With the chance to get back into the win column at home against No. 20 Syracuse, it’s not only an important opportunity for Pitt to go 1-0 this week, but it’s also the opportunity to start a quest to get back to bowl eligibility.
Pitt will wear gold helmets with a blue stripe, blue jerseys and gold pants — as modeled by SirVocea Dennis, the Syracuse, New York native — this week in a key conference matchup.
Despite a loss to Notre Dame last week, Syracuse is in one of its best seasons in recent memory. The Orange are ranked 22nd in the Week 10 AP Poll, but with back-to-back losses, the betting lines are favorable.
With wins over Louisville, Virginia and North Carolina State in the ACC and non-conference wins over Wagner, Connecticut and Purdue, Syracuse is 6-2 entering a matchup against Pitt this week.
Pitt is 42-32-3 all-time against Syracuse, dating back to an inaugural meeting in 1916 — a 30-0 victory in Syracuse.
Pitt has won 17 of the last 20 meetings, including four in a row dating back to 2018 and eight of the last nine dating back to 2013.
Kenny Pickett led Pitt to a 31-14 win over Syracuse last season at the JMA Wireless Dome, tossing four touchdowns in the win on the way to the ACC title.
Pitt has played more games against Syracuse all-time than any other school, aside from West Virginia and Penn State.
Pitt will kickoff against Syracuse at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Acrisure Stadium, and for those who will not be in attendance, ACC Network will carry the broadcast. A commentary crew of Chris Cotter (play-by-play), Mark Herzlich (analyst) and Lericia Harris (reporter) will be on the call.
Well, if they don’t play good, at least they’ll look good.