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October 6, 2016

3 Storylines Heading into Week 6 vs. Georgia Tech

Filed under: Football,Opponent(s) — Steven Callahan @ 6:55 am

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.





Chas… you pretty well covered it.

The only additional story line I might add is the THROWBACK Unis.

How can Pitt possibly lose?

Comment by PittofDreams 10.06.16 @ 7:51 am

Sorry Steve

Comment by PittofDreams 10.06.16 @ 7:53 am

Pretty much summed it up. NO lead is safe with Pitt’s defense. If we stop GT triple option it will be the first time in many years we have. I am not sure what kind of arm the GT QB has.
My standard game gear will almost look contemporary.

Comment by rkb 10.06.16 @ 9:09 am

Probably Not
Yes
No

Comment by wbb 10.06.16 @ 9:20 am

While the Pitt run defense seems much improved over years past, many of these guys were around for GT the last two years and the bowl game against Navy. The Pitt D didn’t shut the running game down in any of those games. This game should tell us if the run defense this year is for real.

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….

Comment by Barvo 10.06.16 @ 9:25 am

GaTech QB Justin Thomas seems like he’s been around forever.

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.

Comment by PittofDreams 10.06.16 @ 9:41 am

Georgia Tech has a slightly better all-time winning % than Pitt.

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 !

Comment by Emel 10.06.16 @ 10:02 am

Moss is going to have to get more carries as GT’s defense is probably the best defense we’ve seen so far. Make that…..it is the best defense we’ve seen so far.

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.

Comment by Emel 10.06.16 @ 10:07 am

Anyone know what channel is any the game will be on in Central PA.
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.

Comment by Justin Gilmore 10.06.16 @ 10:55 am

Emel, after the bowl game in 2014, I thought GT had a good chance of being a top 10 team. As I recall, they took FSU to the limit in the ACC Title game and then beat a good SEC team (Miss or MSU?)

Don;t know what happened last year but they did beat FSU, which I believe was unbeaten at the time

Comment by wbb 10.06.16 @ 11:27 am

Justin, a 12:30 start indicates that they are on the ACC Network … of course, that may not be available on may cable systems in Central PA

Comment by wbb 10.06.16 @ 11:29 am

Yeah ACC network, Blue Ridge carried our first year in the conference then dropped it, hopefully it’s on the MyTv channel.

Comment by Justin Gilmore 10.06.16 @ 11:52 am

Justin – ACC Network Linked below for city & channels.

link to theacc.com

Comment by PITT-cocks Fan 10.06.16 @ 12:18 pm

Thanks man, yeah I get it, thankfully.
Let’s Go Pitt

Comment by Justin Gilmore 10.06.16 @ 12:47 pm

Right wbb

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.

Comment by Emel 10.06.16 @ 7:42 pm

We get the ACC games here in LA LA Land, of course, but I guess I couldn’t watch it if I were back home in Bedford County. Go figure!

I had a good feeling about the UNC game, and an even better feeling about GT.

HTP

Comment by LA Panther 10.08.16 @ 1:21 am

PS

Nice crisp writing, again, Steve!

Comment by LA Panther 10.08.16 @ 1:22 am

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