Pittsburgh
Last year: 5-7 (3-5 ACC) Best win: vs. Miami, 24-14 Worst loss: vs. Oklahoma State, 59-21
Coach: Pat Narduzzi (fourth year, 21-17)
Starters returning: 14 (4 offense, 9 defense, 1 specialist)
Offensive player to watch: QB Kenny Pickett. A sophomore this fall, Pickett played in four games and started one for the Panthers, leading them to their big win over the then-No. 2 ranked Hurricanes. Pickett accounted for 253 yards and ran for two scores in that game. He finished the season completing 59.1 percent of his passes for 509 yards with a touchdown and a pick, and recorded 93
rushing yards.
Defensive player to watch: LB Oluwaseun Idowu. The senior was an all-ACC performer last season, leading the Panthers in tackles (94), tackles for losses (11.5), and sacks (five). He also forced a fumble.
Special teams player to watch: K Alex Kessman. As a freshman, Kessman made all 34 of his extra points but just 11 of 19 field goals. However, he did make a 55-yarder and a 56-yarder.
Schedule: vs. Albany, vs. Penn State, vs. Georgia Tech, at North Carolina, at UCF, vs. Syracuse, at Notre Dame, vs. Duke, at Virginia, vs. Virginia Tech, at Wake Forest, at Miami.
Win-loss prediction: 6-6 or 7-5. Pickett has great potential at QB, and the defense should be much improved over a year ago with many returning starters, but the schedule is tough. Nonconference games against PSU, UCF, and Notre Dame will cap how good the Panthers are, but it isn't a stretch to expect Pitt to get back to a bowl game.
Virginia Tech
Last year: 9-4 (5-3 ACC), lost, 30-21, to Oklahoma State in Camping World Bowl
Best win: vs. West Virginia, 31-24 Worst loss: at Georgia Tech, 28-22
Coach: Justin Fuente (third year, 19-8, 45-31 career)
Starters returning: 13 (7 offense, 5 defense, 1 specialist)
Offensive player to watch: QB Josh Jackson. As a freshman, Jackson completed 59.6 percent of his passes for 2,991 yards, 20 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He also rushed for 324 yards and six scores.
Defensive player to watch: DL Trevon Hill. As a sophomore, Hill tallied 46 tackles, 9.5 for losses, 5.5 sacks, one pick, and one forced fumble.
Special teams player to watch: P Oscar Bradburn. Bradburn, a sophomore from Australia, averaged 42.4 yards per punt, put 24 inside the 20, and had 12 go at least 50 yards in 2017.
Schedule: at Florida State, vs. William & Mary, vs. East Carolina, at Old Dominion, at Duke, vs.
Notre Dame, at North Carolina, vs. Georgia Tech, vs. Boston College, at Pittsburgh, vs. Miami, vs. Virginia.
Win-loss prediction: 8-4 or 9-3. The number of returning starters on defense is probably lower, depending on when the Hokies' media guide was published. Virginia Tech has had to deal with a lot of offseason issues, including losing defensive back Mook Reynolds, who was going to start, because he was charged with a felony and kicked off the team. Tech also declared presumed defensive backfield starter Adonis Alexander ineligible, and he's now trying to make the Redskins' roster. In April, co-defensive coordinator Galen Scott resigned after misuse of funds on recruiting trips became public knowledge. Here's a rundown of everything Tech has had to deal with on the defensive side of the ball. Coordinator Bud Foster has his work cut out for him. But I think Fuente is a good coach, and Jackson is back after a brief academic-eligibility scare. So I don't think Tech will fall too far, but double-digit wins might be unlikely.
Last year: 5-7 (3-5 ACC) Best win: vs. Miami, 24-14 Worst loss: vs. Oklahoma State, 59-21
Coach: Pat Narduzzi (fourth year, 21-17)
Starters returning: 14 (4 offense, 9 defense, 1 specialist)
Offensive player to watch: QB Kenny Pickett. A sophomore this fall, Pickett played in four games and started one for the Panthers, leading them to their big win over the then-No. 2 ranked Hurricanes. Pickett accounted for 253 yards and ran for two scores in that game. He finished the season completing 59.1 percent of his passes for 509 yards with a touchdown and a pick, and recorded 93
Defensive player to watch: LB Oluwaseun Idowu. The senior was an all-ACC performer last season, leading the Panthers in tackles (94), tackles for losses (11.5), and sacks (five). He also forced a fumble.
Special teams player to watch: K Alex Kessman. As a freshman, Kessman made all 34 of his extra points but just 11 of 19 field goals. However, he did make a 55-yarder and a 56-yarder.
Schedule: vs. Albany, vs. Penn State, vs. Georgia Tech, at North Carolina, at UCF, vs. Syracuse, at Notre Dame, vs. Duke, at Virginia, vs. Virginia Tech, at Wake Forest, at Miami.
Win-loss prediction: 6-6 or 7-5. Pickett has great potential at QB, and the defense should be much improved over a year ago with many returning starters, but the schedule is tough. Nonconference games against PSU, UCF, and Notre Dame will cap how good the Panthers are, but it isn't a stretch to expect Pitt to get back to a bowl game.
Virginia Tech
Last year: 9-4 (5-3 ACC), lost, 30-21, to Oklahoma State in Camping World Bowl
Best win: vs. West Virginia, 31-24 Worst loss: at Georgia Tech, 28-22
Coach: Justin Fuente (third year, 19-8, 45-31 career)
Starters returning: 13 (7 offense, 5 defense, 1 specialist)
Offensive player to watch: QB Josh Jackson. As a freshman, Jackson completed 59.6 percent of his passes for 2,991 yards, 20 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He also rushed for 324 yards and six scores.
Defensive player to watch: DL Trevon Hill. As a sophomore, Hill tallied 46 tackles, 9.5 for losses, 5.5 sacks, one pick, and one forced fumble.
Special teams player to watch: P Oscar Bradburn. Bradburn, a sophomore from Australia, averaged 42.4 yards per punt, put 24 inside the 20, and had 12 go at least 50 yards in 2017.
Schedule: at Florida State, vs. William & Mary, vs. East Carolina, at Old Dominion, at Duke, vs.
Win-loss prediction: 8-4 or 9-3. The number of returning starters on defense is probably lower, depending on when the Hokies' media guide was published. Virginia Tech has had to deal with a lot of offseason issues, including losing defensive back Mook Reynolds, who was going to start, because he was charged with a felony and kicked off the team. Tech also declared presumed defensive backfield starter Adonis Alexander ineligible, and he's now trying to make the Redskins' roster. In April, co-defensive coordinator Galen Scott resigned after misuse of funds on recruiting trips became public knowledge. Here's a rundown of everything Tech has had to deal with on the defensive side of the ball. Coordinator Bud Foster has his work cut out for him. But I think Fuente is a good coach, and Jackson is back after a brief academic-eligibility scare. So I don't think Tech will fall too far, but double-digit wins might be unlikely.
Comments
Post a Comment