It may be November, but the storms forecasted for Saturday night rival those of any summer night.
Pitt and SMU are scheduled to kick off at 8 p.m. Saturday night, and if the forecasts don’t change, the elements could play a major factor in the most important ACC matchup of the season.
According to the National Weather Service, nasty weather is expected in Texas — the Dallas-Fort Worth area, especially — all weekend.
Heavy rainfall and severe storms capable of producing hail and damaging wind gusts are possible all weekend, with intermittent breaks, but the greatest chance for severe storms is Saturday night into Sunday morning. The area north of the I-20 corridor, which runs through south Dallas, is expected to be hit the hardest.
According to the NWS, the area north of Dallas Fort Worth is likely to get upwards of two inches of rain.
Pitt hasn’t really played in any sort of inclement weather this season, with mostly warm, sunny afternoons on the schedule so far, but it appears there will at least be some rain.
In the event of rain, the run game will be emphasized. SMU has the top rushing attack in the ACC, and Pitt isn’t that far behind. But if the wind and rain — thunder and lightning — are as serious as expected, even the kicking game will be important.
Pitt and SMU have two of the best kickers in the country this season, and they could wind up as key figures in the wind and rain.
It’s a big game, the biggest in years. The ACC is still talked about as a three-team race between Miami, Clemson and SMU. ESPN gives Pitt a 3.3% chance to win the conference, behind the three aforementioned teams by a considerable margin.
A win against SMU would go a very long way in establishing Pitt as a legitimate conference (and Playoff) contender. And make the November matchup against Clemson that much bigger.
I think Duzz understands the ACC hierarchy well enough to realize we are playing SMU and the refs. It will have to be a beat down game to prevent the refs from interfering.
It’s a new market and outside of the ACC’s traditional territory. The want to make a splash in Texas and what better way than to “help” the Mustangs.
This helps Pitt. SMUs starting qb is a mobile qb but if he’s limited the other guy doesn’t move well he’s a true pocket passer.
One of those 5 hour rain delay games, what fun.
Weather!!! Maybe Cade Bell uses the big back Daniel Carter to pound the Ponies!
Hopefully the Pitt defense is as nasty as the forecasted weather. Hopefully they remain focused through any possible delays.