Pittsburgh at Boston College: Pitt Offense vs. BC Defense
By Joe Micik
Aug 30, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers running back
Rachid Ibrahim(29) rushes the ball against the Delaware Fightin Blue Hens during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Pitt Offense vs. BC Defense: Stat Analysis
Pittsburgh’s offense last season was nothing special, a bit below average in scoring and well below average in moving the football. Some bigger mismatches with Boston College appear when it comes to sacks: the Eagles were one of the best defenses at getting them, and the Panthers were one of the worst offenses at preventing them.
Tom Savage led the Panthers last season at quarterback, and he had a good season despite getting planted over three times a game. His backup, Chad Voytik, is now the starter for Pitt, and he played so little in the Week 1 annihilation of Delaware (or last season for that matter) that there is very little to say of him. The Eagles will find out, that we know for sure.
Boston College’s defense blitzes like crazy; Pittsburgh can only hope that their offensive line is better equipped to handle it this season than they were last season.
Pitt Offense vs. BC Defense: Key Matchup
WR Tyler Boyd vs. Boston College secondary. Last year’s leading receiver for Pitt is questionable, perhaps probable for Friday, after having left last Saturday’s game with a dislocated finger. If he plays, he could be a factor, and the Eagles’ sometimes porous pass defense will have to stop him.
If Boyd does not play, junior wide receiver Ronald Jones could be the go-to guy.
Pitt Offense vs. BC Defense: Final Analysis
Boston College’s defense took its share of punishment last season, both on the field and in the media, even though the pass rush was vastly improved. However, other elements of it were not improved, but unless Pittsburgh has taken a real leap forward this season in offensive firepower, they do not seem like the kind of team that will embarrass the Eagles’ defense.
Seriously, do not point to either the Delaware or UMass games as proof of anything.
The Panthers had a mediocre offensive team last year, and the Eagles had (overall) a mediocre defensive team in 2013. Not much appears to have changed yet (and if it has, we won’t know until we see it on the field). Like the other offense vs. defense matchup, this also might end up a draw.