College Football Predictions – Pittsburgh Panthers 2020 College Football Preview
August 16, 2020
2019 Recap
Record – 8-5
ATS – 7-6
The Panthers have been grinding out wins under HC Pat Narduzzi and topped off a decent 2019 campaign with a 34-30 victory over Eastern Michigan in the Quick Lane Bowl. At one point they were sitting at 7-3 but they dropped their last two regular season games (Virginia Tech, Boston College). Pitt was a fairly inexperienced squad last year and that should pay dividends heading into 2020.
Do they have the MINERALS to get into the conversation for a conference championship game berth? Let’s take a look.
2020 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
ACC – #8
<Note: In 2020, the top two teams in the ACC advance to the conference title game regardless of division. That includes Notre Dame.>
Pittsburgh Panthers 2020 Outlook
OFFENSE
The Panthers flipped the script LY and did most of their damage via the THROW GAME. They had a pair (!) of 1,000-yard rushers in 2018 but couldn’t do much of anything on the ground in 2019 (#13 ACC rushing offense, #118 FBS). QB Kenny Pickett threw for over 3,000 yards but posted a mediocre 13-9 TD to INT ratio (12-6 in 2018). Pickett enters his final season at the controls and it’s legitimate to wonder if he can step up his game. The addition of redshirt freshman QB Joey Yellen (Arizona St) gives them nice depth at the position. Pickett loses last season’s #1 target in Maurice French who grabbed 96 (!) receptions but the #2 and #3 WRs are both back for duty. The really good news is that the offensive line returns four starters including their excellent center Jimmy Morrissey, and it’s very promising to see that their top-3 RBs are all back in the mix. Also note that the Panthers add an SEC grad transfer TE (Lucas Krull, Florida).
We expect a big improvement from the offense this year (#10 total offense ACC LY) and they’re certain to improve on their red zone TD% that was the worst in the ACC a season ago (47%).
DEFENSE
Yes, guy.
The Panthers were REALLY good on defense LY (#1 ACC rushing defense, #3 total defense, #2 pass efficiency D) and were a PENETRATION NIGHTMARE for opposing offenses. They led the FBS in sacks per game (tied with SMU, 3.92) and finished #9 in the country in TFL/game. They return a ton of talent and experience to the front seven this year and should be devastating once again. The DL features three stars in DT Jaylen Twyman (10.5 sacks LY) and pass rushing demons at DE (Patrick Jones II, Rashad Weaver). The linebacker group has upperclassmen (albeit, limited starting experience) and the secondary boasts one of the best safety tandems in the conference. SS Paris Ford and FS Damar Hamlin finished 1-2 on the team in tackles LY and they’re supported by a pair of senior starting CBs. One thing that needs improvement this year is takeaways as the Panthers only forced 14 fourteen turnovers LY (2nd worst ACC), and that was the main contributor to their poor plus/minus in the turnover department (-8).
This is clearly one of the best defenses in the ACC and a legit top-20 unit in the FBS.
<Note – DL Jaylen Twyman has opted out of the season.>
SPECIAL TEAMS
There’s continuity at PK and P. Alex Kessman connected on 22/31 FG attempts a season ago (10/16 from 40+). There’s improvement to be made in the return game (#91 punt returns FBS, #123 KR LY).
Schedule Analysis
Overall – We’re still awaiting the announcement of a non-conference opponent. They get to start off the year with three home games and it’s not impossible to see them starting 4-0 (Syracuse, Louisville, NC State, at Boston College). They avoid UNC but need to tangle with the Hokies and Tigers to end the campaign.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – Nothing heinous is noted.
Season Win Total
Waiting for Vegas/Offshore number.
MEGALOCKS says:
Waiting for Vegas/Offshore number.
Look for something in the neighborhood of Over 6.5 -110, Under 6.5 -110.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
The Panthers have made a bowl game every year since 2007, with the exception of 2017.
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
This looks like a solid squad. The offense is going to be a lot better and could really do some damage if the offensive line plays up to potential. The defense should be rock solid, even with the departure of one of their stars. The conference is very competitive but we think they’ll be in the thick of things heading into the final few games of the regular season.
Want more Pittsburgh Panthers football ?
WEBSITE
https://pittsburghpanthers.com/sports/football
FORUM
https://pittsburgh.forums.rivals.com/forums/football-board.22/
http://pitt.247sports.com/Board/Pittsburgh-Panthers-Message-Board-Forum-59427
https://pittsburgh.forums.rivals.com/forums/between-fifth-and-forbes.20/
NEWS
https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/221/pittsburgh-panthers
TWITTER
Hashtag – #H2P
Accounts to follow