PASSING NOTES ON SYRACUSE

The bye week is over and it’s time for Pitt to get back to the field.  The Panthers will travel up to Syracuse, NY to take on the Orange at the Carrier Dome at 7PM on Friday night.  The game will be on ESPN (apparently Syracuse/Pitt gets the prime time slot, while Louisville/Pitt gets stuck with a morning time kick off – can’t wait to be in the ACC).

The Orange are also coming off their own bye week and stand at 1-3.  Do not be fooled by the losing record. Syracuse almost pulled off a dramatic comeback over now #24 Northwestern before losing in week one.  They also hung with USC for a while, and lost a tough one to Minnesota, so it is not like they have been drug all over the field this season.  Their lone win came against Stony Brook, which was a 28-17 win. 

Syracuse is 10^th in passing and 83^rd in rushing, and finally 68^th in points for in the NCAA.  The defense has struggled somewhat, coming in at 81^st in points allowed per game.  Pitt will have to build on their Virginia Tech and Gardner Webb games to keep Syracuse’s passing game off the field.

When the Orange offense takes the field, they are led by Senior QB Ryan Nassib.  Nassib has 1,367 yards in 4 games, 10 TD passes, 5 INTs, and has been sacked 6 times.  Nassib has tons of experience and will also take off on the run from time to time.  When Nassib is not putting the football in the air, Junior RB, Jerome Smith is the main man to run the ball…..for now.  Smith has put up 227 yards, so his numbers don’t jump off the page.  Junior RB Prince-Tyson Gulley has been getting a little more of the load lately and now has 182 yards and 2 TDs.

The receivers are led by Senior WR Marcus Sales.  Sales has pulled in 27 catches for 382 yards and has already hit pay dirt 5 times this season.  Sales is complimented by Jarrod West, who has 267 yards of his own and scored once.

Syracuse has their own struggling kicker this season in Ross Krautman.  The Junior kicker is 4 for 7 and has missed both kicks from 40+ yards. Pitt can relate when it comes to those struggles, so it would be interesting if this came down to the kickers.

This game is shaping up to be a close one.  BOTH teams are getting healthy right now, as Syracuse should be getting their stud left tackle, Justin Pugh back on Friday.  Also returning from injury could be (not definite yet) WR Adrian Flemming and CB Brandon Reddish. Pitt is also getting healthier at the moment with Aaron Donald and Hubie Graham expected to play after sitting out the Gardner-Webb game. Jack Lippert also could return, along with the anticipated return of LB Todd Thomas.

Pitt must keep Syracuse’s offense off the field and control the line of scrimmage.  As I pointed out, Syracuse’s offense is good when it is clicking and they are getting a big lift with Pugh coming back on Friday.  This team is NOT as bad as their 1-3 record indicates and the Carrier Dome can get loud.  I think Pitt continues to improve and I believe both teams will be better each week moving forward.  I like the Panthers in a tight one, 27-24. 

My apologies for the lack of information and fun links in this preview. The recap of this game and the Louisville preview and recap will be VERY short.  My wedding is only 10 days away, so time is getting VERY tight. 

Also....breaking news just now as athlete Reggie Green has committed to the Panthers!