300 miles, and a matchup that hasn’t occured in over 50 years. Saturday marks the start of head coach Chuck Martin’s 13th opening weekend for the Miami RedHawks football team. The RedHawks have been to 5 straight bowl games and this season, they look to make that 6. However, they’re opening the year against one of the most unpredictable teams in the country in the Pittsburgh Panthers. Miami is just 1-6 since 2024 in August and September and Saturday will present a steep challenge.
- Pittsburgh
- 12:30 PM
- The CW Network
- Pittsburgh -16.5
- Over/Under 47.5
Pittsburgh has shown over the last several years they can play at the top of the Atlantic Coast Conference, however, they’ve also shown a tendency to be unpredictable, taking losses to teams like Western Michigan, Toledo, and East Carolina over the last several years. Miami’s staff know how to make a game ugly and keep games close.
Quarterback play is vital. Miami is going with David McComb, the Kansas transfer after an injury to returner Thomas Gotkowski in the preseason. Along with McComb, there are 26 additional transfers, 28 freshmen, and 16 guys coming off of a redshirt freshmen. That equates to 46% of the roster being new/inexperienced faces. To catch up on Miami further, here’s our preview from earlier this week:
Pittsburgh Overview
The Panthers have won 11 of their last 12 season openers, including 6 straight. Miami has lost 16 of 18 season openers. Will the trend continue?
Last season, Pitt went 8-0 when scoring 30 or more points, and the offense clicked into gear overall. Their main concerns were along the line, and converting under pressure. They allowed 44 sacks (5th most in FBS), turned it over 23 times (8th highest in FBS), and were 120th/136 teams in third down rate (33%).
On Offense:
Pittsburgh has a significant returning group this year, QB Mason Heintschel returns at QB after thriving with him under center in October. As a true freshman he had 16 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, and a 64% completion percentage. He fits the style of the Pittsburgh offense to a tee, and if he can progress as expected from freshman to sophomore year, he should be a dynamic leader of the Panthers for years to come. There is significant turnover for Pitt among the receiving corps, and Catarus Hicks (422 yards, 4 touchdowns in 2025) is the leading returner. Malik Knight will slide in as WR 2 after transfering in from Western Carolina. Carson Kent is a tight end target to keep an eye on. In the backfield, Ja’Kyrian Turner (745 yards), and La’Vell Wright (Western Kentucky transfer (471 yards, 10 touchdowns in 2025) will be the featured backs. Turner is RB1 on the depth chart and will look to take a jump from last year.
On Defense:
Pittsburgh was elite on defense last season, ranking in the top 35 in yards allowed per game. However, there were 6 vacancies this year. Starting with the returning guys, the defensive line features 3 returners: Isaiah Neal, Jimmy Scott, and Sean FitzSimmons. The group combined for 9+ sacks last year and were a consistent force in the backfield all season long. The linebackers are a different story. Braylan Lovelace will be the featured linebacker, bringing 80 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 2 interceptions from last season. Bruce Crookins returns after 53 tackles and 2 interceptions in 2025. Alex Sanford Jr. (Purdue) will start at linebacker, while Raion Strader (Auburn, Miami) will be the starting cornerback.
Miami’s Keys to the game:
Miami has to grind this game down and make it extremely ugly for Pitt. The strength of Miami is the trenches, where they will look to dominate and keep things moving. On offense, the Redhawks have to control the line of scrimmage and rush well. The running backs are transfers in, with Wisconsin transfer Cade Yacamelli expected to carry the brunt of the load. Miami will look to eat the clock and slow this game down if they want to win. The defensive secondary for Pitt is inexperienced as a unit, and there could be opportunities for McComb to sling the ball down field, however, the receiving corps for the Redhawks are a bit of an unknown and they will need someone to step up. On defense, Miami needs to pressure the QB. As per above, Pitt was among the worst in the country at allowing QB pressure last season, if Miami can get in the backfield, that immediately keeps them in the game.
Final Prediction:
Pittsburgh 28, Miami 16
I believe Miami covers, but will be unable to keep up with the overall experience and talent on the other side of the ball.