Gramlich and Mac Lain: Previewing Pitt football in 2021

ACC Network’s Kelly Gramlich and Eric Mac Lain break down everything ACC football in on their podcast “Gramlich & Mac Lain.” On their most recent episode, the duo previewed Pitt football in 2021.

To start, Mac Lain highlights Jordan Addison as a name to know this season. The two are high on the rest of Pitt’s offensive weapons including tight end Lucas Krull and running back Israel Abanikanda.

They admit the offensive line will have to take a step up in 2021, but are high on what the Panthers can do on the ground and in the passing game.

The two then discussed fifth-year quarterback Kenny Pickett, who is entering his fourth season as the starter for the Panthers.

So what’s left for Pickett to show?

“Can he play a full season?” Mac Lain asked. “Can he be out there and just be the guy for his team…I think just seeing him at peak comfort level. You’ve been the guy in this offense for three years and just understanding the processes, the checks, the balances, where to go, the outlets, and making decisions really quickly.”

Mac Lain added that if Pickett can do that, and show some more NFL-level throws, the fifth-year senior very well could enter the conversation as a potential selection in the 2022 NFL Draft.

The two finish the conversation on Pickett stating they want to see more touchdowns from him in 2021.

On the defensive side of the ball, Pitt lost some key pieces like Patrick Jones II, Jaylen Twyman, and Rashad Weaver, but Gramlich and Mac Lain think the Panther defense will be stout again in 2021.

“My favorite stat about Pittsburgh last year, and we’ll see if they can continue this,” Gramlich said. “This, to me just talks about the guts, the BYOG (Bring Your Own Guts) nature of Pittsburgh. Pitt allowed an average of three points per game in the fourth quarter last season…That is impressive. And to me, that’s a culture thing too. That’s part of why Pitt is going to be really good again on defense.”

The biggest question the two have for the defense is the safety position, as they look to replace some offseason losses. They close by offering their thoughts on the Panthers’ expected win total in 2021.

(CLICK HERE to listen to the newest episode of Gramlich & Mac Lain)

On this episode, Gramlich and Mac Lain also preview North Carolina State. The two are high on the Wolfpack who return a lot of talent. Zonovan Knight, their three leading receivers and Devin Leary return in 2021. The two also touch on the Wolfpack’s 3-3-5 scheme on defense led by Payton Wilson leading the way and offer thoughts on NC State’s win total. On the Pitt side of the episode, the two expand on the offensive weapons, Kenny Pickett and the defense, before offering thoughts on the Panthers’ expected win total in 2021.