BleacherCoaches.com

I'm a PSU fan but try to be objective where Pitt is concerned (which seems to not be the norm especially if you check Twitter during a game that either are involved in) and I think PC has them going in the right direction. The Panthers have taken on his personality and love to beat you up with the running game, sprinkle in the occasional pass play/reverse to their home run threat (Boyd), kick it well, and play solid defense. It's basically the formula Wisconsin used when he was there. I believe that similar to the Badgers during his time there, the trouble will come if they have to play from behind in the 2nd half because they are not set up to operate that way. I don't think that'll be the case this week because as Iowa State showed, Iowa isn't that good. I think it's tight at halftime but the Panthers, with a heavy dose of Conner pull away late, call it Pitt 27- Iowa 17.

I was close and I hate to say I told you so (no I really hate it, I wanted to be wrong) but this game played out exactly how I expected it to go.

I thought Voytik actually made some OK throws, he looks down Boyd a lot, but hit some other guys too. This was his best game to date as a passer, and I feel a little better moving forward actually seeing him throw the ball in some tough situations. He wasn't great or anything, but completing 19-28 for 200+ yards was a big deal for him. Now Pitt can expect him to make some throws as the season moves forward.


Conner had another impressive game. 5th straight 150 yard rushing game. That's only happened I believe 6 times in the past ten years. If he goes for a 6th straight game it will be only the third time it's happened this decade. He's a throwback guy, but he's been very good. So many people wanted to switch him to defense (some still do?) but it's clear he's a good back possibly with an NFL future.

Tyler Boyd did what he was supposed to do. He made great catches and made plays. Came back to the ball on some broken routes. He played well.

Pitt's OL and offense in general played well. Statistically speaking, Pitt won everything but the final score. Pitt did commit 8 penalties to Iowa's 2. Personally I thought Iowa should have been flagged on Pitt's next to last drive for a pass interference on the 4th down to Boyd. I'd have to see it again, but I thought they were too early. Would've kept Pitt's drive going and maybe the outcome is different.

Pitt had no pass rush but overall the front 7 held their own all afternoon. They kept Iowa's run game in check until those big drives late. Even then Weisman didn't have huge lanes but kept picking up short yardage situations. Iowa's pass game came down to a couple big plays. They had 2 long throws, and those were the difference. That one handed one was a great catch, tough break for Pitt though. Pitt's corners are really bad and that's a big concern.


I like Pitt to bounce back and beat Akron. I did predict this one to be a loss and I'm disappointed since it turned out to be a very winnable game that Pitt gave away. Still, it's a young team that has room to get better.

The game could have went either way. To be honest it reminded me of a Wisky vs Iowa B1G game. Neither team really had a killer instinct. I think Pitt got away from some areas where they had a distinct advantage. I don't think Iowa had the speed on defense to run with James and Boyd. I also think Connor wasn't nearly as effective as the game went along as he was early on.

Iowa's QB change was a good call by Ference.

I think the ACC is looking less and less appealing as the weeks go along. This compared to week 2 by the B1G. Maryland destroyed Syracuse and the score isn't indicative of how bad Syracuse was. A team middle of the pack B1G went on the road and beat a team in Pitt that I really think may win their division. Miami really wasn't all that competitive against Nebraska even though the ACC crew did all they could to help them stay in it. If anyone else watched the GT vs VT game, that was awful football.

BTW that 4th play on Pitt's final drive was great defense and you will rarely ever get that call for Pass Interference in the college game.

The ACC was always Florida State....and everyone else. I wasn't expecting this to be a banner year for the league. Literally all 7 teams could win the Coastal at this point, and it wouldn't shock me.

DragonsDoExist wrote:24-20 Pitt

Nailed the score just picked the wrong team!