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Tennessee football vs. Pitt: 10 keys to the game

By Caleb Calhoun

Oct 20, 2018; Knoxville, TN, USA; Fans outside Neyland Stadium before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Alabama Crimson Tide. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2018; Knoxville, TN, USA; Fans outside Neyland Stadium before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Alabama Crimson Tide. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 4, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers running back Israel Abanikanda (2) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Massachusetts Minutemen during the third quarter at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh won 51-7. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers running back Israel Abanikanda (2) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Massachusetts Minutemen during the third quarter at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh won 51-7. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Will Pitt establish any rushing attack?

We talked earlier about how Pitt will try to take control of this game by cashing in on a couple of key big plays in the passing game. That would be a lot easier if they could get anything going on the ground, something that is a major question.

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It’s no secret that Pitt can’t run the ball. Last year, they averaged three and a half yards a carry and just 120 yards a game on the ground. Their play was abysmal, and it limited what Pat Narduzzi and his coaching staff could do offensively. Although they have a passing game, it’s limited if they can’t establish the run first given their offensive schemes.

Against the UMASS Minutemen to open this year, they showed promise on the ground, as they rushed for 222 yards and averaged just under five and a half yards a carry. However, that was against UMASS, so it’s hard to take that game seriously. Also, 39 of those yards came from quarterback Kenny Pickett on designed passing plays. Nobody rushed for over 50 yards.

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Simply put, it’s hard to see Pitt having any improved run game. However, Tennessee football has issues at linebacker and can’t let Pitt get going on the ground. If they do, the Vols are in serious trouble. This is an advantage they have to exploit to stay in this one.

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