Why Pitt Will Win The Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
Kenny Pickett might be gone, but most of the top receiving parts are still there including Biletnikoff Award winner Jordan Addison.
The sophomore caught 93 passes for close to 1,500 yards and 17 touchdowns, and he’s not alone with TE Lucas Krull still around among the seven Panthers who caught 24 passes or more.
No, Nick Patti isn’t Pickett, but 6-3, 220-pound Nick Patti is a big pass who’s been strong when he gets his chances. He’s had the full series of practices to get ready, and now he gets to feast on the worst pass defense in college football.
It just couldn’t seem to find its footing, giving up over 300 yards in each of its last four games and getting bombed on by Purdue for 536 yards and by Ohio State for 449.
The Spartans are usually able to temper all of that with Kenneth Walker and the ground game, but they might not be able to do that.
Combine the absence of Walker for the Spartans with a Pitt pass rush that was the second best in America behind Oklahoma State, and there should be a bad mix for MSU.
But …
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Pitt has a bit of an issue with the pass defense, too.
The problems aren’t as bad as Michigan State’s, but the secondary get hit with a whole slew of big plays and allowed over 200 yards and at least two scores in each of its last six games. There were plenty of good moments – like the four interceptions of Sam Hartman in the ACC Championship – but the defense is too hit-or-miss.
It doesn’t help that Michigan State has a pass rush.
It’s one of the strange aspects to the Spartan season. The pass D was bad, but the front line could get into the backfield on a regular basis.
Michigan State has plenty of explosion with its passing attack – it has the home run hitting targets who can stretch the field and match Pitt big play for big play.
And yes, even without Walker there will be a Michigan State running game, but it all comes down to this …
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