{"id":434798,"date":"2026-10-22T12:56:55","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T12:56:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/434798\/"},"modified":"2026-10-22T12:56:55","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T12:56:55","slug":"film-forecast-pitt-panthers-at-miami-hurricanes-10-24","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/434798\/","title":{"rendered":"Film Forecast: Pitt Panthers at Miami Hurricanes, 10\/24"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Pitt Panthers (5-2) are heading down south to Hard Rock Stadium to face the undefeated Miami Hurricanes (6-0). The teams will face off in Miami\u2019s first day game, a noon kick off on Saturday the 24th on ESPN.<\/p>\n

The \u2018Canes are three touchdown favorites over the Panthers with a 92.4% win expectancy over Pitt per ESPN<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Hurricanes are 3rd overall per the SP+<\/a> while Pitt is 36th overall. Miami is 1st in offense, 10th in defense, and 29th in kicking. Pitt is 52nd in offense, 29th in defense, and 61st in kicking.<\/p>\n

Miami\u2019s offense is 7th on 3rd down converting 53% of the time, and 99th on 4th down converting 40% of the time. Pitt is 75th on 3rd down converting 39% of their tries while 105th on 4th down converting only 38% of the time.<\/p>\n

The \u2018Canes are 71st in FBS on defensive 3rd down conversions allowing 39% to be converted. Pitt is 51st allowing only 37% of their opponents tries.<\/p>\n

Miami is 8th overall in turnover margin per game at +1.0, while Pitt is just behind Miami at 14th with +0.8.<\/p>\n

Miami is 121st in penalty yards per game while being flagged for 72 yards per game while Pitt is 110th in penalty yards with 68 per game.<\/p>\n

Pitt PK Antonio Chadha is 10-of-11 on FG\u2019s and 26-of-26 on PAT\u2019s. They don\u2019t have a spectacular return game to be concerned about, but they did block a punt vs. BC that is a concern for Dylan Joyce and UM.<\/p>\n

The Panthers are without starting QB Mason Heintschel (ACL) and backup Corey Dailey, a true freshman, struggled against Boston College.<\/p>\n

Against BC the Panthers were 4-of-12 on money downs while the Eagles were 9-of-16.<\/p>\n

Pitt was flagged 13 times for 133 yards while BC was flagged just seven times for 47 yards. A Pitt vs. Miami matchup will be a yellow flag-fest without a doubt.<\/p>\n

Pitt turned the ball over three times to BC\u2019s two. The Panthers QB, Dailey, threw two picks and the RB fumbled one away<\/p>\n

Chadha was a perfect 4-of-4 on FG\u2019s and 1-of-1 on PAT\u2019s. They executed a fake punt AND a blocked punt!<\/p>\n

While Dailey struggled he did average 7.7 yards per pass attempt and threw one TD which isn\u2019t horrible. But his two INT\u2019s really hurt Pitt\u2019s chances.<\/p>\n

Dailey also only hit four different receivers, with three going for double-digit yards per catch marks. Miami native WR Cataurus Hicks could be an issue for the \u2018Canes as he\u2019ll have motivation on a trip back home. Hicks averaged 27 yards per catch with a TD vs. BC.<\/p>\n

Damon Ferguson Jr. averaged seven yards per carry on 17 touches for Pitt but fumbled one away. La\u2019Vell Wright averaged only 3.5 per carry in the thumper role.<\/p>\n

The Pitt O-Line allowed one sack and four TFL\u2019s against the Eagles defense.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Above- Hicks has the ability to beat a Miami CB 1-on-1. He\u2019s fast, runs solid routes, and will want to show out against his hometown squad.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Above- Ferguson isn\u2019t going down easy. This isn\u2019t flag football, more than just a hand on a hip when I dip you dip will have to be done for Miami to bring him down.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Above- I would absolutely attack Miami wide and force Lucas and the other banged up DB\u2019s (Fitzgerald) to tackle in space.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Above- this one is a little high but if it hits your hands REEL IT IN! Dailey will make mistakes and Miami needs to pick these types of passes off.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Above- There\u2019s no doubt Pitt\u2019s run game is solid but with no QB threat TFL\u2019s will be there. Much like sacks are there when teams throw 40+ times a game. This is a Moten, Scott, Blount type of ball game.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Above- Another Ferguson broken tackle. You CAN\u2019T arm tackle this guy and expect him to go down. And head across vs him? He\u2019ll knock Poyser out with that. Get your head behind, double leg him, squeeze the back of the thighs.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Above- Pitt throwing an RPO tagged hitch. That\u2019s a WIDE OPEN 1-on-1 situation. Miami has struggled mightily in these situations. Thornton especially has struggled in them. I hope Hetherman has been working on open field tackling\u2026<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Above- If Dailey fires into double coverage Dunnigan and Fitzgerald need to take advantage of him. No more dropping INT\u2019s like vs. Ole Miss in \u201825 or missing PBU\u2019s and INT\u2019s like this season. Time to turn it on.<\/p>\n

On defense, Pitt allowed QB Mason McKenzie to average 10.5 yards per pass attempt with two TD\u2019s but also picked him twice. DB Raion Stader had both picks for Pitt.<\/p>\n

McKenzie hit eight different receivers with receptions with five hitting the double-digit yards per catch mark. Landon Wright exploded for a 60+ yard TD so imagine the work Malachi Toney could do vs. Pitt.<\/p>\n

The Panthers stoned the BC rushing attack holding the Eagles RB\u2019s to 3.8 and 3.2 yards per carry except both scored once on the ground.<\/p>\n

BC\u2019s O-Line allowed two sacks and seven TFL\u2019s on the day. DL Jaeden Moore had 1.5 TFL\u2019s while DL Sean
FitzSimmons logged a sack and TFL. Miami\u2019s OL will be tested by the Pitt front-6.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Above- Pitt\u2019s defense was still really good vs. BC, and a missing QB won\u2019t slow them down. They have some holes but that DL is a true Pitt DL. They\u2019ll get after Mensah if Miami can\u2019t shore up the pass pro schemes.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Above- Pitt was all over this outside zone read play from BC. They play sound football even if they\u2019re highly penalized it\u2019s not in responsibilities it\u2019s in dumb stuff.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Above- THE FLATS. If the flats are open stop hitting Lofton there and try Upshaw. If Barkate is just a decoy and blocker Dawson needs to get Upshaw more touches in space.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Above- So gaping holes are there for the Miami run game, awesome. BC has the 102nd best offense per SP+ Miami is #1. I expect some huge runs from Mallory vs. Pitt.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Above- The bang is to the B-gap but the LB is there at the LOS so he bends back to the A-gap and scores. Mallory seems to love this type of read and position. Give the young buck the rock.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Above- Mensah has only one INT, right? But he threw into double and triple coverage and got lucky that FSU is a 90 something SP+ defense. Pitt\u2019s defense is 29th in SP+ and will take advantage of stupid throws.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Above- A safe throw is the back shoulder throw. I\u2019ve been waiting for Barkate to take advantage of these with Mensah and their experience together at Duke. It\u2019s happened in very small spurts. It needs to happen more vs. Pitt who likes to keep their CB\u2019s on an island<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Above- 4 verts in the red zone is crazy stuff but if you\u2019re seeing 1-high it\u2019s a great call. Force that FS to cover both WR\u2019s the over guy and the seam guy and drop a dime in to the seam guy. The over guy should be Toney, let him draw attention. The seam guy can be Upshaw.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Above- What\u2019s open? How about Smash!?! I haven\u2019t seen enough Smash routes and Toney breaking short with Barkate running the corner could spell trouble for aggressive D\u2019s trying to bracket no1.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Above- Trail technique was the death of Tyler Van Dyke and Carson Beck. Will Mensah feel the CB baiting him or suffer the under thrown ball as well?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Above- Pitt\u2019s lone punt rush guy splits a double and blocks the punt. Miami CAN NOT afford this to happen. Cristobal\u2019s kicking game slappy needs to shape up for ship out.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Above- A fake punt! Narduzzi is ballsy and knows he doesn\u2019t have a QB so he\u2019ll try any means necessary. I\u2019d also watch out for an onside kick.<\/p>\n

The Canyonero Keys to Victory<\/a> main theme for Miami from the summer was that Pitt was a Gunner and they should be prepared for chucking it deep. Without Heintschel I can\u2019t see that being possible. The individual keys to victory are:<\/p>\n

1- Protect Mensah. The Pitt DL will be stout as always and Narduzzi is no dummy. He\u2019ll pick apart Miami\u2019s pass protection and get pressure on Mensah with 4-5 guys and not typically sell the farm to do it. Miami has to protect Mensah against a hard hitting squad like the Panthers.<\/p>\n

2- Tighten up in the back end. Miami can\u2019t allow Dailey or whoever Pitt runs out there behind center to beat up on the DB\u2019s. Miami has now made Gio Lopez and Ashton Daniels look like All-Americans. Where was Damon Wilson on Saturday night? He didn\u2019t even log an assisted tackle.<\/p>\n

3- Don\u2019t get caught up in penalties. These are two highly penalized teams- Cristobal preaches discipline, PROVE IT ON THE FIELD. The only way Pitt has a shot is if Miami gives them more chances on offense with dumb penalties like late hits and targeting.<\/p>\n

Score Prediction: Miami by 17. I can\u2019t picture Pitt hanging with the \u2018Canes without a real QB. Miami needs to get right in pass coverage, tackling, and in protecting Mensah.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Pitt Panthers (5-2) are heading down south to Hard Rock Stadium to face the undefeated Miami Hurricanes…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":434799,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[123,125,7118,124],"class_list":["post-434798","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-miami","tag-miami","tag-miami-headlines","tag-miami-hurricanes-football","tag-miami-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/434798","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=434798"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/434798\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/434799"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=434798"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=434798"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=434798"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}