CuseConfidential.com - Key Match-ups: SU vs. Pitt

November 6, 2009

Sean Sweeney
CuseConfidential.com Staff Writer

Dion Lewis and Pitt running game vs. Orange defense

No doubting that this aspect of the game should be fun to watch. Lewis has put together an incredible season so far with over 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns. Last week, he beat up a South Florida defense with 111 yards and 2 scores in a 27-point beat down for the Panthers. He has been Pittsburgh's top offensive weapon all season long, so don't expect them to go away from him Saturday even though they are going up against one of the better run defenses in the country.

The Orange hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher all season. The most they gave up was 91 to West Virginia's Noel Devine. This front seven is obviously the strongest aspect of the team, led by senior standouts, linebacker Derrell Smith and defensive tackle Arthur Jones. Syracuse must win this battle decisively if they anticipate getting their 4th win, and first on the road, of the season.

Pittsburgh passing attack vs. Orange secondary

This is really a key every week for Syracuse. Realistically, Head Coach Doug Marrone can only hope to not get destroyed in this department. In the Orange's first three Big East games, they gave up 34, 34 and 28 points, mostly through the air. Last week against the unbeaten Bearcats of Cincinnati, Syracuse was embarrassed by a backup quarterback on multiple big plays.

Panthers' QB Bill Stull has had an outstanding year so far, with a 161.1 passing rating. He has also thrown four TDs for every pick. At his arsenal is not only the aforementioned Lewis, but also a couple of big play pass catchers in starting wideout, Jonathan Baldwin and tight end Dorin Dickerson. While Baldwin is average an incredible 20.4 yards on his 34 catches, Dickerson has proven useful in the red-zone. He has 32 receptions on the year and 9 have gone for touchdowns. Syracuse cannot win this game if they give up another 250+ passing day.

Greg Paulus and 'Cuse passing attack vs. Pittsburgh secondary

Last week in their 41-14 win over South Florida and B.J. Daniels, Pittsburgh held the standout freshmen to just 54 yards passing on 4 completions. Despite playing from behind the entire game, the Panthers completely took away the South Florida passing game to the tune of just 7 completions while also intercepting 3 passes. Greg Paulus, despite getting a vote of confidence from Marrone this week, has been struggling for a while now and it is safe to assume his consistency problems are not a fluke. He will have to be extra careful with the ball this week against an experience secondary, headed by two senior corners in Aaron Berry and Jovani Chappel.

With questions marks about Mike Williams, who quit the team this week (but now, there are rumors that he is trying to get back on), who will Paulus be able to throw to? The Orange hasn't been able to find a viable number two option all year. In Pittsburgh's lone loss of the season, N.C. State's Russell Wilson threw for 322 yards and 4 scores. Paulus won't put up those numbers, but he must find a comfort zone in order to give Delone Carter and the rest of the SU offense a fighting chance.

Syracuse NEWS

[More]

Latest Headlines:

Resources:

FEATURED PRODUCT