Pitt Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2020 season
By David Glancy
2243. 27. 866. Prediction. 10
Pitt football opens the 2020 season at home with Miami (OH) in what should be a comfortable win to start the year.
The Panthers started the 2019 season 0-1 with a season opening loss at home to a Virginia program that would go on to the ACC championship game and an Orange Bowl appearance. A matchup against the RedHawks should put the Panthers on the right foot this fall.
While the Panthers should win comfortably, a 30-point blowout should not be expected. Miami will have a hard time getting on the scoreboard against a defense that should dominate the line, but the Panthers will likely get off to a slow start as the offensive line settles. Mark Whipple’s offense isn’t the high tempo attack to put up 60 in a game and the Panthers will look to shake off some rust coming off strange offseason.
Record: 1-0
866. 13. 494. Prediction. 24
The Panthers travel to Huntington, W. Va., to face the Thundering Herd in their Week 2 matchup. Pitt has played Marshall just once in program history in their 43-27 home win in 2016. The Panthers blew an early 27-0 lead and led 30-27 with just four minutes left in the fourth quarter of that contest.
An early Week 2 road game will present its challenges to Pat Narduzzi’s program and while the Panthers could be on upset alert, their defense should make things easier.
Dual-threat quarterback Isaiah Green will be a third year starter, but has struggled with consistency and turnovers. The Thundering Herd have not defeated a Power Five opponent since their 2015 opening win over Purdue, and if they get behind early, they will struggle to break that trend.
Record: 2-0