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Pitt Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2020 season

By David Glancy

ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 02: Kenny Pickett #8 of the Pittsburgh Panthers in action during a game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium on November 2, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 02: Kenny Pickett #8 of the Pittsburgh Panthers in action during a game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium on November 2, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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Bricen Garner and Oluwaseun Idowu of Pitt football tackle Chris Finke of Notre Dame (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

834. Prediction. 17. 866. 26

After the first 4-0 start to a Pitt football season since 2000, the Panthers face their toughest competition yet in a road trip to Miami. The Hurricanes will be the most talented team Pitt will have faced to date and the early undefeated run comes to an end in a match-up that could go either way. While the level of talent and experience between the two does not drastically vary, Pitt picks up their first loss in a stretch of ACC games that could go either way.

The Hurricanes should once again be strong defensively and defensive end, Gregory Rousseau should provide problems for Pitt’s offensive line. Rousseau’s 15.5 sacks in 2019 trailed only Ohio State’s Chase Young and the Hurricanes front seven will be difficult for Pitt to handle. The Hurricanes received a major boost to their offense after bringing in former SMU offensive coordinator, Rhett Lashlee.

Lashlee’s offense has the perfect fit at quarterback with Houston transfer D’Eriq King taking over for inconsistent N’Kosi Perry. He redshirted after a 1-3 start to the Dana Holgorsen era began in Houston. King is an electric dual-threat who should give Pitt’s defense its first major challenge. He threw for 2,982 yards and 36 touchdowns in 2018.

While there are no returning stars at receiver, Lashlee’s passing game should be ready for the Oct. 3 game.

Record: 4-1, 1-1

866. Prediction. 42. 819. 20

The Panthers get a bye week before returning to Pittsburgh to take on Notre Dame.

Notre Dame will be coming off a “neutral site” game at Lambeau Field against Wisconsin and then faces Stanford at home before heading to Pittsburgh. The Irish can reasonably expect to be 6-0 going into the Pitt game and with Pitt’s recent upset history and a bye week to prepare, this could be their next turn to play spoiler.

The Irish trailed against Pitt until the 5:43 mark in the fourth quarter in their 2018 matchup in South Bend en route to the playoff. The 2020 rematch in Pittsburgh should be a more comfortable win for the Irish.

While a potential primetime home game could be the perfect storm for the upset, Notre Dame will have too much talent on both sides of the field and should pull ahead in the second half behind third year starting quarterback, Ian Book.

Record: 4-2

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