Syracuse vs. Pittsburgh Prediction, Odds, Spread: College football picks for Week 9 2024 based on proven model

The Syracuse Orange and Pittsburgh Panthers have followed similar paths in college football since their inception. Due to their geographic location and participation in the same conference since joining the Big East together in 1991 and leaving the ACC together in 2013, they have played each other every year since 1955. Syracuse beat Pittsburgh 28-13 at Yankee Stadium last year, ending a five-game losing streak to the Panthers. Pitt enters Thursday at 6-0, including 2-0 in the ACC, ranked No. 19 in the country, while Syracuse is 5-1 and 2-1 in conference play.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET at Acrisure Stadium. The Panthers are the 5.5-point favorite in the latest Syracuse vs. Pittsburgh odds according to SportsLine's consensus, while the over/under for total points is 62.5. Pitt is listed as the -212 money line favorite (risking $212 to win $100), while Syracuse is the +172 underdog. Before making a pick between Pittsburgh and Syracuse, you need to check out the college football predictions and betting tips from the SportsLine Projection Model.

The model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Since its inception, the company has generated well over $2,000 in betting profits for players with $100 on its top-rated college football picks, and through the final four weeks of this season it is at a staggering 14 on all top-rated picks: 7. Anyone who follows sports betting and betting apps has seen strong returns.

Now the model has chosen Pitt vs. Syracuse and has just announced its coveted picks and predictions. You can now head over to SportsLine to see the model's picks. Here are several college football betting lines from sports betting sites for Syracuse vs. Pitt:

• Pittsburgh vs. Syracuse Spread: Pittsburgh -5.5
• Pittsburgh vs. Syracuse spread over/under: 62.5 points
• Pittsburgh vs. Syracuse Spread Money Line: Pittsburgh -212, Syracuse +172
• Reason: The Orange are 2-0 ATS as underdogs this season and have won both games outright
• Pitt: The Panthers are 5-1 ATS this season
• Tips for Pittsburgh vs. Syracuse: Find the tips here
• Pittsburgh vs. Syracuse Streaming: FuboTV (Try Free)

Why Syracuse can cover

The Orange have three different receivers who rank in the top 7 in the ACC for receiving yards as quarterback Kyle McCord has distributed the ball. He didn't force the ball to a pass catcher, which helped Syracuse's offense average 32.2 points per game, its best season since 2018. Jackson Meeks (459 yards), Trebor Pena (458) and Oronde Gadsden II (432) form the only ACC trio of teammates with more than 400 receiving yards this season and all also have at least 32 receiving yards.

Syracuse has already earned two wins over ranked opponents this season. The Orange defeated No. 23 Georgia Tech (31-28) at home on Sept. 7 and defeated No. 25 UNLV (44-41) in overtime on the road on Oct. 4. Syracuse's only loss came on a field goal as time expired in a 26-24 contest against Stanford. McCord, a transfer from Ohio State, has given Syracuse a huge boost as he ranks seventh nationally in passing yards (2,160) and averages 360 yards per game. Find out who you can support at SportsLine.

Why Pittsburgh can cover

The Panthers endured their worst season in Pat Narduzzi's 10 years as the program's head coach, finishing 3-9, his first losing record at the school. But Pittsburgh quickly proved it was a uniquely weak season with a 6-0 start last year, climbing to No. 19 in the polls this week, its highest ranking of the season. The Panthers' strong run defense was a key to this year's success, allowing just 3.0 yards per carry, which ranks ninth in college football. They allow the 18th-fewest yards per play (4.6), with four different players having at least three sacks this season, including defensive lineman Nate Matlack, one of their top players who was acquired through the transfer portal from Kansas State.

The Panthers also have their own stud quarterback. Redshirt freshman quarterback Eli Holstein has thrown for more than 300 yards in four of six games this year and has scored at least three passing touchdowns in five of his first six games. He's also averaging 44.3 rushing yards per game as a quarterback, giving defensive coordinators nightmares this season. With a height of 1.80 meters and a weight of 100 kilograms, Holstein has the combination of size, arm strength and athleticism that enables a top attack. Find out who you can support at SportsLine.

How to pick Pittsburgh vs. Syracuse

SportsLine's model is trending downward in the overall score, predicting 56 combined points. It is also said that a side hits well over 50% of the time. You can see the model selection at SportsLine.

So who wins Syracuse vs. Pittsburgh and which side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you should jump on, everything from the Advanced Model, which has risen well over $2,000 in top-rated spread picks since its inception, and find out.