Pitt vs. Ole Miss
Ray Graham and the Pitt Panthers will take on Ole Miss in the BBVA Compass Bowl this weekend.
The game is set at Legion Field in Birmingham, AL. This is familiar territory for the Pitt Panthers. They have played in this bowl the past two seasons, going 1-1. They’re hoping to avenge their loss to SMU last season while Ole Miss is trying to win its first bowl since 2009.
Graham rushed for 1,042 yards this season, his first with over 1,000. Graham’s dynamic rushing ability should take pressure off of quarterback Tino Sunseri, who hopes to end his 3,000 yard passing season on a high note. This is the first time in school history that the Panthers have had a 1,000 yard rusher and a 3,000 yard passer in the same season. Even with those numbers, the team only finished 6-6.
Ole Miss, who is also 6-6, is powered by their passing game. Quarterback Bo Wallace plans to fight through a shoulder injury once last time and get into a rhythm and connect with sophomore wide receiver Donte Moncrief. Moncrief is riding two 160-plus receiving yard games into the BBVA Compass bowl, and he looks to continue being hot.
Keys to the game:
Pitt
Establish the run game.
Ray Graham follows rushers like LeSean McCoy and Dion Lewis, who have all had success at Pittsburgh and at the next level. Even with Ole Miss giving up 133.33 yards per game on the ground, establishing the run will allow the passing game to open up. Put the ball in Graham’s hands and watch him shine.
Quick, short passes.
Ole Miss’ pass defense has been sketchy all season but they are good at rushing the quarterback. If Sunseri can be quick and accurate with short passes to Graham and Mike Shanahan, they should effectively move the ball down the field.
Cover Moncrief
He is basically their only receiver. Moncrief has at least twenty more catches than the next receiver and has three times as many touchdowns as the number two and three guy. Cover him.
Ole Miss
Get to the quarterback.
When pressured, Sunseri tends to make bad plays. If this Ole Miss pass rush can get in his face, hurry him, and even bring him down, it will take loads of pressure off of their sub-par secondary.
Take pressure off Wallace
With his shoulder injury, look for Ole Miss to mix it up like they have been at quarterback. Barry Brunetti can come in and relieve some stress with his legs, keeping the Pitt defense at bay.
Get the ball to Moncrief.
Moncrief is the playmaker on the Ole Miss offense. Coming of two big games to end the season, he wants the ball in his hands. I’d put it there.
The BBVA Compass Bowl will air Saturday January 5th at 1:00 p.m. EST on ESPN. Pittsburgh fans can tune into 93.7 The Fan for game coverage.
Photo Credits: Photo: Fred Brooks/Icon SMI; Chris O’Meara/AP
