Syracuse's offense is one of the worst in Division I-A and certainly the worst in the Big East.
The Orange rank 113th out of 119 teams in rushing offense (73.5 yards per game), they are 74th in passing offense (211.4 yards per game) and 115th in total offense (284.88 yards per game). They are also 117th in scoring offense (16.5 points per game) and 116th in sacks allowed (3.88 per game).Despite those poor numbers, Pitt's coaches are wary because the Orange do one thing exceptionally well -- make big plays in the passing game. Pitt (3-5, 1-2 Big East) will play host to the Orange (2-6, 1-2) tomorrow in a game the Panthers have to win if they are going to keep their fleeting hopes for a bowl game alive.
Coach Dave Wannstedt believes in order to do that the Panthers will have to contain the Orange's passing game.
"The last three games they have had 13 plays of 20 yards or more and that is outstanding," Wannstedt said. "So we're not going to sit there in one coverage and let them know where we are at and what we are doing. We have a variety of things we can mix up and at times we can defend and at times we will be physical. We have to have a nice mix of things and that's the key to make sure the receivers and quarterbacks don't get into a rhythm."
Wannstedt said the Orange have made plenty of big plays and most of them have been by their two primary wide receivers, Mike Williams and Taj Smith.
The duo have combined for 56 receptions, 871 yards and 9 touchdowns and both average more than 15 yards per catch. Williams leads the team with 29 receptions, 6 touchdowns and 16.3 per catch; Smith leads the team in yards per reception (18.4) as well as receiving yards per game (62.2).
In Syracuse's last game -- a 20-12 victory against Buffalo -- both players had more than 100 yards receiving, which is the first time that has happened for the Orange since 1993.
"Both of those receivers have speed to run away from the defense, and they both have shown the ability to catch the deep ball as well as run after the catch," Wannstedt said. "Those two and the passing game are probably right now the strength of their offense at this point because of the running back situation"
The Orange have lost their top two running backs and in their last game had a true freshman, Doug Hogue, carry the majority of the weight.
Smith also has the longest reception of the season, a 79-yard score in the Orange's 38-35 upset victory Sept. 22 at Louisville. That game is one the Panthers coaches say is an example of the Orange's quick-score ability. They had three touchdown receptions of 40 yards or more as well as a 93-yard kickoff return by former Greensburg Central Catholic standout Max Suter.
Sophomore quarterback Andrew Robinson has thrown at least one touchdown pass in each of the past five games. He has started all eight games and has completed 113 of 215 passes for 1,668 yards, 10 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.
"He probably throws the deep ball better than he throws the shallow ball," Wannstedt said. "He can throw the ball down the field, so we're going to have to do a good job of pressuring him."
NOTES -- Oderick Turner (hip) and Shane Murray (concussion) are expected to start this week. Right guard Joe Thomas (hamstring) is questionable, but he has been practicing this week. ...
The Orange rank 113th out of 119 teams in rushing offense (73.5 yards per game), they are 74th in passing offense (211.4 yards per game) and 115th in total offense (284.88 yards per game). They are also 117th in scoring offense (16.5 points per game) and 116th in sacks allowed (3.88 per game).Despite those poor numbers, Pitt's coaches are wary because the Orange do one thing exceptionally well -- make big plays in the passing game. Pitt (3-5, 1-2 Big East) will play host to the Orange (2-6, 1-2) tomorrow in a game the Panthers have to win if they are going to keep their fleeting hopes for a bowl game alive.
Coach Dave Wannstedt believes in order to do that the Panthers will have to contain the Orange's passing game.
"The last three games they have had 13 plays of 20 yards or more and that is outstanding," Wannstedt said. "So we're not going to sit there in one coverage and let them know where we are at and what we are doing. We have a variety of things we can mix up and at times we can defend and at times we will be physical. We have to have a nice mix of things and that's the key to make sure the receivers and quarterbacks don't get into a rhythm."
Wannstedt said the Orange have made plenty of big plays and most of them have been by their two primary wide receivers, Mike Williams and Taj Smith.
The duo have combined for 56 receptions, 871 yards and 9 touchdowns and both average more than 15 yards per catch. Williams leads the team with 29 receptions, 6 touchdowns and 16.3 per catch; Smith leads the team in yards per reception (18.4) as well as receiving yards per game (62.2).
In Syracuse's last game -- a 20-12 victory against Buffalo -- both players had more than 100 yards receiving, which is the first time that has happened for the Orange since 1993.
"Both of those receivers have speed to run away from the defense, and they both have shown the ability to catch the deep ball as well as run after the catch," Wannstedt said. "Those two and the passing game are probably right now the strength of their offense at this point because of the running back situation"
The Orange have lost their top two running backs and in their last game had a true freshman, Doug Hogue, carry the majority of the weight.
Smith also has the longest reception of the season, a 79-yard score in the Orange's 38-35 upset victory Sept. 22 at Louisville. That game is one the Panthers coaches say is an example of the Orange's quick-score ability. They had three touchdown receptions of 40 yards or more as well as a 93-yard kickoff return by former Greensburg Central Catholic standout Max Suter.
Sophomore quarterback Andrew Robinson has thrown at least one touchdown pass in each of the past five games. He has started all eight games and has completed 113 of 215 passes for 1,668 yards, 10 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.
"He probably throws the deep ball better than he throws the shallow ball," Wannstedt said. "He can throw the ball down the field, so we're going to have to do a good job of pressuring him."
NOTES -- Oderick Turner (hip) and Shane Murray (concussion) are expected to start this week. Right guard Joe Thomas (hamstring) is questionable, but he has been practicing this week. ...
