Hurricanes Preparing For Tough Matchup With Pittsburgh
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CORAL GABLES (CBSMiami) – The Miami Hurricanes are preparing for their Thanksgiving weekend game against the Pittsburgh Panthers, the final game on Miami's schedule.
The Canes are expecting a physical hard-nosed Pitt team.
In order to win, Miami is going to have to stop a power running game and a defense that's brings heavy pressure on the quarterback.
Pittsburgh is looking to win 9 games in the regular season for the first time since 2009.
They really seem to be getting in sync under their quarterback Nate Peterman - he's doing a really good job with the football, both throwing it and if things break down, creating plays with his feet and running a little bit too.
They bring Chad Voytik, their backup quarterback, in to do some quarterback runs and different things with him.
The running game is led by freshman Qadree Ollison who has rushed for over 1000 yards this year. Ollison is a downhill power runner.
Pitt is moving the ball in a lot of different ways on offense. Defensively, they're tough. They're rugged up front and have a big defensive line.
They really trust their secondary with coverage's. Pitt likes to put more in the box, dedicating another safety to the box to stop the run, and putting a lot of weight on their corners and safeties.
Miami wide receivers like Stacy Coley will have to win outside matchups.
The ring leader on defense is defensive end Ejuan Price who specializes in creating negative plays. Price leads the ACC with 11 and half sacks.
"He's a guy you better be aware of. Depending on the situations and how we're doing things, you better just know where he is and make sure you can find No. 5," said interim coach Larry Scott. "He deserves it, ultimately. He is making a lot of plays for them defensively, he gets after the quarterback – I think he had five sacks last week in that Louisville game. You better know where he is, and make sure you have a plan to neutralize him. "When you look at the film you say, 'Wow, what a tough football team."
The ultimate key for Miami is they must match the physicality of Pittsburgh or otherwise it could be a very long day by the Three Rivers.
Listen to the Miami Hurricanes take on the Pittsburgh Panthers this Friday at 12:00 p.m. on Sports Radio 560 WQAM, your official radio home for the Canes!
Follow Joe Zagacki on Twitter (@canesvoice)