Damn, we wait seven months over the off-season for Fall Camp to start – then it does and then it and the regular season go by in the blink of an eye. We are almost at that point tomorrow when at the end of 60 minutes of play against Syracuse at Heinz Field we start the long wait again. With a break for the bowl game of course.
But we still have that last regular season game to play against a long-time Pitt opponent. Syracuse, even with its less than good record shouldn’t be taken lightly. They can beat us just like we can beat anyone in the nation.
We’ll see if the SOP (Same Old Pitt) curse has that last nail beaten down to trap it in its coffin tomorrow. I think it will but any long time Pitt fan will tell you we always tend to win one game we shouldn’t (Clemson!!) and lose one we should have won… that is the outcome that’s missing this season.
Miami and VA Tech were both legitimate teams to have bested the Panthers on those days we played. Actually so is Syracuse but give that we are major overbitches (as opposed to “underdogs”) then a loss would feel like a SOP moment. I don’t really feel that SOP is present, I feel it is in hiatus while Narduzzi is HC here, and we’ll pull this one out for our 8th win.
Here are some of the oddsshark.com’s takes:
First off we are giving 23.5 points as of this writing with the over/under sitting at 69 points. Pretty heavily tilted in Pitt’s favor there.
From those charts you can see the gold points are prevalent and by a large margin in most cases.
Here is something I found interesting; as bad as Pitt’s passing defense is – and that is the first factor you have to address I suppose, Syracuse is actually giving up more yards per pass that we do by a score of 14.85 yards per pass to our lower 12.95.
I didn’t think that was possible. “Cry Havoc” and unleash Nate Peterman’s arm I say. He needs all the TD passes he can get to help me win that bet we have.
The fact that Syracuse is giving up 5.06 ypc against our 5.03 ypc gained doesn’t bode well for the Orangemen either – Conner may have a(nother) career day tomorrow. That leads the odds makers to this score for tomorrow.:
OK then – those are the basics and other’s predictions – I’ll call this one:
Pitt 45 – SYR 27
HTP!!! and safe travels…
pittpov.com 
I hate when the oddsmakers make us heavy favorites. I really believe that the opposition USES the dishing as an incentive to play much harder to prove them wrong. Absent early turnovers from Pitt I think we can beat them easily. Pitt 38 Syracuse 20
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We rock tomorrow. Send the seniors off properly. 52 – 10.
H2P
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Every week, I don’t necessarily think SOP as much as it’s just time for the offense to slow down some…..but with their defense being so bad PITT could never stop scoring though. Is that the case this week with Dungy being held out? No. PITT will use more ball control then usual while still scoring points, just not as many. Well not 56 anyways. Conner runs wild and I think we see the jet sweep make a slight comeback. Looking for Ford and Orndorf to have good games. Defense will play as good as last week to get everyone’s hope’s up for the bowl game. Love the idea of a PITT vs WVU matchup in Orlando in the Russell Athletic Bowl. That would be cool…
PITT—-42
Cuse….17
………………………………………….ike/waltspappy
H2P
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Aftet Duke, the DBs should have their confidence up about as high as its been all season – hope it stays high throughout the game!
Pitt goes grocery shopping in the produce section:
The D pics 2-3 oranges; and partakes in a post Thanksgiving Day sale on 3rd down stops;
There is a PRICE increase in the Cuse backfield.
Meanwhile, the OL makes a mess of the Cuse D, and management calls for “Clean up in aisle 4!”
All the while, JC, QH, NP, and TE SO spend the afternoon consuming Low Hanging Fruit!!
55-27
Good Guys Win, Good Guys Win!!
BBVA, here we come!!! (We don’t travel well, and we don’t get a break!! Can you say, “Red headed step child?”)
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The only place to watch the broadcast that I found is on WatchESPN then choose ACC Network Extra. It is free but I believe you must subscribe to a participating cable or satellite service to access this.
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A lot for Pitt to play for, nothing for Syracuse to play for. I see the d continue to play adequate and the o chew up huge yardage. Conner has another 100+ day with a couple more touchdowns and the Heisman chat gets louder.
Pitt 49
Arch rival Orange 16
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I have my TV set to record tomorrow on ABC Cannel 4 in Pittsburgh. <(ACC network) I’m not sure about this but I think if you have Comcast it may be affiliated? Something like ESPN3. Outside of the city I can’t tell you.
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BTW, I have 2 club seats for anyone who swings by Latrobe to pick them up. Speak now or I’m giving them to a friend who already with tickets.
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The VT/UVA game is blacked out down here in western Virginia. So, the local (Roanoke) ACC network station is broadcasting our game. Yahoo.
H2P
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Pitt 49
SU 17
We get our 8th win and hopefully a warmer climate bowl.
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set the tone for 8 wins and a bowl game. Pitt wins by two TD’s and continue the improvement of the program.
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And in a blink of an eye the 2016 season comes to a close and what a season of change we have witnessed..Thank you PITT Panther Nation…you kept believing in each other and truly played as a team ..you never quit.. 2016 Will go down into the annals of PITT football as the pivot point where we broke the barrier and again became relevant soon to become part of the National conversation.
Game on TV in N Carolina tomorrow … I have seen 11 outta 12 this year attending 3 road games and all the rest on TV…. love being in the ACC…
I like our D tomorrow and a chance to do something big… O continues to bring it in record fashion and lots of Panthers get a chance to ” soil” their unis… PITT 49 Orangeman 0……
Let’s go bowling
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Pitt wins 51-31
Conner has a 200 yard 3 TD day. QO returns another for a score and the D gets a pick 6. Orndoff and Ford are on the receiving end of NP TD passes. Blewitt misses one extra point and makes one FG.
The D bends and breaks, but not enough to lose. Price gets 2 sacks, Soto, Taleni & Blair with one sack each. Brightwell leads the team with 12 tackles – 2 for a loss.
Our Canadian offense excites a sparse crown of 25k.
HTP!
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Upset brewing on Tobacco Road….Wolfpack 28 Tarholes 7 4th Q
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Pitt 42 Syr 17
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Pittman4ever says:
PITT: 52
SYR: 27
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Ike had my score so I’ll go with Pitt 45, Cuse 21.
Emel, I may have to root for Ohio Fake since a loss by them would help the dreaded pedos.
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Let’s resuscitate #The Pursuit
Make the new short term goal to get to 9 wins and a top 25 ranking.
HTP!
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Jack – I think you want to be rooting for both Michigan and Michigan State tomorrow. With either Michigan team winning, pedo state gets bumped from the B1G Joke championship game.
Can anyone else help confirm that?
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NC State is choking…
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For the 12th time this season, I am picking Pitt to win. My record so far is 7-4. I can never pick against my guys, sorry. Pitt will win their game tomorrow and it will be closer than many think. In a long season of tougher than normal opposition, I predict Pitt 38.5 – Syracuse 30.
We are playing with house money here. Not like in Matt House money. All the prognosticators had Pitt at 7-5 at best. That would be an improvement many believed. 8-4 is now realistic. Let’s go grab it and prosper. Endeavor to persevere.
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~ EE…..kinda knew the Holes would come back
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I saw in the P-G this morning that Lamont Wade rushed for over 1900 yards this season with 26 TDs. His YPC was 15.3. He broke T.Boyd’s school career rushing record as well.
I’d like to see that young man in a Pitt uniform next season.
HTP!
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#20 Houston losing to Memphis late in the 4th qtr.
NC State in FG range to clinch the victory with under 1 minute.
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UNC loses its last two ACC games.
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Is State into this Podesta stuff too !
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Pitt 55
Cuse 24
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Doeren must be losing his mind……”until you’ve fought in the arena, laid down your life ” huh
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This is just a football game screwball, not Iraq or Afghanistan.
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Seems like yesterday we were bitching about Matt Canada’s offense vs. Nova.
Cuse 35
Good guys 28
I picked the bad guys the two weeks and it worked out well…the gambler’s fallacy.
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I’d love to see Pitt score big points and win by a large margin, by I guess I never have good feelings before games. I’m guessing Pitt wins 28-24. H2P — let’s have a good final performance by Conner, I want to see the O-line create some good things push and open some big holes. It could be the last time he plays at Heinz as a Panther.
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We may need Wade as a running back next season.
We will probably lose both Conner and Ollison which leaves Hall and unproven Sibly.
Given both Macvitte’s inexperience and our transfer QB’s questions we may see another run-heavy offense.
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33-17
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Pitt 42-17. Bring on the Bowl game. Everyone have a great game day tailgating Last one of the year. It went quick. Root hard for Michigan. And Michigan state. H2P
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No mention of Moss? Ollison leaving is not a gimme either imo.
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Watch Ollie in the Pitt locker room after the Clemson game. I think he stays.
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Or maybe not !
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PITT WUPS 51 CUSE ORANGE 14
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Moss is hurt. Ollison would lose a year of eligibility while sitting out a transfer year, so no guarantee he leaves with only 2 years left.
Pitt 49
Cuse 16
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Hard to figure this one. Good reasons for a let up of several kinds. Kids may not want to punish Syracuse or risk injury. HCPN may want to play it conservative to rope a dope the bowl opponent. Syracuse players may have nothing to play for, but also nothing to lose, and Syracuse tends to play us tough.
Or Pitt may be a different kind of animal. I’ll go with 41, just over our season D1 average, with 2 FG for CB’s going away party (he’s a senior, right?), just 1 for Connor, but one for someone new, and 3 passing TDs for NP. Most teams have scored over their season average on us, so I’m guessing Syracuse gets 24. Pitt 41, Syracuse 24.
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Pitt 57
SU 17
Big day for jet sweeps again and hope it is good enough weather to make the surface fast for QH and others. I am feeling a few big plays by a variety of guys with JC pounding it on everything close in.
Expect Syracuse to be blitzed and pressured into losses and turnovers.
Let’s fly south for a nice bowl if not Pinstripe.
BTW, WVU hoops goes down while Nix and Manigault get some minutes an Milligan hits some 3’s.
H2P and Honor Conner and all the seniors!!!
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Need help please! Can someone tell an old geezer how to watch the game tomorrow on my home computer. I have Direct TV and always got ESPN3, but no longer. Just get this message [0066:no account returned from UPDA]. If you can help I would be very grateful, don’t want to miss viewing another game. Thanks in advance.
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Anonymous-please see my message at 12:31 pm for instructions.
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Pitt shows up enthusiastic and overconfident. Syracuse speed makes mincemeat out of a slow Pitt defense. Cuse 28 – Pitt 27
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Thanks Hate OSU, I will definitely give it a try. Thanks again!
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Nice to hear from you ohih8, hope things going better. After 30 years my one OSU friend will always correct me when I say Red and Silver – kind of like a sport.
Heard PN on radio couple days ago – he said because players couldnt go home for Thanksgiving he found each a local family to dine with – another reason they play hard for him.
HAIL TO PITT!!
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FYI u need windows 8 or newer to view WatchESPN on a desktop computer. It works with the os on my tablet so i’ll get to watch the game after all. Yea.
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The score 38-24 PITT over the Orange has popped in to my head for tomorrow . .Hope I can keep it together for what may be JC’s last game at Heinz field .
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A reverse of Dan 72 Pitt by one 28 – 27
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Good guys win 44-10. Open invite to tailgate in Red lot 5A. Garage side of the lot. Look for black pickup with American flag and Central Catholic HS flag. H2P.
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Last chance to run up the score and add to Conner and Blewitt’s career records, looking for another 50+ points. Big day for the seniors and Conner. Orndoff playing for the scouts.
Galambos has played very well in the last two games, look for him, Caprara, and Bradley to shine today. Price can also move up the career sack leader list. Soto playing for the pro scouts. Who would have said that last year? Lewis, Mitchell and Webb should be fired up.
Lots of seniors trying to get our first 9 win season in many years. Need this one today to make it happen,
Super article about Taleni in the PG today. Kid really deserves it, as much as anyone he really has saved our season after Jarrett went down.
Should be easy if Dungy doesn’t play, maybe tough if he does, but our offense should be humming either way.
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Killer instinct born against Duke last week. Team found out that it likes getting reps for the underclass men in mop up duty. Panthers smelingl a top 25 ranking if they can dominate another opponent. Conner knows this is his last game at Heinz Field and gives us one more inspirational performance as his going away present for the Panther Faithful. Two teams going in opposite directions, this is another opportunity to demonstrate just how far this Pitt program has come in just it’s second season under Narduzzi. Coach stokes the flames of recent successes. The chance won’t be squandered.
Pitt – 49
Syracuse – 24
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