Game 11: Pitt

Rutgers comes into Heinz Field today, leading the Big East standings and only one win away from at least a share of a conference title. Kyle Flood has kept his team focused all year on "going 1-0 this week" and that focus will certainly be put to test this week, as there are numerous distractions the team has to deal with. The Big 10 news is certainly exciting, and what could be the biggest game in school history is just a few days away, but Rutgers needs to have tunnel vision and focus on a Pitt team that is just as capable of playing great as they are capable of playing like crap. The conditions are probably going to be poor, and there were 4 high school games played at Heinz Field on Friday, so Rutgers big advantage over Pitt, speed, could be neutralized a bit in this one.

Rutgers On Offense
Rutgers played pretty well last week against Cincy, (despite only scoring 10 points) after scuffling a bit in the middle portion of the season. Jawan Jamison is supposedly 100%, but with the conditions the way they are and based on how Savon Huggins played last week, Huggins could see the majority of the carries, pounding the rock inside. Jamison will certainly get his touches too, hopefully in space, but if the field is torn up, he could have problems cutting, especially with the ankle injury. The offensive line will need to play like they did last week, dominating in the run game and protecting the quarterback. Antwan Lowery has a big size advantage over Pitt's defensive line and he should bury people. Pitt's secondary gets torched often by big plays through the air, so if the Scarlet Knights can run effectively, Gary Nova should be able to connect with his receivers on some deep balls off play action. Miles Shuler should see some targets. Pitt's defense is very slow, so RU will hopefully use their superior speed to their advantage, even with the poor conditions.

Rutgers On Defense
Rutgers' defense has been dominant all year, and they need to keep it up after turning in the best effort they have in years last week against Cincinnati. First and foremost, Rutgers needs to stop the runs up the middle. Ray Graham has been pounding opposing defenses (including Notre Dame) into submission, and they need to hold him in check like they did last year. Khaseem Greene is going to need to shut down his brother. Rutgers should try to get one of their bigger defensive line groupings on the field, as Pitt has a massive offensive line, but if they are do not, they need to out quick them. Pitt can not protect the passer, so it is vital the Knights get a pass rush from their front 4. That would also allow them to drop more guys in coverage over the middle, where Tino Sunseri likes to throw to his big possession receivers. As Pitt does not have much of a vertical passing game, I would expect the safeties to play closer to the line than they normally do to stop the run and take away the intermediate passes. Sunseri has been good this year, but I think the defense can rattle him if they hit him and intercept a pass early on.

Injuries
Jamison is said to be a full go, and Andre Civil should play after missing last week. Kicker Kyle Federico is still out with a hip injury.

Prediction Rutgers 24 Pitt 17
I think Rutgers will have a very good day running the ball and will hit on a couple deep balls. My main concern is how the defense will stop the run. Graham may have some success running against them, and if that's the case, they must rattle Sunseri to make the Panthers one dimensional. The weather will not help the Knights, but their focus and senior leadership will be too strong to lose this game with so much on the line.