in 2017 Season Predictions, Pitt Football 687 Words

POV’ers 2017 Season Prediction Thread

The time has come for all the warbling and pontificating and high confidence and major doubts to be set aside and for the readers of the POV to lay out their season predictions.  It has been a very interesting offseason in that we got surprised with some big news, but none of it was positive.

Between the dismissals, suspensions, and injuries the prospective 2017 team we discussed after the previous season ended was thrown into disarray. We have a lot of new faces in the two-deep now and with that we need to take a hard look at who we will have to field against our opponents this year – but it really is almost a different squad than we saw last season.

First we will look at our season prediction over all – regular season first than final 2017 record if and when Pitt plays in a bowl game.  Here is who and when we play in our regular 12 games.

2017skedI’ll start the guessing off and after long consideration and really studying this two-deep (even though that will undoubtedly change throughout the year) I’ll go with 7 wins and 5 losses in our regular season combined with another bowl loss to make our 2017 final record 7-6.

I believe there are just too many question marks on defense, and some big ones on offense also in fact, going into this season and I’m not sure all of them will be resolved into success by the Miami game.  We’ll go into that home game with seven wins, lose to the Hurricanes and then drop the  post-season bowl game.

Just as things turn out really well for some untested players,  sometimes things will go far south with others.  The key to this season;  for us to get eight or nine wins, is that almost every one of those untested players will have to come though with big and quick success because they are surrounded with some more experienced guys who never have played all that well in their own careers.

We see that writ large on defense – our ‘returning’ regular starting players are Briggs, Maddox, and Idowu.  Only three out of 11 first team players have any regular starting experience at all – and truth be told only Idowu played decent ball of those three. That does not bode well for a big winning season.

As I have said before I’ll believe that Pat Narduzzi’s recruiting is as good as most Pitt fans say it is when those recruits show up and play good, winning football at the D1 level.  Until then they are pretty much names on paper to me.

However, I do not believe that a one game dip in Narduzzi’s seasonal record can or will necessarily be attributed to his coaching either. I think he’s saddled with personnel issues that even very good coaching won’t be able to overcome.

He’s not a great coach yet but he’s a good one – at least so far and I wouldn’t be all that surprised if he can take my seven win projection and add a win to it, much like he surprised us with the ‘extra’ Clemson win last season.  So I can see eight wins to better my seven when the dust settles…  but as I said I’m personally going with seven.

I absolutely do not see us drifting lower than seven wins on the year though.  If we deviate from my predicted seven wins it will be upward and not downward with more losses.

That’s my take on the wins and losses – what is yours?

 

Throw your  predictions on these questions also:

Who is your Offensive MVP on the season?

Who is your Defensive MVP on the season?

Who is your leading scorer and how many points?

Who is your leading tackler and how many?

Who leads in sacks and how many?

How many points per game will we score?

How many points per game will we allow?

What will our ACC record be at the end of the regular season?

What place will we be in the Coastal Division at the end of the season?

 

 

177 thoughts on “POV’ers 2017 Season Prediction Thread”

  1. 6-7 and bowl loss

    Defensive is worse than last year but has easier schedule. So they will improve stat wise barely.

    Offense scores 9 points less per game. Browne hurt half way through and playes C+ at best.

    PSU and OSU are ugly.

    Take WVU plus the points.


    UPitt 6-7 Bowl loss

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      1. Reed – No I meant WVU +4 against VT but if it is raining in Pitt I like YSU + 16 or whatever it is.

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  2. Flying to Pitt as we speak if anyone is on plane to Pitt from dallas or at airport at 10:30 and wants to say hi to old Upitt.

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  3. PITTMAN4EVER PREDICTS:
    7-5 with another bowl loss to close at 7-5. For the last 2 seasons I had us winning 9 and 10 games. Just don’t see it this year.
    O MVP: Q Ollison
    D MVP: J Whitehead. PPG: 34
    P Allowed: 31
    ACC: 5-3

    PITTMAN4EVER 7-5 Bowl loss

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  4. 9 and 4 after winning the bowl game and the Coastal, after all Pitt is undefeated at this point.

    Grizzly 9-4 Bowl win

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  5. I am more pessimistic this year than most. The early schedule is brutal. A slow start snowballs and is very hard to come back from.

    Last year some of the wins were closer than we remember, and though we lost some we should have won the opposite is also true.
    There are many question marks at all positions, and depth is an issue. Depending on Freshmen, even talented ones is risky.
    There will also be injuries to deal with. Depending on where they come it can be devestating to this young team. I worry about every game.

    I will be optimistic and say 5-7, but lean towards 4-8. Program isn’t sliding, just a blip this year with a very strong bounce back next year.

    Sorry, that’s just the way I see it.


    Joeknew 5-7

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  7. I’m feeling back to my old optimistic self this morning. 8-4 regular season but I’m thinking we lose both to VT & Miami at the end of the regular season to take ourselves right out of the ACC Championship picture. Then we lose yet another bowl game to end up 8-5.

    Did I just say that I was feeling optimistic????

    The rest of the stuff is pure conjecture with sooooooo many question marks on this team so I’m not bothering.

    Dr. Tom. 8-5 Bowl loss

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    1. Dr Tom,

      I posted my predication without reading any of the others and let me tell you that you and I are on the same page!

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  8. PITT’s final record this season—9–4

    Offense MVP –Browne
    Defense MVP –Hendrix or Shane Roy 🙂
    Leading scorer -Ollison –72 pts
    Leading tackler -Brightwell 80
    Leading sacks -Hendrix 12
    Points per game for PITT –33
    Points given up —- 28
    PITT will sadly finish second place in Coastal behind Miami

    Upset for this year — PITT beats OSU

    Narduzzi is doing a fine job recruiting but his players are only rs sophomores. You don’t expect rs sophomores to produce like rs seniors…

    Today’s quiz … DID PITT LOSE THE BOWL GAME LAST YEAR?
    Bonus point……WHO IS THE PLAYER WITH TWO FIRST NAMES THAT WILL START AT DT

    Ike 9-4

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    1. Ike – We have terrible secondary and Mason will have all day to throw. If we want to beat OSU we better score 65.

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      1. We don’t have a terrible secondary, we had slow linebackers and no depth at DE once Hendricks got hurt. The secondary was hung out to dry. If ACC refs had a pair, we win VT because I counted a half dozen push-offs by VT receivers which cost us the game. This type of defense can’t allow quarterbacks 5-seconds to find a receiver. 3.5 seconds tops and the heavens should fall in.

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        1. You are delusional. And I say that with all due respect. Our DBs are/were undersized, out of position and slow. They were burned off the line to the point where we held their jersey on EVERY play. So forget the push-off’s – we should have been called for holding.

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  9. As a side note I think Rockports is a joke and wins 10 games this year so getting that out early. 250K a win. What a joke it is he is employed at our great school.

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  10. 10 or 11 wins — next year. 7 or 8 this year, I’ll go with 8.

    Who is your Offensive MVP on the season? Henderson
    Who is your Defensive MVP on the season?
    Who is your leading scorer and how many points? Kessman 98
    Who is your leading tackler and how many? Odowu 87
    Who leads in sacks and how many? Edwards 7
    How many points per game will we score? 34.6
    How many points per game will we allow? 29.8
    What will our ACC record be at the end of the regular season? 5-3
    What place will we be in the Coastal Division at the end of the season? 3rd

    Wbb – 8-5

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    1. Defensive MVP – tie Edwards and Oduwo

      Most probable losses: PSU, VT, Miami
      Probable Losses: OSU, GT (bowl game?)
      Possible losses: everyone but Rice

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  12. Reed 5-7 no bowl

    Who is your Offensive MVP on the season? Ollison

    Who is your Defensive MVP on the season? Hendrix

    Who is your leading scorer and how many points? Ollison 82

    Who is your leading tackler and how many? Idowu 88

    Who leads in sacks and how many? Brightwell 12

    How many points per game will we score? 30

    How many points per game will we allow? 31

    What will our ACC record be at the end of the regular season? 4-4

    What place will we be in the Coastal Division at the end of the season? 4th

    Reed 5-7 no bowl

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  13. Record- 8-5 including bowl win at best and 5-7 at worst
    O MVP Max Browne
    D MVP Hendrix
    Leading scorer Ollison 78 points 12 TDs
    Leading tackler Middle linebacker
    Sack leader Brightwell with 8
    PPG 32
    Points allowed 32
    ACC record 5-3 and a 3 way tie for 2nd in the Coastal

    BigB – 8-5 with Bowl win

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  14. I also see Kicker Kessman having and excellent career here and he break Blewitts record in scoring.
    UPitt probably a safe bet taking YSU and the points..we like to keep’em close. The PITT “OLD GEEZER CLUB” ( thanks John Ramali for the handle) is lined up and ready for our annual stress test…Let’s Go PITT.
    Which one of you technical gurus can put a little HAIL to PITT or the PITT Victory Song (Unedited please) on here??? Darkie could !!!

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  15. Now now boys lol.
    It galls me to agree with Pompeani and Dyed Hair Rich but I see 7-5 of course I think we could win as few as four and as many as nine so i split the baby. A very tough early schedule can set the team on a tailspin, I also see 10 wins next year as we can . As TT I believe noted this is transitional not rebuilding year.
    Offensive MVP: Jester Weah
    Defense MVP – Shane Roy (gotta get Reed’s goat)
    Sack leader Allen Edwards 10
    Leading scorer:Kessman 104
    Pt for 32
    pt agin 34
    Coastal 3rd with 5 wins
    Bowl loss making 7-6
    Interception leader Maddox 4
    MVP POV tie Reed, Logue and Ike

    I was going to be more optimistic but our leading optimist has been hanging with UPitt too much.
    HAIL TO PITT!!! ICE THE GUINS.*beat Savannah and EE to that,( balls in your court guys)

    Annie – prediction?

    Ike or Reed: What is the capacity of people who can be on the Roundtable? I believe there have to be dozens more qualified than me.
    HAIL TO PITT

    rkb – 7-6 with bowl loss

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  17. OK, I see an unbelievably surprising year ahead. 11-3 with a major Bowl Win!………….or not.

    Who is your Offensive MVP on the season? Ollison

    Who is your Defensive MVP on the season? Bricen Garner
    Who is your leading scorer and how many points? Ollison 96

    Who is your leading tackler and how many? Garner – 102

    Who leads in sacks and how many? Hendrix 8

    How many points per game will we score? 37.2

    How many points per game will we allow? 26.8

    What will our ACC record be at the end of the regular season? 10-2

    What place will we be in the Coastal Division at the end of the season? 1st

    Greg can’t add yet.

    Greg – 10-3 with a bowl win

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  18. What can Browne do for you this year? Hate to post a 7 win season as the probable outcome. Ok St can score and see Pitt losing that game.

    Chet the Jet – 7-5 regular season

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  19. Been a while since I last posted so here goes…Pitt’s final record will be 7-5 with finally a victory in the bowl game to go 8-5…I could see a 1-3 start, followed by a six game winning streak to build excitement in classic Pitt fashion only to end in 2 straight defeats at the end of the year.

    Who is your Offensive MVP on the season? Brian O’Neill (strong running game but no RB individually over 1,000 yards)

    Who is your Defensive MVP on the season? Saleem Brightwell

    Who is your leading scorer and how many points? Alex Kessman 99

    Who is your leading tackler and how many? Saleem Brightwell 90

    Who leads in sacks and how many? Rashad Weaver 9

    How many points per game will we score? 33

    How many points per game will we allow? 31.5

    What will our ACC record be at the end of the regular season? 5-3

    What place will we be in the Coastal Division at the end of the season? Tie for third with GTech

    Ghost of Billy Gaines – 8-5 with bowl win

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    1. FWIW, I like your offensive MVP pick as I see him as our best player overall, but guess I’m too traditional in picking a skill position player

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      1. I’m normally traditional as well but I see a lot of contributors on offense from the skill positions so I think collectively the stats will look decent but you won’t see the 1,000 yard RB or WR and O’Neill will be MVP as the best player on the O-line.

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  20. How anyone can say more than 6/7 wins with this Defense, New OC, New QB, Tons of Rookies is beyond me. 6 wins this year. 8 next year. Plus Narduzzi makes his usual boneheaded coaching moves.

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    1. It’s a matter of guessing what the new crew can do. If Narduzzi is the real deal then this is HIS year to show that.

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  21. There are too many unknowns for me to have a clue.

    The PG’s and therefore Pitt’s feature player this morning is Kam, call me Kamonte Carter.

    This on the day before the opening game, tells me no one knows the story line for this year.

    Also a feature on Watson, who has super big shoes to fill. How do we measure his performance this year?

    The big question to me is, will Conklin survive this year? Another performance like the last two and we may only win three games. How long can he get away with blaming it on a lack of talent?

    This is the year that tells me whether Narduzzi can really coach. Yesterday he mentioned that there were 13 guys from last year playing in the NFL. Although that number will decline this week, It tells me that Chryst was a much better recruiter than he got credit for, and we will begin to find out if Narduzzi’s recruits have got what it takes, as they fill the vacancies.

    I think that is the story line this year. How many of the new guys become stars or even reliable starters?

    It means the difference between a winning or losing season.

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    1. Or it means that this current coaching staff was able to get the Max out of the MAC level recruits that HCPC brought in. This season should settle that potential debate.

      Liked by 1 person

          1. Agreed – Chryst was one of the worst recruiters of D players in the lifetime of my Pitt following.

            UPitt – id Duzz leads this team to 9 + wins this season, will you be happy or disgruntled cause he lost 3 or 4 games?

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          2. He has countless players
            sign NFL contracts. And Stud Olineman. Who has Narduzzi recruited that will play in NFL????? Maybe Whitehead?

            It is a fact like it or not. Chryst also got 4 stars. Narduzzi got what 1 or 2 since he has been here?

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  22. Who is your Offensive MVP on the season?
    Jimmy Morrissey – If the offense is going to be productive it’s going to take a steady offensive line to get the running game going and Max Browne the time to let Weah run downfield or make the reads in the passing game and that is going to come from the calls being made in the center of the line.
    Who is your Defensive MVP on the season?
    Rob Harley – I do not believe we are going to see a great improvement on this team until a DC change is made and I believe Harley will be the man especially with his job title upgrade (pay bump as well) as they know he is a hot commodity and a reason a few of us having been clamoring over the young players he has been a head point in recruiting. I see a DC change coming after Georgia Tech before Rice and believe that will be a changing point in the season.
    Who is your leading scorer and how many points?
    I see Quad being the leading scorer for the plain and simple reason of we have so many WRs and no one has really taken the reigns and ran with it in camp from multiple reporting outlets. I expect an uptick in rushing TDs as he is the bigger back but a downtick in receiving if we compare Connor #s from last year so I will say 126 pts.
    Who is your leading tackler and how many?
    I want to say Saleem will lead the way with 96 tackles. His coverage in the passing game will be key, as we saw against Clemson, and teams will not hesitate to pass against a young, inexperienced secondary. That and the fact we play one run based offense leads me to believe he will carry the team in that aspect.
    Who leads in sacks and how many?
    Hendrix w/ 8 or the season is in the tank.

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  23. 7-5 with a bowl win. 5-3 in ACC with a tie for second in the Coastal with VT. Offensive MVP: Browne, Defensive MVP: Brightwell. Leading scorer will be the kicker. Pitt will average 29.7 ppg and give up 28.2. Unsung hero will be Darrin Hall.

    John with 7-5 with a bowl win.

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  24. As far as the roundtable goes, it’s set up for business meetings and I’m sure can serve 10 or more. New faces, old faces and all faces should try and keep the ball rolling.

    Trust me RKB, once you jump in there you will really enjoy it. It’s nothing like jeopardy or the million dollar pyramid, no tough questions or buzzers, it’s PITT football talk.

    Last week was a shame, as I know Reed works hard to plan, research and make plenty of notes to bring the discussion together.

    Everyone should take their turn and you won’t regret it. …and I’m saying everyone… See you guys tomorrow . . .ike

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  25. I think 8-4 is where we will end up again. Loses will be as follows PSU, OSU, Miami, and VT.

    Who is your Offensive MVP on the season?
    Weah

    Who is your Defensive MVP on the season?
    Brightwell

    Who is your leading scorer and how many points?
    Non kicker/Non Quarterback would be Q Henderson with 90 pts

    Who is your leading tackler and how many?
    It better be Brightwell……120

    Who leads in sacks and how many?
    Edwards with 6

    How many points per game will we score?
    35

    How many points per game will we allow?
    27

    What will our ACC record be at the end of the regular season?
    6 and 2…The loses will be to Miami and VT

    What place will we be in the Coastal Division at the end of the season?
    2nd again for a third straight year

    Win a bowl game and progress is made. 9-4 is much better than 8-5

    I tend to agree with Reed that 7 better be as bad as it gets. A magical season is getting a couple of lucky bounces and maybe splitting PSU/OSU (if we go 1-1 in those games).

    And if we could final not be intimidated by that damn U we are talking about a 10 win Regular Season and potentially a coastal crown because I think you have to beat either VT or Miami to win the coastal!

    Altoona Josh 8-4 regular season

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  27. Please consider that by the GT game the secondary could consist of Hamlin, Whitehead, Ford and possibly Mathis.

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    1. I wonder if we see Hamlin in a Pitt uniform at all this year and if we do I don’t think he’s going to be a hundred percent too play. I kind of have written him off as far as the defensive backfield future goes,

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  29. 9-4 record

    9-3 regular season. Pitt beats PSU as Irma soaks the field with 10 inches of rain. 9 wins gets better bowl game/opponent = loss.

    Who is your Offensive MVP on the season? Mad Max

    Who is your Defensive MVP on the season? Whitehead. Will come back and realize he needs to buckle down if he plans on going to the NFL after the season.

    Who is your leading scorer and how many points? Kessman. 100

    Who is your leading tackler and how many? Idowu. 85

    Who leads in sacks and how many? Hendrix. 9 (but Pitt will have 2-3 others in the 5-8 range)

    How many points per game will we score? 34

    How many points per game will we allow? 29

    What will our ACC record be at the end of the regular season? 6-2. Loss to Miami and one other game we give away.

    What place will we be in the Coastal Division at the end of the season? 2nd

    pghFRED – 9-3 regular season and 9-4 with a bowl loss

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      1. HAHA. Good point.

        I’ll get into Cocoa Beach right about the start of the PSU game. Hoping we don’t have to evacuate!

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  33. PITT could very well lose to GT but I don’t get why people think PITT WILL lose to them. They have a brand new QB and that’s the one player that needs experience in an offense like that.

    I guess the one downside is that PITT will be coming off two tough OOC games or make that 3 including the mighty Penguins…

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  34. A heads up to any out of towners coming to the game tomorrow. It’s a bit chilly today and suppose to be again Saturday. Reed, you should jack up the price of that hoodie. They may go like hot cakes tomorrow.

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  36. Just landed in Pitt! Headed to get license at courthouse then to see Dad. Yall enjoy the game and tailgate.

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  37. 7-6…with another bowl loss. “But our inexperienced players get another 15 practices so that should help us spring forward to HCPN’s fourth year, where it will truly be HIS team…that is, if someone doesnt pry him away because we are so cheap.” Same saga every year.

    Offensive MVP: QO

    Defensive MVP: Rashad Weaver, who will remind folks of Jason Taylor.

    Biggest disappointment: Whitehead, who will play with eyes set on an early NFL career and quite possibly the legitimization of cannibus.
    Second biggest disappointment: Max, maybe it was the time change that screwed with my game.

    Biggest surprise: no matter how many starters UNC lost and how bad they are, we will still lose to them.

    Second biggest surprise: Dr. Tom’s decent into abject pessimism is briefly thwarted by his reluctant agreement to try harsh antidepressants, which at first appear to help, but after we barely squeak by Rice, turn out to have the same therapeutic benefit as sugar pills.

    Third biggest surprise: UPitt’s new marriage and the miraculous cessation of vertigo miraculously transform him into an exuberant optimist who fanatically lobbies for coach Rockport to receive not only an extension, but a hefty raise.

    Third (4th?) biggest surprise: after witnessing dwindling attendance, Heather decides to move Sweet Caroline back to the start of the fourth quarter as that could possibly explain the team’s dismal performance.

    And the last prediction, which should not be a surprise at all, is that next year, God willing, we will be at this very same place, discussing where our beloved Panthers will end up. Because, for better or worse, we all bleed blue and gold.

    H2P

    Gasman – 7-6 with a bowl loss

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  38. I got the new blue shirts in yesterday – the logo printing slants downward with a port list – am getting new ones done up for the OK State tailgate. They look great though.

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  39. Friday at Pitt International Airport and haven’t seen the first Pitt shirt, Pitt fan or anything. SMH. F
    Do something Heather.

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  42. I can not make a prediction sorry.
    However, I think we lose to Syracuse this year. I don’t think we can take for granted that we beat them every year.

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    1. not sure I agree with article

      1) Pitt has the toughest OOC as it is, according to many sources, what more doe she want?
      2) If he wants another P5, then it would be a home-away
      3) and if also wants winning as he states, then 2 patsies is what the doctor ordered

      Last season, WVU played 3 teams which finished in Top 25 and lost all of them … and still ended ranked

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  44. 11-3 … Lose ACC championship game. Win bowl game.

    Pitt splits OKST/PSU and VT/Miami to end the season and the ACC champ loss.

    One thing Duzz has done, is beat the teams he’s supposed to. That’s hard to argue.

    YSU – Pitt smokes them. Conservative = same offense Canada ran without wrinkles, not the Chaney system Canada ran last year vs. Nova. Speed (JMU) killed YSU in championship game. Yes, I watched. Living in NOVA about 50% of the people I know went to either VT or JMU.
    PSU/OKST = split
    GT = W
    Rice = W
    CUSE = W
    NCST = W
    DUKE = W
    UVA = W
    UNC = W
    VT/UM = Split

    UNC and GT is another pair that could be split. I doubt they lose both. If I hedge my bet, 10-4 with Pitt losing one of those two games.

    Defense improves by 40+ spots in rankings.
    Offense dips by 10-15 spots but is still a top 25 offense
    Special Teams remain steady/solid. Pitt goes with two return men (Ffrench) making it hard to kick away from QH
    Hall leads team in rushing
    Weah leads team in receiving
    Browne makes the All-ACC team, not necessarily 1st but one of the 3 teams
    Breakout player on offense is Hall
    Breakout player on defense is Zeise

    HTP … Haters get mad … 1-2-3 … Go

    Tossing Thabeets – 11-3 Win bowl game.

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    1. Well – I get you except Pitt had a #38 total offense in the NCAA last season – so kind of impossible to drop 10-15 spots and be anywhere near the Top 25 offenses in 2017.

      I think you meant our ’16 scoring offense where we were #10. We lost Aston, Conner, Peterman, Orndoff, Biz and Johnson… and Matt Canada. Good luck being in the top 25 with that this season… based on 2016 that would need 36 ppg from this season’s offense, but it’s your dime.

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  46. Reed – I was speaking to scoring offense. Sorry for the confusion. I should have clarified. They were #8 last season.

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  47. Reed – turnover is the name of the game is CFB. 100% turnover every 5 years. Pitt’s reality is no different than about 50% of the teams beginning this season. I don’t think anyone’s on field play is irreplaceable. Conner’s heart will be missed but he was never 100% last season. I love Aston but if you can’t replace a fullback you have bigger problems. The OL appears to be in fine shape. I said Browne makes an All-ACC team so I’m not expecting much, if any, drop off.

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  48. Another 8 win regular season plus a bowl victory. 9-4

    Pitt loses to both PSU and OSU.

    POVers are jumping from bridges, but the team, especially the D, gets better as the year progresses.

    Who is your Offensive MVP on the season? Browne or Clarke

    Who is your Defensive MVP on the season? Edwards

    Who is your leading scorer and how many points? Ollison

    Who is your leading tackler and how many? Brightwell

    Who leads in sacks and how many? Edwards 11

    How many points per game will we score? 35

    How many points per game will we allow? 35

    What will our ACC record be at the end of the regular season? 6-2

    What place will we be in the Coastal Division at the end of the season? 2nd

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  49. Where most look at question marks and see failure, I look at question marks and see success. For the past 2 years I’ve posted 8-4. It would be really boring to do that a 3rd time.

    10-2 Baby —- we go to Hotlanta at 4-0. That’s right – we take psux AND okie-fenokie, and break into the Top 20 early.

    We lose to VT and Miami, and miss the championship game. Bowl game? – no prediction yet, as we’ll get someone really good.

    DL dominates and our D MVP comes from there. O MVP is O’Neill. He’s played receiver, and end around last year. This year, he’s FB in psux for a 6 and a 2!

    D gives up 24/game. O posts 38 / game.

    Rkb – for you: YSU – 51 -17 the good guys. Partridge puts
    🎶a penguin in a pear tree🎶

    Liked by 1 person

  51. 30 and 0 baby

    After a 15-0 national championship season Pitt fans lead the charge insisting that that is just impossible and the season must be replayed. Pitt goes 15-0 again

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  52. PittItIs commented: “You are delusional. And I say that with all due respect. Our DBs are/were undersized, out of position and slow. They were burned off the line to the point where we held their jersey on EVERY play. So forget the push-off’s – we should have been called for holding.”
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    …and I with much respect disagree with your comment, That Hodges kid every single pass to him he pushed off. Watch the replays. Did some interfaced hand-fighting occur on many plays? Yes. The other VT kid was fairly good at pushing and shoving as well.

    That was a problem for PITT all year.

    Did the PITT secondary suck last year? Yes again…..but how do you defend a 6’7″ receiver who shoves the defender out of the way every pass attempt? Hodges should have been arrested for assault and battery on the DB’s. It was egregious. .. ike

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  53. POV shirts listing to port? Hope that’s not a metaphor…no politics. Haha. I still feel we win nine with the bowl win…which I hope I can attend.

    Like

  54. TT, disagree a bit on turnover. This is an area that often gets overlooked. When recruiting, the idea is to have balanced classes positionally and offense/defense. Problems occur when there is an abundance of departures or misses in back to back classes. That is why it is important to identify contributors early and have the discussions with potential non-contributors earlier in their careers. You have to have scholarship balance.

    Narduzzi doesn’t have that yet, but is achieving it. The great programs have the scholarship balance and have the talks with non-contributors. We don’t have either, yet, but I see us heading that direction. I sure hope that when we have recruiting misses that we start having the talk about different career paths with these kids…..IF they want to play ball. IF they just want the education and are not contributors, they should have graduated in 3-3.5 years (redshirt) and it is time to let them go.

        Total       Schollie

    FR 29 25

    RS FR 23 18

    So 5 5

    RS SO 12 9

    Jr 6 4

    RS Jr 16 15

    Sr 4 2

    Rs Sr.+TR 11 9

    The winning programs have those discussions.

    Like

  55. Gasman..LMAO at your satirical predication post…you got a future there as a comic writer….One correction- don’t we bleed Blue and Beige!!!

    Like

  56. Huff – most of the turnover is on defense, where most of the imbalanced recruiting occurred. We’re replacing a 3 star QB with a 5 star. We have several 4 star RB’s on the squad. Orndorf will be lucky to play a down in the NFL. He’s replaceable. It’s not like we’re replacing 1st team all-ACC players. Dorian Johnson is the only one on offense and O’Neill has a real shot at 1st team. I’m just not worried.

    Like

  57. not so fast BigB .. just tweeted on PG:

    Craig Meyer ✔ @CraigMeyerPG
    Drove by Heinz Field today, where most of the Pitt signage was blue and yellow. I’d bet most anything that’s its color scheme in 2-3 years.

    Like

  59. I just saw it. 2 photos of pitt players. Looked like Henderson. All I saw. Wait till the 50 yard line and carricks art class and that dumb “logo and striped endzones. Heather do something and not playing the song different times make a real logo huge at 50 yard line.

    Like

  61. I.m sticking with my prediction of a 6 win season. Early season losses to PSU, OSU and GT puts Pitt behind the 8 ball all year long. That said the Pitt MVP on offense will be Browne IF he can stay in the game for the entire season. On defense I’ll go out on the limb here and say it will be Mathis. I do believe he can at least partially transform our D from dismal to not so dismal this season. There are too many missing pieces on the D to get excited about there being any significant turn around from the 2016 results.

    Like

  62. Here’s a quote from one of my favorite song artist. “Some people are just like human tuinals” Which isn’t a horrible thing. Makes the world go around. …. ike

    Keep On Keeping On
    Let’s Go
    P I T T
    Lets Go Pitt
    H2P!

    Like

  63. wwb…I hold onto hope(before I die) that I will see the “Mustard” not to be confused with canary/WVU yellow and the simultaneous disappearance of Vegas Beige and Sweet Caroline ..Thanks for sharing…at least the yellow scheme matches the empty seats…Fill that stadium !!!

    Like

  64. completely unrelated but ….

    Scorcese is beginning shooting of a bio film “The Irishmam” with DeNiro as lead character and Pacino as Jimmy Hoffa. Also in the cast is Pesci, Keitel and Carnivale.

    Probably 10 years too late … but something else to look forward to 2018 aside from next year’s Pitt team when QB Jake Zilinskas leads the Panthers to ACC title game

    Like

  65. First time commenting on the POV. I am excited for the season, and am looking forward to tomorrow’s game. My predictions:

    7-6 (7-5 regular season and inevitable bowl loss)

    Offensive MVP: Qadree Olisson (1,300 yards, 17 TD)

    Defensive MVP: Saleem Brightwell

    Leading Tackler: Jordan Whitehead in 9 games (80)

    Sacks Leader: Saleem Brightwell (8)

    Points per game: 32

    Opposing PPG: 31

    ACC Record: 4-3

    ACC Coastal Finish: t-4th

    I truly hope that Pitt surpasses all of these expectations. H2P!

    Like

    1. Correction on ACC record prediction: 5-3

      I expect Brightwell to make big plays throughout the season. He always seemed to be around the ball in his limited action last year. I also expect him to lead the team in 15 yard personal foul penalties.

      Like

  67. I can see Pitt going anywhere from 5-7 to 9-3. Even going 5-7 Pitt will make a bowl & win against a 5 or 6’th place team from either the Sun Belt or Conference USA. The only good thing it will be in the south & Pitt fans will be home for Christmas w/out worrying about a next day or so trip to a cold weather bowl.

    But my bet is 8-4 regular season with a bowl win. So, 9-4

    Offensive MVP – Quadree Ollison
    Defensive MVP – Zeise
    Scorer – Kessman 114
    Sacks Costal – Hendrix 14
    Pts/gm 32
    Allow Pts/ gm 27.5
    ACC record 6-2
    Coastal – 2’nd (t)

    Like

  68. Hey Richard, hope the wife is feeling much better.

    Hey guys, love it, hate it? Just turn it up and get over it. The kids are having great time! …ike

    Like

  70. Speaking of Sweet Caroline, does anyone have any real suggestions for an original 4th quarter pump up song? I hear complaints it’s being moved, bitching about it being the song to announce the departures, but no suggestions for what should replace it? I enjoyed the water bottle thing they had in HCPN’s first year they had in the 4th but can’t think of a song that would be original, play to top athletes in the country/area, etc. Would be open to a column around that rather than just complaints. I feel at least we have something similar to Sandman for Virginia Tech for conversation about culture.

    Like

  71. In terms of overall record, I’ll go with 8-5 with a bowl win (simply because I think we’ll wind up in a crappy bowl against a crappy opponent who we should beat).

    Offensive MVP – Henderson
    Defensive MVP – Brightwell
    Leading Scorer – Ollison 132pts
    Leading Tackler – Brightwell 104 tackles
    Sacks – Hendriks 11
    Points Per Game Scored – 31
    Points Per Game Allowed – 32
    ACC Record 5-3
    Coastal Place – 3rd

    Like

  75. Forget the above and Reed please delete if you’re out there’ Try this one’++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Like

    1. Good call, Ike! I said the same to a friend of mine a couple months ago. How can we get this idea over to Heather or EJ?

      Like

  76. We all may not have to wait too long to see Damari Mathis play since Alan Saunders at PSN is reporting that he has beaten out Dane Jackson for the starting DB spot. I’m sure we will see a few others besides Maddox and Mathis at the DB tomorrow. Perhaps Pitt will only use others in nickel and dime packages absent any injury to those starting two.

    Like

  77. I hope this post is sufficient enough to bring the Dark Knight back from retirement..

    Every team on the schedule has question marks going into the season. New players, new plays, new season.
    Coach has always stressed the importance of taking each opponent one game at a time.

    There is not a single team on our current schedule this year that we are not capable of beating.

    Regular Season Record : 12-0
    ACC Championship: 56-14 loss to FSU
    Bowl Game: 30-27 thrilling win over Florida

    Like

  78. Am shEring a doobie with Doc as I tipe dis, helpin wid my post termatic stress dis, dis, dis er problem, Are u sur dat dis perskripton for weed is good in Pa. Pa only alows pills and oil fer now fer shure. Weed nx yere mebee Hey Doc don be bogartin our gangah. Pass da bong man. 🙂

    Upitt get married at the mid field logo tomorrow, just dont have a wedding party of more than 4, you wont fit everyone in there.
    HAIL TO PITT. GO SHANE ROY!!!!!!

    Like

      1. Guys – I just received my Medicinal Marijuana card in the mail today. Covered for up to 4.2 Oz in my possession. You know what – i don’t give a crap any longer – do whatever makes you feel good and live a better life whether it is booze, weed, mushrooms or Pitt football.

        Quiz: of the 4 things listed above what can actually make you kill yourself?

        Like

  80. Did anyone see Ohio State freshman RB J.K. Dobbins break Maurise Clarett’s OSU opening day running record with 181 yards on 29 carries? I quote “he showed incredible vision and agility in cutting through traffic.” That is a feature neither our number 1 or 2 RB’s have unfortunately. Perhaps only A J Davis comes close to having those qualities. I’m not sure when Narduzzi plays that card but I don’t think it will too long if Ollison and Hall fail to deliver.

    Like

  82. Longtimereader… so you are saying Mr Brighteell has a bit of mean streak in him…
    Welcome and a 👊Fist pump to you.
    Makes me wonder if Duzz led Rhode his team in personal
    File penalties…

    Like

    1. Thank you. Duzz certainly has the intensity to commit a few personal fouls, but I have the feeling having a father for a coach is going to curb that.

      I expect Brightwell to play fast, and that increases his chance for late hits, etc. Brightwell (and Wirginis?) will be tested against Georgia Tech.

      Like

  83. Have fun everyone at the game. Give what remains of Harvey a big middle finger for me.

    I’m hoping for a 45 to 17 blowout but the realist in me says that its a nail biter and Pitt will not cover. I pray for no major injuries.

    Like

  84. Tossing predicts at least 10 wins every single season! Take your optimism to a sports book Tossing and bet the mortgage on +7 wins. I am a financial analyst, so I put my trust in 30 years of observed data when it comes to Pitt football….In a word, MEDIOCRE. What I mostly predict, and Pitt never seems to disappoint. To answer Reed’s questions:

    Wins and Losses? 7-6 (right at the Vegas win total)
    ***Bowl Win – Pitt defeats Temple or Cincinnati in the Military Bowl.
    Who is your Offensive MVP on the season? Co-MVP Q. Ollison / Q. Henderson
    Who is your Defensive MVP on the season? S. Brightwell
    Who is your leading scorer and how many points? Kicker – Over 90
    Who is your leading tackler and how many? Seun Idowu – 85
    Who leads in sacks and how many? Rashad Weaver – 6.5
    How many points per game will we score? 24
    How many points per game will we allow? 24
    What will our ACC record be at the end of the regular season? 4-4
    What place will we be in the Coastal Division at the end of the season? tie 3rd

    I would like to throw out this question….Will Pitt Basketball have more conference wins than Pitt football? NO

    Like

  85. Well if we lose to YSU all bets are off…but here you go

    Who is your Offensive MVP on the season? – WEAH is going to go for 1400 yards, 10 TDs. ACC first team.

    Who is your Defensive MVP on the season? this is the year AVONTE MADDOX goes Honey Badger on the coastal division. By the end of the year we’ll be calling it Maddox Island.

    Who is your leading scorer and how many points? WEAH is going to catch 10 TD’s but OLLISON is going to run for 15. That’s 90 points for all your liberal arts majors.

    Who is your leading tackler and how many? SALEEM “The Dream” BRIGHTWELL. Smooth as silk out there and he’ll be all over the field.

    Who leads in sacks and how many? ALLEN FUEGO EDWARDS

    How many points per game will we score? 39, yep 39.

    How many points per game will we allow? 39, yep 39

    What will our ACC record be at the end of the regular season? 4-4. One of them will be an upset, and one will be a big letdown.

    What place will we be in the Coastal Division at the end of the season? MIDDLE

    Like

  90. Guys – before this goes on too long let me make the Tailgate commercial again.

    Plus I really want to single out BigB – Bernie for making these tailgates, and so many other POV things happen. He is by far the biggest financial supporter we have and he’ll probably only make one tailgate.

    Truly is a A+ man and a great friend to have. Thanks so much BigB and we’ll take lots of photos and videos for you to watch in NC…

    So – if you haven’t done it please jump over to the tailgate thread and use the poll to let us know if you are going to make it. All are welcome.

    https://pittpov.com/2017/08/26/pov-countdown-to-ysu-tailgating/

    Be there or this woman will do a Big Island War Hulu and you do not want to see that… well, you do want to see it because it is awesome but what happens next send me to an institution for a week or so.

    Like

  91. 8/4

    A bowl win makes them 9/4

    3rd place coastal 5/3

    Savannah I like the optimism

    Like

  93. I’m sticking with my Season record prediction of 8-4, With a bowl win to get to 9-4. I’m predicting a 6-2 ACC record with a 3rd place finish after tiebreakers. Hmm, I’ll do as many size predictions as I can remember…
    Offensive MVP: Max Browne
    Defensive MVP: Saleem Brightwell
    Defensive Sack leader: Shane Roy
    Offensive Point leader: Q Ollison
    Average O points/game: 33
    Defensive points given up: 28

    Song to replace Sweet Caroline….until Pat Narduzzi leaves, the TV Batman theme.
    Thanks to Big B, Reed, Fran, Ike, and the Tailgate committee. See all tomorrow. H2P!

    Like

  94. Reed – #6. I believe you’re looking at total TD’s not total scoring.

    https://www.teamrankings.com/college-football/stat/points-per-game?date=2017-01-10

    Rank Team 2016 Last 3 Last 1 Home Away 2015
    1 W Kentucky 45.2 56.3 51.0 47.8 42.9 44.3
    2 Oklahoma 43.9 43.0 35.0 43.3 44.4 43.5
    3 LA Tech 43.6 38.7 48.0 51.8 40.0 35.5
    4 S Florida 42.8 43.0 46.0 43.8 41.7 32.2
    5 Louisville 42.5 19.0 9.0 48.8 37.1 27.3
    6 Pittsburgh 42.0 52.0 24.0 48.3 35.7 26.8

    Like

    1. No – I’m looking at the official NCAA Scoring Offense listings for 2016.

      http://stats.ncaa.org/rankings/change_sport_year_div

      Besides we scored 40.9 ppg not 42 as your list shows… We’ll take that extra 1.1 ppg this year though – I think we’ll need it.

      In our five losses we averaged 32 ppg – that is way too many points to give up in close games.

      If you take away the Miami fiasco our margin of loss in the other 4 losses was 4.5 points. Man, we need our defense to really tighten up this season because we averaged 33.5 ppg in those 4 losses – it is ridiculous that we gave up so many points to lose those games.

      Like

      1. You’re right. It appears the sight i referenced didn’t include the bowl game … you know how I feel about bowl games anyways. It’s fitting they didn’t include it 🙂

        Regardless, I think Pitt remains a top 25 scoring offense.

        Like

  95. Retired today. Partied with my good friend Johnathan Black. Pitt sets the world on fire goes 11-2. Everything clicks for Narduzzi and Company.

    Like

    1. Congrats my friend – I Lyke your prediction too.

      Pick a golf date the week of 9/11 – it’s on me…

      Like

    2. Dan — congrats on your retirement. But be careful, I had a heart attack 2 months after I retired…

      GO PITT!

      Like

  96. … Or maybe total scoring and not scoring per game. Several teams played 14 games vs 13 for Pitt. Of course you’ll score more with an extra game. Per game average, Pitt is #6. Pitt will stay in the top 25 in scoring offense.

    Like

  98. Reed, I’m not getting your one post above? Maybe it’s the pot but is that beautiful woman Mrs K? I would be very proud of you if she is. No wonder you didn’t leave the island without her.

    Pittpt. Thank Fran, Reed, and a special shout out to BigB. I just typed in words with little input.

    Come hell or high water we all need to be at the tailgate. If Pittman and all our POV Texas brothers can survive 50″ of rain, we can sure as hell suffer through 1″ Be There! …ike

    We All We Got
    We All We Need
    We All Are PITT
    H2P! ………..Let’s get this party started!!!!

    Like

  100. Have been reading over at the Lair on pep rallies an such. Get this, college football is a young man’s game but if the whole experience is played right it becomes an all generations man’s game. (meaning you gal’s too of course)

    What’s with the bitching about bonfires and sweet caroline? << This is college football. If you don’t like it. Just sit there and play pocket pool. ike

    Liked by 1 person

  102. When the students are starting to leave strike up Otis Day and the Knights “Shout” with a few modifications of course….

    “Say you won’t leave me…PITT! Say that you love me, PITT, say that you need me, PITT, say that you want me, PITT, Say who beats Penn State, Pitt!

    Insert Pitt for Shout throughout…..Kind of brings the greek life into it too. It is kind of college themed!

    Saw a mention of animal house on here the other night.

    Like

  105. Way to go Dan 72!!! Well played!

    UPitt, congrats on getting the license. It’s a process brother. Good luck! Is the wedding in the burgh or tex?

    Reed, now we know a little more about you which is great. Thanks for the additional insight. Mrs. Reed, thank you for allowing him to keep giving us this forum.

    Ike – I did make the roundtable Wednesday, but was a tad late. Dressed up special too! Reed probably edited that out! LOLwith Reed.

    My prediction : Pitt will be 1-0 after tomorrows game. 38-27.

    Like

  106. Taleni starting at DT for FAU and his new team can’t stop Navy either, as the Middies go right down the field on opening drive for TD

    Like

  107. Ike … some of us are so excited about a new Pitt FB season that we are enjoying a warm friendly game of pocket pool

    Like

  109. Reed.. your wife is beautiful.. can’t wait to see the Hula!!!
    Send me those pics..
    POV rocks.. a virtual fraternity and are sorority sister Annie…
    ANNIE… jump in here.. it’s the EVE of the opener and we want to hear from the lady of our gang..
    Dan72 congratulations on that retirement- you made it-Double 👊 👊 pump.
    Somebody find Emel and the “Dark One” if they are still on this side of the turf. I miss’em.
    I will be checking in with the game thread when I get to Vegas.
    Hail to PITT

    Like

  111. 7-5 regular season with a win in a lower level bowl game (have to win one eventually) to finish at 8-5 total. There will be at least one point in the season where you will be totally disgusted with the program and wonder how we will win another game, and another point where you will think they might finally be turning the corner on the program.

    Like

  112. Fun reading your predictions and analyses. Truth is as we start year 3 of HCPN’s reign just like we started the other 2 years not really knowing what would happen. Who really knew we would beat PS and Clemson? For that matter who really knew J Weah could not only hold onto a pass but could grab a pass running full steam down the sideline and grab the ball in full stride with his friggen left hand. The fact of the matter is that I believe something’s happening with Pitt. Could I be wrong? Of course. That’s what a belief is. So bring on YSU and let’s continue this experiment in the Pursuit of excellence. Go Pitt Go. No prediction for me because I have no idea.

    Like

  113. Nothing wrong with a good game of pocket pool BigB but if you could please refrain at the tailgate when we meet up. To me, it’s a one man sport! .. ike 🙂

    Like

  114. Put this in the wrong place.

    Big Q, little q, what begins with q? Qadree, Quadree, and a Qualitee season, too, Pitt 37 YSU 11.

    Coastal champs, 10 and 4 season.

    Inexperience will cost us final 4.

    Like

  115. Watching Taleni.. not overly impressed…made his rep with a great tackle against Clemson… one tackle doth not make a career..

    Like

  119. I’m afraid the weather forecast is going to result in an especially puny crowd at tomorrow’s game. Oh well…

    Predictions:
    Pitt will go 8 and 4 and then win their bowl game for a 9 and 4 final.

    This is the deepest overall roster Pitt has had in a long time – weakened by the suspensions and injuries, but still strong.

    I won’t be surprised if we open 1 and 3; then the young guys cut down the mistakes and get on a roll…

    MVP MAX
    MVP WIRGINIS
    SCORER — Hall
    Tackler — Zeise
    Sacks — Hendrix
    Points for — 32
    Points against — 29
    ACC record –6-2
    Second place

    GO PITT

    Like

  120. I am so bad at making these predictions, heart sometimes over-rules head, but I am going with a 9-4 season with a bowl win. I think we have a better ending of the year than a beginning as the newer (younger) players start getting their feel for the game and show some talent. As for the other items, I have no idea but will take a shot:
    Who is your Offensive MVP on the season?
    Ollison

    Who is your Defensive MVP on the season?
    Hendrix

    Who is your leading scorer and how many points?
    Ollison – 90

    Who is your leading tackler and how many?
    Zeise – 75

    Who leads in sacks and how many?
    Hendrix – 12

    How many points per game will we score?
    30

    How many points per game will we allow?
    24

    What will our ACC record be at the end of the regular season?
    5-3

    What place will we be in the Coastal Division at the end of the season?
    2nd

    Like

  121. My prediction is 13 and 1 after losing to OSU in our second match up of the year. This time in a double overtime 49 – 48 squeaker.

    In the second game of the day Ed Orgeron is attacked and mortally wounded at half time by Mike VII. Duzz is immediately hired afterwards and follows O’Canada to the bayou.

    After an extensive head coaching search Heather announces our new head coach, Jim Tressel.

    Like

  122. Lee H…you are an expert just like the rest of us. Enjoy the season and chirp in often … hope you can make a tailgate.

    Like

  123. 10-4 record

    9-3 regular season. Pitt beats PSU but falls to OK St, NC St and Miami – also beaten by FL St in the ACC Championship.

    Who is your Offensive MVP on the season? Mad Max Browne

    Who is your Defensive MVP on the season? C0-MVP’s Whitehead & Wirginis

    Who is your leading scorer and how many points? Kessman 102

    Who is your leading tackler and how many? Briggs 90

    Who leads in sacks and how many? Hendrix 11

    How many points per game will we score? 35

    How many points per game will we allow? 27

    What will our ACC record be at the end of the regular season? 6-2. Loss to Miami and NC State

    What place will we be in the Coastal Division at the end of the season? Tie for 1st

    Like

  125. MVP Offense: Browne
    MVP Defense: Hendrix
    Leading Scorer: Henderson (90)
    Leading Tackler: Brightwell (102)
    Sacks: Hendrix (11)
    PPG Panthers: 37
    PPG Other Guys: 24
    ACC Record: 6-2 (2nd Place)
    Overall Record: 9-4 (lose bowl game)
    Few of the New to Watch: Matthis/Matthews/Clark

    Like

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