Pitarresi: SU has a chance against Pitt

Syracuse University football fans might be too busy planning to tar and feather coach Greg Robinson, athletic director Dr. Darlyl Gross, and chancellor Nancy Cantor to notice, but the Orange have a chance to beat Pittsburgh in their Big East opener Saturday.

SU might be a 16-point underdog, and maybe no one is impressed with their narrow victory over Northeastern last weekend. However, Pittsburgh, while 2-1, hasn’t been rolling in high gear. The Panthers have lost to Bowling Green and only narrowly defeated Buffalo and Iowa. Their defense, led by sensational middle linebacker Scott McKillop, seems to be very strong, but their offense has been hit and miss.

True, SU’s defense hasn’t really stopped anyone, not even I-AA Northeastern, so even the modest Pitt offense will be a challenge. However, if the Orange can run the ball – and Curtis Brinkley is a very good back if he gets even a little room – they have a shot. If Brinkley can run, then Cameron Dantley can throw, if even only on the bootleg, which has been SU’s best passing option by far because the wide receivers are having a terrible time getting open in the drop-back game.

A big if, right? Yes, but the point is, it isn’t out of the question that SU gets a win this weekend.