Syracuse vs. Pittsburgh prediction, odds, spread: 2024 Week 9 college football picks by proven model

SportsLine's model revealed its college football picks and predictions for Pitt Panthers vs. Syracuse Orange on Thursday

The Syracuse Orange and Pittsburgh Panthers have followed similar paths in college football since their origins. Given their geographical locations and playing in the same conference since joining the Big East together in 1991 and leaving for the ACC together in 2013, they've played against each other every year since 1955. Syracuse defeated Pittsburgh, 28-13, last year at Yankee Stadium, snapping a five-game losing streak against the Panthers. Pitt enters Thursday's matchup ranked No. 19 in the country at 6-0, including 2-0 in the ACC, while Syracuse is 5-1 and 2-1 in conference play.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at Acrisure Stadium. The Panthers are a 5.5-point favorite in the latest Syracuse vs. Pittsburgh odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 62.5. Pitt is listed as the -212 money line favorite (risk $212 to win $100), while Syracuse is the +172 underdog. Before making any Pittsburgh vs. Syracuse picks, you need to see the college football predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.

The model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Since its inception, it has generated a betting profit of well over $2,000 for $100 players on its top-rated college spread football picks, and it is a sizzling 14-7 on all top-rated picks over the past four weeks of this season. Anyone following at sportsbooks and on betting apps has seen strong returns.

Now, the model has dialed in on Pitt vs. Syracuse and just revealed its coveted picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now 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
• Cuse: The Orange are 2-0 ATS as an underdog this season and won both games outright
• Pitt: The Panthers are 5-1 ATS this season
• Pittsburgh vs. Syracuse picks: See picks here
• Pittsburgh vs. Syracuse streaming: FuboTV (Try for free)

Why Syracuse can cover

The Orange have three different receivers ranked in the top seven of the ACC for receiving yards as quarterback Kyle McCord has spread the ball around. He hasn't been forcing the ball to one pass-catcher, which has helped Syracuse's offense thrive to average 32.2 points per game, its best scoring season since 2018. Jackson Meeks (459 yards), Trebor Pena (458) and Oronde Gadsden II (432) create the only ACC teammate-trio with more than 400 receiving yards this season and they all also have at least 32 receptions. 

Syracuse already has two victories over ranked opponents this season. The Orange defeated No. 23 Georgia Tech, 31-28, at home on Sept. 7 and knocked off No. 25 UNLV, 44-41, in overtime on the road on Oct. 4. Syracuse's lone loss came on a field goal as time expired in a 26-24 contest to Stanford. McCord, an Ohio State transfer, has provided a huge lift to Syracuse as he's seventh in the nation in passing yards (2,160) while averaging 360 passing yards per game. See who to back at SportsLine.

Why Pittsburgh can cover

The Panthers are coming off their worst season of Pat Narduzzi's 10 years as head coach of the program, finishing 3-9 with his first losing record at the school. But Pittsburgh has quickly proven last year was a one-off poor campaign with a 6-0 start and climbed to No. 19 in the polls this week, its highest ranking of the season. The Panthers' stout run defense has been a key to this year's success, allowing just 3.0 yards per rush, which ranks ninth in college football. They are allowing 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 acquired from the transfer portal from Kansas State.

The Panthers also have a stud quarterback of their own. Redshirt freshman quarterback Eli Holstein has thrown for more than 300 yards in four of six games this year with 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. At 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, Holstein has the combination of size, arm strength and athleticism to facilitate a top offense. See who to back at SportsLine.

How to make Pittsburgh vs. Syracuse picks

SportsLine's model is leaning Under on the total, projecting 56 combined points. It also says one side hits well over 50% of the time. You can see the model's pick 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 to jump on, all from the advanced model that is up well over $2,000 on top-rated spread picks since its inception, and find out.