T.M. Selection: Syracuse Orange vs Pittsburgh Panthers - UNDER

I am on the UNDER in the Syracuse Orange vs Pittsburgh Panthers game on Thursday. Both teams known for some high-scoring offensive production but this has elevated this total. Now you have a match-up of two top teams in the ACC that respect each others offense here. That means part of the game plan will be running the ball plenty on offense or going with short middle routes and quick dump off passes (effectively also running plays) as these teams want to keep the clock running. Why play this way? They each fear the others offense. So the emphasis will be ball control and clock management on offense to churn up clock in hopes of not allowing the opponent's offense too much time on the field here. Of course something will have to give but the point is that this is likely to be more of a tighter low-scoring game than many are expecting. Both teams have solid running games and respectable run defenses so watch this battle unfold in the trenches. Don't make the mistake of just looking at point totals these teams have produced this season, think of how the game planning will impact this battle of strong teams. Easy under here! The Orange, other than an OT game versus UNLV, have allowed 21.4 ppg this season. The Panthers, other than a high-scoring win over West Virginia, ironically have also allowed 21.4 ppg in their other 5 games this season!

T.M. Prediction: 27-21 Pittsburgh.

Line: O/U 62.5