Pitt vs. Navy: Preview, Prediction, TV and more
By Matt Shetler
Keys for Navy
Oct 5, 2013; Annapolis, MD, USA; Navy Midshipmen quarterback
Keenan Reynolds(19) before the game against the Air Force Falcons at Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Frederiksen-USA TODAY Sports
1. Get Pressure on Tom Savage: The Pitt offensive line has broken down at times, forcing Savage to run for his life and as a result, turn the football over. For Navy to win the football game they are going to have to force a few Panthers’ mistakes, something Pitt has been more than gracious to oblige with at times this season.
2. Control the Clock: For Navy it’s as simple as taking the air out of the football. It not only plays to the Midshipmen’s strength, but also can keep Pitt’s weapons in Devin Street and Tyler Boyd off the field. The longer the Navy offense and Pitt defense is on the field, the greater the chances of a Midshipmen upset.
3. Catch the Pitt secondary sleeping: Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds isn’t only the Midshipmen’s leading rusher, but he also can make some plays in the passing game as well. Even though he doesn’t throw it a lot (56 attempts), Reynolds has completed a high percentage of his passes on the season (55.4 percent). Navy will run the football so much that they could lull the Pitt secondary to sleep. When they do they have to hit a big lay or two in the passing game.
Prediction: This is the type of trap game that the Panthers usually lose. They won’t dominate the Midshipmen, but will come away with a win as they have one more week to tune things up before jumping back into ACC play. Pitt 27 Navy 17