The Jackets will hopefully be coming off a big home Coastal win over the Canes as our guys travel for their first game on an opposing home campus. But, wait. Heinz Field isn't on the Pitt campus. We'll have to wait until November 5th at Chapel Hell before we do that. Speaking of Heinz Field, that is one great road trip that I again look forward to. Pitt fans are great. Heinz Field is first class and tickets are cheap on the broker sites for good seats. A nearby casino walking distance from the stadium is icing on the cake. I encourage Tech fans to head there if you get a chance. Downtown Pittsburgh is a hidden treasure, IMO. Tech and Pitt has so much in common from being great academic schools to urban campuses to the same colors.
Game Info: Oct. 8, Time and TV TBA...the marquee game in the ACC on this date likely is the annual rival clash between the Noles and Canes...another big Coastal game though will take place at Chapel Hell as the Cheaters host the Hokies...the Research Triangle will be hopping that weekend as the Pack hosts Notre Dame and Duke hosts the USMA-West Point...Syracuse travels to Wake and BC hosts Clemson on Friday night this weekend
Last Meeting: The Good Guys were clipped on a late 56 yard field goal for the Pitt win on Grant Field, 31-28. It was a close, good game the whole way. Tied 21-21 at the half, Pitt took a 28-21 lead into the 4Q before the Jackets scored on a Marcus Marshall 7 yd TD run early in the 4Q. Neither team could do much until Pitt hit the big FG at the 1:11 mark.
All-time Series: Pitt leads 6-4. Tech is 2-1 over the Panthers since Pitt joined the ACC, including a memorable 56-28 win in the last trip to Heinz Field 2 seasons ago...Tech's only win in 4 trips to Pitt.
Pitt Offense: Pitt returns 2 key skill players. Senior QB, Nathan Peterman, who threw 3 TD passes on Grant Field last year, returns along with the 2014 ACC Player of the Year, RB James Conner. The Panthers must replace stud WR Tyler Boyd, who departed a year early for the NFL. Tech can expect a heavy dose of Conner and his backups. Even without Conner last year, who had to sit out with his battle against Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Pitt finished 40th in the nation in yards per carry rushing.
Pitt Defense: 2nd Year Head Coach, Pat Narduzzi, is viewed as one of the best defensive minds in the game today. The Panthers finished 37th in the nation in total defense. Having said that, Tech did ring up 376 yards rushing on his defense and 482 yards of total offense on Grant Field a year ago. Sophomore safety, Jordan Whitehead, was named the ACC's Defensive Rookie of the Year last season. He recorded 109 tackles on the season.
What I Expect To Happen: This should again be a close, fun game to watch from opening kickoff to the final whistle just like last year. I expect Pitt's defense to slow down Tech's rushing attack better than last year. Tech's Marcus Marshall rushed for 159 yards a season ago against Pitt with a long of 58 yards on a 1Q touchdown. JT5 rushed for 125 with a long of 51 as well. The question will be can Tech's defense slow down Conner and get any pressure on Peterman, who is more mobile than he gets credit for. Would love to see the Jackets get the road win (I'll be there and look forward to it), but I'll go with... Pitt wins 31-27...Tech moves to 3-3/1-3 on the season
Game Info: Oct. 8, Time and TV TBA...the marquee game in the ACC on this date likely is the annual rival clash between the Noles and Canes...another big Coastal game though will take place at Chapel Hell as the Cheaters host the Hokies...the Research Triangle will be hopping that weekend as the Pack hosts Notre Dame and Duke hosts the USMA-West Point...Syracuse travels to Wake and BC hosts Clemson on Friday night this weekend
Last Meeting: The Good Guys were clipped on a late 56 yard field goal for the Pitt win on Grant Field, 31-28. It was a close, good game the whole way. Tied 21-21 at the half, Pitt took a 28-21 lead into the 4Q before the Jackets scored on a Marcus Marshall 7 yd TD run early in the 4Q. Neither team could do much until Pitt hit the big FG at the 1:11 mark.
All-time Series: Pitt leads 6-4. Tech is 2-1 over the Panthers since Pitt joined the ACC, including a memorable 56-28 win in the last trip to Heinz Field 2 seasons ago...Tech's only win in 4 trips to Pitt.
Pitt Offense: Pitt returns 2 key skill players. Senior QB, Nathan Peterman, who threw 3 TD passes on Grant Field last year, returns along with the 2014 ACC Player of the Year, RB James Conner. The Panthers must replace stud WR Tyler Boyd, who departed a year early for the NFL. Tech can expect a heavy dose of Conner and his backups. Even without Conner last year, who had to sit out with his battle against Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Pitt finished 40th in the nation in yards per carry rushing.
Pitt Defense: 2nd Year Head Coach, Pat Narduzzi, is viewed as one of the best defensive minds in the game today. The Panthers finished 37th in the nation in total defense. Having said that, Tech did ring up 376 yards rushing on his defense and 482 yards of total offense on Grant Field a year ago. Sophomore safety, Jordan Whitehead, was named the ACC's Defensive Rookie of the Year last season. He recorded 109 tackles on the season.
What I Expect To Happen: This should again be a close, fun game to watch from opening kickoff to the final whistle just like last year. I expect Pitt's defense to slow down Tech's rushing attack better than last year. Tech's Marcus Marshall rushed for 159 yards a season ago against Pitt with a long of 58 yards on a 1Q touchdown. JT5 rushed for 125 with a long of 51 as well. The question will be can Tech's defense slow down Conner and get any pressure on Peterman, who is more mobile than he gets credit for. Would love to see the Jackets get the road win (I'll be there and look forward to it), but I'll go with... Pitt wins 31-27...Tech moves to 3-3/1-3 on the season
