CFN Fearless Prediction: Pitt 26 USF 20

[Jim Johnson]

Pittsburgh (6-2) at   South Florida (5-3), 12:00 EST, ESPN Plus, Saturday, November 4

Why to watch: Yes, there is another game in the Big East this week besides West Virginia at Louisville.  Actually, it’s a pretty good one between two bowl-thirsty teams looking to regroup from deflating losses.  Pittsburgh got knocked down a few pegs by Rutgers two weeks ago, its first conference loss of the year, but it’s still in the title hunt with games against Louisville and West Virginia left to play.  South Florida got waxed two weeks ago by Cincinnati, confirming once again that it doesn’t function well in cold weather.  The Bulls, too, must still face the league’s dynamic duoâ€â€on the roadâ€â€so a home win Saturday is a must if they hope to go bowling for a second straight year.  Versatile freshman QB Matt Grothe leads USF in passing, rushing and scoring.

Why Pittsburgh might win: Grothe has been a revelation for South Florida this fall, however, it’ll take more than one player for an offense to have success against a Pittsburgh D that features All-America candidates in LB H.B. Blades and CB Darrelle Revis.  Only Michigan State has scored more than 20 points on the Panthers, who are 13th nationally in scoring defense and 22nd against the pass.  If Jim Leavitt is correct that takeaways dictate winners and losers, his Bulls are in trouble.  While Pitt is No. 9 in the country in turnover margin, South Florida is No. 99.

Why South Florida might win: The Pitt offense is at its best when it’s balanced, but that won’t happen against a Bull D that’s strong at linebacker and growing up in the secondary.  South Florida will contain Tyler Palko with a pass defense that’s No. 9 in the country and has allowed just four touchdown passes all year.  The Bulls are 4-1 in the state of Florida with the lone loss coming by two points to unbeaten Rutgers.

Who to watch: Blades has been one of the beasts of the East all year, leading the Panthers with 97 tackles.  Grothe likes to leave the pocket and make yards with his quick feet, but he better know where No. 51 is at all times or else he’s liable to spend part of the game being attended to by team trainers.

What will happen: Pitt isn’t as bad as it looked two weeks ago against Rutgers, and isn’t as dominant as it was in the four-game winning streak.  Somewhere in between, the Panthers will turn a couple of second-half takeaways into scores, leaving Tampa with a critical and hard-fought conference win.  

CFN Prediction: Pitt 26 ... South Florida 20 ... Line: Pitt -5 stream of consciousness

Must See Rating: (5 skip the birth of your first born - 1 Running with Scissors) ... 2.5

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