Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
PHYSICAL TEST
iNTENSE BATTLE EXPECTED AS VIRGINIA TECH FACES PITT
Keys for Pittsburgh
Play the UNC Pickett:
Junior quarterback Kenny Pickett has had his ups and downs this season. But in last Thursday’s prime-time tilt against North Carolina, Pickett was at his absolute best, torching the Tar Heel secondary for 359 yards and a touchdown passing and rushing for 53 more yards and two scores in a 34-27 win. The Panthers will need more of the same from Pickett to get past the Hokies.
Keep the sack count high: The Panthers lead the entire nation in quarterback sacks with 45, led by sophomore defensive tackle Jason Twyman with 9.5. Twyman is one of four Panthers with at least five sacks this season. Tech quarterback Hendon Hooker is still in the early stages of his career as a starter, so applying pressure with the pass rush could result into some gamealtering turnovers for Pitt.
Keys for Virginia Tech
Win the ground game:
It’s no stretch to say Virginia Tech’s turnaround has been due in large part to the development of its ground attack. The Hokies have rushed for 220 or more yards in four of their last five games with the only loss occurring when they were stymied on the ground against Notre Dame.
Stop the deep shots:
Pickett only threw for one touchdown against UNC last week, but he hit on a lot of deep shots, completing at least five throws of 28 or more yards. Virginia Tech’s secondary has been vulnerable at times this season having given up 19 passing touchdowns.
Prediction
Virginia Tech 17, Pittsburgh 10. This is going to be a physical, intense game between teams battling to stay in the ACC Coastal Division race. The defenses will dominate the action, which probably favors the Panthers. But it’s hard to go against the Hokies, who are the ACC’s hottest team right now other than Clemson, and playing at home.