Pat Narduzzi wouldn't object to low-scoring game, but don't bet on it when Pitt meets North Carolina

Pat Narduzzi asked a question Monday during his chat with reporters, but he already knew the answer.

“Whatever happened to 14-3?” he said, indicating such low-scoring games seldom occur anymore in college football.

“Are those days gone? They’re gone. They’re gone everywhere. You see it all over the country.”

And they certainly aren’t coming back Thursday night when Pitt and North Carolina tangle on the fresh turf of Heinz Field.

The Panthers lead the nation in scoring (an average of 45 points per game). North Carolina is 11th (38.9). Betonline.ag has set the over/under point total at 73½, second-highest for the entire weekend and 10½ under what the teams would produce in an average game.

Narduzzi is right. Scoring has become a habit that’s hard to break.

“It makes it a nightmare for defensive coaches,” North Carolina coach Mack Brown said, “but it’s fun to watch.”

While Pitt leads the nation, 52 other teams average at least 30 points per game. That’s 40.7% of 130 schools. Only 13 (10%) average less than 20.

If you want someone to blame, point the finger at the ACC. Six ACC quarterbacks make up the top 21 in the nation in terms of yards per game. In order, they are Virginia’s Brennan Armstrong, Pitt’s Kenny Pickett, Wake Forest’s Sam Hartman, N.C. State’s Devin Leary, Miami’s Tyler Van Dyke and North Carolina’s Sam Howell.

“I haven’t been able to study it all across the country,” Brown said, “but I would have to think the ACC has the best quarterbacks in the country. Therefore, we can score points in this league and move fast. Absolute superstars.”

QB1: Kenny Pickett (@kennypickett10). Is there a QB playing at a higher level in the entire country? The answer is, no. @Pitt_FB

???? https://t.co/stppMCEGVn pic.twitter.com/Cth5nIIkwS

— Eric Mac Lain (@EricMacLain) November 9, 2021

Armstrong leads the ACC with an average of 395.2 passing yards per game, but he is dealing with a rib injury that could keep him out of the Notre Dame game Saturday.

How important is Armstrong to what Virginia is trying to accomplish? The Notre Dame game doesn’t count in the ACC Coastal standings, but coach Bronco Mendenhall said, “We’re going to give him every minute right until the ball is kicked off to be our quarterback.”

Which brings us to Pickett and Howell.

Pickett is second in the ACC — fifth in the nation — with an average of 352.3 yards per game. Howell is sixth and 21st (267.6). Both quarterbacks are their school’s all-time leaders in total offense and are dangerous when they flee the pocket. Pickett has collected 11,965 yards with his arms and legs; Howell is at 10,515.

“Like Sam for us, it’s all about Kenny,” Brown said.

What makes Thursday’s game so intriguing is neither the Panthers nor Tar Heels are stingy about allowing yards through the air.

North Carolina is 86th in the nation (240.7 per game); Pitt is 77th (237). But with a pass rush that is second in the ACC in sacks (31), the Panthers have a bigger edge on the Tar Heels in total defense: 35th (345) to North Carolina’s 97th (421.6).

“We’re playing against a great quarterback who can run and throw, and we haven’t stopped either consistently,” Brown said. “We’re giving up too many big plays. He’s hard to keep in the pocket. The best quarterbacks in the country, when they get out of the pocket, have the ability to run or when you come up, throw it over (your) head. He’s very, very accurate (68.7%) and he’s confident.”

Narduzzi said having Pickett taking snaps is a comfort, especially when the game could turn into a shootout before halftime. Which is possible with two top-10 offenses: Pitt is third in yards (541.1) and North Carolina ninth (489.8).

As a coach with a defensive pedigree, 58-55 isn’t Narduzzi’s preference. But that was the score Saturday when North Carolina toppled previously undefeated Wake Forest.

“I don’t want to see that many points put up,” he said. “As a defensive guy, that’s no fun. They need to slow the tempo down. They need to cut the quarters in half. I don’t know, maybe go 12-minute quarters.”

In Narduzzi’s mind a 14-3 score would do just fine — as long Pitt isn’t on the wrong end of it.