Last year (and the year before) Pitt's offense was the shits. This year they're completing a much higher % of passes and have a really solid running game. They just annihilated USF (who I've never thought was very good anyway, but still, 41-14...). Combine that with the big recent comeback win against UCONN, getting the win against Rutgers, and being tied w/ Cincy at the top of the conference - I gotta believe they are going to come out with a purpose against this weak Syracuse team and unload on them in the first half.
My only concern is that -13 is so much to cover in a single half. One fluke TD from Syracuse (and they do have a couple of talented receivers, and Paulus can occassionally drop in a great pass) - and suddenly Pitt has to rattle off 21 consecutive.
My gut just tells me that Pitt is going to come out and score two quick td's and never look back. Syracuse only converts on 28% of third downs. Their QB has 11 INTs against 12 TDs. One team has all the fire and emotion and balanced offense and stiffling defense - the other (the three times I've watched them this year) can't stop anyone on defense, can't convert on offense, and generally gets into a hole very early in the game.
My only concern is that -13 is so much to cover in a single half. One fluke TD from Syracuse (and they do have a couple of talented receivers, and Paulus can occassionally drop in a great pass) - and suddenly Pitt has to rattle off 21 consecutive.
My gut just tells me that Pitt is going to come out and score two quick td's and never look back. Syracuse only converts on 28% of third downs. Their QB has 11 INTs against 12 TDs. One team has all the fire and emotion and balanced offense and stiffling defense - the other (the three times I've watched them this year) can't stop anyone on defense, can't convert on offense, and generally gets into a hole very early in the game.