Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
UM AT PITTSBURGH
FAST FACTS, ODDS, KEYS, PREDICTIONS
When: Saturday, noon Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh Latest line: Pittsburgh is favored by9 points TV: ACC Network Radio: 560-AM, 990-AM (Spanish) Weather: 54 degrees, 40% chance of precipitation Online: sun-sentinel.com/um; @khobi_price on Twitter Stadium safety protocols: Heinz Field will operate at full capacity. Face coverings must be worn while indoors at the stadium, including inside elevators and restrooms. All ticket holders must access their tickets through their mobile device and Heinz Field will offer contactless food ordering and walkthru beverage markets throughout the stadium.
Quick slant: The Miami Hurricanes have the opportunity to build off their 31-30 win over then-No. 18 N.C. State that ended their six-game losing streak to Power Five programs dating back to last season. UM hasn’t beaten two AP Top 25 teams in the same season since 2017, when the Hurricanes downed then-No. 13 Virginia Tech and No. 3 Notre Dame in consecutive weeks in early November. Miami is 28-11-1 all-time against Pittsburgh, a former Big East rival, including victories in 21 of the last 24 matchups dating back to 1984.
About Miami (3-4, 1-2 ACC): The Hurricanes will look to sustain the offensive consistency they had in their win over the Wolfpack in which they scored an offensive touchdown in all four quarters against N.C. State for the first time this season against an FBS opponent. Miami’s also looking for its first winning streak since last year, when it won five consecutive games from mid-October through early December.
About No. 17 Pittsburgh (6-1, 3-0 ACC): The Panthers, who are riding a four-game winning streak with all the victories being decided by double digits, are coming off a 27-17 win over Clemson. Led by quarterback and Heisman Trophy contender Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh’s offense ranks top-10 nationally in scoring offense (No. 4 with 45.3 points per game), total offense (No. 5 with 526 yards) and pass efficiency (No. 5 with a 179.98 rating). The Panthers’ defense remains stout, ranking top-20 nationally in passing offense allowed (No. 5), third-down defense (No. 6), sacks per game (No. 13), red zone defense (No. 14) and total defense (No. 20).
Three things to watch
1. Pittsburgh’s expected to stack the box defensively and force Miami’s wideouts into one-on-one matchups on the outside. Will the Hurricanes receivers consistently make plays for Tyler Van Dyke? The second-year freshman quarterback has shown he won’t hesitate to throw the deep ball. 2. Bringing down Pickett in the backfield is easier said than done, as the Panthers only allow 1.57 sacks per game. UM will need to find a way to generate consistent pressure against the quarterback despite Pittsburgh having one of the better pass-protecting offensive lines in the ACC. 3. Pittsburgh wide receiver Jordan Addison will be a gametime decision after entering the concussion protocol midway through the game against Clemson. Addison leads the nation in touchdown receptions (11) to go along with 39 catches for 670 yards. If he’s able to play, the Hurricanes will need to keep track of him at all times.
Dave Hyde, sports columnist: Pittsburgh 30, Miami 24
Another crossroads for Miami. Pittsburgh, 9 ½-point favorites against Miami, is 6-1 and first in the ACC’s Coastal Division after knocking off Clemson last week. So win here and the Hurricanes can pull themselves back into a season that looked fully gone after losses to Virginia and North Carolina. After pulling off the upset against No. 18 N.C. State, we’re back to the original idea: Who is Miami?
Khobi Price, Hurricanes writer: Pittsburgh 34, Miami 30
The Hurricanes have shown they can hang with two of the better teams in the Coastal Division (Virginia and North Carolina) or even upset a ranked team in the ACC (N.C. State). The much-needed confidence boost from the win over the Wolfpack — and UM appearing to be more settled as a team — should give the Hurricanes a fighting chance, but slowing down the Panthers, led by quarterback and Heisman Trophy contender Kenny Pickett, has proven to be easier said than done. Miami is 15-6 all-time on the road against Pittsburgh, but Saturday’s game will be one of UM’s toughest challenges this season.
Keven Lerner, assistant sports editor: Pittsburgh 31, Miami 20
The Hurricanes will be hard-pressed to slow down Pittsburgh’s Heisman Trophy hopeful Kenny Pickett, who has an impressive 68.9 completion percentage while throwing for 2,236 yards and 23 touchdowns with just one interception. UM will attempt to prove last week’s upset over N.C. State was no fluke, but will be shorthanded with leading tackler Bubba Bolden joining a growing list of Miami standouts ruled out for the season. QB Tyler Van Dyke’s confidence is growing and he will lean on RB Jaylan Knighton to get off to another fast start. A loss would eliminate any realistic chance of UM remaining in the Coastal race.