| I think rather inarguably no bowl suffered more from opt outs more than the Peach Bowl has. Pitt and Michigan State do not bring as much in terms of shiny helmets as other New Years Six bowls have, but what it did have was a Heisman finalist quarterback taking on the best running back in the country. Instead we see neither of those things, and really, a Pitt offense which was the best in the ACC is really stripped down to the bones. Receiver Taysir Mack joined Kenny Pickett in opting out, and offensive coordinator Mark Whipple left to take the same position at Nebraska. Pat Narduzzi hasn't figured out a replacement, so it will be tight ends coach Tim Salem calling the plays, with a permanent hire to be made later. It will be Nick Patti under center, who appeared in 8 games, throwing 14 passes this year. But with USC transfer Kedon Slovis on the way, it's not like this is the 2022 starter getting a full game of reps. Pitt's offense was so talented this year, that even with all of those missing pieces, they still boast the Biletnikoff Award winner in Jordan Addison at receiver, and a pair of talent tight ends in Lucas Krull and Gavin Bartholomew, who combined for 64 receptions, 760 yards, and 10 touchdowns. And they still get to face a Michigan State secondary with many issues. Defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton covered the issues as best he could for a while with a bend, but don't break strategy, that led the Spartans to an 8-0 start, capped with a win against Michigan, thanks to holding the Wolverines to 4 red zone field goals. Leaks began to spring over the final month, as a thin unit became even thinner after a couple of injuries to both starting cornerbacks. The Michigan State offense is more than Kenneth Walker II as well though. After Jalen Nailor was lost for the regular season in the Michigan game, too much fell on Jayden Reed in the passing game, but it appears Nailor's hand injury is healed, and the explosive Spartan passing game we saw through the first two months should be too. If you are looking for a breakout star on that side of the ball, it's Purdue transfer tight end Maliq Carr, who missed the first half of the season with an injury, but flashed the athleticism that gave Purdue's staff optimism he could play receiver. He had a full month of bowl prep, and it appears that starting tight end Tyler Hunt will miss the game with an injury. Hunt has filled in admirably for the past two seasons, after the tight end room was ravaged by injuries. But, he is a converted walk on punter. Carr can be a difference maker, and now the Spartans have no other options. Like too many of these breakdowns, it comes down to who isn't there, rather than who is. Walker is special, but getting Nailor back makes the Spartans passing game more healthy than its been since the first half against Michigan. Addison is also special, but even the best receivers are dependent on their surrounding pieces, and without his Heisman finalist quarterback, or Mack to draw coverage (even though he was injured late in the year), or their coordinator to call plays, I think that gives the Spartan defense enough of an opening to hold on. |
