Or at least he best not do so to Syracuse.
Coach Dave Wannstedt — in only a slight oversimplification — takes a general view towards football that you line your 11 best against the other team’s 11 best. That ultimately it is the talent on the field and the team that makes the fewest mistakes that determines the winner. It’s why Wannstedt views the spread as a gimmick offense. Schemes, styles, and everything else matter little when it comes to just playing basic football. Something Coach Wannstedt seems to acknowledge with this game.
For that reason, I have to agree (and I’m not particularly thrilled about this) with Smizik’s post that the Syracuse game is a “can’t lose” game for Pitt and Wannstedt (not a “must win,” though). Aside from being a road game, Pitt should be the team expected to win.
Across nearly every position, Pitt has superior talent than Syracuse. Both teams play similar styles. Presumably, that is how Pitt is preparing for this game. The fact that Syracuse is even slightly favored to win this game speaks to the issue of the coaching and motivation of this Pitt team.
