The Virginia Cavaliers will look to end their slump when the team visits the Pittsburgh Panthers this coming Sunday at Heinz Field. Will the Hoos prevent a three-game skid? Or will the Panthers add to Virginia’s woes? Check out our preview of this game below.
Virginia couldn’t solve Notre Dame’s defense in Week 11, as it fell to the Fighting Irish at home last Sunday to the tune of a 28-3 score. That’s the second loss of the Cavaliers in a row, with Virginia also losing to the BYU Cougars on Oct. 30 on the road, 66-49. This time, though, the usually robust Virginia offense stalled. Quarterback Jay Woolfolk passed for 196 yards with zero touchdowns and a pair of interceptions on 18/33 completions, while the rushing attack of the Hoos mustered only 82 yards on 30 carries. But one weekend of offensive struggles shouldn’t eliminate entirely the idea that Virginia’s offense is high-powered and capable of going off on any given Saturday. There’s also a chance that starter Brennan Armstrong will be back under center in Week 12 after missing the Notre Dame game due to a rib injury. The Cavaliers walked into Saturday’s date with Notre Dame ranked 10th nationally with 38.4 points per game average and also tops in the FBS with 544.9 total yards per contest.
Virginia is 6-4 against the spread in its last 10 games overall.
Pittsburgh remains a one-loss team in conference play after taking care of business at home over the weekend in a 30-23 win against the North Carolina Tar Heels. Kenny Pickett outplayed )sort of) NFL-bound North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell, as he passed for 346 yards and three touchdowns with an interception on 25/43 completions. But it’s really the Panthers’ defense that impressed the most. The Panthers had five sacks. Their quickness to get into the backfield of North Carolina made life hard for Howell, and that could be the case again this coming weekend against the Cavaliers. See, Virginia’s offensive line has been taken advantage of all season long. Despite their high-flying offense, the Hoos are allowing an average of 3.0 sacks per contest, so far this season. Meanwhile, Pitt started Week 11 as the no. 11 program in the nation this season in terms of sack rate (9.57%).
Pittsburgh is 5-2 against the spread in its last seven home games overall.
