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Virginia Football: Cavaliers look to end series drought vs. Pitt

By Shane Lunnen

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - NOVEMBER 02: Oluwaseun Idowu #23 of the Pittsburgh Panthers tackles Hasise Dubois #8 of the Virginia Cavaliers in the second half during a game at Scott Stadium on November 2, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - NOVEMBER 02: Oluwaseun Idowu #23 of the Pittsburgh Panthers tackles Hasise Dubois #8 of the Virginia Cavaliers in the second half during a game at Scott Stadium on November 2, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /
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Pittsburgh upset Virginia football in Charlottesville last season on their way to a division title. Can the Cavaliers open this season with a conference win?

Pittsburgh enters the 2019 campaign with hopes of winning the ACC Coastal division again. The Panthers have a great opportunity to get a leg up in the division as they welcome Virginia to Heinz Field Saturday night.

Last season, the Panthers traveled to Charlottesville for a Friday night game in early November. Virginia entered the contest with a lead in the division but it was Pitt leaving with a victory, springing the Panthers streak to conclude the season with a division crown.

The Cavaliers have lost four straight in the series and last year was probably the toughest loss to the Panthers during the span. Virginia will certainly be looking for some revenge Saturday.

While the loser of the game certainly cannot be considered eliminated from the division race, it will be an uphill battle the rest of the way. The division is expected to be better this season with Miami, Virginia Tech and even North Carolina expected to rebound.

Date: Saturday, Aug. 31
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Pittsburgh, Penn.
Venue: Heinz Field
TV: ACCN
Live Stream: WatchESPN | Fubo TV

Keys to Victory

Pitt was able to win at Virginia last season due to a ferocious ground attack. Darrin Hall was a monster that night, racking up over 220 yards and three touchdowns. Both he and Qadree Ollison are gone. So the Panthers will turn to quarterback Kenny Pickett and the passing game. The receiving corps is strong and has playmakers. The crucial part will be the offensive line, which is replacing four starters, giving Pickett enough time to find his receivers.

For Virginia, the key will be their defense. It brings back eight starters from the side of the ball that was gouged by the Panthers a year ago. The secondary will be the Hoos’ strength, including all-star corner Bryce Hall. If Pitt decides to air it out more, they may find it difficult. Add in a more than capable quarterback in senior Bryce Perkins and the Cavaliers have the recipe to make it a tough battle for the Panthers.

Betting Odds

Odds courtesy of Bovada

Point Spread: Virginia -2.5
Over/Under: 47

Next. College Football 2019: 5 teams on upset alert in Week 1. dark

Prediction

As previously mentioned, Pitt has a four-game winning streak in the series and has won five of six since entering the ACC for the 2013 season. The streak ends Saturday night. Virginia’s experienced defense will stymie the Panthers pass attack all night and they won’t be able to get much going with their running attack either. Virginia gets up early and keeps Pitt in a hole the entire game.

Final Score: Virginia 27, Pitt 16

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