Syracuse and Pitt renew rivalry with a lot at stake

We’re a day away from Syracuse football’s biggest game of the season. The Orange travel to Pittsburgh to take on the No. 19-ranked Panthers on Thursday night.

In a loaded ACC, this game could determine if the Orange can make a run to the ACC title game. We spoke to players and coaches about the matchup.

“I’m excited for it. I think it’s gonna be a good matchup,” quarterback Kyle McCord said. “Obviously, they’re not 6-0 on accident.” 

“They’re a real good football team,” said Fran Brown, who is 5-1 as SU’s head coach. “They’re ranked really high. We get an opportunity to go up there, we just wanna go up and try to compete. Go up there to have a good show.”

A 108-year-old rivalry, Syracuse and Pitt face off on the gridiron for the 80th time on Thursday. In an ACC that’s been better than expected this year, it’s a huge game as both teams look to keep pace in the standings.

“Them being 6-0, us being 5-1, it’s a big game and I think everybody in the facility knows that,” McCord said. “I think there’s definitely been a sense of urgency just around the facility.”

This week, players and coaches did not shy away from the magnitude of the game. If SU wins, they would almost certainly be ranked in the AP Top 25 next week. A victory would also give them their third win against a ranked opponent this season. They haven’t done that since 1998.

“I expect one of those Big East rivalry games,” SU safety Justin Barron said. “We expect them to come out and want revenge for last year. We expect it to be gritty, expect it to be a four-quarter game.”

Last year, Syracuse beat Pitt 28-13 at Yankee Stadium, however, this is a different Pitt team from a year ago that now possesses an explosive, up-tempo offense. The Panthers are 20th in the nation in yards per game and 23rd in scoring, averaging more than 34 points per game.

“Obviously, they have different weapons than what we’ve seen before. Their quarterback’s really talented, running back’s really talented and their receiving core is one of, if not the, best we’ve seen all year. It’s gonna be a challenge for us for sure,” Barron said.

Third downs could be vital in this game. The Orange have the second-best third-down conversion rate in the nation offensively at 55%. However, the Panther defense has been great on third downs as well, holding opponents to a 31% conversion rate.

They’ll need a complete performance to improve to 6-1 and get their first win in Pittsburgh since 2001.

“We’re treating this the same,” Syracuse tight end Oronde Gadsden said. “We’re not doing no extra stuff, not doing no chants going into the game. Just going in and doing what we been doing all week, throughout the season.”

“Learning to be able to finish games is what we’ve been practicing the most about,” Syracuse wide receiver Jackson Meeks said. “Playing all four quarters the same way we attack the first quarter. Playing the first quarter like the fourth quarter. Playing the fourth quarter like the first quarter.”

“Just making sure that we stick together and don’t look ahead to any game,” McCord said. “And I know the guys aren’t at all, so like I said, obviously, a big game and we need to bring our best stuff to win.”