Hey now! We might just like the outcome of the game against Virginia Tech this evening. Key reason why? Well, there’s two actually: First is that VT really is poor at their run defense sitting at 122nd of 130 teams – giving up almost 213 yards per game (ypg). Currently we are averging 135.0 ypg on the ground which isn’t good at all and puts us 88th of 130 teams.
However, look at the chart below and you see that VT has an awesome Passing Yards Allowed defense in giving up only 139 ypg (2nd in rank) and a very good Passing Efficiency defense at 30th allowing opposing QBs a 110.53 rating. What sucks is that Pitt’s combined Passing Efficiency rate is only 107.39 (120th).
Our Passing Yards per game is a hoot. Try to guess how many ypg we have averaged so far. A terrible 138. So VT is giving up only (1) more ypg then we create… I really hope we stay out of 3rd and long situations but with our shaky OL and very generous penalties (117th) we will see of those then we want.
Good lord, if our OL can’t rise to the occasion and open holes for whoever Cignetti chooses to run the ball (because after all he is higher on the decision-making totem pole then Narduzzi) we’ll get beat….
Here are the Pitt & VT ESPN pages for all the info on the teams in one place. But first is the Pitt 2023 Season Media Guide to read about why this team has a 1-3 record (Just kidding, this was written pre-season when there was still hope).
Here are a few bits of info about us and our opponent:
Below are the posted odds as of this morning. Pitt giving 2.5 (down from 3.5) points 7.5 points.
For a different take on this match up here is a link provided by Sports Illustrated from the VT point of view. Also, a VT page about the Pitt-VT series…
What does all this pre-game info mean? Sod all as the Brits say, but it does lead one to wonder if we will pull out a win in Blacksburg tonight. Personally because of the good passing defense VT fields and that we’ll probably kill ourselves with penalties again (I know, impossible to kill again) I think we continue on our losing ways:
VT – 24 Pitt – 17
HTP!!
pittpov.com 