Syracuse at Pittsburgh - 2026 Matchup Preview

Syracuse Orange at Pittsburgh Panthers

Thursday, September 17th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Acrisure Stadium - Pittsburgh, PA (ACC)

Orange (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Fran Brown (13 - 12)
Avg Score : 20 - 35 (17 - 40 on Road)
Record Prediction: 3.2 - 8.8 (#87)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 6) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 3)

PITT 3rd straight Home Game
Our Line: Pittsburgh -17 (SP+ PITT -22)
Projected Score: SYR: 21 - PITT: 38 (58)
PITT Win prob: 90% | Cover: 52%
SYR Travel: 268 miles

Panthers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Pat Narduzzi (80 - 61)
Avg Score : 34 - 25 (37 - 25 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8.2 - 3.8 (#29)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 3) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 5)

Matchup
Schedules
SYR Players
PITT Players
Stats
Run/Pass
Ratings
Scoring
History

Syracuse's 2026 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 9/5	Syracuse vs New Hampshire	-18.5
Sat 9/12	Syracuse vs California	+5.5
Thu 9/17	Syracuse at Pittsburgh	+17
	BYE WEEK
Sat 10/3	Syracuse at UConn	+5
Sat 10/10	Syracuse at Virginia	+18.5
Sat 10/17	Syracuse vs Louisville	+15
Sat 10/24	Syracuse at North Carolina	+7
Fri 10/30	Syracuse vs SMU	+16.5
Fri 11/6	Syracuse vs Clemson	+13.5
Sat 11/14	Syracuse at NC State	+15.5
Sat 11/21	Syracuse at Boston College	+4.5
Sat 11/28	Syracuse vs Notre Dame	+29

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 6, Avg 1, Bad 3, Poor 0
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 6, Avg 1, Bad 3, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Syracuse's Schedule

Pittsburgh's 2026 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 9/5	Pittsburgh vs Miami (OH)	-14.5
Sat 9/12	Pittsburgh vs UCF	-8
Thu 9/17	Pittsburgh vs Syracuse	-17
Sat 9/26	Pittsburgh vs Bucknell	-33
Fri 10/2	Pittsburgh at Virginia Tech	-7.5
Sat 10/10	Pittsburgh vs North Carolina	-12.5
Sat 10/17	Pittsburgh at Boston College	-10
Sat 10/24	Pittsburgh at Miami	+17.5
Sat 10/31	Pittsburgh vs Georgia Tech	-3
	BYE WEEK
Fri 11/13	Pittsburgh vs Florida State	-4
Sat 11/21	Pittsburgh at Louisville	+5.5
Sat 11/28	Pittsburgh at California	-4

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 3, Avg 2, Bad 4, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 3, Avg 2, Bad 4, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Pittsburgh's Schedule

Important Stats (2025)

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
SYR	#127 (.03)	38% (117)	20.2	41% (95)	2.61 (124)	123	35% (125)	217	2.98 (123)	#129 (.28)	45% (120)	34.9	45% (98)	46% (120)	4.15 (113)	54.9	1.9	0.8
PITT	#57 (.19)	41% (94)	33.7	41% (96)	2.63 (122)	118	41% (75)	274	3.65 (74)	#24 (.08)	35% (11)	24.8	34% (7)	37% (23)	3.81 (82)	67.4	1.8	1.6

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
SYR		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0
PITT		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0

Overall Stats 2025

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
SYR Offense	12	20.2	17	37.7%	2.98	1.9	19	340	123	217	3.4	47%	52%	41%	35%	19%	.03
PITT Defense	13	24.8	25.1	35.1%	3.81	1.6	-	-	-	-	-	46%	52%	34%	37%	19%	.08

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
SYR Defense	12	34.9	40.2	45.4%	4.15	0.8	-	-	-	-	-	47%	52%	45%	46%	13%	.28
PITT Offense	13	33.7	36.6	40.6%	3.65	1.8	21	391	118	274	3.6	43%	55%	41%	41%	18%	.19

Additional Stats 2025

Teams	Games	Possession Time	1st Downs PG	3rd Down %	4th Down %	Penalties PG	Penalty Yds PG	Off TO PG	Def TO PG	TFL PG	Sacks PG	D/ST TDs	Avg Field Pos
Syracuse	12	30:28	19.4	35%	47%	6.2	54.9	1.9	0.8	4.8	1.6	0	27.6
Pittsburgh	13	28:55	20.8	33%	61%	7.3	67.4	1.8	1.6	7.7	2.4	6	33.3

Run Game Stats (2026)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
SYR Offense	12	47% (89)	41% (95)	36.2	123.1	3.4	12 (88)	(122)	2.61 (124)	70% (83)	11% (105)	0.87 (115)
PITT Defense	13	46% (26)	34% (7)	-	-	-	-	-.06 (7)	2.34 (6)	69% (53)	13% (8)	0.96 (69)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
SYR Defense	12	47% (29)	45% (98)	-	-	-	-	.11 (78)	2.92 (77)	64% (24)	8% (112)	1.04 (107)
PITT Offense	13	43% (115)	41% (96)	33.1	117.7	3.6	18 (70)	.06 (97)	2.63 (122)	67% (97)	11% (107)	1.01 (51)

Pass Game Stats (2026)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
SYR Offense	12	52% (42)	35% (125)	19.2	34	217.3	6.4	11.3	17 (30)	15 (132)	.1 (124)	1.6 (52)	33% (94)	24% (124)	.12 (128)	8% (129)	2.1 (44)
PITT Defense	13	52% (109)	37% (23)	-	-	-	-	-	-	15 (31)	.21 (53)	1.6 (110)	37% (8)	26% (19)	.17 (20)	6% (47)	2.1 (92)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
SYR Defense	12	52% (114)	46% (120)	-	-	-	-	-	-	5 (55)	.44 (131)	1.5 (60)	29% (106)	33% (108)	.48 (132)	5% (99)	2.1 (90)
PITT Offense	13	55% (23)	41% (75)	22.2	35.7	273.5	7.7	12.3	29 (8)	15 (127)	.34 (40)	1.7 (29)	33% (103)	31% (63)	.35 (53)	8% (123)	2 (66)

Syracuse's Power Ratings
Syracuse's Power Rating: 3.49 #64
Syracuse's Offense Rating: 15.66 #46
Syracuse's Defense Rating: 17.17 #78
2026 Talent Rating: 868.00 #42
Blue Chip Ratio: 5% #55
Syracuse's 2026 Expected Record: 3.2 - 8.8
Syracuse's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -13.1 #115
Syracuse's Offense SP+ Rating: 18.8 #115
Syracuse's Defense SP+ Rating: 33.0 #106

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 905.41
Average Power Five Talent: 910.69
Average FBS Talent: 728.9

Power Ratings Matchup
Syracuse: 3.49 Pittsburgh: 12.03

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Syracuse: -13.1 Pittsburgh: 8.4

Pittsburgh's Power Ratings
Pittsburgh's Power Rating: 12.03 #35
Pittsburgh's Offense Rating: 14.13 #65
Pittsburgh's Defense Rating: 8.47 #25
2026 Talent Rating: 822.00 #54
Blue Chip Ratio: 2 #73
Pittsburgh's 2026 Expected Record: 8.2 - 3.8
Pittsburgh's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 8.4 #36
Pittsburgh's Offense SP+ Rating: 31.6 #39
Pittsburgh's Defense SP+ Rating: 23.5 #47

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 905.41
Average Power Five Talent: 910.69
Average FBS Talent: 728.9

Syracuse Scoring
Offense: 20.2 PPG
Offense on Road: 17
Defense: 34.9 PPG
Defense on Road: 40.2

Syracuse's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0

Projected Score
Pittsburgh 38
Syracuse 21

Projected Total Points: 58

Pittsburgh Scoring
Offense: 33.7 PPG
Offense at Home: 36.6
Defense: 24.8 PPG
Defense at Home: 25.1

Pittsburgh's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0

Year	Date	Home	Score	Away	Score	Spread	Cover	Total	O/U
2025	10/18	Syracuse	13	Pittsburgh	30	Pittsburgh -9.5	Pittsburgh	54.5	Under
2024	10/24	Pittsburgh	41	Syracuse	13	Pittsburgh -5.0	Pittsburgh	62.5	Under
2023	11/11	Syracuse	28	Pittsburgh	13	Pittsburgh -4.5	Syracuse	37.5	Over
2022	11/05	Pittsburgh	19	Syracuse	9	Pittsburgh -3.5	Pittsburgh	47.5	Under
2021	11/27	Syracuse	14	Pittsburgh	31	Pittsburgh -12	Pittsburgh	58.5	Under
2020	09/19	Pittsburgh	21	Syracuse	10	Pittsburgh -21.5	Syracuse	46.5	Under
2019	10/18	Syracuse	20	Pittsburgh	27	Pittsburgh -3.5	Pittsburgh	52.5	Under
2018	10/06	Pittsburgh	44	Syracuse	37	Syracuse -3.5	Pittsburgh	58.0	Over
2017	10/07	Syracuse	27	Pittsburgh	24	Syracuse -3	Push	63.0	Under
2016	11/26	Pittsburgh	76	Syracuse	61	Pittsburgh -23.5	Syracuse	65.5	Over
2015	10/24	Syracuse	20	Pittsburgh	23	Pittsburgh -6.5	Syracuse	49.0	Under
2014	11/22	Pittsburgh	30	Syracuse	7	Pittsburgh -8	Pittsburgh	0
2013	11/23	Syracuse	16	Pittsburgh	17	Pittsburgh -1.5	Syracuse	0
2012	10/05	Syracuse	14	Pittsburgh	13
2011	12/03	Pittsburgh	33	Syracuse	20
2010	10/16	Syracuse	14	Pittsburgh	45
2009	11/07	Pittsburgh	37	Syracuse	10
2008	09/27	Syracuse	24	Pittsburgh	34
2007	11/03	Pittsburgh	20	Syracuse	17
2006	10/07	Syracuse	11	Pittsburgh	21
2005	10/22	Pittsburgh	34	Syracuse	17
2004	11/06	Syracuse	38	Pittsburgh	31
2003	10/25	Pittsburgh	34	Syracuse	14
2002	10/05	Syracuse	24	Pittsburgh	48
2001	10/13	Pittsburgh	10	Syracuse	42
2000	10/06	Syracuse	24	Pittsburgh	17

Team	Wins	Covers	O/U
Pittsburgh	20	7	3 Overs
Syracuse	6	5	8 Unders

	Wins	Covers	Favs	Dogs
Home Teams	16 - 10	7 - 5	3 - 2	4 - 3
Road Teams	10 - 16	5 - 7	3 - 4	2 - 3

(#64) SYR at (#35) PITT

Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCat	SYR	PITT
Net PPPPPP	NR	NR
Power RatePwr	#64	#35
SP+SP+	#115	#36
Perf GradeGrade	NR	NR
OffenseOff	NR	NR
DefenseDef	NR	NR
Spec TeamsST	NR	NR
TalentTal	#42	#54
Blue ChipsBC%	#55	#73

Syracuse Notes(2/17) Vibes: Uneasy, '25 a disaster but '24 was great
(2/7) Added 4 P4 starters on Def was big need
(2/6) QB Angeli back, LY a disaster after he went down
(2/6) Added QB Odom from Kenn St as a good backup
(2/6) RB Miller (Jax St) big add. Depth thin and inexp'd
(2/6) WR has lots of ? Weaver (M-OH) a good add
(2/6) OL is a mess of this looks really bad. Woof
(2/6) DL also a big ? Adeleye (UNLV) a big add, DT ?
(2/6) LBs have exp with 2 portal starters. Improved
(2/6) CBs look better w/ Ward (WKU) added. S as well
(2/6) New DC Kehres (Tol) huge add to fix awful Def
(2/6) Pivotal year 3 for Brown. Great '24, gross LY
Syracuse Injury Report

Pittsburgh Notes(2/17) Vibes: Meh, Narduzzi wins but has little NIL help
(3/3) Crooting class better, but 2nd worst P4 portal class
(2/6) QB Heintschel back after breakout Fr season
(2/6) RB Turner another Fr find LY, Wright (WKU) exp'd
(2/6) WR Hicks only one back, who else? Knight (WCU)?
(2/6) OL has 4 starters back, 2 more added. Better TY?
(2/6) DL has most back from a good unit. Pass rush ?
(2/6) LBs need 2 portals or depth to fill in. Unsure
(2/6) DBs biggest ? I see, esp at CB. S Brookins good
(2/6) Not a lot of this schedule to fear. Should win 8
Pittsburgh Injury Report

Syracuse on Offense

Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 47%
CategoryCat	SYR Off	PITT Def
PPPOffPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	NR	NR
SuccessSuc	#117	#11
ExplosiveExp	#96	#119
PPAPPA	#127	#24
PowerPwr	#46	#25
SP+SP+	#115	#47
Pts POPPO	#123	#82
HavocHav	#125	#13

Syracuse Run Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 47%
CategoryCat	SYR Off	PITT Def
Run GameRun	NR	NR
Run SuccessRSuc	#95	#7
Run ExplRExp	#115	#69
PPAExp	#122	#7
Run BlockR Blk	NR	-
OL YdsOLY	#124	#6
Stuff RateStuff	#69	#7
TackleTak	-	NR

Syracuse Pass Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 47%
CategoryCat	SYR Off	PITT Def
Pass GamePass	NR	NR
Pass SuccessPSuc	#125	#23
Pass ExplPExl	#52	#110
PPAExp	#124	#53
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk	NR	NR
F7 HavocF7	#105	#8
DB HavocDB	#129	#47

Pittsburgh on Offense

Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat	PITT Off	SYR Def
PPPDefPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	NR	NR
SuccessSuc	#94	#120
ExplosiveExp	#10	#106
PPAPPA	#57	#129
PowerPwr	#65	#78
SP+SP+	#39	#106
Pts POPPO	#74	#113
HavocHav	#120	#114

Pittsburgh Run Game

Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat	PITT Off	SYR Def
Run GameRun	NR	NR
Run SuccessRSuc	#96	#98
Run ExplRExp	#51	#107
PPAExp	#97	#78
Run BlockR Blk	NR	-
OL YdsOLY	#122	#77
Stuff RateStuff	#129	#42
TackleTak	-	NR

Pittsburgh Pass Game

Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat	PITT Off	SYR Def
Pass GamePass	NR	NR
Pass SuccessPSuc	#75	#120
Pass ExplPExl	#29	#60
PPAExp	#40	#131
Pass Block/RushP Blk	NR	NR
F7 HavocF7	#107	#112
DB HavocDB	#123	#99

Program Comparison
PITT 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg P4
'26 Profile: Up to Average P4

SYR 5 Year Profile: Declining Average G5
'26 Profile: Down to Below Avg G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Acrisure Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Previous Matchups
Pittsburgh beat Syracuse last year (30-13)
Pittsburgh beat Syracuse in 2024 (41-13)
Syracuse beat Pittsburgh in 2023 (28-13)

SYR's OC Jeff Nixon (in his second season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Amari Odom (Tr)	189	291	65%	2594	19	8	8.9
Malachi Nelson (Tr)	104	190	55%	1163	8	9	6.1

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Ahmad Miller (Tr)	163	1035	5	6.3	76
Amari Odom (Tr)	120	347	7	2.9	24
Tylik Hill	24	129	0	5.4	15
Braden Davis	88	120	1	1.4	33

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Cole Weaver (Tr)	45	642	1	14.3	36
Noah Meyers (Tr)	32	357	3	11.2	62
Darien Williams	9	112	1	12.4	35
Tyshawn Russell	8	84	0	10.5	28

View Syracuse's Full Roster

SYR's DC Vince Kehres (in his first season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Chris D'Appolonia (Tr)	59	4	1	2	4
Gary Bryant III	53	5	1	1	0
Tunmise Adeleye (Tr)	48	8	6	6	3
Antoine Deslauriers	48	3	1	0	2

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Tunmise Adeleye (Tr)	48	8	6	6	3
Jamie Tremble	10	3	3	2	0
Jartavius Flounoy (Tr)	22	6	3	1	1
Keyshawn Johnson (Tr)	10	5	3	0	0

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PD
Chris Peal	39	2	0	7
Demetres Samuel Jr.	37	1	0	7
Nazir Ward (Tr)	35	3	1	6

PITT's OC Kade Bell (been OC for 3 years)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Mason Heintschel	201	316	64%	2357	16	8	7.5
Bryce Yates	0	1	0%	0	0	0	0.0

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Ja'Kyrian Turner	140	747	7	5.3	56
La'Vell Wright (Tr)	85	471	10	5.5	39
Mason Heintschel	86	88	2	1.0	36
Justin Cook	9	31	0	3.4	13

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Malik Knight (Tr)	47	774	7	16.5	69
Cataurus Hicks	24	422	4	17.6	84
Bryce Yates	11	202	1	18.4	68
Elijah Lagg (Tr)	20	164	0	8.2	17

View Pittsburgh's Full Roster

PITT's DC Randy Bates (been DC for 3 years)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Braylan Lovelace	79	6	1	6	2
Cruce Brookins	53	1	0	0	2
Demarco Ward (Tr)	50	3	0	1	0
Alex Sanford	47	4	0	0	1

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Jimmy Scott	17	8	4	8	1
Isaiah Neal	36	7	4	4	1
Cameron Lindsey	32	6	2	0	1
Zach Crothers	15	3	2	1	0

Pass D	Tack	TFL	PD
Shawn Lee Jr.	31	5	4
Josh Guerrier	8	0	3
Shadarian Harrison	29	0	3