Given the recent arrests of several Pittsburgh players, the high profile injuries that have sidelined some key starters, the demotion of a very promising young linebacker and the lackluster play of the offensive line and linebackers and you see why there would be no questioning the benefit of a Panthers victory. I just worry about the Panthers coming out and being too emotional, perhaps leading to mistakes. Pitt is not the only team in this game thinking it has something to prove though. The Hurricanes are coming off a 36-24 loss at No. 2 Ohio State, where quarterback Jacory Harris was intercepted four times. Pittsburgh is expecting a sell-out crowd that will be very loud which could in turn lead to Miami making some mistakes on both sides of the ball with mis-ques and possibly some off-sides penalties. No team on Pitt's schedule has as much speed throughout its roster as Miami does so they'll have to be on their toes all night. The qualities that make Jacory Harris for Miami such a dangerous passer can also be his own worst enemy. The junior quarterback from Miami is so self-assured that he will attempt any throw, any time, even if it means an interception. Pitt will look to exploit Harris' turnover tendencies. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Harris has been intercepted 25 times in his past 19 games dating to his freshman year. He was second in the nation last year with 17 interceptions and tossed another four in the Hurricanes' 36-24 loss at Ohio State on Sept. 11. Harris threw for 3,352 yards last season, the fourth-highest total in Miami history, along with 24 touchdowns. It's a risk-reward proposition for Harris. Last season, Harris was intercepted four times in a loss at North Carolina but passed for 270 yards, three touchdowns and no picks in a victory over Georgia Tech and threw for 386 yards with two scores and two picks against Florida State. Pitt's defense will try to pressure Harris, while staying patient in its coverage. Pitt defenders must guard against any throw no matter how deep or how risky at any time. And if Harris is intercepted, that doesn't mean another high-risk pass isn't coming again. Miami defensive end 6-foot-4, 285-pound senior Allen Bailey leads the Hurricanes' defensive front. Miami rotates eight or nine defensive linemen. Their front four have accounted for all nine of the Hurricanes' sacks this season. Miami LB Sean Spence already has four tackles for losses on a team that leads the nation with 25. Controlling Pitt RB Dion Lewis and backup Ray Graham on first and second downs will be a priority for Spence and the Hurricanes. Pitt RB Dion Lewis, the nation's leading returning rusher after gaining 1,799 yards last season is off to a surprisingly slow start with 102 yards and a 2.9 yards per carry average. He was benched for Ray Graham during the second half against New Hampshire. Pitt is ranked 89th in the country in rushing. Miami has won 32 consecutive games against unranked conference opponents and Pitt is 1-10 against ranked non-conference opponents since 1996. So all that being said, I can see some mistakes for both teams in this game as both squads will be trying to make things happen to get the win. I feel there will be atleast a couple of turnovers that will lead to points. This may even be an overtime game but I do feel like plenty of points will be scored. Maybe something like a 30-27 type score. I think the better wager here is to play the Over but I also feel that Miami comes away with the win as a result of a slightly better defense so here are my plays. BOL everybody!
Given the recent arrests of several Pittsburgh players, the high profile injuries that have sidelined some key starters, the demotion of a very promising young linebacker and the lackluster play of the offensive line and linebackers and you see why there would be no questioning the benefit of a Panthers victory. I just worry about the Panthers coming out and being too emotional, perhaps leading to mistakes. Pitt is not the only team in this game thinking it has something to prove though. The Hurricanes are coming off a 36-24 loss at No. 2 Ohio State, where quarterback Jacory Harris was intercepted four times. Pittsburgh is expecting a sell-out crowd that will be very loud which could in turn lead to Miami making some mistakes on both sides of the ball with mis-ques and possibly some off-sides penalties. No team on Pitt's schedule has as much speed throughout its roster as Miami does so they'll have to be on their toes all night. The qualities that make Jacory Harris for Miami such a dangerous passer can also be his own worst enemy. The junior quarterback from Miami is so self-assured that he will attempt any throw, any time, even if it means an interception. Pitt will look to exploit Harris' turnover tendencies. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Harris has been intercepted 25 times in his past 19 games dating to his freshman year. He was second in the nation last year with 17 interceptions and tossed another four in the Hurricanes' 36-24 loss at Ohio State on Sept. 11. Harris threw for 3,352 yards last season, the fourth-highest total in Miami history, along with 24 touchdowns. It's a risk-reward proposition for Harris. Last season, Harris was intercepted four times in a loss at North Carolina but passed for 270 yards, three touchdowns and no picks in a victory over Georgia Tech and threw for 386 yards with two scores and two picks against Florida State. Pitt's defense will try to pressure Harris, while staying patient in its coverage. Pitt defenders must guard against any throw no matter how deep or how risky at any time. And if Harris is intercepted, that doesn't mean another high-risk pass isn't coming again. Miami defensive end 6-foot-4, 285-pound senior Allen Bailey leads the Hurricanes' defensive front. Miami rotates eight or nine defensive linemen. Their front four have accounted for all nine of the Hurricanes' sacks this season. Miami LB Sean Spence already has four tackles for losses on a team that leads the nation with 25. Controlling Pitt RB Dion Lewis and backup Ray Graham on first and second downs will be a priority for Spence and the Hurricanes. Pitt RB Dion Lewis, the nation's leading returning rusher after gaining 1,799 yards last season is off to a surprisingly slow start with 102 yards and a 2.9 yards per carry average. He was benched for Ray Graham during the second half against New Hampshire. Pitt is ranked 89th in the country in rushing. Miami has won 32 consecutive games against unranked conference opponents and Pitt is 1-10 against ranked non-conference opponents since 1996. So all that being said, I can see some mistakes for both teams in this game as both squads will be trying to make things happen to get the win. I feel there will be atleast a couple of turnovers that will lead to points. This may even be an overtime game but I do feel like plenty of points will be scored. Maybe something like a 30-27 type score. I think the better wager here is to play the Over but I also feel that Miami comes away with the win as a result of a slightly better defense so here are my plays. BOL everybody!
Great analysis and Im not trying to knock your pick, but y do you think this one goes over? Pitt has problems along the oline, inexperienced qb, while miami's strength is its dline. I see the only way this is close is if harris starts throwing wildly to keep Pitt in it setting up short fields. Obviously, its my own speculation but i see a 28-10 type game here in favor of the canes
Great analysis and Im not trying to knock your pick, but y do you think this one goes over? Pitt has problems along the oline, inexperienced qb, while miami's strength is its dline. I see the only way this is close is if harris starts throwing wildly to keep Pitt in it setting up short fields. Obviously, its my own speculation but i see a 28-10 type game here in favor of the canes
very good write up.. well written and with excellent points.. I am on the opposite side however.. I think Pitt is gonna run that clock like there is no tomorrow.. two reasons they do this.. one is to keep Miami's offense off the field.. two is to wear down the Miami defense.. If Pitt can open up strong, get a couple of early scores, and get the run game going, by the 4th quarter, you should see Pitt gashing that Miami D for some big gains.. There is no doubt in anyone's mind, Miami backers included, that Pitt has a very talented offensive line.. the talent is there, the play has not been however.. if they can get that fixed, which i think they can and will, all of the above will fall into place..
very good write up.. well written and with excellent points.. I am on the opposite side however.. I think Pitt is gonna run that clock like there is no tomorrow.. two reasons they do this.. one is to keep Miami's offense off the field.. two is to wear down the Miami defense.. If Pitt can open up strong, get a couple of early scores, and get the run game going, by the 4th quarter, you should see Pitt gashing that Miami D for some big gains.. There is no doubt in anyone's mind, Miami backers included, that Pitt has a very talented offensive line.. the talent is there, the play has not been however.. if they can get that fixed, which i think they can and will, all of the above will fall into place..
very good write up.. well written and with excellent points.. I am on the opposite side however.. I think Pitt is gonna run that clock like there is no tomorrow.. two reasons they do this.. one is to keep Miami's offense off the field.. two is to wear down the Miami defense.. If Pitt can open up strong, get a couple of early scores, and get the run game going, by the 4th quarter, you should see Pitt gashing that Miami D for some big gains.. There is no doubt in anyone's mind, Miami backers included, that Pitt has a very talented offensive line.. the talent is there, the play has not been however.. if they can get that fixed, which i think they can and will, all of the above will fall into place..
nice write up again and good luck bro
i made this mistake in the cincy/nc state game. cincy had been experiencing offensive line problems in their previous two games. in cincy's local newspapers were all kinds of quotes by the offensive line men and coaches how the O-line was going to have it together vs. NC State and play a solid game. guess what? the game was a repeat of the previous two with Cincy's line providing no protection for Collaros.
let me ask you, is there any reason to believe that Pitt's O-line will suddenly perform well against the best D-line they've faced?
as much as i hate to go against a very motivated home dog with a sell out crowd on Thursdays, i learned my lesson in the Cincy game.
very good write up.. well written and with excellent points.. I am on the opposite side however.. I think Pitt is gonna run that clock like there is no tomorrow.. two reasons they do this.. one is to keep Miami's offense off the field.. two is to wear down the Miami defense.. If Pitt can open up strong, get a couple of early scores, and get the run game going, by the 4th quarter, you should see Pitt gashing that Miami D for some big gains.. There is no doubt in anyone's mind, Miami backers included, that Pitt has a very talented offensive line.. the talent is there, the play has not been however.. if they can get that fixed, which i think they can and will, all of the above will fall into place..
nice write up again and good luck bro
i made this mistake in the cincy/nc state game. cincy had been experiencing offensive line problems in their previous two games. in cincy's local newspapers were all kinds of quotes by the offensive line men and coaches how the O-line was going to have it together vs. NC State and play a solid game. guess what? the game was a repeat of the previous two with Cincy's line providing no protection for Collaros.
let me ask you, is there any reason to believe that Pitt's O-line will suddenly perform well against the best D-line they've faced?
as much as i hate to go against a very motivated home dog with a sell out crowd on Thursdays, i learned my lesson in the Cincy game.
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