Yup. Virginia’s Offense was ranked #110 in the nation when we faced them. Anyone bragging about that game is clueless.
Not only 110th but a weakling 110th. Virginia hits you on defense but tries to trick you on offense. That's why that defensive effort meant nothing. We caught a finesse offense at home in prime time on a short week.
Against Georgia Tech the Canes were not only overconfident but also soft and somehow didn't realize Georgia Tech could still punch you in the mouth with straight ahead football. That's the first team we faced with any semblance of a physical running game. It reminded me somewhat of the Pittsburgh game in 2017 because likewise that team could bully you on the ground. Miami entered overconfident and never woke up.
The maddening aspect of the Georgia Tech game was the defense never energized and actually steadily gave up as the game progressed. At least against Virginia Tech there was a notable uptick in defensive intensity as soon as the second half began. We were crashing the backfield and disrupting some plays.
Pittsburgh is somewhat like Virginia in that they don't hit you on offense either. Their running game is based on catching the defense off guard with draws and delays. It is open spaces and speed instead of bouncing off tacklers like Georgia Tech with Jordan Mason. But the Pittsburgh downfield passing game is more dangerous and sophisticated than Virginia, as long as Pickett's shoulder is healthy.
Zion is going to have major problems in that game. Pittsburgh is relentless off the edge. Hardly a scary opponent, though, when you consider their 4 game winning streak is accomplished by a total of 14 points. They have basically been the opposite of the Canes in close games.
We are going to be an underdog for the first time since the season opener against Florida. Power ratings have Pittsburgh roughly 2.5 to 3 points higher so the current number of Pittsburgh -5 makes sense. Pittsburgh never receives a hefty home field allotment since they play in the pro stadium away from campus.