If there’s such a thing as a “critical” phase of the Pittsburgh Panthers’ 2016 football schedule, it’s about to begin. Pitt (3-2) begins a crucial five-game stretch Saturday when it hosts Atlantic Coast Conference rival Georgia Tech at Heinz Field. The next five weeks will also see the Panthers facing league rivals Virginia Tech, Miami (Fla.), Clemson and Virginia.
Georgia Tech, meanwhile, is coming off back-to-back losses to Clemson and Miami and, like Pitt, is 3-2 on the season, as well as in a make-or-break point in its schedule. The Yellow Jackets are 1-2 in the ACC’s Coastal Division while Pitt is 0-1 in conference play.
Here are three storylines worth keeping an eye on for Pitt fans:
Can Pitt contain Tech’s run game?
Georgia Tech’s triple-option offense has befuddled a lot of teams over the years under coach Paul Johnson, with Pitt being no exception. The Yellow Jackets rushed for 370 yards against Pitt last year, although the Panthers won 31-28 on Chris Blewitt’s 56-yard field goal with just over a minute to play.
While Tech’s running game hasn’t been quite as prolific so far this season, it’s still averaging 226.8 rushing yards per game – which ranks fourth in the ACC – while freshman running back Dedrick Mills has shown plenty of promise. Mills has averaged 4.5 yards per carry while rushing for 370 yards through his team’s first five games.
Tech quarterback Justin Thomas is also a threat in the running game, but has cost his team with turnovers at times. Thomas lost two fumbles that were returned for touchdowns in last week’s 35-21 loss to Miami.
Will Jordan Whitehead play?
Pitt strong safety Jordan Whitehead, the ACC Rookie of the Year last season, sat out the Panthers’ win last week over Marshall. Whitehead started the Panthers’ first four games, but Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi wouldn’t discuss why the sophomore didn’t play a single down against the Thundering Herd.
Whitehead, like many other Pitt recruits is a homegrown talent, who occasionally plays on offense, is second on the team with 31 tackles and has a fumble recovery, two pass breakups, and a forced fumble. While Narduzzi remains mum on Whitehead’s availability for this Saturday, all indications are that Whitehead will be back in the lineup against Tech.
Is any lead safe for Pitt?
If Pitt jumps out to a sizable lead early against Tech you may want to postpone your trip to the concession stand. The Panthers had a 27-0 lead last week against Marshall, but let the Thundering Herd close the gap to 3 points before closing out a 42-27 win. Pitt let a 13-point lead turn into a last-second loss to North Carolina the week before, and had another late meltdown two weeks ago in a last-second loss to Oklahoma State.
My standard game gear will almost look contemporary.
Yes
No
With the exception of 3 turnovers, GT was statistically right in their game against Miami last week. Not so much against Clemson the game before….
Great Athlete… Smart Runner… who is capable of controlling the tempo of the Game. You might remember how this was on full display a few years ago in the FUMBLE FIASCO at Heinz Field.
As far as his Arm… it’s OK. But Thomas is REALLY EFFICIENT in getting the Ball to Receivers on critical downs… AND… not turning it over. So far this year, just “1” Interception.
By the way, Thomas longest career TD… 79 yards against Pitt.
Bottom line… Thomas is a lot like a Poor Man’s version of Navy Quarterback Keenan Reynolds.
Just the thought of that should be enough to make Pitt Fans CRINGE… at least a little bit.
60% to 58%
In 2014 they finished the season ranked #8, after winning the Orange Bowl.
Much was expected of them in 2015 as they were pre-season ranked #16, and climbed to #14 before their season blew up at Notre Dame and they proceeded to collapse after that, losing 5 games in a row. Sounds like Pitt a few times, collapsing after losing to Notre Dame. Remember the 5-0 1991 team, with Van Pelt, Pitt had climbed to #12 in the rankings, got hammered in South Bend and then collapsed for the rest of the season.
So GT is only 2 seasons removed from winning the Orange Bowl over an SEC team and finishing ranked #8.
So they clearly still have some athletes from that team, and much faster players than Pitt.
Which is why we can’t stop their Triple Option.
Pitt LB’s run like they’re in quicksand.
And the secondary is an undisciplined lot.
Could be a long afternoon, unless GT coughs up the ball a few times and Pitt converts.
Here’s to wrecking the Ramblin Wreck !
I’m not even going to mention Ollie getting carries, cause he must be about 4th on the RB depth list now. He’ll most likely be transferring ala Chris James.
Ridiculous that every game of Pitt’s is not on in Pennsylvania.
But if you want to see Georgia Southern versus ToysRUs, it’s televised.
Don;t know what happened last year but they did beat FSU, which I believe was unbeaten at the time
Let’s Go Pitt
They lost 35-37 to FSU in the ACC championship game that year (2014).
FSU doesn’t get in the playoff if they lose that game…. to defend their 2013 championship.
And GT beat a very good #8 Miss State team in Orange.
GT has been there and done that. Pitt has not climbed to those levels yet. GT feels like they are much better than Pitt.
I had a good feeling about the UNC game, and an even better feeling about GT.
HTP
Nice crisp writing, again, Steve!
The only additional story line I might add is the THROWBACK Unis.
How can Pitt possibly lose?