (10th in EPA per Rush allowed) and they rank top 50 nationally in Havoc and PFF’s Pass Rush grades. But their secondary is a glaring weakness. The corners are getting gashed.
Ryland Gandy and Rashad Battle have allowed 37 receptions on 61 targets (61% completion) for nearly 500 yards (8.2 yards per target).They’ve been consistently targeted deep downfield, with Gandy allowing an 18.7-yard average depth of target. Pitt ranks 120th nationally in EPA per Pass and Pass Explosiveness allowed. While Syracuse’s overall resume is up for debate, Kyle McCord is shining in northern New York, ranking among the top 15 qualified FBS quarterbacks in EPA per Dropback and Pass Success Rate.
He’s already amassed more than 2,100 yards through six games and leads the nation in Big-Time Throws with 21. Jackson Meeks and Trebor Pena have established themselves as half-decent wideouts.Meeks is averaging an explosive 2.5 yards per route run, but it...