SU 28, Pitt 20

The argument can be made Syracuse hasn’t played anyone – or any good quarterbacks.

But neither has Pittsburgh.

The Panthers’ only loss came at the hands of Michigan State, and the Spartans lost to Illinois last week at home. SU beat the Illini on the road.

Pitt quarterback Tyler Palko may be finally coming into his own, as evidenced by an 84.4 percent completion percentage the last two weeks against The Citadel and Toledo.

Now he faces the most ferocious pass rush in the entire country.

Syracuse leads the nation in sacks with 25 and they’ve come from all over. While end Jameel McClain leads the team with seven sacks, middle linebacker Kelvin Smith, safety Joe Fields and cornerback Tanard Jackson have also recorded them.

Since the Panthers do not boast a significant running threat (LaRod Stephens-Howling leads the team with 207 yards on a mundane 3.7 average), the Orange defense can go after Palko early and often. Expect Pitt to only find the endzone twice.

Meanwhile, the SU offense has scored at least 30 points the last three games.

Curtis Brinkley and Delone Carter are a viable 1-2 punch at running back. Expect – yes – Mike Williams and Lavar Lobdell to become that at wide receiver on Saturday.

Four-game winning streak straight ahead.

Published on October 4, 2006 at 12:00 pm