By Jimmy Hyams
As Tennessee prepares to play at Pitt on Saturday (3:30 pm) here are a few keys for both teams.
Tennessee had no sacks against Ball State
Ball State threw the ball quickly to offset any potential pass rush.
But concerning was the fact many times the Cardinals’ primary receiver was open, allowing the QB to throw on time.
If UT’s defensive backs don’t cover Pitt’s wideouts more tightly, don’t expect much of a rush from the Vols – or many sacks.
On the flip side, West Virginia recorded five sacks against Pitt. Panthers coach Pat Narduzzi said some were the result of the quarterback and receivers not being on the same page.
Another factor: UT’s defense was pretty vanilla against Ball State. Look for more stunts and blitzes against the Panthers.
Can Tennessee run the ball on Pitt?
Pitt was ranked among the nation’s top 10 front sevens by one scouting service.
Yet, West Virginia ran for 190 yards (213 not counting QB sacks) without the threat of a running quarterback. The Mountaineers freshman running back C.J Donaldson ran for 125 yards on just 7 carries with a long of 44.
Tennessee ran for 218 yards against Ball State.
Last year against Pitt, the Vols ran for 136 yards on 33 carries while still adjusting to its uptempo offense. But the Vols top two running backs against Pitt (Jabari Small and Jaylen Wright) combined for 33 yards on 19 carries. That won’t be good enough this time around.
With Hendon Hooker’s running ability and the one-two punch of Small and Wright, UT needs to rush for 200 yards against a Pitt defense that has several linemen banged up.
Pitt didn’t run the ball well against West Virginia
The preseason book on Pitt was that the Panthers would line up with their five returning starters on the offensive line and pound the ball with a trio of running backs.
That didn’t work against West Virginia. Pitt rushed 39 times for 76 yards (1.9 yards per carry). Excluding QB sacks or runs, Pitt had 32 carries for 96 yards, which still isn’t impressive.
Rodney Hamond was the top running back with 16 carries for 74 yards and two touchdowns and 55 yards on two receptions.
Last year, Pitt managed just 96 yards on 45 attempts against UT. QB Kenney Pickett had just 19 yards on 10 tries.
Pitt should easily crack the 100-yard mark against UT but the Vols need to keep that number to less than 150. Otherwise, QB Kedon Slovis could flourish in the play-action game.
Slovis averaged 19.3 yards per completion.
Slovis, the USC transfer, completed 18 of 24 passes for 308 yards against West Virginia.
That 19.3 yards per completion stat is eye-popping.
While Pitt lost Biletnikoff winner Jordan Addison (transfer to USC) it still has Jared Wayne and Akron transfer Konata Mumpfield, who combined for eight catches for 160 yards in the opener.
UT played soft coverage against Ball State, determined not to allow any explosive passes.
Will that strategy work against Pitt? Or will Pitt repeatedly thrown quick, underneath routes or hitches to move the chains and force the Vols to play tighter coverage?
Should Pitt be the underdog?
Pitt won the ACC last year, beat Tennessee in Neyland Stadium, and is ranked No. 17 – seven spots higher than Tennessee.
Yet, the Vols are a 6.5-point favorite on the road.
That doesn’t sit well with Pitt and Narduzzi.
Narduzzi said based on what you read all summer, college football is comprised of the SEC and the Big 10 while the ACC is a “pee-wee league.’’
Narduzzi said he will mention the odds to his team.
“I like being the underdog,’’ Narduzzi said. “I will share it (with the team).’’
Prediction: Tennessee 37-34
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