Pittsburgh Preview
Saturday marks a big game for the Iowa Hawkeyes team, a team that hasn’t lost 2 out of conference games since 2007. Iowa was caught completely off guard last Saturday, a 44-41 loss to rival Iowa State. They were outworked all game on the both sides of the ball. The play host to the Big East’s Pitt Panthers on Saturday, an 11 AM kick on ESPN2.
Pittsburgh runs what coach Todd Graham calls a “high octane offense.” The team runs a lot of no huddle offense, something that may not play out well for the Hawkeyes defense. They are led by quarterback Tino Sunseri, a turnover prone junior entering his 2nd year as a starter.
In front of him lies a big opportunity for the Hawkeyes. Pittsburgh’s offensive line has allowed 9 sacks through the first 2 games in 2011. They are, however, very good in the run game. Enter Ray Graham. Graham took over early last season following the injury of Dion Lewis. He took off from there. Through 2 games, Graham has 322 yards rushing, good for 1st in the nation. Shontrelle Johnson had a pretty good day running vs. the Iowa defense last week, granted it was because of the efficiency of quarterback Steele Jantz. It will be key to make sure Graham doesn’t run wild, setting up playaction, one of the few things Sunseri does right.
On defense, the Panthers don’t run anything special. They lost key pass rushers Jabaal Sheard and Greg Romeus. They run a classic 3-4 defense, something Iowa doesn’t see too much in the Big Ten. What is should do is allow Iowa’s offensive line to get to the 2nd level to create running lanes for Marcus Coker.
In Pittsburgh’s 2 games in 2011, they are 2-0, while averaging 35 points on offense. Defense is their downfall and the Hawkeyes need to take advantage of that on Saturday. They gave up 16 points to Buffalo and 29 points to FCS Maine last week. I don’t see Iowa going back to its old ways winning the game 17-10. Ray Graham will have his fair share of yards and rushes, but making sure Tino Sunseri doesn’t beat you should lead to an Iowa victory.
Prediction: Iowa 30 Pittsburgh 19
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