Pitt turns to Holden Geriner at QB against Boston College after Heintschel's ACL tear

Pittsburgh will play at Boston College on Saturday with fifth-year senior Holden Geriner at quarterback. Pat Narduzzi has said Geriner will keep the starting job despite a rough first start, according to a preview by Niraj Patel of SB Nation's BC Interruption, published on Yahoo Sports.

Geriner took over after Mason Heintschel tore his ACL in Pitt's win at Virginia Tech, which moved the Panthers to 5-0 and into the Top 25. Patel described Heintschel as the engine of the offense. He had thrown for 1,300 yards and 14 touchdowns with one interception before the injury. Geriner transferred from Texas State and played at Auburn before that. He finished the Virginia Tech game 8-of-12 for 78 yards and a touchdown. His first start, a loss to North Carolina, went worse: 27-of-44 for 219 yards and two interceptions. Pitt scored a touchdown on its opening 12-play, 75-yard drive and led at halftime before the game got away from it in the second half.

Expect a quick passing game. Tight end Carson Kent, a transfer from Oklahoma, had seven catches against UNC and is third on the team with 218 receiving yards. Cataurus Hicks leads Pitt with 365 yards, and CJ Lee and Bryce Yates have both passed 200. The backs are part of the passing game too. Freshman Damon Ferguson and Ja'Kyrian Turner each have double-digit catches and a receiving touchdown, and La'Vell Wright leads the team with four rushing scores. If Geriner struggles, 6-foot-6 four-star Corey Dailey is available. Dailey played some snaps in the early win over Bucknell.

The defense is where Pitt has a clear advantage. BC Interruption reports the Panthers rank 21st nationally in yards allowed (291 per game) and 15th in scoring defense (14.7 points). They are best against the run. North Carolina and Virginia Tech both finished well short of 100 rushing yards, and opponents are averaging under 50 rushing yards per game and under two yards per carry. Patel notes that McKenzie should give Pitt more variability than it has seen so far. Purdue transfer Alex Sanford leads the team with six tackles for loss and has two sacks. Jeremiah Marcelin has 27 tackles, and all four starting defensive linemen have at least one sack.

The pass defense has been a problem. Pitt allows 241 passing yards per game, which Patel puts among the worst marks in the country. Seven different Panthers have intercepted a pass in the zone-heavy scheme, but the secondary has given up big plays. Free safety Cruce Brookins leads the team with 37 tackles and has no interceptions yet. Penalties are another issue. Pitt averages eight flags and 73 penalty yards per game, which ranks 121st nationally. Boston College averages seven penalties a game.

Pitt (5-1) kicks off at Boston College (2-3) at noon EDT on ESPN2. A second straight loss would hurt the Panthers' standing in the ACC race. On Novig, Pittsburgh is favored at -212, and FanDuel has the best sportsbook price at -215. Boston College is a 6.5-point underdog, and the total is 43.5. Current numbers are on the game page.

The market expects Pitt's defense to hold up its end. The open question is whether Geriner can run the offense well enough to protect a lead this time.