Pittsburgh Panthers (4-2) vs. Syracuse Orange (3-3)
October 18, 2025 7:30 pm EDT
The Line: Syracuse Orange +11.5 / Pittsburgh Panthers -11.5; Over/Under: 54.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Pitt Panthers and the Syracuse Orange meet in week 8 college football action from the JMA Wireless Dome on Saturday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Pitt Panthers vs. Syracuse Orange prediction.
Pitt Panthers Recap
The Pitt Panthers come into this game looking to build on their 34-31 road win over Florida State last time out to improve to 4-2 this season. After this game, Pitt will head home for a game against NC State.
Panthers Win Back-To-Back Games
Eli Holstein has thrown for 1,058 yards, 11 touchdowns and 5 interceptions on 62.7% passing while Mason Heintschel has 680 passing yards, 6 touchdowns and 2 interceptions on 73% passing. Desmond Reid has 187 rushing yards and a touchdown to lead Pitt in rushing while Ja’Kyrian Turner has 182 rushing yards with 4 TDs and Juelz Goff has 179 yards and 3 TDs. Raphael Williams Jr. has a team-high 24 receptions for 398 yards and 4 touchdowns while Kenny Johnson has 334 receiving yards and 2 TDs. The aforementioned Reid has 226 receiving yards and 2 TDs out of Pitt’s backfield while Cataurus Hicks and Bryce Yates each have 150+ receiving yards as well this season. On defense, Rasheem Biles leads Pitt with 52 total tackles along with a pair of sacks while Kyle Louis has a pair of sacks as well. As a unit, Pitt’s defense has combined for 17 sacks and 4 interceptions so far this season.
Why the Pittsburgh Panthers will win
- Pittsburgh has won seven of its last eight games against teams from New York.
- Syracuse has lost each of its last seven October games as a home underdog.
- Pittsburgh has covered the spread in four of its last five games in October.
- Syracuse has failed to cover the spread in nine of its last 12 games against non-AP-ranked teams at JMA Wireless Dome.
Syracuse Orange Recap
The Syracuse Orange come into this game looking to rebound from a 31-18 loss at the hands of SMU prior to last week’s bye week to fall to 3-3 this season. After this game, Syracuse will head on the road for a game against Georgia Tech.
Orange Drop Two Straight
Steve Angeli has thrown for 1,316 yards, 10 touchdowns and 2 interceptions on 62.8% passing but is out for the season with an injury while Rickie Collins has thrown for 607 yards, 3 touchdowns and 5 interceptions in relief. Yasin Willis has rushed for 337 yards and 4 touchdowns and Will Nixon has 210 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. Johntay Cook leads the Orange in receiving with 31 grabs for 390 yards and 2 touchdowns while Darrell Gill Jr. has 342 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. Dan Villari has 311 receiving yards and Justus Ross-Simmons has 294 receiving yards and 5 TDs so far this season. Another pair of Syracuse receivers have 100+ receiving yards as well this season. On defense, Gary Bryant III has a team-high 34 total tackles while Braheem Long Jr. has a pair of sacks and Davien Kerr has a pair of interceptions so far this season. As a unit, Syracuse’s defense has combined for 8 sacks and 4 interceptions so far this season.
Why the Syracuse Orange will win
- Syracuse has won four of its last five games as an underdog in New York.
- Pittsburgh has lost six of its last eight games against conference opponents.
- Syracuse has covered the spread in five of its last six home games in October.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Pittsburgh’s last four October road games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Five of the last six games between Pittsburgh and Syracuse have gone UNDER the total points line.
Pitt Panthers vs. Syracuse Orange Prediction
I’m on the Panthers here. I just don’t have faith in this Orange offense with Rickie Collins under center. Collins had that solid first appearance in relief of Angeli but it’s been downhill since for Syracuse and now, Pitt has a stud QB of their own in Mason Heintschel, who has been electric early on in his appearances. I think Pitt’s just the better and more complete team here and I think Pitt takes care of business in this one. Give me the Panthers laying the points.
