Heading into the 2022 season, Pitt was the national leader in sacks since the 2019 season. Seven games into this season, the Panthers have “just” 21 sacks, good for fifth in the conference.
Sure, their three sacks per game average is just below their 3.9 sacks per game average over the past three seasons. But this record of dominance in the front seven is nothing to ignore this weekend even as Pitt is struggling in conference play.
Meanwhile, for the North Carolina Tar Heels, protection and poise have led to modest gains in keeping their quarterback upright.