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November 21, 2013

Know Your Enemy: ARCHRIVAL ORANGE

Filed under: Football,Opponent(s) — Justin @ 12:59 pm

This week Pitt heads to the Carrier Dome for a no questions asked, must-win game. Pitt cannot rely upon a win over Miami next Friday to get to bowl eligibility. While Miami isn’t a top 10 team like they were a few weeks ago, they’re still a better team than Pitt across the board. Syracuse, however, is a flawed team still in transition after Doug Marrone left to coach the Buffalo Bills. The ACC set the ARCHRIVAL ORANGE up as Pitt’s cross-division rival, meaning the two teams will play annually even though they’re in different ACC divisions.

A few quick stats on Syracuse. Their offense is rather bad. They’re 99th in points per game (22.4) and 107th in passing (174.9 yards per game). Most offensive production comes on the ground, where they’re averaging 196.7 ypg. Their defense is statistically comparable to Pitt. Both teams allow around 26 points per game. The ARCHRIVAL ORANGE are a bit better in run defense but not quite as good against the pass. Overall, the numbers are quite close.

There is one area Syracuse jumps off of the charts: sacks. They’re tied for 9th in the nation with three sacks per game. This is obviously a big worry given Pitt’s OL struggles and Savage’s inability to get rid of the ball quickly. Thankfully the pass rush doesn’t turn into a ton of turnovers; the ARCHRIVAL ORANGE are forcing fewer than two turnovers per game and most of those are interceptions (13).

The ARCHRIVAL ORANGE are worse offensively than their stats would lead you to believe, which says a lot. It starts with a dreadful passing game. Sophomore Terrel Hunt is the man behind center and after an insanely good start (33/43 468 yards 7 TDs) he has dropped off the face of the Earth the past six games. Since their victory over Tulane, Hunt has gone 68/130 (52%) for 553 yards (4.2 yards per attempt) 0 TDs and 7 interceptions. That’s 92 yards per game.

Hunt’s only way to move the ball is with his feet. Including sacks, he has had 232 yards and two touchdowns on the ground during that same stretch of six games. The one dimensional aspect of Syracuse’s offense will make life a lot easier.

The downside to that one dimensional aspect is that the ARCHRIVAL ORANGE are pretty good on the ground. Jerome Smith and Prince Tyson-Gulley are a solid 1-2 punch. They’ve combined for 1,146 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground. Smith was on a very good run until he hit a brick wall against FSU (5 carries, 1 yard), but I won’t judge him harshly for that. In their two biggest wins of the season (NC State and Maryland), Smith was great. In those games he had 258 yards and 3 TDs.

The key to stopping Cuse’s offense will be containing Hunt and Smith on the ground. Tyson-Gulley is injured and his status for the game is up in the air. A lot of Hunt’s passes will be bubble screens. The ARCHVRIVAL ORANGE will try to pound the ball with Smith and Tyson-Gulley then pass off of that. When Syracuse tries to pass the ball several times in a row, the results aren’t pretty. They’ll try a trick play or two as well. Hunt is not very accurate deep, so the safeties can play up and gamble that Hunt will miss if someone is open over the top.

Plain and simple, stop Cuse on the ground and I don’t see how this offense will do anything. They’ve topped 20 points ONCE in the past six games and that was due to 362 rushing yards. If the defense can avoid huge mistakes and stop the rushing attack, I doubt Cuse will score 20.

On defense, Syracuse’s 4-3 has been a lot more impressive. However, they have two key injuries in the secondary, which will cause a lot of issues. The ARCHRIVAL ORANGE will be missing two of their top four CBs, Keon Lyn and Julian Whighman. Syracuse’s secondary is still chasing Devin Street from last season, where he torched them for 10 catches and 130 yards.

The main man to fear is DT Jay Bromley. Bromley’s has 9 sacks on the season, only one behind Aaron Donald. A DT that can penetrate is the best way to stop any offense (as anyone who has watched Aaron Donald nearly win games on his own can attest) and Bromley is obviously one of the best. After Bromley, it’s MLB Marquis Spruill and Robert Walsh with 3.5 and 3.0 sacks respectively. LB Dyshawn Davis has a sack in back to back games as well. Syracuse doesn’t have one guy who steps up when Bromley can’t get there, they have a variety of players, which is bad news for Tom Savage because the pressure will come from all angles.

The player to fear in the secondary (thanks to injuries) becomes safety Durell Eskridge and his four interceptions, two of which have come the past two weeks. His interception against Maryland was a huge play that halted Maryland on one of their better offensive drives of the day.

Syracuse’s defense will rely on pressure and turnovers. If the ARCHRIVAL ORANGE are going to win this game, the defense has to keep Pitt out of the end zone and force turnovers. If Pitt’s offense keeps the ball and scores a few touchdowns, Cuse has a very small chance of winning. They won’t be able to keep up in a shootout.

The key will be to get good yards on first and second down to avoid third and long scenarios, which Pitt has not been too great at. Take advantage of Cuse’s depleted secondary on quick passes like bubble screens and slants. Don’t be afraid to run the ball even if it’s going nowhere. When you’re up against a struggling offense, play the field position game. 3rd and 12 on your own 40? Don’t try a deep pass and open up the chance for a sack. Play small ball, keep Savage upright, and don’t get risky. Even Cuse fans admit they’re going to have to win this one ugly with turnovers, sacks, and the running game.

I’m hoping I’m right and the ineptitude of Syracuse’s offense along with a conservative game plan is good enough. I think ARCHRIVAL ORANGE QB Terrel Hunt makes a mistake or two that prove to be critical and the offense avoids huge mistakes. Pitt wins 24-13 and avenges last year’s loss to the ARCHRIVAL ORANGE.

 





No doubt this version of the Orange is not nearly as good as last year’s, which put a whooping on Geno Smith and the Eers in the bowl last year.

Also, no doubt that Pitt is the better team. IMO, the 2 keys are:

– win the turnover battle
– protect our QB

Comment by wbb 11.21.13 @ 1:21 pm

I have heard that Louisville might replace SU as our arch rival ACC game after this year, anyone know anything about that?

Comment by PittHW 11.21.13 @ 1:45 pm

ACC announced Louisville and Virginia will be the rivals.

link to wralsportsfan.com

Pitt-Cuse makes the most sense. Louisville is out of place given their conference hopping the past decade has prevented them from establishing non-Kentucky rivals.

Comment by Justin 11.21.13 @ 1:52 pm

I like Miami as rival game. I don’t care that we are number 3 for them behind FSU and gators.
Last game of the year with them Friday après Thanksgiving fine with me.

Comment by kman 11.21.13 @ 1:56 pm

Alas. SU just doesn’t do anything for me.

Comment by PittHW 11.21.13 @ 1:56 pm

I was hoping Wake Forest would be the rival game.

Comment by JLE 11.21.13 @ 2:13 pm

Is their rush more traditional or a speed rush like the o-line has had problems with? Hopefully they can handle the pressure

Comment by Pendlum 11.21.13 @ 2:16 pm

I seriously doubt Pitt is Miami’s #3 rival. You have to beat someone more than once every other decade to be considered a rival

Comment by Nick 11.21.13 @ 2:28 pm

I’d just as soon have Saginaw St. as our rival besides Syracuse.

Having a tough time getting interested in the game this week.

I hope I can come on here Sat. nite or Sunday a.m. and talk about what an exciting game it was, a big win, and hopefully beating Miami will give us win #7 and a better bowl.

I said, I’m hoping.

Comment by Dan 11.21.13 @ 2:37 pm

MD was supposed to be our ACC rival until they went to the B10 where they will suffer for many a year. We really have no ACC rival even though Cuse was a rival many years ago. Actually if ND were to join ACC FB that would be a good one. I guess we are stuck unless PSU becomes a regular game.

Comment by Frank MD 11.21.13 @ 2:48 pm

Great preview Justin. How are their special teams?

Comment by alcofan 11.21.13 @ 3:03 pm

Last time Savage was in the Carrier Dome, Savage was sacked 9 times ? OUCH.

Comment by alcofan 11.21.13 @ 3:07 pm

if by some strange circumstance, both teams would become pretty good, I can see a rivalry developing. Trouble is that when they were pretty good (50s, 60s, late 90s) we were not so good, and visa versa.

I consider BB much more of a rivalry with them than FB.

Comment by wbb 11.21.13 @ 3:33 pm

Pitt has played Cuse 67 times and is 34-30-3 aginst the Cuse. They are 3rd behind PSU and WVU in most games played agisnt Pitt, while we are second to PSU (69 games played) … so we should become 1st in a few years.

The numbers would appear to indicate a rivalry … but again, I would have to think that we have to start playing a few high stakes games for it to escalate.

Don’t think the BBE (Battle to be Bowl Eligible) has the the same ring as the Backyard Brawl

Comment by wbb 11.21.13 @ 3:41 pm

i’d prefer no cross over rival. then we’d play all conference teams at least once every 4 years.

maryland was supposed to be out basketball cross over rival. they weren’t impressed. will louisville replace them here?

h2p

Comment by pittkeith 11.21.13 @ 4:02 pm

wbb, if I make the game thread, you just named it.

BBE: Battle to be Bowl Eligible (or Battle for Bowl Eligibility). I think I like the latter.

Comment by Justin 11.21.13 @ 4:14 pm

It makes sense, Cuse would be our archrival, we’ve had a long and storied series against them.
Them and us have almost the exact alltime winning percentage at .585 for them and .584 for us.

What the problem has mainly been is; rarley have both teams been good at the same time, as I documented the other day.

This is a very important game for PITT other than just getting eligible for a sh*t bowl.

We can’t let them start a new trend. We had a 7 game winning steak against them until the choke job last year by Tiny. Nope we got to win this game and start a new streak or I fear if they win, they might start one of their own, which would be 2 in a row.

A loss almost certainly means a losing season, first one since 2007, break our bowl streak at 5 years and could ultimately spin us into another futile losing period, which PITT is historically known for.

THIS IS A HUGE GAME, WE NEED TO GET FIRED UP !

And Chryst & staff need to have the team ready to play 60 minutes from the get go !!!

Comment by EMel 11.21.13 @ 4:34 pm

@ wbb

More like the Battle to Stay Somewhat Relative

BSSR

Comment by EMel 11.21.13 @ 4:39 pm

It’s sad now necessary this win is, but it really is. 6-6 in the ACC>6-6 in the BE. It’s a step forward and also all of those extra practices for the freshmen, which are vital to development.

Comment by Justin 11.21.13 @ 4:42 pm

At 2-4 in the ACC, we’re the 3rd worst team presently.

And one of the wins was over the worst ACC team.

Comment by EMel 11.21.13 @ 4:43 pm

Hard to get excited anymore! I hope I get pumped up this Saturday! I just had hope for this team and the loss to UNC just crushed me. My brain is moving on to hoops. I agree we shouldn’t have cross rivals! I don’t like the Cuse but have no true hard feelings like PSU or WVU! Tech is our rival in my eyes but it will always be the aforementioned PSU and WVU to an old school Pitt fan! Great article about out football program on panther prey! Scary! It could get worse next year since we will be a younger team! And the Voytek experiment will sink Chryst or give him an extension. I’m nervous about it all! I mean seriously what do you do if Chryst isn’t the man? Pay for a big silly? Or go to a Pitt guy? I’m getting sick just thinking about it!

Comment by Sweet Caroline 11.21.13 @ 5:07 pm

@@@@@@

Cuse is a respectable rival. My belief
is our game with them should be the final
game of the season. Why? We have been
beaten by ND two out of every three games
played. Miami you must be kidding as someone
mentioned in a rivalry both teams win
some games.

Worried about the game Saturday. Cuse
D line is fast and aggressive. Lots of blitzing
Savage is in for a beating.

Comment by JR 11.21.13 @ 5:19 pm

I have a good healthy dislike (maybe hatred) of Syracuse.

I had the misfortune a few years ago of being in the same large sports bar with a large group of them the nite we were playing them in hoops at the Carrier dump and had we won, we would have been #1 in the country. First time EVER.

That was the game they disallowed Brandin Knight’s half court shot which would have won the game and made us #1. What a way to become #1 it would have been.

The Cusers there were jerks and really tried rubbing it in. Didn’t like that little puke Hurley who played QB for them back in the day, nor McNabb.

So I’m feeling it. Kill the Orangemen !!

Comment by EMel 11.21.13 @ 5:44 pm

Oh yea and most of the pukes on ESPN are Syracuse grads.

That’s enough right there, to earn your hatred. lol

Comment by EMel 11.21.13 @ 5:48 pm

And you wonder why other than Mark May, PITT gets dissed on The Mickey MOuse Network.

Comment by EMel 11.21.13 @ 5:50 pm

In other football news:

Shady McCoy is the 1rst NFL RB to exceed 1000 yards rushing, which makes him #1.

Got to use him & his accomplishments more as a recruiting tool.

Cudos Shady !

Comment by EMel 11.21.13 @ 6:08 pm

Former PITT punter Andy Lee is:

#2 in the NFL in Net Punting !

I’m sure the Steelers are regretting not drafting Andy with all of their punting problems.
They are on their 4rth punter of the year, lol

Comment by EMel 11.21.13 @ 6:22 pm

It amazes me how many good to great NFLers we produce but we still can’t get past being middle of the pack! Very frustrating! Hope Ray Graham can make it on the Steeler squad and produce in some capacity. At least special teams.

So I propose a question, what do you do if we go 6-6 or worse again next year? We need a back up plan cause it may happen! I hope not but it may!

Comment by Sweet Caroline 11.21.13 @ 7:41 pm

With another 1rst year QB, it’s a better than 50/50 chance unless Voytik is some kind of phenom.

Coaches have not showed any propensity to develop an effective O-line at this point as well.

If you can’t control the line of scrimmage, you will never have a consistent offense, which is what we’ve seen both years.

Comment by EMel 11.21.13 @ 7:48 pm

could be worse .. is JayPa now QB coach at Rutgers? Nova looks worse now than when he started as a freshman.

Remember that PSU QB about a decade ago who started as a freshman and got worse every year?

Comment by wbb 11.21.13 @ 8:00 pm

Bolton was it ?

Comment by EMel 11.21.13 @ 8:22 pm

just looked it up … Zack Mills

Comment by wbb 11.21.13 @ 8:26 pm

Bolton, I believe is still in college at LSU … but he started as a freshman about 3 years ago or so and never improved also. Lost his job to a walk-on when he was a soph

The walk-on, McGloin had one year under a real QB coach, O’Brien, and now is in NFL

Comment by wbb 11.21.13 @ 8:30 pm

Emel, had the misfortune of sitting next to a blowhard ‘Cuse fan at a bar for the tourney loss to Butler. The dude just couldn’t help himself but be a complete ass. Obviously by the end of the game my nerves were raw, and he just kept going. It was the closest I’ve been to dropping the gloves in a long time.

Can’t judge all fans by one, but when I need to generate some hate for the Orange, I think of that jag off.

Comment by Iron Duke 11.21.13 @ 9:21 pm

@ Iron Duke,

I hear you man, had I had some backup that nite, I would have waded in. Obnoxious ppl.

Ran into another one, this time a female Cuser at a 5 star restaurant bar, she couldn’t contain herself as well. Had to remind her we’ve pretty much ‘owned’ them the last decade in both bball & fball.

So with your info and mine, this could be a common condition for these creatures.
Asshole-itis.

Kill the Orangemen !

Comment by EMel 11.21.13 @ 10:03 pm

The scouting reports on Pitt-Syracuse indicate Savage will be on his butt – or knocked out – by the Syracuse defense. What do you expect Chryst & House to do to counteract this?

Comment by TonyinHouston 11.21.13 @ 10:57 pm

Anyone who has attended the BE tournament at the garden will have no trouble mustering some hate for the orange. In recent years we’ve stayed on after Pitt was eliminated just to root against ‘cuse. Students and alums, young and old, some of the most obnoxious fans I’ve encountered outside of Morgantown.

Comment by dinosaur 71 11.21.13 @ 11:06 pm

Pitt-Syracuse games when Gottfried was the coach were a big deal. Syracuse was loaded in 1987 and won at Pitt Stadium. Pitt only lost three games in the regular season that year. Remember 1989? Alex Van Pelt led Pitt to a win in an ESPN national telecast which set the tone for a very successful 1989 season (then, of course, Pitt fired Gottfried). In 1988 a late season loss at Syracuse kept Pitt out of a bowl.

Syracuse at 8-2 had the best record of all the teams Pitt defeated in 1963 going 9-1. That game was close, Pitt won 35-27, with Syracuse in charge most of the first half.

Saturday’s game should be a big f’ing deal. Perhaps the basketball rivalry has overshadowed football. Pitt hates Syracuse much more in hoops; the Orange hate us more in football.

Comment by TonyinHouston 11.21.13 @ 11:07 pm

hear hear dinosaur

You can add female ones too, that crew I encountered at the sports bar that nite was half female. And they were among the most obnoxious.

Also remembered another twosome I encountered locally, who the time before the one guy was alright. We talked awhile, guy even bought me a beer and me him, thought we were kinda friends. But the next time I see this tool with his fellow Orangeman, he acted like he didn’t even know me.

What a putz ! NY’ers what can I say.

Comment by EMel 11.21.13 @ 11:42 pm

@ TonyH

I hate them equally in both sports. Hope the f*ckers lose in lacross too against whoever they’re plyaing. lol Figures the f8cks play that.

As far as the game, the Orangef*cks aren’t good against the run, to avoid the sacks, go to 3 TE’s, put Boyd in the backfield and run the ball down their freakin throats !

Comment by EMel 11.21.13 @ 11:50 pm

As to what I expect Chryst to counteract Syracuse’s sack ability.

Same thing he has done all season….absolutely nothing !

Maybe put Ibrahim in the backfield to get run over in pass blocking! haha

Comment by EMel 11.22.13 @ 12:08 am

Savage will probably need to :

A – get rid of the ball quicker

B – use his legs; roll out – or run

if defense is going to send LBs – he should have room to run

unless QB is Peyton Manning or Tom Brady – QB with legs can be great asset

.

Comment by anonyz 11.22.13 @ 1:35 am

what channel will the game be on in philly area?

Comment by scoocher 11.22.13 @ 7:17 am

Donald will prove in this game why he is the right pick for the Outland. I saw him with my own eyes at the NC game. I haven’t witnessed a player with that size and quickness since a cat called Green.

Comment by TX Panther 11.22.13 @ 7:21 am

Part of Syracuse fan’s arrogance stems from much of their alumni base being from NY metro area. New Yorkers are actually a friendly lot, but not when it comes to sports – everything New York is better, end of story.

I see that Street is questionable. No Street is trouble for the offense. Either way, I suspect this will be a lower scoring game, similar to last year. What’s the over/under on Savage sacks? How about 6?

Has Pitt played 2 good halfs on both sides of the ball yet this year? (let’s exclude special teams) I guess the ND game is the closest they’ve come, but they were still down at halftime.

If there is any stamp you can put on the Chryst era through 23 games, it is that Pitt has been consistently inconsistent – by quarter, half, and game. Is Pitt mediocre because they are inconsistent, or inconsistent because they are mediocre?

Then again, if Pitt loses the next 2, are they even mediocre?

Comment by Iron Duke 11.22.13 @ 7:49 am

Have the Syracuse faithful been showing up for their team. Hope there a lot of empty seats.

Syracuse could become a worthy rival if we both get better at the same time. At least there is some history, both teams with storied running backs and champions.

Although my guess is there won’t be a real rival for many years. It will be the team we beat for a championship in the ACC.

Comment by gc 11.22.13 @ 7:51 am

Iron Duke, good point. Even with the likes against UNM (great 1st half, not-so-good 2nd half) and ODU (terrible 1st and 3rd quarters), Pitt has yet to play a complete game.

You would think they would have develop some consistency by now.

Comment by wbb 11.22.13 @ 8:30 am

As apprehensive as I was about the UNC game, which proved out, I’m just as confident about this game.

I think that we’ll continue to see Savage improving on his short passing game, in order to take advantage of the Orange secondary that has been depleted by injuries. Regarding that sack total, he’ll still get beat up simply because the Syracuse rush is awesome, but not more than 4 sacks on Savage is my prediction.

Our defensive front has to eliminate their running game and keep Hunt from becoming a game changer with his legs. This Syracuse team is one demensional with him in there, so stop the Orange run game and Pitt should be able to control the game.

The key IMO, is to come out fast and strong with a couple TDs early and force Syracuse to play from behind. Their last three loses have been by an accumulated total of 112 points!!!! That tells me that when the game gets out of hand that the Orange defense simply evaporates and might as well “turn out the lighta the party’s over”!

If Pitt plays smart and can simply keep the Syracuse offense in front of them, we should be able to keep them under 24 points. If Pitt gets an early lead, I see us putting up a lot more than that if their defense withers like they have in the previous contests when trying to come back from a deficit.

The first quarter will determine if my prediction has merit or not. If Pitt puts up 14 without a scoring response from the Organge by the end of the 1st quarter, I predict that we will win this game going away.

Come on Pitt, we’re still waiting to see that complete game from the Panthers, time’s running out! This is the one to bring it! No excuses!

Hail to Pitt!

Comment by Dr. Tom 11.22.13 @ 8:34 am

Will be at the Dinosaur Bar after the game for some ribs and beer to celebrate a Pitt victory HTP!!!

Comment by EriePAnther 11.22.13 @ 9:56 am

After reading through a lot of the comments, yes, I totally agree, I have hatred for Syracuse hoops, we’ve owned them, what is it, something like 11 out of the last 15 we’ve won???

I feel the heat for the hoops games.

The football, not so much.

Comment by Dan 11.22.13 @ 10:11 am

It’s going to be up to Savage and the OL.

Nothing strikes fear into my heart more than the phrase “Tied for 9th in the nation with 3 sacks per game”

What’s our Achilles’ heel? Pass Protection.

Hopefully our OL steps up in a big way.

Comment by Atlanta Panther 11.22.13 @ 10:16 am

@JR, true. However, the last 8 against Notre Dame, the series is 4-4.

Including several overtime games, and even Brent Musburger saying on national tv the Pitt-ND games the past years have always been some of the best games around, always very tight.

Do any ND fans have anger towards us as a rival, no, of course not, USC and Michigan are their two top rivals, and they’ve dropped Michigan.

We are the 5th most played team Notre Dame has faced starting in 1909 I believe.

So, do I think we are one of ND’s hated rivals, no, but I wouldn’t just fluff off the rivalry and history either.

Comment by Dan 11.22.13 @ 10:20 am

Dr. Tom, you hit the nail on the head with the early lead comment. A key to winning on the road is an early lead because it takes the crowd out of it.

Comment by Justin 11.22.13 @ 10:40 am

I would like to see Savage roll out of the pocket more like he did against ND, that was damn effective football. Couldn’t agree more with Dr. Tom on getting the lead. Hunt can’t throw the ball, so if we put them in a position where chewing up the clock won’t cut it, I really like our chances.

All in all though, I expect this to be a pretty low scoring and ugly affair. I think it’s likely the first team to 24 wins. Though, I think there’s a decent chance we win by 2 touchdowns. I look for Conner to have another 100 yd day.

Comment by PittHW 11.22.13 @ 11:10 am

Oy Vey,

If Street doesn’t play we could be in trouble.
Street had his first big game in the Carrier Dump back in 2010, he caught a short pass and went like 65-70 yards for a TD, I believe.

Allows them to also possibly take away Boyd by doubling him.
And somewhat negates their DB injury problem if they just have to deal with Tyler. Spoon is going to have to step up and make up for the boneheaded punt return plays from last week.

I don’t have a real good feeling about this game, haven’t since the schedule was released and it another home game for them, 2 years in a row, which seemed odd and still does. Plus I didn’t like the placement of this game on the schedule.
We had been playing them much earlier in the season, like the first or 2nd conf. game of the year.

Also as Justin noted, their strength(sacks) is our huge weakness(protection).

If Street can’t play I’d almost we rather just come out in a 2 TE power set, with Boyd split way wide and ram the ball down their Orangemen throats. After a steady diet of that, maybe catch them napping with a bomb to Tyler at some point after we see their coverage package.

Need to come out like last week and control the line of scrimmage but instead of scoring FG’s and fumbling, need to put 7’s on the board.

H2P !
VeV !
Crush the Orange !

Comment by EMel 11.22.13 @ 11:27 am

If Street can’t go, I believe it will be Garner getting Street’s touches not Spoon like the ODU game. I suspect Garner will be moved to WR formally next year. God I hope Street can go.

Comment by PittHW 11.22.13 @ 11:41 am

The Syracuse injury report should lighten our spirits. I’m sorry that anyone is injured, but it should help Pitt to win. I have a good feeling about the next 2 games, just like I did about the ND game.
link to syracuse.com

Comment by Caw Miller 11.22.13 @ 12:46 pm

I’m with PittHW, especially if Street is on the bench, I see the TEs playing a larger role in the “quick” passing game. Garner had been $$$$$ when depended on to catch the ball and let us not forget about Holtz. I wonder if that poor bastard that J.P. layed out last year, knocking his helmet clean off, is still playing ball for Syracuse. POI, would a play like that be called for OFFENSIVE targeting now, since Holtz clearly intended to take him on and definitly lowered his head before he turned out that guys lights with the helmet to helmet contact?

Comment by Dr. Tom 11.22.13 @ 1:01 pm

That guy was trying to take JP out. Didn’t work out so well for him. Pitt really needs to get him the ball more.

Comment by Nick 11.22.13 @ 1:22 pm

This just sets up as another ‘classic’ Pitt disappointing road loss. I feel UCONN ’12 coming on. In my 25 or so yrs as a Pitt fan, we have NEVER been a good road team. Never. I hope I’m wrong and they wake up on time and play 4 quarters. It just sets up all wrong: ‘must win’. road game, vs ‘athletic qb’, vs a decent d-line. God, it’s hard being a Pitt fan……

Comment by Joe 11.22.13 @ 2:43 pm

How far off is Street from the yardage record?

Comment by gc 11.22.13 @ 3:19 pm

@CAW MIller, I’m cheering for you brother, because I have to work, and will only be able to peek in on the game, and I have that feeling that the first time I peek in on it probably mid first quarter, I’ll see, SYRACUSE 14 PITT 0.

I’m also cheering that my feeling for this game is waaaayyyyy offfff!!!

Would love to be wrong about this one, and happy to talk about how I was wrong tmrw night and Sunday.

H2P!!!

Comment by Dan 11.22.13 @ 4:51 pm

You should read how cocy these guys are on their message boards, they all believe that even with their injuries they’ll beat us by 2 touchdowns. Pricks. Watch their GT game and then watch ours… Yeah. That’s what I thought.

Comment by PittHW 11.22.13 @ 5:04 pm

That’s funny PittHW

They’re having to beg for their fans to show up to their last 2 games.

“The reason that people complain is that they want the team to win,” Joe Giansante, one of Syracuse’s senior associate athletic directors, said Wednesday afternoon. “Well, this is their chance. This is their chance to understand the moment, to understand the significance of the moment. If the community wants this program to win, this is their chance to do something about it.”

haha they’re having to package the football game tickets with a Cuse/Indiana basketball game ticket. too funny.

But there is no lack of fretting. SU has drawn more than 39,000 only once in four home contests to date, and it needed Clemson, then unbeaten and ranked No. 3, across the way to do it. And, uh oh, the Syracuse student body will disperse for the Thanksgiving holiday on Friday, which will leave its section wide open for the Pitt and BC tilts.

Thus, Giansante’s pitch to the public . . . and, yes, it does include an impressive offer wherein a three-pack of tickets to the Pittsburgh football game, the Boston College football game and the Indiana basketball game (on Dec. 3) can be had for a total of $79.

Comment by EMel 11.22.13 @ 5:09 pm

@ PittHW

That’s in keeping with mine and other bloggers experiences with their a-hole NY’er fans.
Until you slap them upside the head with some facts,like, “we’ve kicked you around 7 of the last 8 years in football”. Only Tiny saved them from it being 8 for 8.

Comment by EMel 11.22.13 @ 5:14 pm

Although I will give credit when due, Tiny had one of his better games ever in the 2010 Pitt/Syracuse games.

Comment by EMel 11.22.13 @ 5:24 pm

We’re not the only ones with seemingly a less than rabid fan base. Sans everyone on The Blather of course.

“We’re at that critical moment,” Joe Giansante declared. “Everybody wants a winning program. Our fans want it. Our players want it. Our coaches want it. We’ve got, essentially the lowest ticket prices in the ACC. So now we’re saying to the community: Help us. We can build this thing, but only if we do it together. It’s not a one-or-the-other deal. If you sit home, you’re not helping what you profess to love.”

The ticket windows are open. It’s time to belly up to them. Or not.

Your choice.

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Comment by EMel 11.22.13 @ 5:32 pm

Vote here for the winner of the game:

link to nunesmagician.com

Voting is below the end of the predictions, more than halfway down the page.

Comment by EMel 11.22.13 @ 5:42 pm

This website predicted a PITT win !!!

FINAL SCORE — Syracuse (2014): 7 – Pittsburgh (2014): 13

link to scacchoops.com

I’ll take it, Kill the Orangemen !!!

Comment by EMel 11.22.13 @ 5:49 pm

It could always be worse.
link to news.google.com

Comment by TonyinHouston 11.23.13 @ 12:54 am

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