These teams are quite similar, both lost their star running back and have QB's that struggle that's one reason why I love the under in this one as both team's will try to win with their defense they simply do not have the offensive lines for continuous protection nor do they have the QB's that can lead a team down the field. In fact Pitt was the worst in the nation in sacks allowed with 56. SMU had 26 sacks, but their front line is a lot better than their ranking as they have faced a lot of quick throwing teams like Houston and Tulsa and TCU who just do not give up sacks in fact they faced an average opponent ranked 40th in sacks allowed. This is a team that can certain get to the QB and we will see that in this game.
Expect a lot of 1st and 10 running plays from Pitt and again SMU can stop the run they allowed just 3.5 ypc this season while Pitt also can stop the run allowing 3.36. SMU runs a bit better surprisingly out of the run and shoot, but they lack the experience against a defensive line that truly is stout. Their are advantages and disadvantages on both sides, but SMU has more advantages. For one they have their head coach while Pitt lost their HC to Arizona State. They also are more capable moving the ball through the air although they are more prone to turning the ball over I still will take my chances as JJ McDermott is a senior with two All Conference receivers in Cole Beasley and Darius Johnson. That's where I give SMU the edge in this game tomorrow.
Defense though will shine on both sides especially on third down, Pitt has dominated allowing 31.84% but they also are just 27% offensively on the road and defensively they're not used to seeing teams that can move the ball or even throw the Big East features some of the worst offenses in the nation and lack any true passing teams with the exception of WV, but still I see Pitt coming up with some sacks turning this game over to a field position and conservative approach on both sides. IN the red zone both teams struggle to get into the end zone and they are both allowing opponents not to get their either. Pitt allows 57.58% TD's, but just 33 attempts, and SMU 52.27% on 44 attempts. SMU's stat is particularly impressive considering they had to play some high power offenses such as Houston, Tulsa, Smiss, TCU, and A&M. This is a team that had high expectations, and they can live up to them with a win here and momentum going into next season.
