The offensive line for the Panthers is also in flux. With two returning tackles they should be consistent on the edge, but they do have questions at center, gaurd, and tight end. With the tendency for the Utes to blitz inexperienced O-lines, Sunseri may have to get used too a bunch of red in his grill. Unless Pitt can show that they can stop the pressure on the QB, or open some running lanes for a pair of talented backs, they could be in for a long day, which is what I predict. Advantage - Utes.
Pitt will lean heavily on breakout freshman Dion Lewis who accumulated 1,799 yards on 325 carries. That is a butt load of carries and I would be surprised to see Wannstedt expect that number of carries this season. Lewis is backed up by a very talented Ray Grahm, who many thought would transfer in and effort to be a premier back. But with the changes in the offensive line and tight end, the yards will be hard to come by with Utah's front, but the Utes have also had a hard time containing small versatile backs. With the questions at linebacker for Utah, this could cause some concern especially if they get into the secondary. Advantage - Even.At 6' 5", 225 pound wide out Jonathan Baldwin is going to be a handful for any secondary, but he could be a nightmare for the unproven defensive secondary of the Utes. His sub 4.4 speed and 42" vertical leap could spell trouble for Utah's speedy but smaller corners and safeties. If the Pitt O-line can give Sunseri time to throw the ball, Baldwin could have a HUGE day. Advantage - Pitt.
For a defense that ranked 29th nationally in 2009, expectations are high for a stellar returning group. That being said, DE Jabaal Sheard was suspended indefinitely for an undisclosed incident last weekend and will likely miss at least the Utah game. His loss takes the teeth out of a Pitt defensive front that would have been considered one of the best in the nation. They are stll returning DE Greg Romeus, LB's Greg Williams and Max Gruder with Tristan Williams pressing for playing time, and should present Utah with a formidable challenge. But Utah's spread offense and the fact they are on the road will pose problems for the young defense. The secondary returns one starter in safety Dom DeCicco who was the teams second leading tackler last season. Look for Utah to expose that inexperience and the loss of Sheard. Advantage - Utes.
Special teams return place kicker Dan Hutchins who was 23 for 29 in '09. He also converted on 46 of 48 extra point attempts. Both kick and punt returners will be back this season. Hutchins kicked two game winning field goals last year against UConn in October and once again in the Meineke Car Care Bowl against North Carolina. With Utah returning both kickers and experience in the return game it is difficult to pick a favorite for special teams. With the game being played at Rice-Eccles and this being the first game of the year. I give Advantage - Utes for that reason alone.
It is tough to predict what kind of team you have early in the season. Kyle Whittingham had always stated that they should not even do a top 25 poll until the 5th or 6th game because nobody really knows what they have until about that time. These two teams match up pretty well against each other but as noted above Utah has the upper hand with stability at QB, RB, Offensive Line, and overall defense. Add home field and Utah wins it's season opener against the Pitt Panthers 27-10.
Pittsburg Panthers have not been to a BCS game since 2004. Remember that one?
No comments:
Post a Comment