The Pitt vs Miami Hurricanes preview for Saturday centers on a Hurricanes defense that keeps generating pressure despite losing two of its top pass rushers, against a Pittsburgh offense dealing with its own quarterback problems. No. 1 Miami (6-0) hosts Pittsburgh (5-2) on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, with kickoff set for noon ET on ESPN and Disney+.
Miami enters as the nation’s top-ranked team and has not lost this season, including a 43-35 double-overtime win over Florida State on Oct. 17. Pittsburgh has dropped two straight, falling to North Carolina 21-17 and Boston College 27-21, after opening the year 5-0. The Panthers’ loss to North Carolina and the follow-up defeat at Boston College have the Panthers looking to avoid a third consecutive setback against the top team in the country.
Game Information
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 24
- Time: 12 p.m. ET
- Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
- TV/Streaming: ESPN, Disney+
- Weather: 80 degrees, 49% chance of precipitation
By The Numbers
- Points per game: Miami 48.5, Pittsburgh 32.9
- Total yards per game: Miami 559.5, Pittsburgh 450.1
- Passing yards per game: Miami 333.0, Pittsburgh 284.6
- Rushing yards per game: Miami 226.5, Pittsburgh 165.6
- Third-down conversion rate: Miami 51.61%, Pittsburgh 42.39%
- Turnover differential: Miami plus-3, Pittsburgh even
- Completion percentage: Miami 80.3%, Pittsburgh 63.7%
- Sacks allowed: Miami 6, Pittsburgh 8
Pittsburgh Panthers Outlook
Pittsburgh’s offense has put up 450.1 total yards per game, but that production has come with risk. The Panthers have thrown five interceptions and have a turnover differential of zero through seven games, a sharp contrast to Miami’s plus-3 mark. Mason Heintschel has completed 98 of 148 passes for 1,304 yards, 14 touchdowns and one interception as the team’s passing leader, while Damon Ferguson Jr. has carried 83 times for 438 yards and three scores on the ground.
Pittsburgh’s defense has generated 17 sacks and forced seven takeaways, numbers that will be tested against a Miami offense averaging 48.5 points per game. The Panthers also enter having lost their last two games by a combined seven points, both decided in the fourth quarter.
Miami Hurricanes Outlook
Miami’s offense leads the way with 291 total points through six games, built on a passing attack averaging 333.0 yards per contest. Darian Mensah has completed 135 of 167 passes for 1,764 yards, 18 touchdowns and a single interception, while Malachi Toney has hauled in 50 catches for 758 yards and eight touchdowns to anchor the receiving corps. Javian Mallory has added 397 rushing yards and five touchdowns on just 52 carries, a 7.6-yard average per attempt.
Defensively, Miami has adjusted after losing pass rushers Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor before the season began, according to On3‘s CaneSport. Despite those losses, the Hurricanes are pressuring opposing quarterbacks on 41.2% of dropbacks through six games, up from 40.4% a year ago, per the report.
Key Matchup
The matchup that will shape Saturday’s outcome is Miami’s retooled pass rush against a Pittsburgh passing game already prone to mistakes. On3’s CaneSport reported that Marquise Lightfoot, Damon Wilson and Armondo Blount are combining for 11.8 quarterback pressures per game this season, actually up slightly from the trio’s 11.4 per-game average last season even with Bain and Mesidor gone.
Lightfoot leads the team with five sacks and 22 total pressures, including eight against Florida State alone, according to the report. Wilson has tallied a team-high 23 pressures, while Blount has added 16. With Pittsburgh already carrying five interceptions and a middling 42.39% third-down conversion rate, that pressure package poses a direct threat to a Panthers offense that cannot afford more turnovers against the nation’s top-scoring team.
Miami’s defense is not without weaknesses. The report noted the Hurricanes have dealt with offensive line struggles and coverage busts on the back end, issues Pittsburgh could look to exploit if it can protect Heintschel and get the ball out quickly.
Players To Watch
Marquise Lightfoot, Miami Edge
Lightfoot’s five sacks and 22 pressures lead Miami’s defense, and his eight-pressure performance against Florida State shows he can take over a game against a quality opponent.
Mason Heintschel, Pittsburgh Quarterback
Heintschel has thrown 14 touchdowns against just one interception across his completed starts, but his protection has allowed eight sacks on the season, a number likely to be tested against Miami’s pressure rate.
Darian Mensah, Miami Quarterback
Mensah’s 80.3% completion rate and 18 touchdown passes have powered an offense averaging 48.5 points per game, the top scoring mark in the matchup.
What To Watch
Miami is chasing a 7-0 start as the nation’s No. 1 team, while Pittsburgh is trying to halt a two-game skid before it becomes three. The Panthers’ turnover issues against Miami’s opportunistic defense, which has forced six takeaways against only three giveaways, could prove decisive in the ACC matchup. For more on Pittsburgh’s recent form, see the Panthers’ previous matchup against Virginia Tech.
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