Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Vols started the 2022 season with a solid effort against overmatched Ball State. Heupel’s squad will get their first true test of the season Saturday as the Vols visit Pittsburgh for the return trip of the Johnny Majors Classic. Volunteers fans remember Pittsburgh winning last year’s contest in Knoxville, 41-34. The Panthers are the reigning ACC Champions and come into this matchup ranked 17th in the nation.
Vols Visit Pittsburgh: Three Things to Look For
This will be Pittsburgh’s second big game in as many weeks. They will look to improve on a few areas, but will bring their typical toughness into the game. Here are three things to look for as the Vols visit Pittsburgh this weekend.
Physicality
By far the biggest test Tennessee will face against Pittsburgh is their physicality. This was on display last Thursday as Pittsburgh defeated West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl. Both Panthers’ lines are extremely physical.
The offensive line returns all five starters — as seniors — and all are over 6’3″ and over 305 pounds. It’ll test both Tennessee’s toughness and depth to get consistent pressure against the Pittsburgh backfield. There’s hope, though. The Mountaineers recorded five sacks and six tackles-for-loss last week. And while Pittsburgh passed for over 300 yards, they only managed 76 yards rushing during the game. West Virginia’s defense is probably slightly better than Tennessee’s at this point, but not significantly better.
The defensive front seven is really the heart of this team. Defense Tackle Calijah Kancey and Linebacker Bangally Kamara lead a defense that returns six All-ACC players from last season’s championship squad. The Panthers accounted for three sacks and eight tackles-for-loss themselves last Thursday. Beyond the stats, the Pitt front seven was disruptive all night long, including contributing to a Pick-6 that helped win the game.
Both of Tennessee’s lines have a hefty task ahead of them on Saturday.
What to Look For: Vols have + Sack/TFL Differential (More combined sacks+TFLs than Pitt). It’s difficult to measure physicality with metrics, but this is the first place to look.
Establish The Run
Pittsburgh was a monster against the run last season. The Panthers were the 8th best run defense in the nation in 2021 in Expected Points Added/Rush (EPA/Rush). Pittsburgh’s defense, while lacking a true superstar, is complete from the front four to the back line. Tennessee must establish the run to ensure the offense can keep churning out first downs and move the chains.
This is where Hendon Hooker‘s mobility is critical. Jabari Small can’t slam into the Pitt front four all night long. Hooker will have to make plays on the ground – both designed runs and when pass protection breaks down.
What to Look For: West Virginia put up 190 yards on the Panthers on an emotional night. If the Vols can get to 150 Yards Rushing that should bode well for the passing attack, and the Vols chances at victory.
Hold The Line
USC transfer Kedon Slovis had 308 yards passing and a touchdown against West Virginia. The Tennessee secondary was criticized for maligned play last season. This is a prime opportunity for a yet untested secondary to show improvement against a top-level talent quarterback.
The good news is that Slovis doesn’t have the mobility of some of the other quarterbacks Tennessee will face this season. If the secondary can hold their coverage for just a moment, it should open up the opportunity for some big defensive plays in the offensive backfield.
But make no mistake, any breakdown could lead to a big Pitt play. Pitt was third in the nation last season with 79 plays of 20+ yards. If the Vols secondary can hold the back line and keep Slovis from having big plays and a big day, the Vols stand a good chance of outlasting the Panthers.
What to Look For: The Vols defense holding Slovis to 0 passing plays of 20+ yards and < 250 yards of passing offense.
Vols Visit Pittsburgh: The Last Word
Pittsburgh is coming off an emotional win in a rivalry game, albeit one in which they didn’t play particularly well. They’ll be tough, as they always are under head coach Pat Narduzzi. But their rushing game and suspect pass protection should excite Vols fans. Tennessee is seemingly moving in the right direction. The Vols were fundamentally sound in the win against Ball State and look to improve upon last season’s seven-point loss.
Tennessee: 41
Pittsburgh: 35
