The Syracuse Orange will compete against the Pitt Panthers in an ACC college football matchup this Thursday at Acrisure Stadium. The game is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPN.
According to Polymarket's odds, Pitt is heavily favored to win at home.
Polymarket Odds for Syracuse vs. Pitt
Traders on Polymarket anticipate a Pitt victory, with expectations that the game will exceed the point total. The only closely contested market is the spread.
Best Bet for Syracuse vs. Pitt: Against the Spread
Syracuse +10.5 (-104)
Last Saturday, Syracuse fell short against Cal, losing 21-18 in their ACC opener. The game took place at home, where the Orange were favored by 4.5 points. Quarterback Steve Angeli struggled significantly, throwing three interceptions that ultimately decided the game.
Despite the loss, Syracuse's defense performed well, limiting Cal to just 249 total yards and 14 points. However, one of Angeli’s turnovers led to a pick-six in the fourth quarter, and the Orange were unable to create any turnovers themselves, resulting in a -3 turnover differential that proved too challenging to overcome.
Pitt, on the other hand, is coming off a narrow 12-7 victory against UCF after a dominant win over Miami of Ohio in their opener. Quarterback Mason Heintschel had an explosive start to the season, throwing for 453 yards and seven touchdowns in the first game, but struggled against a stronger UCF defense, managing only 212 yards without any touchdowns. UCF also had a tough time, achieving just nine first downs throughout the game.
It’s important to note that Heintschel had a subpar performance against Syracuse last season, completing 13 of 24 passes for 140 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception. Although he did score a rushing touchdown, Syracuse's defense effectively disrupted his passing game. Ultimately, Pitt secured a 30-13 victory.
However, Syracuse's defense has shown signs of improvement under new coordinator Vince Kehres. In their season opener, they allowed only a field goal in a 66-3 rout of UNH. Following another solid performance against a competent Cal offense, we are optimistic about Syracuse covering the spread as they strive to even their ACC record.
If Angeli can minimize his errors, Syracuse has a strong chance of keeping the game competitive.
Best Player Prop for Syracuse vs. Pitt
Cataurus Hicks Longest Reception OVER 26 Yards (-130 at DraftKings)
Pitt’s leading wide receiver, Cataurus Hicks, averages 22.4 yards per reception, ranking 41st nationally.
Hicks recorded a 53-yard catch against Miami of Ohio and a 41-yard reception against UCF. We believe he will continue this trend into a third consecutive game.
Currently, Hicks leads Pitt in both receptions (8) and receiving yards (178), making him a key player in the team's passing game as one of Heintschel’s primary targets.