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Berman : Pitt is the biggest game of Greg Robinson’s career to date: Here’s what our beat writers predict

By Zach Berman

Pitt 31, SU 27

This has been a nice run. Three wins in a row, excitement is injected back into the SU program.

But the reality is it was a soft spot in the schedule. Illinois, Miami (Ohio) and Wyoming have a combined 3-12 record this season, and none of the teams have a good quarterback, either.

In fact, Syracuse hasn’t faced a good quarterback this season. Iowa star Drew Tate was injured when the Orange hosted the Hawkeyes, and SU has seen the opponent’s backup quarterback in four of five games.

This will change on Saturday when Pittsburgh’s Tyler Palko visits the Carrier Dome. The last time he came to Syracuse, he threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns. In two career starts against the Orange, he’s a combined 46-for-70 with 543 yards and four touchdowns.



After a hot-and-cold season last year, Palko is back among the nation’s top quarterbacks. He leads the country in passer rating, and while Pittsburgh’s non-conference schedule wasn’t the most ambitious, it provided Palko with enough opportunity to become comfortable in an offense that caused difficulties last season.

Palko’s the best quarterback SU has seen this season and has enough talent and tools to tip the scale in Pitt’s direction.





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