Pittsburgh at Syracuse Week 13 College Football Matchup Pittsburgh at Syracuse Matchup - Week 13
Sun, Nov 28 2021 · Week 13 · 🏟 Carrier Dome Syracuse, NY · Turf · 49,250 cap
Pittsburgh✈ 268 miSame TZ
31 14
Final
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📊 Punt & Rally Projection
Pittsburgh
36
PITT -12
Syracuse
21
P&R Line Pittsburgh -15
P&R Total O/U 57.5
Confidence 90 High
Vegas Pittsburgh -12 · O/U 58.5
Matchup Prediction
Pittsburgh has the edge in this matchup
Both Momentum Control (CSS) and Game Control metrics favor Pittsburgh entering this game.
Momentum Control
73.7%
Pittsburgh wins
Solid
Game Control
75.9%
Pittsburgh wins
Solid
Vegas Spread
Pittsburgh -12
O/U 58.5
teamrankings
Advanced Stats
All 4 factors agree → Pittsburgh · 83.1% ATS historically when all four align
↓ See full breakdown
Pittsburgh 2021 Schedule
Pittsburgh's 2021 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/4Pittsburgh vs Massachusetts-38.0W51–756.0W51–7OY
Sat 9/11Pittsburgh at Tennessee-3.5W41–3456.0W41–34OY
Sat 9/18Pittsburgh vs Western Michigan-14.0L41–4459.0L41–44ON
Sat 9/25Pittsburgh vs New Hampshire-29.0W77–753.0W77–7OY
Sat 10/2Pittsburgh at Georgia Tech-3.0W52–2157.5W52–21OY
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/16Pittsburgh at Virginia Tech-6.0W28–755.5W28–7UY
Sat 10/23Pittsburgh vs Clemson-3.5W27–1747.0W27–17UY
Sat 10/30Pittsburgh vs Miami-9.5L34–3861.0L34–38ON
Sat 11/6Pittsburgh at Duke-21.0W54–2964.5W54–29OY
Thu 11/11Pittsburgh vs North Carolina-6.5W30–2372.0W30–23UY
Sat 11/20Pittsburgh vs Virginia-12.5W48–3869.0W48–38ON
Sat 11/27Pittsburgh at Syracuse-12.0W31–1458.5W31–14UY
Sat 12/4Pittsburgh vs Wake Forest-3.5W45–2172.5W45–21UY
Thu 12/30Pittsburgh vs Michigan State+3.5L21–3155.0L21–31UN
Syracuse 2021 Schedule
Syracuse's 2021 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/4Syracuse at Ohio+2.0W29–955.5W29–9UY
Sat 9/11Syracuse vs Rutgers+2.5L7–1750.5L7–17UN
Sat 9/18Syracuse vs UAlbany-21.5W62–2441.0W62–24OY
Fri 9/24Syracuse vs Liberty+6.5W24–2154.0W24–21UY
Sat 10/2Syracuse at Florida State+5.5L30–3350.0L30–33OY
Sat 10/9Syracuse vs Wake Forest+5.5L37–4059.0L37–40OY
Fri 10/15Syracuse vs Clemson+12.5L14–1744.0L14–17UY
Sat 10/23Syracuse at Virginia Tech+3.5W41–3645.5W41–36OY
Sat 10/30Syracuse vs Boston College-6.5W21–651.5W21–6UY
— Bye Week —
Sat 11/13Syracuse at Louisville+3.0L3–4155.5L3–41UN
Sat 11/20Syracuse at NC State+11.0L17–4149.5L17–41ON
Sat 11/27Syracuse vs Pittsburgh+12.0L14–3158.5L14–31UN
Advanced Stats
Advanced Analytics Matchup
Matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense) · 2021 season
Pittsburgh PPA Edge
Agreement Signals — When All Metrics Agree
Elite · 83.1% ATS
PPA + PPO + SR + Havoc
All 4 Agree
→ Pittsburgh
Elite · 82.4% ATS
PPA + PPO + Havoc
3 Agree
→ Pittsburgh
Elite · 73.9% ATS
PPA + Success Rate
Both Agree
→ Pittsburgh
Individual Factors — Ranked by Predictive Strength
PPA Overall
Points added per play · Elite predictor
Pittsburgh
+0.463
Syracuse
+0.301
Pittsburgh Edge
PPA Passing
Pass efficiency edge · Strong predictor
Pittsburgh
+0.658
Syracuse
+0.338
Pittsburgh Edge
Havoc Total
Def. disruption rate · Strong predictor
Pittsburgh
0.199
Syracuse
0.187
TFLs, sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles — higher is better
Pittsburgh Edge
Points Per Opp
Drive-finishing edge · Strong predictor
Pittsburgh
+8.840
Syracuse
+7.434
Pittsburgh Edge
Success Rate
Play consistency edge · Solid predictor
Pittsburgh
+0.904
Syracuse
+0.806
Pittsburgh Edge
Field Position
Avg start (lower=better) · Solid predictor
Pittsburgh
69.9
Syracuse
73.6
Avg yards from own endzone to average start — lower is better · longer bar = better field position
Pittsburgh Edge
Advanced stats sourced from CFBD · 2021 season · Edges are matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense)
Power Ratings
Team Power Ratings
Overall · Offense · Defense ratings · Updated as season progresses
Pittsburgh Rated Higher
Overall Power Rating
Pittsburgh
9.1
Syracuse
-2.2
Offense Rating
Pittsburgh
19.3
Syracuse
16.1
Defense Rating (lower = better defense)
Pittsburgh
10.2
Syracuse
18.3
Power ratings updated throughout the season as results accumulate
Momentum Control (CSS)
Consecutive Scoring Sequences Who builds scoring momentum? Pittsburgh Edge
Avg sequences created per game
Pittsburgh #7
2.00
Syracuse #108
0.60
Avg sequences allowed per game (lower is better)
Pittsburgh #12
0.50
Syracuse #30
0.60
Pittsburgh +1.40
CSS Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 73.7% of games historically
Based on 10 games this season
Game Control (GC)
Win Probability Dominance Who controls games start to finish? Pittsburgh Edge
Avg GC score per game (offense)
Pittsburgh #1
72.7
Syracuse #1
33.8
Avg GC score allowed per game (lower is better)
Pittsburgh #7
14.7
Syracuse #90
48.8
Pittsburgh +38.9
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 75.9% of games historically
Based on 11 games this season
Spread Context
ATS Historical Context
Based on 2021–2025 backtest · FBS vs FBS · Regular season

Both metrics agree on Pittsburgh with a large edge. Historically, dominant teams like this are fully priced into the spread — the agreed-upon team covers just 50.2% of the time. The metrics predict game control better than they beat the number.

ATS data is informational only. Past cover rates do not guarantee future results.

Coaching Matchup
Pittsburgh
Pat Narduzzi #1
44–35 (56%) · Yr 7 at school
OC Mark Whipple Yr 1 #1
DC Randy Bates Yr 1 #1
Staff Rating
0.00 #1
Syracuse
Dino Babers #1
26–37 (41%) · Yr 6 at school
OC Sterlin Gilbert Yr 1 #1
DC Tony White Yr 1 #1
Staff Rating
0.00 #1
About these metrics
Advanced Stats shows matchup-adjusted factor edges (offense vs opponent defense). Combination signals — when PPA, PPO, Success Rate, and Havoc all point the same direction — have historically predicted the SU winner in 95–97% of games and the ATS winner in 82–83% of games (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS, regular season).
Impact: Advanced Stats are the best performance based metric used to predict the outcome of games.

Momentum Control (CSS) measures consecutive scoring sequences — when a team scores, holds the opponent scoreless, then scores again. Teams entering a game with a CSS edge of +1.0 or more have won 71–78% of games historically (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS).
Impact: Momentum Control is a great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Game Control (GC) measures win probability dominance — how thoroughly a team controlled the game from start to finish. Teams with a GC edge of +12 or more have won 67–76% of games historically. When both metrics agree, combined confidence is higher. When they split, treat as a lean at best.
Impact: Game Control is another great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Power Ratings are a custom-built composite of a Teams Talent, Experience & Production, Coaching & Performance Metrics. These are updated constantly with roster changes, performance once the games start for the 2026 season, injuries the team is dealing with and scheduling situations.
Impact: There are a wide range of power ratings available, we think ours is the best, you can decide for yourself