Georgia Tech @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 2, 2013 ) Pittsburgh 10, Georgia Tech 21

The Pittsburgh Panthers were picked fifth in the six-team ACC Coastal Division, but the Panthers sit in a first-place tie as they prepare to host Georgia Tech on Saturday. The Panthers snapped a three-game losing streak by upending Virginia Tech on Oct. 16 to kick off a three-game homestand, moving into a tie for first with Duke. Georgia Tech sat atop the division two weeks ago and was one of 10 unbeaten teams in FBS, but a porous defense has allowed 79 points during back-to-back losses.

The Yellow Jackets could not slow down North Carolina in a disappointing 48-43 defeat last week, and their hopes to leap past the Panthers in the division standings hinges largely on containing Pittsburgh running back James Conner. The sophomore leads the ACC in rushing yards (959) and rushing touchdowns (11). Pittsburgh’s defense, which ranks second in the league in yards allowed per game at 280.4, faces a difficult challenge against a Yellow Jackets’ squad averaging an ACC-best 463.3 yards per contest.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU. LINE: Pittsburgh, -3

ABOUT GEORGIA TECH (5-2, 2-2 ACC): The Yellow Jackets surrendered 6.6 yards per play against the Tar Heels, negating a season-high 611 yards of total offense. Quarterback Justin Thomas passed for 235 yards last week but has made the biggest impact running the football, averaging 89.3 yards per contest (fourth among FBS quarterbacks). Georgia Tech ranks first in the ACC and fourth nationally with 306.3 rushing yards per game, but likely will be without running back Zack Laskey (right shoulder injury).

ABOUT PITTSBURGH (4-3, 2-1): The Panthers rushed for 210 yards against the Hokies last week and senior right tackle T.J. Clemmings won league Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week honors, helping spring quarterback Chad Voytik to 118 yards rushing – his second 100-yard rushing effort of the season. Conner is averaging 148.5 yards per game dating back to last year’s Little Caesars Pizza Bowl. The Panthers are fourth in the nation in total defense and are allowing only 18.6 points per game.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Conner is 41 yards away from becoming the 13th Pittsburgh player to rush for 1,000 yards in a season.

2. Georgia Tech’s Jamal Golden leads the ACC in combined return yardage (496), and his 29.6 yard average on kickoff returns ranks ninth nationally.

3. The Yellow Jackets won last year’s matchup 21-10 in Atlanta; Saturday’s game is just the ninth all-time between the two schools – the Panthers lead the series 5-3 – and the first in Pittsburgh since 1920.

PREDICTION: Pittsburgh 31, Georgia Tech 23