Pittsburgh vs. Miami: Complete Game Preview
The Miami Hurricanes will host the Pittsburgh Panthers on Saturday, Nov. 29, during the 2014 regular-season finale.
Pitt (5-6, 3-4 ACC) needs a victory to earn bowl eligibility for the seventh consecutive year, which would continue the second-best stretch in program history.
Miami (6-5, 3-4) has dropped two straight contests, including a demoralizing 30-13 loss to Virginia last weekend.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at Sun Life Stadium and will be televised on ESPN2.
Pittsburgh's Keys to Victory
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Control the Clock
Maintaining possession was a key for Virginia against the 'Canes, and the Cavaliers hardly have an offense.
Mike London's team held the ball for nearly 36 minutes, and the defense allowed Miami to convert just three of its first 10 late-down conversions. Soon after, UVA earned a completely unexpected and game-sealing 30-7 advantage.
Pitt, however, boasts a potential All-American running back in James Conner, who ranks third in the country with 1,600 yards and 22 touchdowns. Plus, the defense has surrendered a 35.9 percent conversion rate—a respectable No. 35 standing nationally.
Excluding Georgia Tech, the Panthers are the best-suited team to control the clock opposite the Hurricanes.
Pressure Brad Kaaya
As the season progressed, Miami's true freshman quarterback Brad Kaaya slowly shed that label, becoming, simply, Miami's quarterback.
But then last weekend, "true freshman" came right back. Long story short, it had everything to do with outstanding pressure by the Virginia front seven and subsequent struggles of the Hurricanes O-line.
Pressure forces rushed decisions, which may result in mistakes of inexperience. The Panthers have managed just 16 sacks this year, but disrupting Kaaya is a proven way to topple Miami.
Miami's Keys to Victory
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Be More Than Duke and Clive
Last weekend, it seemed like Duke Johnson and Clive Walford were the only Hurricanes offensive weapons who wanted to play in chilly Charlottesville. The duo accounted for 72.5 percent of the team's yards, while more than half of the remaining 27.5 percent came on a 47-yard touchdown to Phillip Dorsett.
What's more, the offensive line was akin to a swinging door, ceding four sacks and a multitude of hurries. Miami's wide receivers tallied two receptions for a mere 11 yards during the entire second half, yet Kaaya attempted 20 passes.
That does not—and will not—win many games. And unless the offense gets someone else to step up Saturday night, it might not be enough for a victory against Pitt.
Tackle, Tackle, Tackle
The Hurricanes are a solid defensive squad but have a tendency to arm-tackle, rather than wrapping and finishing. Conner, on the other hand, easily powers through feeble attempts to bring him down.
Nebraska's Ameer Abdullah—the best running back Al Golden's team has faced to this point—consistently fell forward. Nine of the Cornhuskers' 10 third-down situations were 3rd-and-3 or less, a truly absurd clip.
Keeping Conner from gaining cheap yards is critical to a Miami victory, because the defense must get off the field. Otherwise, the Panthers will sustain long drives with a healthy amount of success on third down.
Pittsburgh Players to Watch
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Chad Voytik, Quarterback
Calling him a dual-threat quarterback is perhaps too much credit, but Chad Voytik certainly has the ability to run.
Miami's opponents have had varying success with read-option calls, so it wouldn't be a surprise for Pitt to, as they say, "test the waters." However, if the 'Canes are ready for it—unlike Virginia Tech—his biggest asset will be scrambling to keep passing plays alive.
While Voytik isn't likely to match the career-high 118 yards he tallied opposite the Hokies, scrambling for a few yards or buying time for receivers can swing the game in Pitt's favor.
Tyler Boyd, Wide Receiver
Every elite running back needs a receiver capable of stretching the field, and the Panthers possess the luxury of complementing Conner with Tyler Boyd.
The sophomore has recorded 64 receptions for 1,077 yards and seven scores, eclipsing the century mark during both of his collegiate seasons. He's registered 126-plus yards in four straight outings, and three of his seven touchdowns have come between 49 and 53 yards.
Miami hasn't surrendered a single passing play of more than 50 yards this season, but Boyd is undoubtedly prepared to change that.
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Miami Players to Watch
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Brad Kaaya, Quarterback
How will he bounce back following a second straight loss? Florida State and Virginia both locked down on the Miami receivers during the latter half, and the 'Canes faltered in a pair of games they could've won.
Kaaya has proved deadly when given a clean pocket, but execution in high-pressure situations has been his downfall. Eight of his 11 season interceptions occurred during losses, and a late pick sealed each one.
Despite just 10 interceptions along with 33 combined sacks and quarterback hits, Pittsburgh allows a mere 183.3 passing yards per game. It's imperative that Kaaya overcome the stout pass defense and avoid a costly late-game mishap.
Denzel Perryman, Linebacker
After an ugly start to the 2014 campaign, Denzel Perryman has started to put some more encouraging performances on tape.
The senior linebacker just matched a career-high mark with 15 stops against UVA, yet the Hurricanes may need him to be even more active this weekend.
Conner is no stranger to physicality between the tackles, and Perryman isn't averse to meeting a running back in the trenches.
Consequently, this matchup might be the gift that keeps on giving. It won't be a surprise to see the stellar athletes trade victories at point of impact, and it sure will be entertaining to watch.
What They're Saying
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Pittsburgh
According to Sam Werner of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, running back Chris James said the team is playing Saturday in hopes of another game.
"We're looking for that extra game. We're playing for a bowl game now. We had our last home game with the seniors here, and Miami's the next game. That's the next step, the next challenge for us."
Miami
Per Matt Porter of the Palm Beach Post, Golden deflected a question about the proof of progress over the last six weeks, a span during which Miami won thrice and lost twice.
"We've got to get ready for Pittsburgh. None of this is going to help us do it."
Prediction
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The Hurricanes offense trudges through a sluggish opening quarter but is bailed out by the defense, containing Pitt's early attempt to establish the read-option.
Miami takes a three-point lead into the break before widening the advantage on a Kaaya-to-Walford connection during the third frame.
Conner leads the Panthers back within a field goal before Johnson seals the game on the ground behind his offensive line.
Prediction: Miami 27, Pittsburgh 24
Note: Stats courtesy of CFBStats.com and B/R research.
Follow Bleacher Report college football writer David Kenyon on Twitter: @Kenyon19_BR.
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