Kent State will face off against Pittsburgh on Saturday at 12 p.m. ET, with Pitt being favored by 24 points according to BetMGM College Football Odds. The series record shows Pitt leading 7-0. Pitt’s head coach, Pat Narduzzi, made significant changes to the offensive coaching staff in the offseason following a 3-9 record in 2023. The new offensive coordinator, Kade Bell, has implemented an up-tempo system that was successful at Western Carolina. The challenge for Bell will be transitioning a roster accustomed to a traditional style of play to adapt quickly to the new system. The starting quarterback for Pitt has not been announced after a prolonged competition between Nate Yarnell and Eli Holstein.

A key matchup to watch is Pitt’s offensive line against Kent State’s defensive front. Kent State will aim to disrupt Pitt’s quarterbacks and the timing of their plays to have a chance at victory. Kent State, coming off a 1-11 season, has quarterbacks Devin Kargman and Tommy Ulatowski prepared to face a young Pitt defense. On the Pitt side, tight end Gavin Bartholomew will be a player to watch. Bartholomew, with NFL size and speed, decided to stay at Pitt as a show of respect to Narduzzi, who offered him a scholarship when no other Power Five program did.

Narduzzi is now starting his 10th season with Pitt, making him the longest-tenured coach since the 1950s. The team has a strong record against MAC teams and has performed well in season openers under Narduzzi’s leadership. The starting quarterback for Pitt in this upcoming game will be either Yarnell or Holstein, marking the third different opening-game starter for Pitt in as many years. Holstein, if chosen, will continue the trend of transfer quarterbacks starting for Pitt in recent seasons.

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