Looks like the Carrier Dome will be packed for game or at least near capacity. The Syracuse AD is projecting over 40,000 for the game (which is also Homecoming). Just to note, that was Matt Glaude — who does Orange 44 and is a fellow participant in the NCAA CFB Fanhouse — and I are answering each others questions about our teams the rest of the week. I asked him a little about the crowd projections yesterday.

While the ‘Cuse’s best WR and deep threat Taj Smith is out for the season with a broken clavicle, Rice Moss and his “slightly” separated shoulder are expected to play.

Syracuse’s Joe Fields has adjusted quite well to moving to Free Safety from QB and is now enjoying the game again.

“I haven’t had this much fun since middle school,” Fields said. “Not even high school.”

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As the season approaches the midway point and the Orange (3-2) approaches its most important game, Fields is becoming more than competitive; he’s becoming a playmaker. Two games ago he sacked Miami of Ohio quarterback Mike Kokal on the first play, setting the tone for a 34-14 Orange victory. Saturday, he made his first career interception in the fourth quarter of a double-overtime victory over Wyoming, then nearly made a second one that would have sealed the verdict in regulation.

Despite having 25 sacks, there is some concern about the lack of speed from the Syracuse linebackers when they are in pass defense (hence, I imagine why they blitz a lot). Hopefully Pitt will be able to exploit that with the tight ends and some screens to the backs.