Pittsburgh Panthers Football Predictions & Preview 2023:
Expert college Football handicapper Ron Marmalefsky runs down the Panther’s chances for 2023 and provides expert tips for betting on Pittsburgh football in 2023. Ron looks at areas to watch, favorability of schedule, offers a predicted record for Pittsburgh football in 2023 and offers some handicapping tips for betting on Pitt this season.
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Pittsburgh Football Preview 2023: Pittsburgh Picks for Betting
I expected and received 9-4 in 2022. Pitt continually puts pressure on opposing QB’s, creating havoc for ill-prepared offenses.
Of course, the flip side is giving up splash plays, something that has happened way too often for the amount of talent that they have. The very outspoken Pat Naduzzi has another aggressive team on his hands. Let’s pick apart what might happen in 2023.
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Pittsburgh Football Predictions: AREAS TO WATCH
In 2022 in this spot, I predicted a spike up in rush totals based on comments made by Coach Narduzzi. Frank Cignetti returned to Pitt and his offense delivered as I expected.
Somewhat fragile RB Hammond is the lead guy now, and I expect regression. The new QB is Phil Jurkovec, who’s once promising career has been derailed by injury as well as inefficiency.
He is FULLY capable of stretching the field, but can be turnover prone. The rest of the offense looks good to go, but it will be interesting to see if this decent OL gives up more than the 18 sacks they did a season ago. Pitt plays in your face defense, which can rattle many a QB.
Those that withstand the pressure can hit big plays. Four defensive players are off to the NFL. Pitt is used to producing high sack totals (199 last four seasons), but I’m monitoring this area in case we see a noticeable drop. There should be some defensive regression but hopefully not enough to cause major concern. Pitt has a solid kicking game.
Pittsburgh 2023 Predictions, Panthers Schedule:
Pitt’s schedule is a concern, as it is slightly tougher out of the ACC, and moderately tougher inside the ACC. They’ll be favored at West Virginia week three, and a win here should mean 3-0 before a revenge game hosting UNC.
This seems like a tossup, and an exciting game to track. Pitt has had success at Virginia Tech, but this is not an automatic victory. I’ll pre-check QB play, as I suspect VT’s defense will be decent. I like the week off prior to their revenge game hosting Louisville.
With history also on their side, a stumble here would be somewhat telling. The last time Pitt and Wake met was in the 2021 ACC title game, won by Pitt 45-21. Like with games at WV and VT, Pitt has had road success at Wake.
It’s possible Pitt is as high as 6-1 before playing at ND and hosting FSU, but again, is QB play going to be decent, and if Hammond is not durable, what happens to the run game?
As you can tell, I need to see Jurkovec deliver and not just assume he is better than what he’s shown since 2020. Pitt has had ACC road game success at Syracuse. The Orange can be streaky, and I’ll pre-check their 2023 home game performance as well as their OL vs. the Pitt pass rush, and a couple of other tidbits (see their team profile). Pitt closes hosting Boston College and at Duke. Past games vs. Duke can be quite wild (slight Pitt edge).
Pittsburgh Panthers Football Bottom Line:
One consistent and positive item with this team is how steady they’ve played on the road. All four ACC road games are winnable, as is the game at West Virginia.
Conversely, home games vs. UNC and FSU are tossups as well.
I think this team is not a sure thing offensively, and since I expect slight defensive regression, the record should fall a bit this season. Coaching consistency and schedule pacing still gives them a shot at 8-4. 8-4 won’t be easy. Watch my keys closely.
Pittsburgh Panthers Football HANDICAPPING TIP:
I’m on a 17-4 ATS regular season run with this team (3-1 bowls), confirming how I like consistency in staff and scheme.
The best working combination has been Pitt as a dog, combined with rush data in their favor. I’m likely not going against them however when they host Louisville, and I like the road game setups for the most part. Keeping an open mind, I’ll fade the Panthers if I see QB struggles, and when I see a team that won’t be intimidated by Pitt’s pass rush.
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