Georgia Tech coach Brent Key watched Boston College rush for 399 yards last week. There’s no graceful way to describe defending that badly. The Yellow Jackets have lost too many experienced defenders, and the available players have too often failed at the work Key values most. Pitt should run at them relentlessly Saturday night at Acrisure Stadium. Winning by more than eight, however, asks substantially more of the Panthers’ unsettled offense. Below is my preview, prediction, and pick for today’s college football game between the Pitt Panthers and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
Here’s how I’ll play it. I’ll be pumping out these predictions for individual games all season, with plenty of coverage here on DraftKings Network. Follow my handle @dansby_edits for more betting plays.
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Pitt vs. GT prediction, preview
Pitt running back Damon Ferguson Jr. has earned the handoffs. He rushed for 119 yards on 17 carries against Boston College, advancing the Panthers while their passing faltered. Georgia Tech allowed the Eagles six offensive touchdowns, including scoring drives of 87 and 75 yards. Coach Pat Narduzzi should give Ferguson repeated chances to punish this front, sparing his quarterback some of the difficult passing situations that have too often ended Pitt possessions.
Quarterback Holden Geriner threw for 268 yards without an interception at Miami after taking over from quarterback Corey Dailey. Through the changes, wideout Cataurus Hicks has remained dangerous: five catches for 135 yards against Boston College, then five for 149 and a 36-yard touchdown at Miami. Geriner should find him against Georgia Tech’s depleted defense, but Pitt punted on their first four Miami possessions and converted four of 12 third downs. At Boston College, the Panthers converted two of ten and settled for four field goals. Geriner threw better, but Pitt still failed to finish, with Miami long in command before the Panthers reached their final 23 points.
GT vs. Pitt pick, best bet
Georgia Tech quarterback Alberto Mendoza has receivers capable of answering. Wideout Jordan Allen caught ten passes for 120 yards at Virginia Tech, then gained 85 against Boston College. Receiver Dalen Penson followed 86 yards with 88. Pitt allowed Miami to pass for 387 yards and convert ten of 15 third downs after conceding 295 passing yards at Boston College. Narduzzi has acknowledged the coverage failures. Mendoza has two receivers who can gain a large chunk of field on a catch, even while the rest of the offense struggles to sustain drives. He threw for 335 yards at Virginia Tech, with Allen and Penson giving him established targets to exploit another vulnerable secondary.
He also threw two interceptions against Boston College, with backup quarterback Grady Adamson throwing the late touchdown after Georgia Tech had lost control. Key’s offense converted a wretched two of 11 third downs. I expect Mendoza to recover some passing against Pitt, while Ferguson and Hicks give the Panthers the stronger scoring combination. But Narduzzi needs his offense to finish drives and his coverage to prevent long completions to win by nine. Pitt has repeatedly failed both tasks. I’ll take Allen, Penson and the Yellow Jackets at +8.5.
Best bet: Georgia Tech +8.5 (-112).
Projected score: Pitt 31, Georgia Tech 27.
Best Bet: Georgia Tech +8.5 (-110) at Pitt
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