The Miami Hurricanes (8-3) ended a three-game losing streak with a recent 45-26 win over the Virginia Cavaliers. They head north on Friday to battle the Pittsburgh Panthers (6-5) at Heinz Field.
Pittsburgh is coming off a 17-16 win at Syracuse, but lost four of its previous six. One of those two wins was a home upset of No. 21 Notre Dame on November 9.
Turnovers were the name of the game in the takedown of the Cavaliers, though the Hurricanes’ defense struggled to get stops.
Virginia put up 483 total yards on Miami’s defense, but the ‘Canes won the field position battle with four forced turnovers—two of which directly resulted in touchdowns. The Hurricanes also gave up 243 rushing yards a week after the Duke Blue Devils ran for 358 in a 48-30 upset.
Will Pittsburgh go after Miami through the air with veteran quarterback Tom Savage? Or will it be the two-headed running back duo of Isaac Bennett and James Connor who chew up the Hurricanes on the ground?
For Miami, will the rushing attack return with someone stepping up in place for Duke Johnson? Can the defense continue creating turnovers where it can’t make stops and force punts?
A short week for both teams and some chilly weather for the boys from South Florida. Miami and Pitt going at it Big East-style, now as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference this Thanksgiving weekend. This should be a good one.
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Place: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA
TV: ABC Sports
Radio: WQAM 560 (Miami)—KDKA 93.7 (Pittsburgh)
Spread: Miami -2.5 (Hilton, Caesars, Mirage)
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