7-0, first time since 1982, this season has been incredible so far. Pitt are decently sized underdogs this weekend (currently +7.5) and most national people (and podcasts) don't seem to be giving them much of a shot and it seems most think SMU covers (and some think easily).
SMU runs the ball very well, and Jennings has been great for them. Their rush D has also been decent but I do think they can be thrown on. One interesting thing is Jennings is very good against man coverage but struggles some against zone - 12.1 yards per attempt, five TDs, one INT vs zone 8.6 yards per attempt, four TDs, four INTs. He also seems to struggle some against pressure (he at least did against Duke) and he might not be 100%.
I know some are starting to get down on the offense, after the past two weeks. But really they were good against UNC and the Cuse game was just weird for them and they actually did fine when they had the ball, they just didn't have it alot. And of course, Pitt's D has been really turning it on and have played really really well the past two weeks.
So....with all that said, Pitt really has something going this year, and I think Narduzzi is really going to have them playing very well with a huge chip on their shoulder this week.
I think the offense plays very well, Eli has his best game since UNC, gets back to throwing well - over 300 yards and 3 TDs. I think the run game will hit on a couple big runs too. Mumpfield has a big game too.
The D continues their strong play and holds up against the run for the most part - SMU will break off some runs, burlt Pitt will do enough against the run. I think they get a lot of pressure on Jennings and force a mistake or two (not 5 or 3 picks 6s though! Haha). They might even force Jennings out of the game, I think they hit him alot.
So, with all that....I say Pitt 38 SMU 30 and unbelievably Pitt starts the year out 8-0. After we enjoy this win for about 24 hours (who am I kidding, probably less than that!) we all start to worry about a massive letdown/lookahead game against UVA, but let's worry about that next week.
Let's Go Pitt!
SMU runs the ball very well, and Jennings has been great for them. Their rush D has also been decent but I do think they can be thrown on. One interesting thing is Jennings is very good against man coverage but struggles some against zone - 12.1 yards per attempt, five TDs, one INT vs zone 8.6 yards per attempt, four TDs, four INTs. He also seems to struggle some against pressure (he at least did against Duke) and he might not be 100%.
I know some are starting to get down on the offense, after the past two weeks. But really they were good against UNC and the Cuse game was just weird for them and they actually did fine when they had the ball, they just didn't have it alot. And of course, Pitt's D has been really turning it on and have played really really well the past two weeks.
So....with all that said, Pitt really has something going this year, and I think Narduzzi is really going to have them playing very well with a huge chip on their shoulder this week.
I think the offense plays very well, Eli has his best game since UNC, gets back to throwing well - over 300 yards and 3 TDs. I think the run game will hit on a couple big runs too. Mumpfield has a big game too.
The D continues their strong play and holds up against the run for the most part - SMU will break off some runs, burlt Pitt will do enough against the run. I think they get a lot of pressure on Jennings and force a mistake or two (not 5 or 3 picks 6s though! Haha). They might even force Jennings out of the game, I think they hit him alot.
So, with all that....I say Pitt 38 SMU 30 and unbelievably Pitt starts the year out 8-0. After we enjoy this win for about 24 hours (who am I kidding, probably less than that!) we all start to worry about a massive letdown/lookahead game against UVA, but let's worry about that next week.
Let's Go Pitt!
