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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.
Follow Reed on Twitter @ReedWallach and get all his college football bets on betstamp @rw33
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Pittsburgh Today Live Chat: November 21, 2024
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Allegheny Co. Executive Innamorato continues push for council to pass proposed budget
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Paul Skenes finishes third in NL Cy Young Award voting
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes finished third in the National League Cy Young Award voting on Wednesday.
Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale won the award, while Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler finished second.
The Pirates’ pitcher is the fifth rookie to finish in the top 3 in Cy Young voting, and his third-place finish is the highest by a rookie since Jose Fernandez’s third-place mark in 2013. Skenes received one second-place vote and 13 third-place votes. The award was voted on by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.
For Skenes, Wednesday’s Cy Young third-place finish was the cap on a phenomenal rookie season. From May 11, when he made his Major League Baseball Debut, Skenes was a sensation on the mound. He finished the season with an 11-3 record and a 1.96 ERA in 133 innings over 23 starts. He added 170 strikeouts and only walked 32 batters.
The 22-year-old pitcher, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft out of LSU, had such a strong season that he was named the starting pitcher for the National League in the 2024 All-Star Game.
Though Skenes came up short in the NL Cy Young voting, the pitcher was named the 2024 NL Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year winner on Monday.
The pitcher also was named Baseball Digest’s National League Rookie of the Year earlier this month and Baseball America’s 2024 Rookie of the Year in October.
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