Little cocky predicting a relatively easy win on the road aren't you? and you really didn't own Pitt in the big east either. Stick to the Kentucky Bourbon instead of making predictions lol
PITT-Ulou Game Day Predictions!
- Thread starter CaptainSidneyReilly
- Start date
The UofL-Pitt series is 8-8 all time, including 4-4 during the 8 years we were in the Big East together. I hope for our sake that your prediction is better than your memory!
somthin bout you yanks, not sure what it is...but as soon as I read some of these posts, I just felt much better about our chances...not that a fanbase can directly affect the outcome of the game, but if the attitude of your young players becomes complacent in the shadows of your one solid win, than this game is over before it starts...we will be hungry to prove that our 1-4 start was not representative of our team...I might just recommend a little of that bourbon for you come gametime, you may just need it.
Well, I stand corrected...I just remember the W's I suppose...prediction still stands.
Your an @ss wreckin card. Seriously grow up, something about you southerners, your cocky and I don't like it and I hope Pitt kickes your @ss tomorrow. Im
Should be a Great Game, everyone knows that ULou has a Great Coach, Pitt will know if they have one after the Game?
Good Luck!
PITT Versus ULOU Football History Comparison:
RANKINGS:
24. PITT Overall 68. ULou
31,25 Avg. Rank 59.17
43rd Winning % 75th
5th Natl. Champs 39th
104th Conf Champs 78th
27th Bowl Games 52nd
19th Wins 94th
68th Bowl Record 33rd
9th All-Americans 80th
17th Heismans 17th
19th Draft Picks 69th
23rd 1st Rnd. Picks 47th
15th Weeks at #1 44th
LINK:
http://www.winsipedia.com/ranking
Always an Honor and Privilege to play against ULou and glad the University is in the ACC!
Good Luck!
PITT Versus ULOU Football History Comparison:
RANKINGS:
24. PITT Overall 68. ULou
31,25 Avg. Rank 59.17
43rd Winning % 75th
5th Natl. Champs 39th
104th Conf Champs 78th
27th Bowl Games 52nd
19th Wins 94th
68th Bowl Record 33rd
9th All-Americans 80th
17th Heismans 17th
19th Draft Picks 69th
23rd 1st Rnd. Picks 47th
15th Weeks at #1 44th
LINK:
http://www.winsipedia.com/ranking
Always an Honor and Privilege to play against ULou and glad the University is in the ACC!
Last edited:
In NEW Pitt fashion, Pitt wins on a late score with somewhere around 6 minutes left.
I think both Coaches will have great Game Plans, and ULou and Pitt have just come off two complete games against NCS & Duke, and both lost to Ranked Programs, so it is up to two very even Team's Players executing the Game Plans.
ULou has had trouble on the Offensive Line and with injuries and patch up freshmen, but it is the 11th game, and they have improved, but Pitt Defensive Players need to pressure, not miss sacks, tackles, and cover the Run, QB, Option and Pro Set Wideouts????
On the other hand, ULou's Defense is damn good and against Top Ranked Teams with much Talent. Pitt Offense cannot afford to give up sacks,drop balls, and miss blocks? Boyd will be covered and hit hard, so others have to step up!
Petrino has beaten Narduzzi's Defenses 3-1! Now it comes down to execution between Two Great Coaches that coach up their Players as the season progresses, and just put their Teams together, but the Players have to do it! Both Teams played against most Teams close???
Special Teams can decide it!
U of L vs. Pitt | 3 keys and a prediction, LINK!
Here are three keys to victory for the Louisville football team (6-4, 5-2 ACC) in Saturday's 3:45 p.m. game at Pittsburgh (7-3, 5-1).
Keep the running game rolling
The Cardinals are coming off their first back-to-back 200-yard rushing games against FBS opponents and getting more production than ever from their running backs. After a quiet first eight games, including not even getting a touch against Wake Forest three weeks ago, U of L running back Brandon Radcliff has gotten rolling with 117 rushing yards against Syracuse and a career-high 146 against Virginia. Louisville is 5-0 the past two years in games in which Radcliff runs for at least 100 yards. It would help U of L’s chances to win if it can keep the trend going against Pitt, which has allowed just one team (Georgia Tech, 376 yards) to rush for more than 175 yards. Pitt ranks No. 37 nationally in run defense, averaging 139.8 per game, and it’s always a focal point for coach Pat Narduzzi. Throw out the performance against Georgia Tech, and Pitt has given up just 113.6 per game on the ground. One way for U of L to keep its team rushing count higher would be to avoid sacks. The Cards are No. 125 in the Football Bowl Subdivision in sacks allowed (3.6 per game), though they’ve given up only three total the past two weeks. Pitt’s defense is tied for No. 13 nationally in sacks per game (2.9), so it could be a challenge for Louisville’s offensive front.
Get some picks
Louisville, which didn’t intercept a pass against Virginia, is still tied for seventh nationally with 15 picks on the year, and forcing interceptions has been a staple of the Cardinals’ defense for the last two seasons. However, Pittsburgh quarterback Nate Peterman is careful with this throws. He has passed for 14 touchdowns with only four interceptions this season, and three of those picks came in the first three games. He went five straight games in the middle of the season without an interception before being picked off once in a 42-30 loss to Notre Dame two weeks ago. Pitt is 1-2 in games in which Peterson did throw a pick. He went 13-of-23 for 180 yards and three TDs with no interceptions last week in the 31-13 win over Duke.
Seize control
Pitt’s offense is predicated on ball security, ranking No. 1 in the ACC and No. 14 in the nation in time of possession (33:06 per game), and it’s won the time-of-possession battle in seven of 10 games. The only times it didn’t against FBS opponents (Iowa and Notre Dame), Pitt lost. In last week’s win at Duke, the Panthers had the ball for a season-high 39:45. With Peterman’s lack of interceptions contributing, Pitt is good at hanging on to the ball. The Panthers have turned it over just 11 times this season – 15th-best in the country. Louisville has given the ball away 23 times, by comparison. Pitt has had a negative-turnover margin against an FBS opponent only three times this year, but it lost two of those games (Iowa and North Carolina). The Panthers, interestingly, have also kept possession by converting 10 consecutive fourth-down tries going back to Week 3. So U of L could throw the Panthers out of their groove by limiting long drives by some means – forcing punts, getting turnovers, getting fourth-down stops – and sustaining some long drives of its own.
Steve Jones’ prediction
Louisville 24, Pittsburgh 21: The Cardinals didn’t get a big passing game from Kyle Bolin against Virginia, but the offense has still been clicking and scoring as consistently as ever with him at quarterback that last two weeks, when U of L topped 30 points in back-to-back games for the first time all year. The offense, especially the pro-style running game, seems to have taken a step forward late in the year, and the defense almost always can be counted on for a solid performance. So the Cards seem poised to play well enough all around and pick up what would probably be their best victory of the year.
http://www.courier-journal.com/stor...-pittsburgh-keys-victory-prediction/76118078/
Here are three keys to victory for the Louisville football team (6-4, 5-2 ACC) in Saturday's 3:45 p.m. game at Pittsburgh (7-3, 5-1).
Keep the running game rolling
The Cardinals are coming off their first back-to-back 200-yard rushing games against FBS opponents and getting more production than ever from their running backs. After a quiet first eight games, including not even getting a touch against Wake Forest three weeks ago, U of L running back Brandon Radcliff has gotten rolling with 117 rushing yards against Syracuse and a career-high 146 against Virginia. Louisville is 5-0 the past two years in games in which Radcliff runs for at least 100 yards. It would help U of L’s chances to win if it can keep the trend going against Pitt, which has allowed just one team (Georgia Tech, 376 yards) to rush for more than 175 yards. Pitt ranks No. 37 nationally in run defense, averaging 139.8 per game, and it’s always a focal point for coach Pat Narduzzi. Throw out the performance against Georgia Tech, and Pitt has given up just 113.6 per game on the ground. One way for U of L to keep its team rushing count higher would be to avoid sacks. The Cards are No. 125 in the Football Bowl Subdivision in sacks allowed (3.6 per game), though they’ve given up only three total the past two weeks. Pitt’s defense is tied for No. 13 nationally in sacks per game (2.9), so it could be a challenge for Louisville’s offensive front.
Get some picks
Louisville, which didn’t intercept a pass against Virginia, is still tied for seventh nationally with 15 picks on the year, and forcing interceptions has been a staple of the Cardinals’ defense for the last two seasons. However, Pittsburgh quarterback Nate Peterman is careful with this throws. He has passed for 14 touchdowns with only four interceptions this season, and three of those picks came in the first three games. He went five straight games in the middle of the season without an interception before being picked off once in a 42-30 loss to Notre Dame two weeks ago. Pitt is 1-2 in games in which Peterson did throw a pick. He went 13-of-23 for 180 yards and three TDs with no interceptions last week in the 31-13 win over Duke.
Seize control
Pitt’s offense is predicated on ball security, ranking No. 1 in the ACC and No. 14 in the nation in time of possession (33:06 per game), and it’s won the time-of-possession battle in seven of 10 games. The only times it didn’t against FBS opponents (Iowa and Notre Dame), Pitt lost. In last week’s win at Duke, the Panthers had the ball for a season-high 39:45. With Peterman’s lack of interceptions contributing, Pitt is good at hanging on to the ball. The Panthers have turned it over just 11 times this season – 15th-best in the country. Louisville has given the ball away 23 times, by comparison. Pitt has had a negative-turnover margin against an FBS opponent only three times this year, but it lost two of those games (Iowa and North Carolina). The Panthers, interestingly, have also kept possession by converting 10 consecutive fourth-down tries going back to Week 3. So U of L could throw the Panthers out of their groove by limiting long drives by some means – forcing punts, getting turnovers, getting fourth-down stops – and sustaining some long drives of its own.
Steve Jones’ prediction
Louisville 24, Pittsburgh 21: The Cardinals didn’t get a big passing game from Kyle Bolin against Virginia, but the offense has still been clicking and scoring as consistently as ever with him at quarterback that last two weeks, when U of L topped 30 points in back-to-back games for the first time all year. The offense, especially the pro-style running game, seems to have taken a step forward late in the year, and the defense almost always can be counted on for a solid performance. So the Cards seem poised to play well enough all around and pick up what would probably be their best victory of the year.
http://www.courier-journal.com/stor...-pittsburgh-keys-victory-prediction/76118078/
Opponent Breakdown | Q&A with Pitt writer
Steve Jones, @stevejones_cj 9:05 a.m. EST November 20, 2015
(Photo: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Sam Werner offers insight on the Pitt football team, which will host Louisville at 3:45 p.m. Saturday at Heinz Field. Follow Sam on Twitter at @SWernerPG and read his blog.
1. What have you thought of the season of freshman RB Qadree Ollison (859 rushing yards and nine touchdowns)? What makes him a good runner, and how important has he been to keeping the offense going after star James Conner was lost for the season in the first game?
Ollison has been just about as good as you could have reasonably hoped for after Conner went down in the opening game. I think expectations may have gotten a bit outsized when Ollison went over 200 yards against Youngstown State in that first game, and his numbers have come back to earth since then. Still, he has been a solid, dependable runner. He's obviously not James Conner, but he can keep the chains moving and maintain possession, which is really what Pitt wants in this offense. When Ollison is at his best, he's running with a physical, downhill style and can also break long ones if the blocks set up right for him. He's still a redshirt freshman, so he's due for a tough game every now and then (and is still learning some of the finer points of the running back position) but his 111 yards against Duke last week were a good sign that Pitt's running game is back on the right track after stumbling against North Carolina and Notre Dame.
2. How creative does Pitt try to be in getting touches for receiver Tyler Boyd? What kind of challenge will he present to Louisville?
Yeah, that's actually been pretty interesting to watch this year. Boyd has gotten the ball in more ways than he ever did in the past — he's out in routes, running screens and quick passes, and even taking handoffs as a running back. This staff feels like he's the most important guy in the offense when it comes to getting touches in whatever ways possible. Last week against Duke, for example, the Blue Devils doubled him in coverage on just about every pass play, so he ran eight times for 79 yards, and a couple of other receivers stepped up (which is also good news for Pitt's offense). The downside to Boyd's usage this year is that Pitt still hasn't figured out a way to get him open downfield and really stretch the vertical passing game. Boyd has 69 receptions this year, but for only 700 yards and five touchdowns. He's averaging 10.1 yards per catch, a number that was 16.2 last season. Boyd is getting the ball, but for whatever reason he's not as dangerous a downfield threat as he was a season ago.
3. How would you describe the defensive system of new coach Pat Narduzzi? What are the Panthers trying to accomplish, and who are the top playmakers on defense?
Narduzzi likes to describe his defensive system as "simple." Really, there's not a whole lot to it. Pitt will line up man-to-man on the outside and focus on stopping the running game. Now, this defense isn't quite where Michigan State's was when Narduzzi left the Spartans, so Pitt has to blitz to bring pressure a little bit more than Narduzzi would like. For Narduzzi, the number one goal is always stopping the run. He has said plenty of times that he doesn't really have a problem when teams beat his defenses for long pass plays, but it's when opponents are able to consistently run the ball that he gets frustrated.
As far as playmakers, that list would start with freshman safety Jordan Whitehead, who has a good shot to be the ACC Rookie of the Year. He'll also get 10-12 snaps on offense either as a running back or receiver, but his primary role is as a strong safety. He leads Pitt in tackles, which Narduzzi says is by design in this defense. Other guys to keep an eye on are defensive end Ejuan Price, who's having a nice year after missing two and a half of the last three seasons with injury, and cornerback Avonte Maddox, the Panthers' best corner.
4. What kind of season has QB Nate Peterman, a graduate transfer from Tennessee, had, and what can he be counted on to do well?
I think just about everyone was surprised that Peterman wrested the starting job away from Chad Voytik so quickly early in the season, but he has been pretty good (and gotten better as the season has gone on). Peterman isn't really flashy in anything he does, but he does a good job of going through his reads and is getting better at distributing the ball to receivers other than Tyler Boyd. He's not particularly fast, but mobile enough that he can pick up yards on the ground if they're there for him.
The biggest thing Peterman does is not turn the ball over. He has just one interception since the Iowa game on Sept. 19, which came against Notre Dame. He has been really accurate, and not made any huge mistakes. In an offense that wants to be defined by ball control, this is about all you can ask for.
5. What is the mood or excitement level of the fan base with Narduzzi as the coach and having had a solid first year?
This is one area where Narduzzi has really been a pretty unqualified success. He has done a great job energizing a Pitt fan base that, understandably, had been lulled into ennui after four consecutive 6-6 regular seasons. He really made an effort on the alumni circuit this offseason, and has the right kind of personality for a guy that's going to have to be a salesman for his program in a pro sports town. Of course, it also helps that he has backed that up with a solid season on the field in his first year, guaranteeing the Panthers a winning regular season for the first time since 2010 and leaving the door open for a nine- or even 10-win season after the bowl game. You don't want to overreact after just one season, but Narduzzi certainly seems to fit the mold of the coach Pitt has been looking for since they fired Dave Wannstedt in 2010.
Steve Jones, @stevejones_cj 9:05 a.m. EST November 20, 2015
(Photo: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Sam Werner offers insight on the Pitt football team, which will host Louisville at 3:45 p.m. Saturday at Heinz Field. Follow Sam on Twitter at @SWernerPG and read his blog.
1. What have you thought of the season of freshman RB Qadree Ollison (859 rushing yards and nine touchdowns)? What makes him a good runner, and how important has he been to keeping the offense going after star James Conner was lost for the season in the first game?
Ollison has been just about as good as you could have reasonably hoped for after Conner went down in the opening game. I think expectations may have gotten a bit outsized when Ollison went over 200 yards against Youngstown State in that first game, and his numbers have come back to earth since then. Still, he has been a solid, dependable runner. He's obviously not James Conner, but he can keep the chains moving and maintain possession, which is really what Pitt wants in this offense. When Ollison is at his best, he's running with a physical, downhill style and can also break long ones if the blocks set up right for him. He's still a redshirt freshman, so he's due for a tough game every now and then (and is still learning some of the finer points of the running back position) but his 111 yards against Duke last week were a good sign that Pitt's running game is back on the right track after stumbling against North Carolina and Notre Dame.
2. How creative does Pitt try to be in getting touches for receiver Tyler Boyd? What kind of challenge will he present to Louisville?
Yeah, that's actually been pretty interesting to watch this year. Boyd has gotten the ball in more ways than he ever did in the past — he's out in routes, running screens and quick passes, and even taking handoffs as a running back. This staff feels like he's the most important guy in the offense when it comes to getting touches in whatever ways possible. Last week against Duke, for example, the Blue Devils doubled him in coverage on just about every pass play, so he ran eight times for 79 yards, and a couple of other receivers stepped up (which is also good news for Pitt's offense). The downside to Boyd's usage this year is that Pitt still hasn't figured out a way to get him open downfield and really stretch the vertical passing game. Boyd has 69 receptions this year, but for only 700 yards and five touchdowns. He's averaging 10.1 yards per catch, a number that was 16.2 last season. Boyd is getting the ball, but for whatever reason he's not as dangerous a downfield threat as he was a season ago.
3. How would you describe the defensive system of new coach Pat Narduzzi? What are the Panthers trying to accomplish, and who are the top playmakers on defense?
Narduzzi likes to describe his defensive system as "simple." Really, there's not a whole lot to it. Pitt will line up man-to-man on the outside and focus on stopping the running game. Now, this defense isn't quite where Michigan State's was when Narduzzi left the Spartans, so Pitt has to blitz to bring pressure a little bit more than Narduzzi would like. For Narduzzi, the number one goal is always stopping the run. He has said plenty of times that he doesn't really have a problem when teams beat his defenses for long pass plays, but it's when opponents are able to consistently run the ball that he gets frustrated.
As far as playmakers, that list would start with freshman safety Jordan Whitehead, who has a good shot to be the ACC Rookie of the Year. He'll also get 10-12 snaps on offense either as a running back or receiver, but his primary role is as a strong safety. He leads Pitt in tackles, which Narduzzi says is by design in this defense. Other guys to keep an eye on are defensive end Ejuan Price, who's having a nice year after missing two and a half of the last three seasons with injury, and cornerback Avonte Maddox, the Panthers' best corner.
4. What kind of season has QB Nate Peterman, a graduate transfer from Tennessee, had, and what can he be counted on to do well?
I think just about everyone was surprised that Peterman wrested the starting job away from Chad Voytik so quickly early in the season, but he has been pretty good (and gotten better as the season has gone on). Peterman isn't really flashy in anything he does, but he does a good job of going through his reads and is getting better at distributing the ball to receivers other than Tyler Boyd. He's not particularly fast, but mobile enough that he can pick up yards on the ground if they're there for him.
The biggest thing Peterman does is not turn the ball over. He has just one interception since the Iowa game on Sept. 19, which came against Notre Dame. He has been really accurate, and not made any huge mistakes. In an offense that wants to be defined by ball control, this is about all you can ask for.
5. What is the mood or excitement level of the fan base with Narduzzi as the coach and having had a solid first year?
This is one area where Narduzzi has really been a pretty unqualified success. He has done a great job energizing a Pitt fan base that, understandably, had been lulled into ennui after four consecutive 6-6 regular seasons. He really made an effort on the alumni circuit this offseason, and has the right kind of personality for a guy that's going to have to be a salesman for his program in a pro sports town. Of course, it also helps that he has backed that up with a solid season on the field in his first year, guaranteeing the Panthers a winning regular season for the first time since 2010 and leaving the door open for a nine- or even 10-win season after the bowl game. You don't want to overreact after just one season, but Narduzzi certainly seems to fit the mold of the coach Pitt has been looking for since they fired Dave Wannstedt in 2010.
Last edited:
Louisville at Pittsburgh
Kickoff: 3:45 p.m. ET (Saturday)
TV: ESPN News
Spread: Pitt -2
Three Things To Watch
1. Is Pitt's defense really back?
One can't discount the fact Duke quarterback Thomas Sirk was not playing last week. The Blue Devils only rushed the ball with their running backs 10 times, and backup Parker Broehme was less than accurate against the Panthers. Louisville is also starting something of a backup quarterback. Kyle Bolin is the third different starter for Petrino but took over as the starter after Lamar Jackson's ankle injury three games ago. Bolin has since thrown for 362 yards against Syracuse and guided the offense to five touchdowns last week. The key, therefore, to stopping Louisville this week will be to provide a pass rush. Pitt is one of the most prolific teams in the ACC in collecting sacks; Louisville gives them up at an even higher rate.
2. How secure is Bolin behind center, really?
Despite the point total, Bolin completed less than half of his 21 passes and had only 139 yards last week. The Cardinals beat Virginia 38-31 thanks to running back Brandon Radcliff's 146 yards and two touchdowns and former quarterback Reggie Bonnafon's halfback option touchdown pass. This shows just how dangerous Louisville can be. While Pitt is most comfortable running behind Qadree Ollison, the Cardinals have and will find multiple ways to score. So if Bolin continues to struggle against the Panthers, Jackson could easily return behind center. Of course, both quarterbacks are somewhat prone to interceptions...
3. The best player on the field is likely Pitt receiver Tyler Boyd. How will he be used?
Boyd has caught nearly three times the amount of passes the next most prolific Panthers' receiver, Dontez Ford, has. Yet his yards per catch average is half that of Ford's.
Granted, it's likely the more catches a receiver has, the more he will catch shorter passes that will bring down his average. Yet one wonders if Boyd barely averaging 10 yards a catch is due to short routes or double teaming.
As such, Narduzzi has found all sorts of ways to get Boyd the ball, including rushing and returning. Last week against Duke, Boyd had eight carries against only three catches. The dirty little secret is that while Pitt's defense has received more ink than Louisville's, the Cardinals are actually ranked higher (14th), primarily because of their ability to stop the run with ACC defensive linemen of the week Devonte Fields. But there's a big difference between thwarting the fullback dive and being able to guard against a reverse with a receiver that has a run-pass option. Boyd's performance will likely determine the outcome of the game.
Final analysis
A lot to like on both teams. And a lot to be worried about as well. What isn't deniable is Louisville has been hotter lately.
Prediction: Louisville 24, Pitt 21
— Written by Marky Billson, who is part of the Athlon Contributor Network. An experienced beat reporter and sports writer, Billson began contributing to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in 2000. He has covered the Steelers, Pitt Panthers, MLB and more during his career. Follow him on Twitter @MarkyBillson.
https://athlonsports.com/college-fo...ttsburgh-panthers-preview-and-prediction-2015
Louisville Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Panthers Preview and Prediction
By Marky Billson, 11/20/15, 9:05 AM EST
Better bowl bids and potentially the ACC Coastal Division are at stake when two of the conference's strongest teams meet
Offense vs. defense. The classic match-up. And even if Louisville is the 64th-ranked offense and Pittsburgh is the 25th-ranked defense (which isn't bad) in the country, that's not important. For when the Cardinals play the Panthers Saturday, the billing for the football game is more about the coaches than the players.
Bobby Petrino is controversial, condescending and, if you're an Atlanta Falcons fan, cowardly. This season he continued to drive the masses up a wall by refusing to name a starting quarterback before kickoff of Louisville's opener against Auburn and the Cardinals lost their first three games. But ask rival coaches and they'll say he is likely the toughest offensive mastermind in college football to prepare for, which helps explain why Louisville has won six of its last seven games and has scored 41 and 38 points in its last two games.
Meanwhile at Pitt, in his first season as head coach Pat Narduzzi has continued the mastery of defense he displayed as Michigan State's defensive coordinator despite not having any true stars. Yes, the Panthers are not limiting opponents to 100 total yards any more, and against Notre Dame Narduzzi made the dreadful decision to cover wide receiver Will Fuller man-on-man, but they also held Duke to their lowest point total in four weeks in a 31-13 victory last week. The game is a must-win for Pitt (7-3), in that it can still win the ACC Coastal Division with a victory against the Cardinals (6-4) and then in its season finale against Miami if North Carolina loses its final two games at Virginia Tech and NC State.
Unlikely, but not impossible. But ultimately both teams need a victory to go to a higher profile bowl
Kickoff: 3:45 p.m. ET (Saturday)
TV: ESPN News
Spread: Pitt -2
Three Things To Watch
1. Is Pitt's defense really back?
One can't discount the fact Duke quarterback Thomas Sirk was not playing last week. The Blue Devils only rushed the ball with their running backs 10 times, and backup Parker Broehme was less than accurate against the Panthers. Louisville is also starting something of a backup quarterback. Kyle Bolin is the third different starter for Petrino but took over as the starter after Lamar Jackson's ankle injury three games ago. Bolin has since thrown for 362 yards against Syracuse and guided the offense to five touchdowns last week. The key, therefore, to stopping Louisville this week will be to provide a pass rush. Pitt is one of the most prolific teams in the ACC in collecting sacks; Louisville gives them up at an even higher rate.
2. How secure is Bolin behind center, really?
Despite the point total, Bolin completed less than half of his 21 passes and had only 139 yards last week. The Cardinals beat Virginia 38-31 thanks to running back Brandon Radcliff's 146 yards and two touchdowns and former quarterback Reggie Bonnafon's halfback option touchdown pass. This shows just how dangerous Louisville can be. While Pitt is most comfortable running behind Qadree Ollison, the Cardinals have and will find multiple ways to score. So if Bolin continues to struggle against the Panthers, Jackson could easily return behind center. Of course, both quarterbacks are somewhat prone to interceptions...
3. The best player on the field is likely Pitt receiver Tyler Boyd. How will he be used?
Boyd has caught nearly three times the amount of passes the next most prolific Panthers' receiver, Dontez Ford, has. Yet his yards per catch average is half that of Ford's.
Granted, it's likely the more catches a receiver has, the more he will catch shorter passes that will bring down his average. Yet one wonders if Boyd barely averaging 10 yards a catch is due to short routes or double teaming.
As such, Narduzzi has found all sorts of ways to get Boyd the ball, including rushing and returning. Last week against Duke, Boyd had eight carries against only three catches. The dirty little secret is that while Pitt's defense has received more ink than Louisville's, the Cardinals are actually ranked higher (14th), primarily because of their ability to stop the run with ACC defensive linemen of the week Devonte Fields. But there's a big difference between thwarting the fullback dive and being able to guard against a reverse with a receiver that has a run-pass option. Boyd's performance will likely determine the outcome of the game.
Final analysis
A lot to like on both teams. And a lot to be worried about as well. What isn't deniable is Louisville has been hotter lately.
Prediction: Louisville 24, Pitt 21
— Written by Marky Billson, who is part of the Athlon Contributor Network. An experienced beat reporter and sports writer, Billson began contributing to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in 2000. He has covered the Steelers, Pitt Panthers, MLB and more during his career. Follow him on Twitter @MarkyBillson.
https://athlonsports.com/college-fo...ttsburgh-panthers-preview-and-prediction-2015
Louisville Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Panthers Preview and Prediction
By Marky Billson, 11/20/15, 9:05 AM EST
Better bowl bids and potentially the ACC Coastal Division are at stake when two of the conference's strongest teams meet
Bobby Petrino is controversial, condescending and, if you're an Atlanta Falcons fan, cowardly. This season he continued to drive the masses up a wall by refusing to name a starting quarterback before kickoff of Louisville's opener against Auburn and the Cardinals lost their first three games. But ask rival coaches and they'll say he is likely the toughest offensive mastermind in college football to prepare for, which helps explain why Louisville has won six of its last seven games and has scored 41 and 38 points in its last two games.
Meanwhile at Pitt, in his first season as head coach Pat Narduzzi has continued the mastery of defense he displayed as Michigan State's defensive coordinator despite not having any true stars. Yes, the Panthers are not limiting opponents to 100 total yards any more, and against Notre Dame Narduzzi made the dreadful decision to cover wide receiver Will Fuller man-on-man, but they also held Duke to their lowest point total in four weeks in a 31-13 victory last week. The game is a must-win for Pitt (7-3), in that it can still win the ACC Coastal Division with a victory against the Cardinals (6-4) and then in its season finale against Miami if North Carolina loses its final two games at Virginia Tech and NC State.
Unlikely, but not impossible. But ultimately both teams need a victory to go to a higher profile bowl
WHAT ACC EXPERTS THOUGHT AT THE START OF SEASON ON CBS SPORTS WEBSITE:
LINK
http://www.cbssports.com/collegefoo...verrated-underrated-predicted-order-of-finish
LINK
http://www.cbssports.com/collegefoo...verrated-underrated-predicted-order-of-finish
Been waiting for your prediction! Pretty good one at that, at least I like the score and confidence you have in Coach Pat!!!
Last edited:
Hopefully home field matters for a change: Pitt 27 Louisville 21.
I see it as strictly as a Toss Up Game has both Teams have gotten better on O & D, and a gage to see if Narduzzi can out coach Petrino, and both dependent on how their Players execute and that is not known until Game Day?
Very tough game to call UVA, VT, had better Talent than Pitt but Pitt out coached them! Cuse, and GT had less Talent but Narduzzi out coach them. All 4 games were close too!
Iowa, UNC, ND had better Talent and out coached Pat & Staff, just like Clemson, Houston, Auburn, and FSU did to Petrino and not by much, for both Programs I might add except for ND & FSU?
ULou had their best game against NCS and Pitt against Duke, both had good coaches but Pitt & ULou had better talent.
Both Coaches have their Teams ready by the 10th game and now 11th games now, so the question is, will the players respond, because the coaches look to be very good but Petrino has proven it longer as a Head Coach than Pitt's New Head Coach in Narduzzi?
Why I think it will be a very close game, the Players that make least mistakes will win it!
I agree. A turnover or special teams play may decide the game. Also, would love to see Pitt try some more RB screens to Whitehead or James. They havent done it much and getting those 2 in open space could be exciting.
Coach Pat in his PC is expecting ULou to use both QBs one known for Pro Set & other Option Running! Both Young and played all year long but took a while to come together by the 10th game, now going on 11th?
I wonder if Coach Pat will surprise the ULou Defense and play Chad's Running Offense more than a few series or Whitehead at Wildcat to offset and confuse the ULou Defense into some confusion? One critical TD or 2 early could decide the Game because it will make the other team change the Game Plans and that is how mistakes will happen.
Pitt QB Peterman has not made many mistakes, but the ULou QBs have gone through a learning process that cause some close losses.
The Defenses favor ULou's Execution all season long, but Pitt Defensive Coaching is superior on Pitt's Defense too, and so are the Players coming together, but ULou QBs could be as tough as UNC & Iowa Games, and it will be great to see if Pitt Defense learned from those mistakes?
It is really a TOP OC Coach with much more experience in Petrino going against a TOP DC Coach in Narduzzi just getting started as a New Head Coach? The Players will now decide as which Team is ready, better prepared, and will execute?
We shall see?
Last edited:
I think Louisville is very similar to us record wise. Aside from their opener to auburn, all of their losses came against ranked teams (Houston#13, clemson#1, FSU#16) just like us.
Also, neither have a win vs. a ranked team.
Personally, I would feel more confident if we were on the road in this one.
23-20 PITT
Also, neither have a win vs. a ranked team.
Personally, I would feel more confident if we were on the road in this one.
23-20 PITT
Yes, pretty ironic that Pitt's intensity and execution in that first half was outstanding, while it was UofL (especially the defense) that seemed to be two steps slow on every play.
Similar threads
Latest posts
-
-
-
-
This sums up the 7 seasons of the Capel era in a nutshell
- Latest: KennyHeisman8
