Pittsburgh Panthers 2022 College Football Preview
August 4, 2022
2021 Recap
Record – 11-3
ATS – 10-4
Yes, guy.
The Panthers shook off an early loss to Western Michigan (!) and a defeat at the hands of YOUR Miami Hurricanes and won the Coastal Division. They even took down mighty Clemson in a 777,000 STAR MEGALOCKS MONKEYPOX BUSTER LOCK winner. Wake Forest was no match for Pitt in the ACC Championship game as the Panthers romped 45-21.
Let’s check in with the program and see if they have what it takes to make another serious run for all the ACC marbles.
Pittsburgh Panthers 2022 Outlook
OFFENSE
Pitt rode the golden arm of star QB Kenny Pickett to an ACC title (#8 FBS passing offense) and his production and leadership are going to be greatly missed (67%, 4,319, 42-7 TD to INT). The Panthers did the best job they could filling the hole by snagging former USC QB Kedon Slovis thru the transfer portal. Slovis has a career 58-24 TD to INT mark and recall that he threw for over 3,500 yards in 2019. The WR/TE weaponry will be much less potent this season as the Panthers lose three of their top-five targets including superstar WR Jordan Addison who’s one of the most dangerous weapons in college football (100, 1,593, 17 TD LY; off to USC). Expect more of their work to come on the ground this season given the change in OC and the fact that they have a loaded RB room. The top-three return (Abanikanda, Davis, Hammond) and they combined for over 1,700 yards and 16 TDs in 2021. The best news is that Pitt has five (!) returning upperclassmen starters up front and that should help soften the blow of losing Pickett and Addison.
DEFENSE
The Panthers were MASTERS OF PENETRATION in 2021 as they tallied 54 sacks (#2 FBS, Oklahoma St) and finished #3 in the country in TFL/game. They were also a brick wall against the run allowing a mere 89 YPG (#6). The DL is still loaded as they return their top-two sack producers in Habakkuk Baldonado (9) and Calijah Kancey (7) along with several other talented specimens. The LB level will be fine with the return of star LB and #1 tackler SirVocea Dennis (9.5 TFL) and the addition of a few transfers, and the secondary brings back three starters including 1st Team ACC honoree safety Brandon Hill . This is obviously one of the best defenses in the conference. Again.
SPECIAL TEAMS
This should be an above-average unit given the return of PK Sam Scarton (17-21 FG LY, 5-8 40+) and KR Israel Abanikanda (29.4, TD).
Schedule Analysis
Overall – It looks pretty good. They have an easy draw from the Atlantic (LUA-VUH, Orange) and only play one road game in the first half (Western Michigan) which will help them get off to a good start.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – November 26 – at Miami
This will be the Panthers 4th road game in six weeks and Miami has won 22 of the last 25 meetings.
Season Win Total
per BetOnline Aug 4
Over 8 -105
Under 8 -125
MEGALOCKS says:
Lean: Over
These guys don’t appear to have a significant weakness and 78 of our 99 sets of power ratings have them winning eight games or more.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
HC Pat Narduzzi has been an ANIMAL vs the point spread in true road games posting a record of 27-11 (71%).
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
Pitt will look quite a bit different on offense this season but they’ll still be effective, and WHOA NELLIE, that defense looks just fine. It’s never easy to repeat as division champs tho, especially in the KOOKY ACC Coastal, and they have to play UNC and Miami on the road. A trip to the ACC Championship Game may be at stake when they visit the Hurricanes on November 26th. GET CHO POPCONE!
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