Syracuse Orange vs Pittsburgh Panthers Prediction, 9/17/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Syracuse Orange vs Pittsburgh Panthers

Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026

Location: Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: Panthers (-11.5)

Total/Over-Under: 50.5

Acrisure Stadium is where the Pittsburgh Panthers (2-0) will try to beat the Syracuse Orange (1-1) on Thursday, September 17, 2026. Pittsburgh opens this matchup as 11.5-point favorites. The over/under is set at 50.5.

The Syracuse Orange come into this matchup with a record of 1-1 for this season. The last time they took the field, the Orange played the California Golden Bears and went home with a loss by a final score of 21-18. In all, they ran 87 plays which totaled 437 yds. The Syracuse Orange ran the ball a total of 36 different times and accumulated 118 yds, which came out to an average of 3.3 yards per carry. On the ground, the Orange gave up 67 yards on 26 attempts, which averages out to 2.6 yards per rush surrendered. Syracuse gave up 21 completions on 34 attempts for 182 yds, and a completion rate of 61.8%.

The Orange currently have 951 total yards over the course of this season. When it comes to scoring touchdowns, Syracuse has earned 5 touchdowns through the air and 5 rushing touchdowns. They have given the ball to the opposition 3 different times. Syracuse has accrued 59 1st downs offensively, and they have committed 26 infractions for 235 yards. As a team they maintain an average of 178.5 yards in the run game giving them a rank of 65th in the country. In terms of scoring, the Syracuse Orange are averaging 42.0 points per contest.

Concerning passing yards, the Orange have given up 281 yds which puts them in 22nd in the country. They have relinquished 140.5 yards per outing through the air and giving up a completion percentage of 60.0%. Over the course of this season, they have surrendered 204.0 yards per outing putting them at 12th in Division 1. They have relinquished 2 touchdowns by air in addition to no TD's running the ball. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 2.1 yards per run and 63.5 yards on the ground per game on the season. During this campaign, they have allowed 127 running yards through 2 games. The Orange sit in 26th in the country when it comes to team defense, conceding 12.0 PPG.

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The Panthers step onto the field holding a record of 2-0 for this season. For their last game, the Panthers walked away with a victory by a final of 12-7 when they faced the UCF Knights. Pittsburgh ran the ball for 2.4 yards per tote, finishing the contest with 103 yds on 43 attempts. The Panthers finished the game with 315 yards while they ran 72 plays (4.4 yards per play). The Panthers pass defense gave up a completion percentage of 64.5%, relinquishing 186 yds on 20 for 31 through the air. Pittsburgh relinquished 22 running attempts for 20 yards (0.9 yards per carry).

The Pittsburgh Panthers have an average of 480.5 yards per outing, ranking them 31st in the nation. The Pittsburgh offense has racked up 102 yds of penalties on 13 violations, which ranks 73rd in Division 1 in terms of giving up free yards. They average 134.5 yards per game via the ground game and have rushed for 269 yards in total. They have given away no interceptions while allowing opponents to recover no fumbles and they have been able to record 48 first downs. In relation to this team's ability to score points, the Panthers rank 53rd in the country averaging 35.5 points per contest. During the season to this point, the Panthers have compiled 692 passing yards along with an average of 346.0 passing yards per contest, which ranks 6th in Division 1.

The Panthers are relinquishing 10.5 points per contest, which has them ranked 17th in Division 1. Pittsburgh has surrendered a total of 47 rushing yards (23.5 yards per outing) in addition to 1 touchdown on the ground so far this season. They have conceded 2 touchdowns through the air and 224.0 yards per game, which has them in 93rd in Division 1. The Panthers defense has taken the field for 111 plays, which ranks 24th in Division 1. Their defense has tallied no fumbles and 1 pick over the course of the season.

Who will win tonight's Orange/Panthers college football game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take the Orange +11.5

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