Friday night brings a clean little collision of unbeatens, and somebody’s perfect start is about to disappear. Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech both walk in at 4-0, with the Panthers having handled Miami-Ohio, UCF, Syracuse, and Bucknell, while the Hokies have knocked off VMI, Old Dominion, Maryland, and Boston College.
The game to watch is on the ground for Virginia Tech. Jeffrey Overton Jr. has been the more efficient runner, piling up 6.8 yards per carry across his first 60 touches.
Marcellous Hawkins Jr. has not matched that pace, sitting at 4.1 yards per carry. If the Hokies lean harder on Overton and give him the heavier workload, their offense could get even more dangerous.
But the sharper edge in this matchup belongs to the Pittsburgh defense. The Panthers have been excellent early, ranking 16th in adjusted EPA per play, 30th in opponent yards per play, and 14th in opponent success rate. Virginia Tech’s defense sits on the other end of the spectrum, checking in at 104th, 110th, and 125th in those same categories.
That’s the part that makes the spread look tricky for the Hokies. Even with plenty to like about Virginia Tech’s offense, the defensive gap between these teams is hard to ignore with the Hokies listed as 3.5-point favorites. Someone leaves Friday night 5-0, but the numbers point to Pittsburgh having the better chance to keep that record alive.
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In Other News...
Pitt May Have Found Another Young Receiver It Cannot Ignore
Demetrice McCray gave Pitt another reason to keep looking down its depth chart after the freshman receiver turned a lopsided win over Bucknell into a breakout moment. He finished with 73 yards and two touchdowns in the Panthers 59-0 rout, and the performance was enough to earn ACC Rookie of the Week honors, Pitts second such award already this season.
Pat Narduzzi singled out McCrays speed and his ability to win contested catches, two traits that can make a young receiver hard to keep off the field. For a Pitt offense still sorting out which young players can help right away, McCrays rise adds another intriguing name to watch as the Panthers move deeper into conference play. [Read more 🡒]
Pitt Freshman Wideout Just Gave Panthers Fans A Reason To Watch Friday
Demetrice McCray gave Pitt a fresh spark in the easiest kind of showcase, and the freshman wide receiver earned ACC Rookie of the Week honors after making the most of a 59-0 win over Bucknell. He finished with three catches for 73 yards and two touchdowns, a line that stood out even in a lopsided result and hinted at why the Panthers have reason to keep watching his role grow.
McCray also made a little program history, becoming the first Pitt freshman wide receiver since 2013 to post a multi-touchdown game. The timing matters, too, with Virginia Tech next on a Friday night stage that should offer a far clearer test of how much of this early production can travel when the competition ramps up. [Read more 🡒]
Pitt Faces A Pivotal ACC Spot Before A Brutal Road Test
Pitt gets a clear view of where it stands in the ACC race over the next week and a half, starting with an Oct. 2 trip to Virginia Tech before returning home to face North Carolina on Oct. 10. The schedule leaves little room to settle in, and the conference picture is crowded enough that every result can quickly change the conversation around the Panthers.
The North Carolina game is set for a noon kickoff, per the ACC, giving Pitt a chance to answer a tough road test with a high-profile home date. With several teams still unbeaten in league play, the Panthers are entering a stretch that could shape their standing well beyond early October. [Read more 🡒]