Pitt-Syracuse Preview: Betting Odds, Channel, Notes & More

The University of Pittsburgh Panthers face the Syracuse Orange this Saturday. The game is at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, New York. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. EST on the ACC Network. This longtime rivalry continues a series played every year since 1955.

Pitt enters the contest with renewed momentum. The Panthers have won two straight conference games. A victory would solidify their position in the ACC standings.

Heintschel’s Emergence Fuels Panther Turnaround

Pitt’s recent success is linked to a quarterback change. True freshman Mason Heintschel took over the starting role. He was named ACC Rookie of the Week after his first start.

Heintschel threw four touchdowns against Boston College. He then passed for 321 yards and two scores against Florida State. His composure has ignited the Panther offense, which is averaging 41 points over the last two games. According to ACC Network analysts, his poise is rare for a first-year player.

The offense has also welcomed back receiver Desmond Reid. Reid caught eight passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns against FSU. The Panthers’ run defense remains a national strength, ranking eighth in the country.

Syracuse Seeks Answers Following Bye Week

Syracuse hopes a bye week helped solve recent struggles. The Orange have lost two consecutive games. Injuries have significantly impacted their season, particularly at quarterback.

Transfer quarterback Steve Angeli is out for the year. Redshirt sophomore Rickie Collins has started the last two games. He has thrown one touchdown against four interceptions during that span.

The Orange defense has had difficulty against the pass. They rank near the bottom nationally in passing yards allowed. Pitt will likely test this secondary early and often. BetMGM lists Pitt as a 9.5-point road favorite for this reason.

This ACC matchup hinges on Pitt’s surging offense against a reeling Syracuse defense. The Panthers’ recent dominance in this series suggests they are poised for another strong performance on the road.

Info at your fingertips

What is the point spread for the Pitt vs. Syracuse game?

Pitt is currently a 9.5-point favorite according to BetMGM. The over/under for total points scored is set at 54.5.

How has Pitt’s quarterback performed recently?

Freshman Mason Heintschel has thrown six touchdowns in two starts. He also led the team in rushing during their upset win over Florida State.

Why has Syracuse struggled in its last two games?

The Orange lost their starting quarterback to a season-ending injury. Their defense has also allowed an average of 34.5 points in losses to SMU and Duke.

What channel is the Pitt vs. Syracuse game on?

The game will be televised nationally on the ACC Network. The broadcast team includes Chris Cotter and Max Browne.

Who is a key offensive player to watch for Syracuse?

Tight end Dan Villari has historically performed well against Pitt. He has scored two rushing touchdowns against the Panthers over the last two seasons.