Pittsburg, PA
Syracuse vs. Pittsburgh Prediction, Odds and Key Players to Watch for College Football Week 9
Pitt is one of the few remaining unbeatens left in the country, but will face a stiff test against a high-octane Syracuse offense.
Both teams have been able to score points in bunches with new coaching staffs and transfer quarterbacks showing out with Syracuse counting on the arm of Kyle McCord and Pitt’s offense utilizing Eli Holstein as a dual threat option.
Should we count on both teams to keep up the scoring in a Thursday night showcase?
Spread
Moneyline
Total: 62 (Over -115/Under -105)
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook
Syracuse
Kyle McCord: McCord has been on a tear since arriving in Western New York. He is seventh in passing yards (2,160) with 19 passing touchdowns as the Orange have quickly improved under first year head coach Fran Brown. This is a pass-happy offense that has been chucking it around the yard and McCord will look to continue posting gaudy stats against a Pitt team that is outside the top 100 in EPA/Pass.
Pittsburgh
Eli Holstein: Another transfer quarterback, Holstein is showing out for the revamped Pitt offense under former Western Carolina tactician Cade Bell. The Panthers offense has been a terror for the opposition this season, scoring at least 28 points in all but one game this season. Holstein is at nearly 2,000 all purpose yards with 18 total touchdowns on the year.
We are in for a shootout on Thursday.
While Pitt remains one of the 10 unbeatens remaining in college football, the team is far from a juggernaut. The Panthers have allowed points to any capable offense its faced outside of allowing only 15 points to a banged up Cal team.
The strength of the Pitt defense lies with its defensive line, ranking eighth in EPA/Rush on the year and 12th in defensive line yards. However, Syracuse is intent on airing it out, third in pass play percentage (63.02%). For that matter, Pitt is outside the top 100 in EPA/Pass, so this is a plus matchup for McCord and co.
Meanwhile, Syracuse has been a big play funnel all season. The team is 114th in explosive pass defense and is outside the top 100 in EPA/Pass while allowing north of six yards per play.
Both teams should be able to move the ball at will and cash in against out-matched defenses.
PICK: OVER 62
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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One of Pittsburgh’s biggest goals before hosting the NFL Draft was to modernize Market Square. It is just one of the spaces in the downtown area that is being transformed for the massive event.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
Posted
2026 NFL Draft Pittsburgh regional transportation plan unveiled
With the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh quickly approaching, city officials and Pittsburgh Regional Transit unveiled its regional transportion plan.
Extensive road closures will be in place around Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium from April 22-25 as the 2026 NFL Draft brings three days of excitement and football fans into the city of Pittsburgh.
During NFL Draft events, the city’s Downtown and North Shore areas will convert to a walkable “Draft Campus,” with motorized traffic limited to Pittsburgh Regional Transit vehicles, the city’s light rail system (the “T”) and other official providers.
Therefore, many streets into and around the “Draft Campus” are closed to vehicle traffic starting April 22. Traffic patterns will be adjusted to allow Pirates fans to access PNC Park for baseball games held during the road closures, according to NFLDraftPittsburgh.com.
In addition to these streets, the Interstate 279 and Interstate 579 High Occupancy Vehicle lanes into the city are closed to vehicle traffic all week; only authorized bus traffic and emergency vehicles will be permitted to use those lanes.
People planning to use the Beaver County Transit Authority bus to reach downtown Pittsburgh for the NFL Draft events can find more information about the authority’s bus service plans on the BCTA website.
Here is the list of road closures in place from April 22-25, according to NFLDraftPittsburgh.com, which has a complete guide to getting into and around the city during NFL Draft events.
- Art Rooney Avenue
- West General Robinson Street to Tony Dorsett Drive
- Scotland Avenue
- Casino Drive, from Sproat Way
- North Shore Drive, from Chuck Noll Way
- Reedsdale Street to Tony Dorsett Drive
- Chuck Noll Way
- Tony Dorsett Drive
- Sproat Way
- Allegheny Avenue from Ridge Avenue
- North Shore Drive, from Chuck Noll Way to Mazeroski Way
- Mazeroski Way
- West General Robinson Street
- Lacock Street, from Federal Street
- Federal Street, from Lacock Street
- Merchant Street
- I-279 southbound exit 1B ramp
- I-279 northbound exit 1B ramp
- Route 65 southbound ramp to Fort Duquesne
- Route 65 northbound ramp from Fort Duquesne Bridge
- T1 ramp from Reedsdale Street and Ridge Avenue
- Sixth Street Bridge, aka the Roberto Clemente Bridge
- Seventh Street Bridge, aka the Andy Warhol Bridge
- Isabella Street
- Sixth Street
- Fort Pitt on ramp, from 10th Street Bypass and Fort Duquesne Boulevard
- Commonwealth Place
- Liberty Avenue extension
- Penn Avenue, from Stanwix Street to 9th Street
- Liberty Avenue/PPG Paints Arena exit off the Fort Pitt Bridge
- Smithfield Street Bridge
Pennsylvania’s 511PA.com online transportation website will feature a special NFL webpage providing real-time traffic information in and around the city during the NFL Draft.
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