It is time to pass some notes on the Buffalo Bulls, as the
Pitt Panthers travel to upstate New York to kick off at 3:30 to take on UB. The game will be on ESPN3.com for me, while most of you can see it on the Big East
Network or some variation of that. The
Bulls are 1-5 and 0-3 in the MAC. Pitt cannot
overlook Buffalo, as they are in their second 2 game losing streak of the year
and really need to bounce back strong to regain any hope of a decent season.
Buffalo’s passing attack and their points for are both 96th
in the country, so they have some problems on the offense. Despite some injuries in their backfield, the
Bulls are 34th in rushing.
The Panthers secondary needs to play strong to continue the Bulls’ trend
of having a difficult time in the passing game. After last week, Pitt cannot afford to give
up another big day….especially to a bad passing offense. The Louisville game can be forgiven. As I stated in my recap, they are a good team
and Terry Bridgewater can flat out play.
When the Bulls take the field, they are led by dual threat
Junior QB, Alex Zordich. He is not completing a good percentage, being only 78
of 151 and he has 971 yards passing.
Zordich has tossed 8 TDs and 6 picks, while being sacked 6 times. He will run the ball as well, which has
helped greatly with the Bulls’ injured backfield. Zordich has 355 yards on the ground and 1
TD. When they turn to their backfield,
it’s a question mark. They have three
running backs and two are trying to bounce back from injury this week. Juniors Brandon Oliver (426 yards and 3 TDs)
and Brandon Murie (105 yards and 1 TD) have been battling injury. I do expect one of them will be back on
Saturday, giving some help to Freshman Devin Campbell (244 yards and 1 TD), who
has been carrying the load the last couple of weeks.
The passing game has not been productive, but the Bulls do
have Junior WR, Alex Neutz. Neutz has pulled
in 32 passes for 512 yards and already has hit the endzone 7 times this
year! He can hurt you if you are not
ready, so the Panthers have to bounce back and have a strong game.
The Bulls’ passing defense is very weak, which should be
good news for the Panthers’ suddenly potent passing attack. Buffalo does have a stud on defense that is
capable of taking over a game. Junior,
LB Khalil Mack leads the Bulls in sacks, tackles, and tackles for loss. An LB that dominates the game in a big way and
is around 19 or 20 years old and his last name is Mack....I knew Alvin Mack of the The Program would leave his mark on the NFL somehow. Pitt has to get
a body on him to control the line of scrimmage and give Tino some time.
I mentioned the Bulls’ injuries and Pitt is no
different. Jack Lippert will not play
and Manny Williams and Shane Gordon are also iffy. The Panthers have to overcome these injuries
and it would help a lot if Gordon could play.
I think one of the two plays on Saturday and Pitt rides Rushel Shell
early to set up Tino taking advantage of a weak secondary. Pitt 34 Buffalo 13.
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