The Pitt Panthers football program is riding high as Paul Chryst’s team is currently on a three-game winning streak after beating Virginia two weeks ago.
But after a week off, Pitt faces a very tough test as they head to Blacksburg to take on No. 24 Virginia Tech. The Hokies enter this big ACC Coastal Division showdown equally as hot, winning their past five games after dropping their season opener to No. 1 Alabama.
With a 2-0 league record, the Hokies are atop the Coastal standings. The Panthers are 2-1 in ACC play and can move into contention for the division crown with a victory in Blacksburg.
While this has the makings of a big game, it is also a game where we should find out a lot about both teams.
Even though Pitt is 3-1, they barely beat Duke and their win against Virginia doesn’t look so good now after the Cavaliers were crushed by Ball State.
As for the Hokies, they have wins over North Carolina and Georgia Tech, so their resume is significantly better than Pitt’s. However, in addition to being blown out by Alabama in their opener and had close wins against East Carolina and Marshall where they did not look good. They can be excused for the Bama loss though. It happens to everyone.
The Panthers have won their past four games against Virginia Tech, which shouldn’t affect the outcome, but last year’s Pitt victory should be fresh in both teams mind as Pitt was able to shut down Hokies’ quarterback Logan Thomas.
Will Pitt have similar success once again?
Here’s everything you need to know about this big ACC clash.
When: Saturday, October 12, 2013
Where: Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, Va.
Time: 12 p.m. ET
Watch: ESPNU
Spread: Virginia Tech (-9)
Series History:
Series Began: 1993
Series Overall: VT leads 7-5
At Pittsburgh: Pitt leads 4-3
At Virginia Tech: VT leads 4-1
Last Meeting at Pitt: Sept. 15, 2012 (Pitt 35, Virginia Tech 17)
Last Meeting at Virginia Tech: Nov. 2, 2002 (Pitt 28, Virginia Tech 21)
Current Series Streak: Pitt has won 4 (2001-03, 2012)
Longest Pitt Series Win Streak: 4 games (2001-03, 2012)
Longest Virginia Tech Series Win Streak: 4 games (1993-96)
Largest Pitt Victory Margin: 31 points (38-7, 2001)
Largest Virginia Tech Victory Margin: 42 points (63-21, 1993)
Keys for Pitt:
1. Run the Football: Freshman James Connor leads the Panthers in rushing and they have to get the combination of Connor and Isaac Bennett going early. That won’t be easy against a dominant Hokies’ defense. The Panthers have allowed 13 sacks this season through four games. Virginia Tech has sacked the quarterback 19 times, tops in the nation, so Pitt doesn’t want to have to rely on the passing attack in this one.
Pitt ranks No. 88 in the country in rushing offense, averaging 140 yards per game. The Hokies, meanwhile, excel against the run. However Conner is averaging 5.7 yards per carry to go with his four touchdowns. His bruising style could wear down the Virginia Tech front four. Pitt needs to be patient and take three or four yard gains on the ground to set up manageable third down situations.
2. Pressure Logan Thomas: Much like the Panthers need to establish a ground game, they need to stop it as well. It shouldn’t be too difficult as the Hokies are struggling to run the ball. But in the meantime they need to pressure Thomas. He is prone to mistakes and while he is playing much better as of late, the Pitt front four must find a way to get to him.
A guy like Aaron Donald could be huge. Donald has been a fixture in the opponent’s backfield all season. The senior All-America candidate ranks second nationally in both sacks (1.5 per game, six total) and tackles for loss (2.3 per game, nine total). He will have to have a huge game for Pitt to pull off the upset.
3. Get the weapons the football: Pitt’s receiving tandem of Tyler Boyd and Devin Street are the ACC’s most potent receiving tandem. While Pitt needs to establish the run, they also have to find ways to get their playmakers the rock in situations where they can make an impact. Pitt is one of only three teams nationally to have two players averaging more than 100 receiving yards per game and if they put up numbers like that this weekend, Pitt should win.
Keys for Virginia Tech
1. Protect against the big play: It’s as simple for Virginia Tech as shutting down Street (111.25 yards per game) and Boyd (106.25). If they limit the impact of Pitt’s impressive duo, the Panthers likely won’t have the weapons to pull off a win.
2. Special Teams: The Hokies are usually outstanding when it comes to their special teams, but have had some uncharacteristic breakdowns as of late. Their kickers have combined to miss six field goals and two point-after attempts. In addition they haven’t got much of an impact from their return units and their coverage teams have struggled. If “Beamer Ball” returns and the Hokies get a special team’s score, it could go a long way to a Virginia Tech win.
3. Pressure Tom Savage: Savage is coming off a concussion and it will be interesting to see how much heat the Hokies throw at him. Given the fact that he has the tendency to to take sacks and turn the ball over this season, I would expect a ton of pressure. Similar to how Donald has to be big for Pitt, I would expect Bud Foster to have a similar type of impact for the Hokies.
Prediction: Pitt can win this game if they find a way to get big performances from both the offense and defense on the same day. But being that we haven’t seen that yet this season, I have a hard time thinking it will happen on Saturday on the road, in front of what usually is a great Virginia Tech crowd. The Virginia Tech defense will be the difference as the Hokies haven’t allowed more than 21 points in the past five weeks. Pitt will keep it close but ultimately will fall short. Virginia Tech 24, Pitt 20.
Photo Credit: Associated Press
