Penn State (1-0) at Pitt (1-0)
Heinz Field, Pittsburgh
Saturday, noon, ESPN
Penn State visits Pitt this weekend, the schools’ first meeting since 2000.
Let's take a closer look at the matchup.
Scouting Penn State
The Lions opened their season with a 33-13 victory over Kent State, as Trace McSorley threw two touchdown passes and Saquon Barkley ran for one.
McSorley, in his first career start, hit on 16 of 31 passes for 209 yards, but was only 3 for 10 on attempts beyond 20 yards. He also had some misadventures in the red zone, missing two open receivers on one trip and failing to convert a 4th-and-1 at the 8. Chris Godwin had seven catches, and Barkley ran for 105 yards on 22 carries.
The defense, featuring three new starting linemen, recorded seven sacks. Two backups, end Shareef Miller and tackle Antoine White, had 1.5 apiece.
Scouting Pitt
The Panthers beat Villanova 28-7 in their season opener last week, as running back James Conner scored two touchdowns, one on the ground and one on a reception.
Conner, the ACC Offensive Player of the Year in 2014, missed all but one game last year after tearing the medial collateral ligament in his right knee, then learning he was suffering from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The disease, arrested by chemotherapy, has been in complete remission since May. He finished last week’s game with 53 yards on 17 rushes.
Quadree Henderson returned the second-half kickoff 96 yards for a score, and quarterback Nate Peterman completed 19 of 32 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns.
History
Penn State leads the all-time series, 50-42-4, but lost the last meeting, 12-0.
Storyline to watch
It is generally believed that both teams, fearing that they would reveal too much, played it close to the vest in their openers. Caution, as a result, will likely be thrown to the wind this week.
What’s at stake
This used to be one of college football’s hottest rivalries. Hard to see it regaining as much heat as it once had, but it’s nice to see the teams back together again.
Prediction
Pitt is more experienced, and playing at home. Give the Panthers the nod, 28-24.