Still has to happen this weekend. After everything that has happened this past week, I actually still think Pitt has a chance.
Virginia has squeaked a couple out, and find themselves atop the ACC Coastal Division. Still, their offense is not in great shape. They have serious issues of depth and talent at WR.
As a group, UVa wideouts caught four passes in a 28-23 win over Georgia Tech last week. They also had four drops. The tight ends, by comparison, caught 12 passes.
“We certainly would welcome any production or any firepower we can get there,” Virginia head coach Al Groh said. “Obviously, the (touchdown) Staton Jobe came up with the other day highlights what that can do for a team.”
Covington wasn’t an explosive receiver in the mold of a Kevin Ogletree or Deyon Williams, but his nine receptions led UVa’s wideouts. Jobe, the other starter, has eight catches for 104 yards.
Maurice Covington is out for the Pitt game with a wrist injury.
Also likely out for the game is the Hoos left offensive tackle who was hurt late in the GT game.
Offensively, they will be running the ball a lot with Cedric Peerman. Obviously the passing game won’t exactly be a vertical game, with the TE’s being the main targets. The real danger for Pitt will be containing Sophomore QB Jameel Sewell, is also a threat to run the ball — a terrifying prospect for the Pitt defense. He’s been sharing the QB duties with Freshman Pete Lalich who is a better pure passer and has shown promise.
On defense, they may have two of the best DEs in the country (definitely in the ACC) in Jake Long and Jeffery Fitzgerald.
All he did last season was lead Virginia with 5½ sacks, tie for the team lead with 12 tackles for losses, rank second with two interceptions and finish third with 64 total tackles — as a freshman.
But even though Fitzgerald got his due as a unanimous freshman All-American, he won’t be the first name in defensive ends at Virginia for at least another year.
That’s because he plays across from senior Chris Long, he of the famous father and the media-guide cover, the projected first-round NFL draft pick whose average of 1½ sacks per game this season is second in the nation.
I’m sure the Pitt O-line is looking forward to the challenge of trying to keep Bostick upright.
Oh, and of course, the Cavs haven’t forgotten last year.
“They kind of embarrassed us on national TV,” defensive end Jeffrey Fitzgerald said. “So we kind of have that in the back of our minds, to try to get back and bounce back from that. We’re just looking forward to going out there and showing them that last year was not indicative of this season.”
