Sitting at 4-1 for the first time since 2009, the Pitt Panthers will look to keep the momentum going, and improve to 3-0 in ACC play, Saturday when they visit Georgia Tech,
Perhaps there is no more disappointing team in the country right now then Paul Johnson’s Yellow Jackets, who sits at 2-4. Everyone’s preseason favorite to win the Coastal Division, the Yellow Jackets have dropped four consecutive games and have struggled to run the football.
That alone could present a problem for the Panthers as you have to figure Georgia Tech is going to get things figured out soon.
Who has the advantage?
Let’s take a look.
When: Saturday, October 17
Where: Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, GA.
Time: 12:30 p.m. EST
Watch: WTAE, ACC Network
Spread: Georgia Tech (-3.5)
Series History:
Series Began: 1918
Series Overall: Pitt leads 5-4
ACC Series: Georgia Tech leads 2-0
At Pittsburgh: Pitt leads 3-1
At Georgia Tech: Pitt leads 2-1
At Neutral Sites: Georgia Tech leads 2-0 (two bowl games)
Last Meeting: Oct. 25, 2014 (Georgia Tech 56, Pitt 28)
Last Meeting at Georgia Tech: Nov. 2, 2013 (Georgia Tech 21, Pitt 10)
Current Series Streak: Georgia Tech has won 2 (2013-14)
Longest Pitt Series Win Streak: 3 games (1918-20)
Longest Georgia Tech Series Win Streak: 2 games (twice, most recent: 2013-14)
Largest Pitt Victory Margin: 32 points (32-0, 1918)
Largest Georgia Tech Victory Margin: 28 points (56-28, 2014)
Keys for Pitt: (4-1, 2-0 ACC)
1. Stop the run-We all know about what Pat Narduzzi’s strength is and that is defense. Pitt ranks sixth nationally in rushing defense, yielding just 84.8 yards per game and is only allowing 2.9 yards per carry. The Yellow Jackets are going to want to shoot some life into a ground game that has struggled the past two weeks. While Narduzzi has coached great defense in the past and looks to be on his way to turning the Panthers into one, he hasn’t coached against the triple option in over a decade. For the Panthers to come away with a win, shutting down the run is priority No. 1.
2. Get ahead early- A big key for Pitt is a hot start, similar to the one they had against Virginia last week. If the Panthers can build a couple touchdown lead by the half, they could limit what the Yellow Jackets will be able to do on the ground. Clemson jumped on GT big last week and the Yellow Jackets rushing attack disappeared in the second half. The Panthers do not want to make this a close game so jumping on Georgia Tech from the opening kickoff will be big.
3. Limit mistakes- For Pitt is as simple as taking care of the football. Everyone remembers last season and the five fumbles that killed Pitt. Putting up a zero in the turnover column will likely mean a Pitt victory.
Keys for Georgia Tech (2-4, 0-3)
1. Find the ground game- The Yellow Jackets prolific rushing attack hasn’t been so great the past couple of weeks and are coming off a performance in which their 71 yards rushing against Clemson was their lowest output in seven years. GT has to get the ground game and quarterback Justin Thomas going. It won’t be easy against the Panthers defense, but the Yellow Jackets are still averaging 271.7 yards on the ground to lead the ACC and rank ninth nationally. They will need similar results or that losing streak is going to hit five.
2. Limit Tyler Boyd- Boyd needs just seven catches to pass Devin Street for the Panthers all-time record. If he gets them Pitt will likely win the game. Georgia Tech must limit Boyd’s big play potential and force Panthers’ quarterback Nate Peterman to go elsewhere with the football.
3. Doing something special- When you have lost four games in a row, you need a spark from somewhere to get things going. That place could be the special teams. To win the game Georgia Tech needs to win the special team’s battle. If they can pop a return for a score, block a kick, or just control field position, that will go a long way in snapping their drought.
Prediction: This is a tough one for me to pick. Everything about this game says the Yellow Jackets should win. This team is too talented to lose five in a row and they are playing at home. You can bet they are going to play with some desperation. They also haven’t lost to bad teams as their losses are to teams with a combined 19-3 record.
However I am going with the Panthers here. I just like the way they are playing and I believe their defense will get the job done. Georgia Tech is struggling to execute in all phases of the game and the Panthers, while not flashy, have been getting the job done in all areas. It will be a close and physical contest, but Pitt will prevail. Pitt 24, Georgia Tech 20
Series Stats via University of Pittsburgh
Photo Credit: Associated Press
