Miami Hurricanes at Pittsburgh: Game Matchups

Pittsburgh has an improved defense this season, but their offense has not been nearly as proficient this year. They lost last season’s starting quarterback Nathan Peterman and starting running back James Connor to the NFL.

Peterman was notorious for throwing five interceptions in the first half in his first NFL start this past Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers for the Buffalo Bills. Connor stayed in the Steel City backing up LeVeon Bell with the Steelers.

When the Miami Hurricanes play this season the eyes of the spectators and opponents are glued when the Canes are on defense. The turnover chain has become the sensation of the year in College Football. It has become often imitated but never duplicated.

Pittsburgh has struggled offensively this season with Peterman and Connor moving on. The Panthers finished tenth in the nation in 2016 averaging 40.9 points per game. They have fallen to 98th nationally this season and last in the ACC averaging 23.9 PPG.

The Panthers will face a stout Miami defense. The Hurricanes allow 17.7 points per game, 15th nationally and third in the ACC.

The Panthers have really struggled to run the ball. Pittsburgh averages 148.2 rushing yards per game. That’s 12th in the ACC. Miami has not been as strong against the run this season as they were in 2016. Miami is allowing 152.4 yards per game on the ground. That’s the middle of the pack in the conference.