I’m not taking Syracuse lightly. I really am not. What is good about facing Syracuse is that this is Dave Wannstedt’s kind of opponent. A run first, pro-style offense; and rather straight-forward defensive schemes. In fact, that may be the best thing about Big East play for Pitt’s hopes — I mean beyond the overall putridity — plenty of pro-style, simple offenses.
He also said it is clear when you watch the Orange, “they are running the ball, they are very similar to us.” “They will use two tight ends, they will use two backs, they will use three receivers. But what we know is they are going to be physical.
“And, when you run the ball, it gives your defense a chance to play better because they are going to be more rested, you generally are going to have less turnovers and that will let you have better field position. And the play-action passing game opens up when you run the ball — and that is what they’ve done and they’ve reaped the benefits of it.”
Syracuse’s running game, like Pitt’s, is powered by two running backs, and both are very good. Delone Carter, however, has been more of the featured back, rushing 99 times for 524 yards (5.3 yards per carry) as the fourth-leading rusher in the conference.
The other tailback is Antwon Bailey (33 carries, 195 yards).
