Week 2 Opponent Preview: Pittsburgh Panthers

An in-depth look at Tennessee's opponent in Week 2 of the 2021 season.

Legendary player and coach Johnny Majors will be honored this Saturday as Tennessee will take on Pat Narduzzi’s Pitt team in a Week 2 contest on Saturday, September 11 at 12:00 ET.

Both teams will come into Week 2 riding a high from a Week 1 win, as the Vols defeated Bowling Green 38-6, while Pitt handled UMass 51-7. Pitt was able to manage a solid 6-5 record in a competitive ACC in 2020. Pitt has been a competitive program in the past decade, as they have had a sub .500 record only three times in the past 10 years, the worst being a 5-7 record in 2017. The Panthers will look to build on their 1-0 start, and we take a look at what they bring to Knoxville. 

What to Look for on Offense

Despite rumors that quarterback Kenny Pickett might test the NFL waters, he stayed put at Pitt, making him one of eight offensive starters coming back. Pickett will have plenty of weapons out wide around him as six of the Panthers' seven wideouts, led by Jordan Addison, will be there for Pickett to utilize. Pickett has not tossed over 13 scores in a season, but he is off to a fast start in 2021 after going 27-37 for over 250 yards and adding 2 touchdowns in week one. This will be a senior season in which Pickett will attempt to improve his draft stock by utilizing the weapons he has on the edge. 

Essentially, the Panthers will be a polar opposite foe in Week 2 compared to Bowling Green in Week 1, as the Vols secondary will have their hands full with six receivers who all caught more than 20 passes in 2020 and will not have to worry about the Panthers' running game. 

Pittsburgh's ground game averaged a meager 120 yards per game last season. Leading rusher Vincent Davis only managed 632 yards in 2020, but Pitt does have three offensive lineman and landed Maryland transfer Marcus Minor Sr. this offseason. With an improved O-line, Pitt's ground game has the opportunity to rebound even more this fall, but the Vols should not count on the running game giving them fits. However, there is one aspect of Pittsburgh's ground game the Vols must take into account: Pickett—especially near the goal line. Pickett rushed for eight scores in goal-to-go situations in 2020.

As long as the men in blue and gold do not surprise Tim Banks' defense in Neyland this fall with a vastly improved run game, Pitt's offense should not be too much of a problem for the Vols. Kenny Pickett will be the one player to watch out for, but Tennessee's experienced secondary should limit the Panther offense if they cannot

stretch the field and convert long-down situations. 

 What to Look for on Defense

The Pittsburgh defense is Narduzzi's more impressive unit. The secondary is young but has promise with Brandon Hill and and Erick Hallett, as the respective redshirt sophomore and redshirt junior can move all around the field. 

The linebacker group features tackling machines in SirVocea Dennis, Phil Campbell, Cam Bright, and Chase Pine who are destined to give the Tennessee running backs fits. As far as the Panthers' D-line goes, look no further than John Morgan III.

The OLB turned DL will get his chance to be the leader of Pitt's pass rush, which also includes capable tackles Devin Danielson and Tyler Bentley. Like the secondary, this pass rush is dependent on inexperienced players with high upside pulling through for the Panther defense. 

The Bottom Line

The Vols offense could struggle in this Week 2 contest, but if Josh Heupel's fast tempo offense finds an early rhythm like the first quarter of Bowling Green, it should be too much for a mostly inexperienced Pitt defense. Kenny Pickett will be the focus in game prep for the Tennessee defense, as Pitt's offense will struggle if their captain cannot find his receivers.

The Panthers will be the Vols' toughest test in the Neyland trifecta to start the season, but as long as Josh Heupel's offense is clicking, Tennessee has a decent chance to open the season with a 2-0 record. 

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