Can Pitt make it two wins in a row and more importantly pick up the first ACC win of 2017?
Based on recent success against Syracuse, the Panthers are playing the perfect opponent.
Talk about dominance, Pitt has won 4 straight against Syracuse, 11 of the 12 and 13 of the 15 games played.
Simply put, Pitt is a team that matches up well against Syracuse.
Will this be the case on Saturday?
PSN talked with 93.7 The Fan’s Andrew Fillipponi, a Syracuse alum, to get his insight into Saturday’s game and how he sees the game playing out.
“I believe they [Syracuse] has one of the more under recognized passing offenses in the country, the offense is all pass. Their leading rusher is [Eric] Dungey the quarterback,” said Fillipponi.
“They don’t conventionally give the ball to the running back. It’s the Baylor offense, super fast, super up-tempo.”
“One of the things I think you’ll see Saturday is them splitting Ismail out and running him as s deep target forcing Pitt to defend those deep, fade patterns that have given Pitt problems in the past and they’ll run Phillips underneath,” said Fillipponi.
Yesterday, Pat Narduzzi talked about his secondary and said he hopes Syracuse challenges his corners because he likes the way they’re playing right now.
”Pitt got ripped up against one of the best air attacks in college football but Syracuse isn’t in the same class as them. As far as the Penn State game goes, I don’t feel Penn States offense beat Pitt with big pass plays. I thought Pitt’s defense did a good job eliminating the big plays and because of that, I would be optimistic if I’m Pitt,” said Fillipponi.
“I just don’t think Syracuse’s offense is there yet. Dungey will commit a couple turnovers so Pitt’s defense will have opportunities to take the ball away.”
Max Browne and the Panther offense is coming off their best performance of the season as Browne passed for over 400 yards against Rice.
Doing Syracuse’s defense, how will Pitt have success?
”If Pitt is going to beat them, it’s going to be with the running game. The offensive line and their group of backs have to control some clock and keep the Syracuse offense off the field,” said Fillipponi.
Prediction time. How does Fillipponi see this turning out?
”Syracuse is a tricky team to predict. I know Syracuse is favorite but I just don’t feel they’re ready to win a game like this. They’re a team that will give Pitt a competitive game but will find a way to lose. My guess is it’ll be a close game in the 4th quarter but Pitt will go there and win.”
