The Pittsburgh Panthers are in for a rebuild in multiple spots in 2023. Despite winning 20 games the last two seasons, the Panthers have some new faces that I don’t think will fit in with what Narduzzi and company want to do. New quarterback and retooling the defense is on Narduzzi’s list for 2023. A lot of questions need to be answered for Pittsburgh to have a good season. Here is the preview for the 2023 Pittsburgh Panthers.
Offense
With Kedon Slovis out, Pittsburgh brought back Pittsburgh native Phil Jurkovec. Jurkovec struggled last season with Boston College as he threw for 1,711 passing yards to go along with 11 passing touchdowns and 8 interceptions. The Panthers need him to be a lot better than that if they want to be successful in 2023. Pittsburgh is also losing their leading rusher from a season ago in Israel Abanikanda. They are going to hope that Rodney Hammond Jr is ready to take the workload in his spot in 2023. Pitt is also returning three starters on the offensive line. I just think that this Pittsburgh offense is going to struggle this season and will have a tough go around in the ACC in 2023.
Defense
A lot of retooling is needed on defense as they are losing six high-caliber starters. Since 2019, Narduzzi has reloaded on the defensive line so that won’t be an issue. Pittsburgh has two talented linebackers in Bangally Kamara and Shayne Simon. Kamara could be the breakout star that Pittsburgh needs to drive that defense to the heights that it has been for the past few seasons. The strength of this defense however is their secondary. Three returners in M.J. Devonshire, Marquis WIlliams and A.J. Woods are going to be key parts in the success in the secondary. Pitt will need the guys replacing starters to make an impact early, because they have a tough schedule this season.
Win Total Prediction
The Win Total is set at 6.5 wins on the FanDuel Sportsbook, with the over being at -170 odds and the under being at +138 odds. This is an easy one for me as I am taking the under on this win total. I don’t buy into Jurkovec being a good quarterback for this team. The defense will do what they do best, but without a quality starting quarterback it’ll be hard for the Panthers to move the football. You can only rely on Hammond so much. Take the under on this win total as they don’t even come close to winning seven games in 2023. One unit play at under 6.5 wins +138.
Schedule Predictions
Win vs Wofford (1-0)
Loss vs Cincinnati (1-1)
Loss at West Virginia (1-2)
Win vs UNC (2-2)
Loss at Virginia Tech (2-3)
Close Loss at Louisville (2-4)
Loss at Wake Forest (2-5)
Loss at Notre Dame (2-6)
Blowout Loss vs Florida State (2-7)
Win at Syracuse (3-7)
Win vs Boston College (4-7)
Loss at Duke (4-8)