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I am started to get giddy about the start of the season, so here is a brief breakdown of the match ups.
Pitt Offense vs. Utah defense
Pitt O-line vs. Utah D-line
Pitt has a AA candidate in Jason Pinkston at LT, but alot of question marks and inexperience at the other positions. Alex Karabin and Greg Gaskins at Center and guard seem to be the real concerns for Pitt. Unfortunately for them, Utah's Defensive line strength is up the middle with Siliga and Dave Krugar. Utah has experience and depth at both ends.
Pinkston is a marvelous player, but the rest of the individual matchups favor Utah
Pitt RB's vs. Utah LB's
This is Pitts real mismatch. Dion Lewis was a freshman phenom and Ray Graham is likely just as good. Utah replaces all 3 LB's and unfortunately, the most experienced of the group, J.J. Williams , is not going to play due to a fott injury suffered in Fall Camp, and another, Jamel King is out with a concussion.
Big advantage Pitt
Pitt QB/WR vs. Utah Secondary
Pitt will be breaking in a new QB in Tino Sunseri, who, by Pitt insider reports started camp strong, but has hit a bit of a wall. Jonathan Baldwin is another AA candidate, but is the only upper classman in the 2 deep at WR/TE for Pitt, so a bit of an unknown for them. Utah has one returning starter, Brandon Burton, who will likely shadow Baldwin on the field, and Lamar Chapman returning as Nickle back as it appears Conroy Black may have edged him as the other starting corner. The big surprise at camp has been the play of Brian Blechen who has nailed down the starting SS as a true freshman. Justin Taplin-Ross will start at FS.
I say this area is a push given the youth/inexperience of each unit and the fact that Pitt's offense starts and ends with the running game.
Utah Offense vs. Pitt's Defense
Utah O-line vs. Pitt D-line
This is the best matchup of the game. Utah returns 4 starter, but the one loss was a big one at LT. John Cullen has won the starting spot through camp and has had more ups than downs overall. Pitt has 2 monsters at DE with Greg Romeus and Jaball Sheard. Their interior line is unheralded but experienced.
I give the slight edge to Pitt due to Romeus playing opposite the only newcomer in Cullen. Look for Utah to play TE or a blocking H-back to Romeus's side to give Cullen some help in his first start
Utah's RB vs. Pitt's LB
Utah has 2 proven backs in Eddie Wide and Matt Asiata. Tauni Vakapuna was the surprise of the camp and has locked down the #3 spot in the rotation, and will likely see substantial time in short yardage/goal line. Asiata is an excellent pass blocker and will likely be in to help protect, esp early in the game, against Pitt's pass rush. Pitt has a beast at MLB in Dan Mason. There is still some uncertainty at the OLB's spots as starters have not been named yet.
Advantage Utah
Utah's QB/WR vs. Pitt's Secondary
Wynn is clearly the starter despite and up and down 2nd week of camp. Utah's WR's are heavy on talent and light on experience. Brooks, Shaky Smithson, and Luke Matthews will start with Devonte Christopher and a trio of JC transfers(Reggie Dunn, Martavious Lee, and Dexter Ransom) as the primary back ups. Of the JC's Dunn is the only one who will likely make noise as Ransom just got to camp(and is recovering from a Knee injury) and Lee is barely getting up to speed for his own hamstring injury. For Pitt, Dom DeCicco is a possible All COnference performer at SS. SO, Jarred Holley is slated to start at FS. Both starting corners have experience and should be solid.
This one is unknown to me as to who has the advantage
Intangibles
Utah's home field advantage is a big plus, and the fact that it is the first game of the year at altitude for the Panthers, should favor the Utes
This is going to be a low scoring, somewhat ugly game. I think that Utah will be able to exploit Pitt's bigggest weakness; inexperienced offensive line; to keep pressure on a young QB, and to disrupt the Pitt running game. Lewis will likely get over 100 yards, but will e getting many of them on individual effort/skill. Utah's offense will muster enough points to put the game away
Utah 21 Pitt 16
Pitt Offense vs. Utah defense
Pitt O-line vs. Utah D-line
Pitt has a AA candidate in Jason Pinkston at LT, but alot of question marks and inexperience at the other positions. Alex Karabin and Greg Gaskins at Center and guard seem to be the real concerns for Pitt. Unfortunately for them, Utah's Defensive line strength is up the middle with Siliga and Dave Krugar. Utah has experience and depth at both ends.
Pinkston is a marvelous player, but the rest of the individual matchups favor Utah
Pitt RB's vs. Utah LB's
This is Pitts real mismatch. Dion Lewis was a freshman phenom and Ray Graham is likely just as good. Utah replaces all 3 LB's and unfortunately, the most experienced of the group, J.J. Williams , is not going to play due to a fott injury suffered in Fall Camp, and another, Jamel King is out with a concussion.
Big advantage Pitt
Pitt QB/WR vs. Utah Secondary
Pitt will be breaking in a new QB in Tino Sunseri, who, by Pitt insider reports started camp strong, but has hit a bit of a wall. Jonathan Baldwin is another AA candidate, but is the only upper classman in the 2 deep at WR/TE for Pitt, so a bit of an unknown for them. Utah has one returning starter, Brandon Burton, who will likely shadow Baldwin on the field, and Lamar Chapman returning as Nickle back as it appears Conroy Black may have edged him as the other starting corner. The big surprise at camp has been the play of Brian Blechen who has nailed down the starting SS as a true freshman. Justin Taplin-Ross will start at FS.
I say this area is a push given the youth/inexperience of each unit and the fact that Pitt's offense starts and ends with the running game.
Utah Offense vs. Pitt's Defense
Utah O-line vs. Pitt D-line
This is the best matchup of the game. Utah returns 4 starter, but the one loss was a big one at LT. John Cullen has won the starting spot through camp and has had more ups than downs overall. Pitt has 2 monsters at DE with Greg Romeus and Jaball Sheard. Their interior line is unheralded but experienced.
I give the slight edge to Pitt due to Romeus playing opposite the only newcomer in Cullen. Look for Utah to play TE or a blocking H-back to Romeus's side to give Cullen some help in his first start
Utah's RB vs. Pitt's LB
Utah has 2 proven backs in Eddie Wide and Matt Asiata. Tauni Vakapuna was the surprise of the camp and has locked down the #3 spot in the rotation, and will likely see substantial time in short yardage/goal line. Asiata is an excellent pass blocker and will likely be in to help protect, esp early in the game, against Pitt's pass rush. Pitt has a beast at MLB in Dan Mason. There is still some uncertainty at the OLB's spots as starters have not been named yet.
Advantage Utah
Utah's QB/WR vs. Pitt's Secondary
Wynn is clearly the starter despite and up and down 2nd week of camp. Utah's WR's are heavy on talent and light on experience. Brooks, Shaky Smithson, and Luke Matthews will start with Devonte Christopher and a trio of JC transfers(Reggie Dunn, Martavious Lee, and Dexter Ransom) as the primary back ups. Of the JC's Dunn is the only one who will likely make noise as Ransom just got to camp(and is recovering from a Knee injury) and Lee is barely getting up to speed for his own hamstring injury. For Pitt, Dom DeCicco is a possible All COnference performer at SS. SO, Jarred Holley is slated to start at FS. Both starting corners have experience and should be solid.
This one is unknown to me as to who has the advantage
Intangibles
Utah's home field advantage is a big plus, and the fact that it is the first game of the year at altitude for the Panthers, should favor the Utes
This is going to be a low scoring, somewhat ugly game. I think that Utah will be able to exploit Pitt's bigggest weakness; inexperienced offensive line; to keep pressure on a young QB, and to disrupt the Pitt running game. Lewis will likely get over 100 yards, but will e getting many of them on individual effort/skill. Utah's offense will muster enough points to put the game away
Utah 21 Pitt 16
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