Pitt & ACC Pride On The Line vs Tennessee This Saturday

In the long run, the game this Saturday between Pitt and Tennessee isn’t very meaningful. It might help clarify a few questions about both teams but neither team’s season will be destroyed with a loss or saved with a win.

Mostly, its a game about bragging rights. For Pitt, its about maintaining relevance and pride in the ACC. Its also about ending a long losing streak against non-conference P5 opponents on the road. Pitt hasn’t won a road game vs a P5 opponent since November 1, 2008. Almost 13 years ago and 10 straight losses since. That day, Pitt beat Notre Dame at South Bend, IN 36-33 in 4 OTs. A record for the longest game ever at Notre Dame.

Since then, Pitt has lost the following road games against current non-conference P5 opponents (excluding neutral site bowl games):

9/26/09 at NC State 38-31 (Pitt was in the Big East then and Pitt led 31-17 late in the 3rd Qtr; Russell Wilson led the NC State comeback)
9/2/10 at Utah 27-24 (OT)
10/9/10 at Notre Dame 23-17
9/17/11 at Iowa 31-27 (the day Pitt gets accepted into the ACC and led the game 27-10 in the 4th Qtr)
11/3/12 at Notre Dame 29-26 (3 OTs) – (Pitt missed a game winning kick)
9/19/15 at Iowa 27-24 (Pitt loses on a 57 yard game winning kick as time expires)
9/17/16 at Oklahoma State 45-38
9/9/17 at Penn State 33-14
10/13/18 at Notre Dame 19-14
9/14/19 at Penn State 17-10

For Tennessee, apparently its about being measured against a mediocre ACC team.

Regardless of what the media pundits say, its really about discovery. Both teams aren’t perfect and most expect a tight game. Pitt has issues at placekicker, OL and in the secondary.

Tennessee has an unproven QB and some real holes on defense – particularly at LB.

Both teams need this win but more importantly, they each need to find an identity.

Pitt lost its identity mid way through last season when starting QB Kenny Pickett went down with an ankle injury for 2 games (both losses). The Panthers were able to regain form and post a winning season, however, by winning 3 of its last 4 games.

Tennessee is starting anew. After firing head coach Jeremy Pruitt following an investigation into potential recruiting violations within the program, the Volunteers tapped former UCF head coach Josh Heupel.

The Vols new system calls for running roughly 80 plays a game. What do you need for such a system? Depth and speed. Tennessee lacks both.

What do we expect to see this Saturday:

– Pitt to pressure to Tennessee QB Joe Milton relentlessly
– Pitt to miss at least 1 or more field goals and extra points
– Both teams struggle to run the ball
– Tennessee to throw interceptions
– Punters to have a major role on field position

Outcome prediction:

Tennessee 19 Pitt 16 OT

Pitt tends to lose meaningful games especially against non-conference P5 road opponents. Take the 3 points and the Vols.