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The Syracuse Orange (5-1, 2-1 ACC) visit the Pitt Panthers (6-0, 2-0) for a key Thursday matchup in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The opening kickoff at Acrisure Stadium will be at 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college football odds around Syracuse vs. Pitt odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
Syracuse last played on Oct. 12 when it earned its 3rd straight victory (and 2nd straight on the road) with a 24-17 triumph at North Carolina State. The Orange, whose 365.2 passing yards per game rank 2nd in the ACC, threw for 346 yards against the Wolfpack, and SU also benefited from a plus-3 in turnover margin.
The Panthers — the No. 20-ranked squad in the US LBM Coaches Poll — are 6-0 for the 1st time since 1982. Their last game was also on Oct. 12 when they edged Cal 17-15 to keep that unbeaten mark intact.
– US LBM Coaches Poll: Conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports
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Syracuse at Pitt odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college football odds. Lines last updated Wednesday at 11:47 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Syracuse +185 (bet $100 to win $185) | Pitt -225 (bet $225 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Syracuse +6.5 (-110) | Pitt -6.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 62.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Syracuse at Pitt picks and predictions
Prediction
Pitt 31, Syracuse 20
Moneyline
PASS.
The Panthers get the value nod here, but look for better return-on-investment leverage taking Pitt minus the points.
Against the spread
This fall, Pitt is 3-1 ATS at home. Since last season, the Panthers are 6-1 ATS over their last 7 home games.
These teams met last season in Syracuse (Nov. 11), and the Orange rushed for 392 yards and were a turnover plus-3 in a 28-13 win over the Panthers. SU had a defensive score and 2 scoring drives under 55 yards en route to earning a win as a 3.5-point underdog. Over 5 previous meetings since 2018, Pitt had gone 4-1 ATS.
The Orange have benefited from going 3-1 in 1-score games. Postgame win expectancy figures for SU’s last 2 such games (Oct. 4 win at UNLV, Oct. 12 win at NC State) are factors that tease out Syracuse as a fade candidate as late-October rolls around.
SU likes to throw the ball, and its analytics in doing so are solid. But they have also been earned against a weak group of teams that don’t defend the pass very well. Neither does Pitt, but the Panthers can be good enough, especially alongside a hefty havoc rate and some other factors that may force Syracuse into more 2nd- and 3rd-and-long situations.
Pitt is also a pass-first offense, but look for the Panthers to find better success against a more porous SU aerial defense. Pitt also sports the better red-zone offense, power-running, and line-yards numbers.
BACK THE PANTHERS -6.5 (-110).
Over/Under
Last year’s game cashed on an Over 38, but the previous 4 series meetings hit the Under. The Under is 4-1 across SU’s last 5 games.
Pitt’s pace of play has slowed a bit in recent weeks. This game does not set up for a slew of explosive plays, and both sides can force 3-point attempts when backed up.
TAKE THE UNDER 62.5 (-105).
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