The Syracuse Orange (3-3, 1-2) look to avoid a three-game losing streak as the suddenly-hot Pittsburgh Panthers (4-2, 2-1) visit the JMA Dome on Saturday night. Here’s what we’ll be watching for when the game kicks
off at 7:30 on the ACC Network.
Kevin: Defending Desmond
Desmond Reid torched Florida State last week and now the Orange defense has to try and contain the all-purpose back who is averaging 129 yards per game rushing and receiving. Reid’s the guy who makes the Pitt offense go and Syracuse’s linebackers have not done well in coverage. Will the Orange use Devin Grant on Reid to try and limit his effectiveness in the passing game? Controlling Reid is a key if Syracuse wants to win this game.
Augie: Heintschel Riding the High
Pitt made a huge decision with a quarterback change in the middle of their season. They decided to turn to freshman Mason Heintschel two weeks ago prior to their game against Boston College, benching Eli Holstein in the process. Ever since Heintschel has taken over, the Pitt offense has been firing on all cylinders. Scoring 48 points against BC and 34 on the road at Florida State, with Heintschel throwing for 6 combined TD’s in those games. However, last week he threw two picks as well, and I think this could be a game that the freshman might think he can “overlook”. Defensively, the Orange need to throw a ton of different looks at Pitt and make Heintschel have to think, and a few turnovers could pay dividends in what I think will be a close game late.
Dom: Finding rhythm for the offense
The bottom line as mentioned above: Syracuse’s defense is going to already have its hands full stopping Pitt’s offense on the ground and in the air, no matter how it attacks the unit. Through six games, Pitt is scoring the third-most points per game in the conference, including around 10 more PPG than Syracuse. It’s hard to see a world in which Syracuse wins with a score like 17-13 or 21-17. Whatever cards Jeff Nixon has not played so far should be on the table, and Syracuse needs to find its groove and earlier rather than later in the game.
Max: Find a way to establish the run
We’ve already touched on Pitt’s offense, but don’t sleep on the Panthers’ rush defense, which is quietly one of the best in the nation (83.5 yards allowed per game, third-best in FBS). The Orange’s rushing attack is statistically average this season, but they’ll have to be above average for a realistic shot Saturday night. Look for Yasin Willis and Will Nixon to work outside the tackles in an effort to avoid Pitt’s interior defensive line, which is one of the highest graded per PFF.
Casey: Bye Week Adjustments
The past few games have been extremely hard to watch because of the team’s collapse on both sides of the ball after losing its best player. Collins has not looked comfortable at all, and the team seems to have followed his lead. Over the bye week, I am curious to see if any proper adjustments were made and whether the offense looks more confident. The team had a week to rest and prepare while watching a good Pitt team go into Tallahassee and beat FSU. Let’s see how calm Rickie can be back at home — and if he isn’t, we may start to wonder how many games he has left as the starter.
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What will you be watching for in this one?
