Pittsburgh @ Virginia Tech preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 16, 2014 ) Virginia Tech 16, Pittsburgh 21

Teams reeling from tough losses get together Saturday when Virginia Tech hosts Pittsburgh in the ACC opener for both teams. The Hokies blew an early two-touchdown lead in a 35-28 loss at East Carolina last week and the Panthers are coming off a 27-24 defeat at Iowa on Sept. 19 when the Hawkeyes’ Marshall Koehn kicked a 57-yard field goal as time expired.

James Conner (out for the season with knee injury) and current backup quarterback Chad Voytik accounted for 203 of the Panthers' 216 yards rushing in last season's 21-16 triumph over Virginia Tech, but Pittsburgh's top weapon this year will be wideout Tyler Boyd. The junior has 21 catches for 226 yards in two games this season, is the nation's active career leader in receptions per game (6.6) and needs just 19 more grabs to surpass current Dallas Cowboy Devin Street (202 from 2010-13) for most in school history. To make matters worse for Virginia Tech, All-American cornerback Kendall Fuller, who led the ACC in interceptions in 2013 (six) and passes defensed (14) last season, is out for the season with a knee injury. "(Boyd's) a dynamic receiver," Hokies secondary coach Torrian Gray said. "And it’s what you’re used to having in a security blanket with Kendall where you’d match him up or put him over on the other team’s best guy, whether you’re playing man or zone. And we don’t have that now. So we’ve just got to play how we play and just get those guys ready."

TV: Noon ET, ESPN3. LINE: Virginia Tech -4.5

ABOUT PITTSBURGH (2-1): Nate Peterman completed 20-of-29 passes for 219 yards with two TDs and two interceptions against Iowa and has been named the starter for the time being over Voytik. “He’s been throwing the ball well. He’s been very accurate," Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said. "So if you can drop back with all the different formations and pass concepts we have, to be accurate with the ball is good." Qadree Ollison leads the team in rushing with 305 yards and 7.4 yards per carry, but he was limited to 17 yards on four carries against Iowa, as fellow freshman Darrin Hall started and ran for 38 yards on 14 carries.

ABOUT VIRGINIA TECH (2-2): Sophomore quarterback Brenden Motley was the Hokies’ entire offense against East Carolina, running for 85 yards and throwing for 281 more, including eight passes for 95 yards to Isaiah Ford. Motley, who replaced an injured Michael Brewer in the opener against Ohio State, has completed 59.8 percent of his 92 passes for 770 yards with six TDs against two interceptions and four fumbles. Freshman Travon McMillian has run for 209 yards and eight yards per carry, Ford has 22 receptions for 361 yards and three TDs and safety Adonis Alexander leads the defense with two interceptions and three passes defensed while ranking second with 19 tackles – 13 behind team leader cornerback Chuck Clark.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Virginia Tech leads the all-time series 8-6, including 5-1 at Lane Stadium, but Pittsburgh has won five of the last six.

2. The Hokies' defense is yielding 5.5 yards per rush, 1.6 more than a season ago, and averaging 1.5 sacks, 2.25 fewer than 2014.

3. Virginia Tech is averaging 453.3 yards of total offense - fourth in the ACC - while Pittsburgh is surrendering 291.7 yards – good for sixth in the conference.

PREDICTION: Virginia Tech 27, Pittsburgh 20