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Syracuse Orange vs. Pittsburgh Panthers Week 14 CFB Predictions

Syracuse Orange vs. Pitt Panthers + Handicapping Preview. Pittsburgh comes into this game in need of win to extend its season after a 21-20 loss to West Virginia as a seven-point road underdog this past Friday…

Big East NCAA Football Previews- Syracuse Orange vs Pittsburgh Panthers

The Syracuse Orange will look to add a crucial sixth victory to their 2011 resume when they travel to Heinz Field this Saturday for a Big East regular season finale against the Pittsburgh Panthers.

Date/Time: Saturday, Dec. 3   12 p.m. (ET)
Venue: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA.
Broadcast: ESPN2
Orange at Panthers lines by BetOnline.com
Point spread: Panthers -10.5
Over/Under: 46

The game is slated to get underway at 12 p.m. and it will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2.

After a promising win over West Virginia on Oct. 21, Syracuse’s season quickly unravelled with four straight conference losses including a 30-13 setback to Cincinnati this past Saturday as a two-point home underdog. The Orange dropped to 5-6 straight-up (3-8 against the spread) overall and to just 1-5 SU in conference play. The total has gone ‘over in seven of their 11 games this season.

One of the biggest problems for Syracuse this season has been a defense that has really struggled to get its opponents off the field. It is currently ranked 73rd in the nation in points allowed; giving-up an average of 28.1 points a game.

Pittsburgh comes into this game in need of win to extend its season after a 21-20 loss to West Virginia as a seven-point road underdog this past Friday left it 5-6 SU (6-5 ATS) on the year. It is a bit more respectable 3-3 SU in conference play and the total has stayed ‘under’ in seven of its 11 games overall. [soliloquy id=”82219″]

The problems for the Panthers have been primarily on the offensive side of the ball with a passing game that is ranked 78th in the country in yards per game and a scoring average of just 25.1 points a game. They have been held to just 17.7 points a game in their six losses this season.

Syracuse is 0-4 ATS in its last four games on the road and the total has stayed ‘under’ in 15 of its last 23 road games.

Pittsburgh is 4-1 ATS in its last five home games. The total has stayed ‘under’ in five of its last six games overall.

Head-to-head in this series, the favorite is 6-2 ATS in the last eight meetings and the Orange are just 2-5 ATS in their last seven trips to Pittsburgh. The total has stayed ‘under’ in three of the last five games. The Panthers have won eight of the last nine meetings SU, and while they make it nine of 10 on Saturday, stuck with Syracuse to keeps things close enough to cover with the 10.5 points.

The Pick: Pittsburgh 21 vs. Syracuse 17

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By Dave Schwab

David Schwab is a regular contributor to the Cappers Picks Blog. While not cheering for his beloved Philadelphia Eagles David can be found working on his blog at www.eaglesinc.com. David wants to hear from you so please comment below.