Narduzzi, Franklin Renew Rivalry as Pitt Faces VT

“I think it’s more of the perception of you guys digging into the rivalry,” Narduzzi said. “The players play the game. Coaches don’t. We don’t go on the field. We’re not gonna have a boxing match before the game. He’s a first-class coach. I see myself as a first-class guy, as well. It’s coaching.”

Pitt’s Offense vs. Virginia Tech’s Defense

Pitt ranks No. 6 in the nation in total offense with 523.8 yards per game. QB Mason Heintschel is No. 11 in passing yards with 1,191 and No. 4 with 13 passing TDs. Heintschel has done a great job spreading the ball around, as 11 different Panthers have a receiving TD. In the run game, freshman RB Damon Ferguson Jr. has filled in for the injured JaKyrian Turner. Ferguson leads Pitt in rushing with 239 yards and 2 TDs, while adding 10 catches for 73 yards and one TD. Senior La’Vell Wright has chipped in 141 rushing yards and one TD. The Panthers’ offensive line has been healthy and is a veteran group, as all five starters are seniors.

It’s not often a fired coach agrees to stay on as a coordinator for his prior team. But that’s exactly what’s happened at Virginia Tech, as former head coach Brent Pry was convinced by Franklin to stay as defensive coordinator. The move has worked so far. The Hokies are No. 22 in total defense with 269.2 yards per game and tied for No. 30 in scoring defense with 16.0 points per game. The Hokies also lead the nation with 45.0 tackles for loss.

While the Hokies give up 186.0 passing yards per game, they get after the quarterback quite a bit. Virginia Tech is No. 3 in the nation with 17 sacks. DL Cortez Harris is tied for No. 6 with five sacks while DL Aycen Stevens is tied for No. 8 with 4.5 sacks. If there is one knock on the Hokies defensively it’s a lack of turnovers. Virginia Tech has only one interception and three fumble recoveries this year. That number will need to improve if the Hokies are going to slow the Pitt passing game.

Virginia Tech’s Offense vs. Pitt’s Defense

When Franklin took the VT job, several of his former Penn State players joined him. Arguably the most important of those players was QB Ethan Grunkemeyer. This season, Grunkemeyer has completed 74.3 percent of his passes for 1,012 yards with 8 TDs and 0 INTs. The numbers are good, but even more impressive knowing that the weather last Saturday in Boston restricted the Hokie passing game. Grunkemeyer only threw for 147 yards and took two sacks in a torrential downpour.

Virginia Tech averages 177.8 rushing yards per game, ranking No. 50 nationally, one spot ahead of Pitt. RBs Jeffrey Overton, Jr. and Marcellous Hawkins, Jr. have combined for 615 yards and eight TDs. TE Luke Reynolds leads the receivers with 30 catches for 280 yards and 4 TDs. Injured WR Ayden Greene is expected to return from injury Friday, giving the passing game another weapon for Pitt to deal with.

Defensively, the Panthers have been one of the best units in the country. They rank nationally as follows: total defense No. 11 (244.5 YPG), scoring defense No. 3 (8.50 PPG), rushing defense No. 4 (53.2 YPG), and passing defense No. 49 (191.2 YPG). Like Virginia Tech, the Panthers have not had many turnovers. They have three INTs and no fumble recoveries.

The leaders on defense are S Cruce Brookins and LB Braylan Lovelace. However, statistically, S Josh Guerrier leads Pitt in tackles with 22, while LB Alex Sanford has 18 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss. Brookins missed the game against Bucknell with an injury. There is no word yet on whether Brookins will play Friday against the Hokies.

Game Prediction

For the first time this season, the Panthers leave the friendly confines of Acrisure Stadium. And for their first trip away from home, they head to Lane Stadium for a night game. That itself is a tall task. And while the last two Virginia Tech coaches have not done well, Franklin has brought one thing back to the Virginia Tech fanbase: belief. The Hokies are playing incredible football and believe they can play with anyone. The 4-0 record and play of the defense back that up.

But this is a much different Pitt offense than Franklin has seen before. Heintschel and his stable of receivers can move the ball downfield and score on anyone. And with the emergence of Ferguson in both the run game and as a receiver, it’s not a stretch that Pitt can walk out of Blacksburg with a win. With this being the first of what could be many matchups between Narduzzi and Franklin as conference foes, expect this to be a memorable Friday night in the ACC.

Prediction: Pitt 33 Virginia Tech 28