Guys – if you are making late predictions please include them on yesterday’s prediction thread found here so that I have them all in one place.
OK – another Saturday and another chance for Pitt to vault into the rarified air where the three win teams reside. I think we can do it today. Why not? But I’ll still stick with my prediction that we lose by 8 or 9 points because of so many serious question marks we have seen emerge in the first seven games.
My thought process with this prediction is like about a hundreds other Pitt fan’s I have read over the last few day… until we can mount a consistent and effective running games that produces way over our current 3.3 ypg & 113.7 yards per game.
That ineptitude will put a lot of pressure on any team’s passing game even if they have an established and experienced QB behind Center. We don’t have that which makes this game even more shaky. So – it adds up to another disappointing afternoon on paper…
But let’s prove Reed wrong this afternoon.
Here’s a tip of the beer mug to the POV’ers attending the game in Durham, NC today. Get together, have fun, swap your best Pitt-life stories and bring us far away fans a win today!! But above all be careful driving today.
Note: for our readers who haven’t received a POV shirt yet please email me at rkohberger@gmail.com with your size and address (and phone # if you would) with “T-Shirt” in the subject line and I’ll do what I can to get one out ASAP if I still have your size.
I’ll be putting a new order in with, I think, a new graphic done by my daughter if I can afford her prices… obviously 22 years of room & board, medical coverage, college tuition and a new car for her 21st B-day means nothing to an artist.
Have fun watching the game today friends… have another wave of house guests onboard the Good Ship Kohberger – these are my cousins up from Wilmington, NC… and they hate Duke (big NC fans). Would love to watch real-time as the game is actually on TV here in Maryland today but have to do the day-long Smithsonian museums gig with them.
Post early and often and please remember that we pride ourselves in civil discussion toward one another.
Comments directed at the coaching staff are a different matter of course.
LikeLike
A lot of Pitt fans in the parking lot already.
LikeLike
Here’s a bit I just received via email – something to keep spirits up I suppose, but Pitt does have a great football history (long ago alas) to draw on…
“In case you are curious, as I was – Pitt is in its 128th football season. It has had 75 winning seasons, 46 losing seasons, and 6 seasons in which their record was even.
From 1913-1939 during the entire coaching careers of Joe Duff, Pop Warner and Jock Sutherland at Pitt, Pitt did not have a losing season. After Sutherland’s departure Pitt had 8 straight losing seasons from 1940-1947. In fact from 1940-1973 when Johnny Majors came, Pitt had only 9 winning seasons, and 22 losing seasons (with two even seasons).
Under Majors and Sherrill Pitt had 11 straight winning seasons. During the last 33 seasons since Sherrill left, Pitt has had 16 winning seasons, 14 losing seasons, and 2 even seasons.
One other little tidbit for you. Pitt’s 1910 team coached by Joe Thompson went 9-0 and was unscored on during the season. They outscored their nine opponents 282-0. The selectors at the time though chose Harvard (8-0-1) as the national champion (and Pitt does not claim the title) although the National Championship Foundation subsequently named Pitt as a national champion.
Just something to think about in case Pitt doesn’t play very well against Duke tomorrow.”
LikeLike
Love the shirts Reed, the blue one the best. If you’re going with something a little new I would like to suggest a small PITT script on one shoulder sleeve or if you really want to get crazy, a PITT script before the POV in front.
Have fun at the game guys and be safe.
LikeLike
As I’m sure you know, would need to make sure the Pitt Script isn’t copyrighted….
LikeLike
Can’t use Script at all…
LikeLike
make your own version… Anywho I’m off to the daughters for the day so you game thread guys have a blast. LET’S GO PITT!!
LikeLike
ike I posted a link later last night. A local micro brew used Pitt script on beer cans and H2P and Pitt sent them a cease and desist letter as the script is trademark.
LikeLike
If you want a laugh look at our posts after a game we win, you will swear we lost by 100 pis, haha
ps I am a guilty as others on the in games posts. Really hoping we can put it together.
HAIL TO PITT.
LikeLike
saturday pitt article trib
http://triblive.com/sports/college/pitt/12854892-74/5-things-to-watch-pitt-at-duke
LikeLike
Fellow POVers… I have a request.
At the end of today’s game no matter what the score will you answer this question?
“Does Pitt appear to be a well coached team?
Thank you.
LikeLike
The answer is Yes.
LikeLike
Just saw 1990 team captain Eric Holzworth drowned in Florida this past week. Sympathies to both former Pitt players families.
LikeLike
Our offense stinks.
LikeLike
Why are we still using Hall?
LikeLike
3rd and 5 around midfield and they run Hall off tackle for no gain?
This is not a well coached team.
LikeLike
I think the last time he broke a big run was his Soph year in HS
LikeLike
I’m as surprised as anyone about that run.
Does he maintain a 5+ yards per carry average for the game?
LikeLike
Hey maybe we’re on to something here. Now somebody say Dinnucci hasn’t thrown a long TD pass since he was a sophomore in HS.
LikeLike
Well until now, I hate when that happens to me
LikeLike
@ 9-2
Lol make that 2017!
LikeLike
Maybe I have to make some more crass comments
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good play Maddox
LikeLike
3d and long again. No wonder our 3rd down conversions are so low
LikeLike
OK so how long before Pickett comes on?
LikeLike
Won’t be long.
LikeLike
nice sack and recovery. paying attention to tackling and angles – not good so far on defense. have to clean that up but that’s been a fundamental problem all year.
LikeLike
And Duke may not need to throw a pass the rest of the day. Why bother?
We cannot tackle. sorry I brought it up. No reason to pay special attention.
LikeLike
Leading after the 1st quarter! Lets win the next 3 as well!
LikeLike
Was at Duke in 76 for Dorset. A day like today. Frat houses are castles and a mist beautiful campus.
Someone needs to teach Pitt how to tackle!
LikeLike
I think we need to score on every possession because they can just run it in every time,
LikeLike
Is it just me or is Conklin dumber than a box of rocks? Everytime it’s a short down and distance they go down the freaking middle and he just spreads us out. It’s frustrating.
LikeLike
Good job to tighten up near the goal line
LikeLike
dodged a bullit
LikeLike
The TV broadcast is poor. They just came back late from commercial break and missed the kickoff. Also missed a couple of replays on penalties.
LikeLike
Great passing game so far!
LikeLike
Dare I say, this is good offensive play calling
LikeLike
Ride that horse!
LikeLike
Are those called for him or is he off script?
LikeLike
That penalty was a KILLER
LikeLike
Sandlot football.
LikeLike
Oh that loaf of bread look
LikeLike
Mr high school arm misses again!
LikeLike
That flippin penalty @#$&
LikeLike
It’s ok. We will just turn it over to our terrific run defense!
LikeLike
What crappy teams do. Blow opportunities.
Duke is eventually going to figure out that DiNucci is no threat to throw the ball more than 7 yards downfield.
LikeLike
Are you sure? That seven number looks generous!
LikeLike
They already know it. Only a matter of time until he gets hurt running for his life!
LikeLike
Ha. I was giving him benefit of the doubt!
LikeLike
There is a lot of positive in this game. If you expect this team to look like a it’s 6-2, you will be bitter and sorely disappointed. It’s not a great team or even good. I see improvement. There is good stuff happening here so far
LikeLike
Dan dont worry pickett will get in and lead us to 50 unanswered points.
Dane Jackson most improved defensive player!
LikeLike
Attendance… looks like an NFL game!
LikeLike
2 holding penalties cost us 6 points.
Pickett time please…
LikeLike
Liking Hamlin’s play today.
LikeLike
just get Ben out of there. He will not get any better. it’s not just his arm, it’s his eyes and his head. He can’t play or process at this level. He may have a good series here or there because hes a great athlete – and we nees him to – but hes just not going to scare a defense or get better with more snaps.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A Pitt tailgate wins the weekly Bojangles Tailgate of the Week award. Any POVers involved?
The kids need to cut down on the mistakes. We can win this game.
LikeLike
Dont yall get your panties in a knot, Pcikett will start second half
LikeLike
I wish!
LikeLike
For a track star speedster Weah cannot get separation.
Oh my a longer pass by the Nooch
LikeLike
Lopes most improved player on offense!!!
LikeLike
He certainly is our best receiver now
LikeLike
Our only receiver who can run a route. Sad….
LikeLike
Lopes and Whitehead (in a limited role)are the only players to consistently perform well on offense.
LikeLike
“No Arm” Dinucci
LikeLike
On a somewhat serious note, what we are seeing with Nooch and Pickett is what Noll faced with Hanratty and Bradshaw and for you old farts like me it took some games before Bradshaw naturally took over even though in raw talent there was no comparison . Pickett will start in due time, Nard is getting 2 QBs ready for next year – our bounce back year. pickett starts second half – deja vu all over againl
LikeLike
I do remember, and I was all in for Hanratty! The rest is history.
LikeLike
Horrible horrible horrible play calling! Get 7 yards and give your kicker a chance
LikeLike
Fully agree Dan. I think they should give up on the 20+ yard throws until Ben can show he can hit the 10’yarders on both sides of the field.
LikeLike
I thought the same thing…
LikeLike
Ben cannot start the 2nd half. He absolutely sucks. Even idiot Watson can see that.
tons of blown opportunities in the 1st half. Duke coaches will definitely come out in the 2nd half with adjustments. Will we?
LikeLike
Ben throwing up too many prayers….he looks uncomfortable throwing the ball…hope PN give #8 a chance…lots of mistakes…should be up by at least 10 by now…and if I see another helmet come off one of our guys!
LikeLike
Come on Kessman !
0 for 2 today. Although we’re not helping him much.
Personally, I’ve seen enough of Little Ben. Pickett is our future:
PLAY HIM NOW!!!!!
7 points in the half. That does not cut it gentlemen!!!!
LikeLike
these announcers are bush league
LikeLike
FG Block!!!!!! Up at half. Lets close it out in the 2nd half!
LikeLike
Professional First Half Eye Test Summary:
* Both teams stink.
LikeLike
IMHO This game determines whether we have 2 or 3 wins at the end of the season.
LikeLike
Dinucci just doesn’t have what it takes, this is hard to watch.
LikeLike
Ben’s mechanics are not helping him. Footwork has been bad – off balance throws. It appears he is actually throwing a better ball when going left – a little unusual for a rightie.
LikeLike
DearGod… please go w Pickett!!!
LikeLike
Per the announcers just now, “can Dinucci get it going?”
LikeLike
You can see and make the yard line. Why run out short? As Ricky Jackson said last week. “Never seen a team so afraid to hit and be hit!!”
LikeLike
I really hated that call
LikeLike
What a great call on 3rd and short
LikeLike
Another horrible play call!
LikeLike
This is painful
LikeLike
Shirley Dinucci slides for another 3rd down…
And that sweep call?! Run it up the middle!
LikeLike
I was being sarcastic, like an option on 3rd and 14 last week.
LikeLike
Dinucci is not good
LikeLike
Are they telling Dinucci to run like an NFL franchise QB?
LikeLike
Does Dinucci know how to throw the ball out of bounds?
LikeLike
Nooch’s last series
LikeLike
3rd and 1 and run wide ….. UGH
LikeLike
Pickett now please!
LikeLike
It’s time, Coach. Put in the sub.
LikeLike
Get him out!
LikeLike
Please…please put in Pickett…please!
LikeLike
DiNucci needs to learn when and when he shouldn’t throw it away. He thinks he is faster than he is.
LikeLike
Maybe Pickett when we are down 10-7
LikeLike
Terrible punt to add to all the other terrible Pitt things.
LikeLike
DiNucci’s running is not an asset. I’d rather have a QB with the sense to throw the ball away, instead of scrambling around with it and then going out-of-bounds for a four-yard loss.
LikeLike
Exactly
LikeLike
Pickett should be in on the next series! Dinucci looking so inadequate! Ivy League!! Hey coach!! It’s time!!! Play Pickett now!!
LikeLike
I don’t think we see Kenny unless we loose the lead.
LikeLike
This is pathetic offense. BD is terrible!
LikeLike
Being a defensive coach, HCPN will likely rely on the D to get it done and not change QBs until he’s behind.
LikeLike
OK, so now would be that time.
LikeLike
It only takes one play……how did he get That Open?
LikeLike
That’s the bal game.
LikeLike
Haven’t seen a busted coverage in 4 games. Ugly time for it to happen.
LikeLike
That was the RB out of the backfield – ala psu and Barkley
LikeLike
I second some of the other observations about the players being contact-shy (and not just DiNucci). We’ve left yard on the field after several plays when our players have prematurely ducked out of bounds, or (in DiNucci’s case) slid without a defender nearby.
LikeLike
Just came off the golf course. I see Duke made halftime adjustments and Pitt did not.
So what is new…?
LikeLike
That’s the ball game.
LikeLike
Oboy
Maybe we see him now!
LikeLike
I would rather lose w Pickett than watch another second of DiNucci!
LikeLike
Second that
LikeLike
Me too…
LikeLike
We’ll get em next year boys. You know, when we are really good……
LikeLike
Well…….another WIDE OPEN receiver for a TD.
Wow!
LikeLike
Just imagine how frustrating it would be to be on a team and watch your QB with no arm be afraid to be hit. And….he’s back out there.
LikeLike
What happened to the north – south runs? Hey Watson, I’m talking to you!
LikeLike
Can we please stop the jet sweeps.
LikeLike
Let’s see that’s 7 jet sweeps w little gain. Hey call it again….
LikeLike
FFFFFFFF
LikeLike
When is the last time we made better halftime adjustments than our opponents?
LikeLike
We make no half time adjustments.
LikeLike
We got a needed break on that 3rd and 10
LikeLike
@navy
1976
LikeLike
Narduzzi<DePasqua.
LikeLike
Erie…. one more Nucci series and I’m heading to the golf course. Back
Better
LikeLike
Has Pickett played yet? With 7 points on the board, it seems the O has been ineffective and OC Watson has no rythem in the 2nd half playcalling I’ve seen.
LikeLike
We are just SO bad.
LikeLike
Ben’s Dad must have something on Duzz. Only explanation
LikeLike
Get Dinucci out of there. Even on the first down the receiver caught it 7 yards short of the first down marker.
LikeLike
I think we should run wide more often….. (just shoot me…)
LikeLike
Will saying a rosary to put Pickett in sway Narduzzi?
LikeLike
No….the game will be over before you’re done.
LikeLike
Seriously, I have hesitated to comment too much on DiNucci but if you cannot see how unsound he is fundamentally and how bad his footwork is well………..
We’d get as much running out of the wildcat. And yes, this falls on Nard as he hired Watson. Brilliant!,
LikeLike
Defense can’t give this game away fast enough.
LikeLike
DiNucci looks like a kid playing one division higher than he belongs. He should have taken Ivy League offers. His “athletic” ability to make plays is totally overrated, and when he throws deep I don’t believe he can read the coverage.
Time for a change.
LikeLike
Everyone seems to have something on Narduzzi.
LikeLike
Maddox broken arm again
LikeLike
Bwahaha Narduzzi dragged Maddox off the field so they wouldn’t get an injusr timeout!
LikeLike
Loooked like Maddox may have broken his arm on that.
LikeLike
Our RBs simply have no burst to the line
LikeLike
After critcism last week iMO Nard is afraid to take Nooch out. Puzzling
LikeLike
I almost never post while I’m watching the game, but I feel compelled to do so today. Duke is very beatable. Yet the coaching staff is doing it’s best to clutch defeat from the jaws of victory. If Watson calls one more sweep, I’m going to throw my phone through the TV. We have ZERO downfield passing game. I have counted four times where an offensive player could have got a first down by stretching for the sticks but came up a yard short. DiNucci has done it twice. I don’t know if Pickett is the answer, but it’s clear that DiNucci is not. Also, while the defense is playing fairly well overall, we still don’t have any pressure from the D line. And once again a linebacker missed an assignment that resulted in the Duke touchdown. Pathetic.
LikeLike
agree JOel looks like broken lower arm, hoping for severe sprain
LikeLike
3rd and 1 – 4th and 1 – Pitt gains NONE!
LikeLike
We suck.
LikeLike
OL and RB ugh.
LikeLike
Drop by whitehead
LikeLike
Gawd our O is ugly!
LikeLike
Forgot to mention that the offensive line is horrible. But that’s not a news flash for any of you.
LikeLike
What an incompetent offense.
LikeLike
To answer my question, today Pitt gives the appearance of a horribly coached team.
Cannot watch anymore! Off to golf.
So sorry for the rest of you who have to watch this pathetic mess.
LikeLike
You missed the longest run in Pitt history….
LikeLike
Fugly
LikeLike
7-27 folks?
LikeLike
Pickett!!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Watching our team is like watching paint dry, but the paint is more exciting! :<(
LikeLike
Guess which team made adjustments a half time?
LikeLike
I’ve seen enough. Enjoy the game fellows.
LikeLike
5 of 14 for 55 yards…..Pickett time !
LikeLike
Jordon just jogged his coverage
LikeLike
Duke offense makes quick work of a short field.
Again, Duke coaches make halftime adjustments, none by Pitt coaches. Check their fingernails for cheese curls.
LikeLike
Now Coach?
LikeLike
I wonder if anyone in the BoT has any eligibility?
LikeLike
I’m actually watching this game – not because I think Pitt is going to win – but I’m just curious to see just how stupid Narduzzi and Watson are. The entire planet knows you pull DiNucci. But Narduzzi is so damn stubborn he just won’t do it.
It’s comical. It’s actually entertaining.
LikeLike
And we’re paying this guy almost 2 million….unbelievable.
LikeLike
I should have played another 18. QH is not an All-American…
LikeLike
I guess we know why Narduzzi prefers Hall.
LikeLike
We still suck!
LikeLike
9-2 thanks again. LOL Great handoff by the Nooch (sarcasm), SEriously is Pickett hurt?
LikeLike
Henderson looks like he’s running in mud.
LikeLike
He doesn’t have a burst. He is always dancing looking to make a play. Just run man!
LikeLike
MMMM That crow sure tastes great!
LikeLike
hello Darrin Hall, where have u been
LikeLike
Amazing that every facet of our team is awful. That screams a problem with coaching.
LikeLike
Hall gets the TD but Dinicci stinks.
LikeLike
Nice run by Hall! 92 yards. He must be opening his eyes today because for the first time all year he has seen the hole twice!
LikeLike
ha ha. Longest run from scrimmage in Pitt history.
LikeLike
So frustrated. The game is not available in the ville. Watching gamecast which sucks. Why the heck isn’t Pickett in NiDucci (not sue why I pronounced his name like that in the podcast) is doing nothing from the stats I can see.
LikeLike
Stats are understating it!
LikeLike
Beer will do that…
LikeLike
They must have read my comment about Hall the other day 🙂
LikeLike
Sort of like my golf game, birdie then triple. Can’t stand prosperity.
LikeLike
Duke 17
Darrin Hall 14
Pitt O
LikeLiked by 1 person
My money is on DiNuch finishing the game and Hall getting zero carries in the 4th qtr.
Watson is on another planet.
LikeLike
Bank on it, Nard will put Pickett in stone cold and expect him to pull it out.
LikeLike
The DB’s have more drops today than Weah.
LikeLike
Harsh!
LikeLike
This Duke team was definitely beatable, Has anybody heard if Pickett is injured, suspended?. This is bizarre on Pickett, he needs to play every week.
Dane Jackson!!!!!! my defensive hero.
LikeLike
3rd down and 11 – the D should NEVER call a time out…EVER
LikeLike
Hall’s 92yd TD is a new Pitt record. Previous record was 91yds, set in 1917.
LikeLike
Pickett had the flu…
LikeLike
I hope you are wrong. Maybe Watson is saving Pickett for the final 2 minutes.
LikeLike
Only explanation.
LikeLike
That would make since ROC,
LikeLike
sense
LikeLike
Even a blind squirrell finds an acorn now and then.Nice catch
LikeLike
I believe it was intercepted but Weah jumped on it. I’ll take it.
LikeLike
full house for this one 🙂
LikeLike
Credit where credit’s due — good, tough play by Weah.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No way that catch stands.
LikeLike
Watch it in slow mo. It is a catch…
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Duke DB only had one hand on the ball. Weah had two.
The official made the right call.
LikeLike
Hall,,,who’d a thunk?
LikeLike
Yea us!!
LikeLike
That was a Duke interception.
LikeLike
Looked like an int. Oh well I’ll take the touchdown
LikeLike
Weah had his left arm under the ball and then grabbed it with the right.
LikeLike
Darren Hall is beating Duke by himself.
We found a RB…
LikeLike
wtf…..watching this on the ACC network, they went for off awhile now back on..game in 3rd Q lol
LikeLike
Yeah but we scored
LikeLike
I was ready to run to NC and throttle Watson early in the 3rd….looks like he heard my rants and adjusted. Just run it up the middle. Go Pitt!
LikeLike
Jester stole that!
LikeLike
It’s been good in Maryland?
LikeLike
Did he get an eye transplant this week?
LikeLike
If the defender hadn’t caught it for him Weah would have dropped it.
LikeLike
Agreed!
LikeLike
LOL – you are probably right. Sad, isn’t it?
LikeLike
But I’ll take the call and the TD by Hall.
LikeLike
well we’re at the score I predicted but there’s still 10 minutes left to play
LikeLike
Lucky break there. That was probably an int for Duke.
LikeLike
Weah with a smart FB play. Yeah!
LikeLike
Good pitch and catch, I will take a little thievery
LikeLike
It’s still 10-7…this is bizarre..
LikeLike
Hall…3 td’s how many yards?
LikeLike
About 220 yards
LikeLike
Thank God our coach is a defensive wizard!
LikeLike
anybody else got a good stream….that’s not 3rd quarter ?
LikeLike
No pressure at all for the Dline today. None
LikeLike
Maddox has the only sack and he’s injured…
The DLine is bad – Partridge?
LikeLike
How do you like the Duke logo at mid-field?
LikeLike
Has Zeise made a play all season?
LikeLike
Having the lead won’t last.
LikeLike
Finally a blitz…it’s the only way we can get pressure
LikeLike
Two Duke receivers were wide open on the left side.
LikeLike
We got the lead, can we hold it????
A W would be nice!
LikeLike
Time out??? Are you kidding me?
LikeLike
I don’t get our time-out usage either.
LikeLike
This idiot announcer refuses to say Pitt
LikeLike
Duke has no fear of our D – why should they?
LikeLike
What a terrible PI.
LikeLike
Another drop by a Pitt defender.
And the Duke kicker misses wide right.
Hmmm…
LikeLike
Narduzzi wasting timeouts again. And then we get a PI on 4th and 23. Horrible, Just horrible. Need to be in a zone there, not man.
LikeLike
From hero to goat for DJackson in two plays
LikeLike
haha, missed it
LikeLike
LikeLike
Zeise is like the old story of the woman who had two sons one a sailor who was lost at sea and one became VP, neither was ever heard from again. I havent even heard his name.
LikeLike
Did I see 4th and 23 with pass interference. Have I died and gone to hell?
LikeLike
Your right Missing, just keep the play in front of you
LikeLike
That’s too bad, Jackson does his best L. Pitts imitation. But I really like him and think he is going to be a really nice player.
LikeLike
Now Duke misses a FG!
Come on guys, this game is sitting here for the taking! Win #3 is a win, is a win, is a win…….
LikeLike
Duke has bright blue seats to our bright yellow.
Many are empty today…
LikeLike
Hall now over 230 yards,
LikeLike
We just made yardage on a sweep. Alert the media.
LikeLike
If Henderson is touched he goes down! Lopes is the real deal!
LikeLike
Lopes is our best receiver this year. Good call.
LikeLike
RaRa Lopes. Time to kill the clock. 5 minutes left. Watson time. Uh oh!!!
LikeLike
Okie so right – Lopes has good hands and a knack for finding seams in zones.
LikeLike
Was gonna predict Hall would run for 256 yards but i forgot on my Friday prediction. 🙂
LikeLike
Read is going to melt down with these stats this week. His head might explode!
LikeLike
The Youngstown boys may win this game. Need one more 1st down.
LikeLike
Nice tribute to John Brown…
LikeLike
JoHn brown passed away
LikeLike
Everyone knew Hall was getting the ball – come one Watson…
LikeLike
DiNuch chokes on a wide open throw…
LikeLike
Agreed
LikeLike
58 YOA
LikeLike
Kessman!!!
LikeLike
Kessman – yes! Well at least we can’t lose in regulation unless Duke goes for 2…
LikeLike
Nice drive, bad third down throw by Ben, but nice kick by Kessman.
LikeLike
If Im duke I go after Maddox replacement
LikeLike
The K-man delievers
LikeLike
Ton of time left, sweating it. Much rather have had that throw to Lopes.
LikeLike
Absolutely no pressure or coverage down field… on 1st down – ugh!
LikeLike
Keep throwing on Dane, please
LikeLike
Butter D is back!
LikeLike
Great hold Zeise
LikeLike
Got away with another one. So much for home cooking.
LikeLike
Wow – we got lucky the ref missed that grab by our LB – .I think that was his 1st tackle of the game -lol.
LikeLike
Wow, obvious pass interference there. Whitehead seals the deal.
LikeLike
Thank god that was not reviewablle
LikeLike
Nice win Pitt!!
LikeLike
LikeLike
Watching on my golf cart. H2P. Erie 1 under after 5!
LikeLike
Reed what do you think of a Conklin contract extension? LOL
LikeLike
Best hold,err, play Zeise has made in his career.
LikeLike
Unsure of the rule here —- since Zeise’s grab of the tight end was within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage, is it allowable?
LikeLike
Good win, shows me that our team still has heart. H2P!
LikeLike
H2P!
LikeLike
Nice win guys. HAIL TO PITT
LikeLike
Dan, how many Mulligans?
LikeLike
None…but took a triple ( in the water) and a double ( in the woods). Must have been the shock of a Pitt win!
LikeLike
Pitt Wins ! Pitt Wins !!!! (must have been the fact I wore my Pitt hat out last nite)
LikeLike
Nice win. I’ll take it – Duke is our 1st Power 5 win in 2017 and the dukies beat Northwestern from the B1G Joke conference.
HTP!
LikeLike
“We had’em all the way!” With tip of the hat to Bob “the gunner” Prince. – Hobie
LikeLike
Who is the 3rd Pitt player in the pic ? Somebody is a time traveler.
http://www.wtae.com/article/former-pitt-star-john-brown-dies-at-age-58/13061418
LikeLiked by 1 person
Emel, my guess that it’s either Bryan Thomas or Joe McCall
LikeLike
Well regardless of who it is, damn strange,
LikeLike
#H2P
Let’s Go Pitt!!!!!!
An ugly win but we will gladly take it!!!!
LikeLike
nice win, even though I couldn’t watch it.
LikeLike
Good win. The defense is looking much better. Hope Maddox is o.k. I’m really starting to like our defensive backs. Darren Hall is the man. He hits the line much quicker and has a good sense on how to shift to find the openings. Di Nucci played well. Actually, I like his game. Does not force the issue. The coaching staff needs to have more faith in his ability as a passer. Watson, needs to quit being so obvious in his play calling. Sweeps are old hat, now. It is obvious to the opposing defense how Whitehead is nearly always going to get the ball when he comes it. All in all, a good day!
LikeLike
That is so weird, that #22 was included in that pic.
LikeLike
This one was for you John !!! RIP buddy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pitt wins. Somewhere John Brown smiles down on us. All is good as a Pitt fan today…
LikeLike
Emel, I believe #22 is either Bryan Thomas or Joe McCall
LikeLike
maybe the only thing we can all agree on is that Arajelu Lopes was a heck of a pick up, especially from a Cal JUCO. I think he has 2 more years
LikeLike
my bad .. just 1 year left. But we’ll take it
LikeLike
Because of Hall and the O-line, we won that game in spite of Dinucci — he was really bad and should have had 2-3 interceptions. That was a really lucky — bad — call on the deep ball to Weah, as the DB clearly had it first. Bad throws all day, but Hall was a beast…major speed. Flip the page and give Pickett the rest of the starts until he screws up. Dinucci is game and fairly athletic, but his throwing is poor, and decision making really suspect. At least our D is showing life and it looks like we got a runner.
LikeLiked by 1 person
agree
LikeLiked by 1 person
Had the Dukies made that chip shot FG, the final would have been 24-20. same score as the 1981 Sugar Bowl.
LikeLike
There’s a reason nobody recruited Dinucci except Penn…not Penn State, Penn. And not to put all the blame on him, as Watson again called a hugely predictable, stupid game…and if not for the individual excellence of Hall and some decent O-line blocking, we lose that game in a boring and shameful manner. Let Pickett loose and at least present a reasonable downfield throwing threat so teams don’t put 10 guys in the box on first and second down on us?!
LikeLike
Hall with a 10.8 yd per carry average.
http://www.foxsports.com/college-football/boxscore?id=27476
LikeLike
Yeah, take out the two TD runs and recalculate those stats for me.
LikeLike
H2P!!! finally a win…should have been much easier than it was…but you don’t get extra credit or points for style…Agree…A Win is a Win is a Win. A Hall of a win for the Panthers!
LikeLike
Our DBs are really playing now and its such a shame to keep going 3 and out so damn often that we wear our defense out. A good team would have crushed us today with all the offensive failure for 3 1/2 quarters…we never would have had a chance to come back. I really hope the coaches aren’t taken in by this fool’s gold of a win today…we sucked on O except for two great runs, and they dropped/got cheated out of 2-3 interceptions….sorry to play Debbie Downer, but better QB play can put us back up to pretty good.
LikeLike
Joe McCall was #34. Bryan Thomas was #44
LikeLike
here who’s left I know it wasn’t Flynn
Tom Flynn* DB
Tim Lewis* DB
Dan Short* DB
Pappy Thomas* DB
Melvin Dean DB
Troy Hill DB
Wayne DiBartola RB 158 Att, 716 Yds, 4.5 Avg
Marc Bailey RB 14 Att, 71 Yds, 5.1 Avg
Bill Beach RB 12 Att, 52 Yds, 4.3 Avg
Marlon McIntyre RB 10 Att, 47 Yds, 4.7 Avg
Gary Tammaro RB
LikeLike
Should also beat UNC, but I don’t see another win on the schedule with Dinucci at QB. Maybe the O-line is finally getting it together.
LikeLike
Consider UVA. Pitt can beat the Cavs.
LikeLike
I listened to the game on the radio. Came home. Read the blog. Man what a bunch of nay Sayers. This is a really young team. They won by the way.
LikeLike
That was a little too fun at the end.
My prediction was 31-24 Pitt, so I was hoping Duke tied it so we could score a TD in OT to go ahead by 7 and then stop them to win. Yeah I was hoping for that like I would hope for another hole in my head.
Now let’s get a little mo with a win next week vs UVA who got beaten up by BC today.
H2P!!!
LikeLike
254 yards puts Darrin Hall….. Number 10 all-time in Pitt single game rushing history, tied with Ironhead.
Ironhead is also Number 9 at 259 yards.
LikeLike
Running back U
LikeLike
Only number 10…damn. I guess Tony D. has about 5 of the top ten, and maybe McCoy, Martin, and Barlow share the rest?
LikeLike
My pre-game prediction-
“I’ll take Pitt and the upset, 20-14. Defense leading the way. Pitt somehow finds a way to stop Duke’s rushing game and the D makes 2 picks off of Duke’s QB. Kessman with two FGs.”
Any body beat that?
LikeLike
#22 in picture was Troy Hill
No way do I recall, but saw him play.
LikeLike
http://www.nytimes.com/1982/10/10/sports/pitt-defense-holding-team-together.html?pagewanted=all
“This season, Troy Hill inspires the defense with the more delicate call of a tropical bird. His bird calls have been recorded and are played when he is introduced before the game or when he makes an interception. ”I do it on the field sometimes to let Flynn know that I don’t know the coverage,” Hill said.
”And I always know the coverage,” Flynn said. Because the defense often performs a thankless task – some fans think its purpose is merely to give Marino a rest – Fazio encourages the players to let their minds wander during off hours and contemplate flights of fancy on the football field.”
LikeLike
That performance certainly came Out of the Blue . ‘and there’s more to the picture than meets the eye’
LikeLike
DiNucci was 8-18 for 149 yards (we had the ball for 39:27) and 22 yards on 11 carries.
LikeLike
Yep, and take away that pretty obvious int. that we got a break on to Weah, and he’s 7-18 for about 100 yards, which sucks bad.
LikeLike
Yes, but he had little time to throw. How many times was he flushed out of the pocket? The offensive line improved with regards to the running game. But when it came to the passing game it wasn’t as if DiNucci had much time to follow his progressions. I cringed every time I saw the rush come at him.
LikeLike
Troy Hill right…..he backed up another Pitt great that died. Tim Lewis at Cornerback.
LikeLike
Good find tvax1. Troy got jagged about his name all the time.
LikeLike
Tim Lewis died???
LikeLike
Not that I’m aware. He was a DB coach for San Francisco two years ago.
Need more info on this…
LikeLike
No Tim is still alive, someone told him he died. My bad, Troy did back up Tim though and played on special teams.
LikeLike
Not saying he can’t play better, but it seems clear Dinucci is limited and ain’t gonna be taking us to the ACC championship…even if we had FSU or Clemson talent surrounding him. We need a playmaker, high talent QB to get us to 8-9 win seasons with our limited depth, and Pickett may not be that either, but let’s find out…or MacVittie.
LikeLike
Good to get a (deep breath) THIRD win on the season. But boy are we bad at EVERYTHING. Just plain bad.
LikeLike
Predictive programming ?
http://triblive.com/sports/college/pitt/
LikeLike
Check out the 2nd pick. 5 things to watch: Pitt vs Duke. What number is that NC State player ?
LikeLike
Attendance for today’s game in Durham just over 22,600
LikeLike
Counting the insects…
LikeLike
We need an OCS.
LikeLike
I’m sensing some sarcasm here Doc.
LikeLike
Quote by Duzz post game –
On success in the run game: “Darrin Hall made some plays. The offensive line, credit Brian O’Neill, for really sticking together. He’s leading that offensive line and wanting to run certain plays. Brian spearheaded an attitude, he’s not a captain, but he’s a big time leader in there. I give him credit for being vocal and speaking his mind and being a leader.”
Dr. Tom – this Pitt team has another leader after today’s game. Brian O’Neill was in the ear of the coaches asking to run certain plays. And they apparently listened…
LikeLike
lol, ………….. and the beat goes on…………….
LikeLike
No, we won…
LikeLike
Missed entire game to watch granddaughter in competition 40 miles away.
Good win.
Hall’s 254 yards is leading all rushers in FBS football (as of now).
I had PITT 24 – Duke 20 in yesterday’s prediction.
LikeLike
Nice call cocks. I’m even with you at 21-17. I hope you’re doing well. Sorry for your loss
LikeLike
When PITT loses they suck
When PITT wins they suck………..
PITT played some really tough teams this year, Duke not being one of them. Winning on the road in the ACC is not easy though and I give them credit. Duke was 16th in the nation in run defense……… so much for stats.
A big win next week at home and PITT will have a chance for a semi respectable season considering it’s youth, problems and injuries.
We should all celebrate tonight. … .. .ike
LikeLike
Yes pitt won but it was not a strong win and they are not a good team.
LikeLike
We are Celebrating !
LikeLike
Ike has told us to be more upbeat about the future and he may be on to something. Not that Pitt did everything great today but they are showing some grit and, more importantly, improvement almost every week. Thinking ahead to next year, nearly everyone who matters (except for Whitehead) comes back. And they will have huge amounts of hard won experience. And even with Whitehead probably jumping to the NFL, we have Paris Ford to plug in… Also, Aston and Tipton who were going to be huge factors this year (but aren’t because of injuries) will be back. And maybe Wirginis??
The loss at Syracuse which some think was caused by one or two bone-headed penalties looms large. If that L had been a W, we would be having a fit of irrational exuberance right now and be thinking about bowl eligibility (as two more wins seems at least theoretically possible – i.e., Virginia and North Carolina)… What a shame….
LikeLike
What, no chance in your mind that we beat VTech or miami? The cuse hanging tough with miami on ESPN.
VTech beating the tar holes 42-0 with a blocked punt just now. Another score coming and only in the 3rd qtr.
LikeLike
Pitt can still go to a bowl with 5 wins…if not enough 6 win teams. Just need to beat UVA and NC. Both beatable. And Pitt always plays VA Tech close. And Miami is over-rated this year and game in cold Pittsburgh.
Defense is getting better
Ben is just a game manager. Need the deep threat (or just some decent passes) or this offense goes nowhere since one dimensional.
Pitts O wont ever score above 30 without a better QB
That means Pitts D must continue to keep opponents under 24 points…tough task to ask.
Pitts special teams has been absent. A punt or kickoff return would help
Coaching still sucks with this team. It has gotten worse while players have improved
LikeLike
My sincere hope would be declining an invitation to a bowl if Pitt ends up @ 5-7.
As they say in Wayne’s World, “We’re not Worthy”!
LikeLike
No one wants to invite us when we get 7 wins. Not to be critical….
LikeLike
Last thing I want to see is a 5-win Pitt team going to a bowl..
As Beano would say, haven’t we suffered enough…
Go Pitt
LikeLike
Ike most of us are celebrating. What I do not get is the hatred of the Nooch. No he is not a great D1 QB and he had overall a lousy first half. He is a quality backup and what we got. However the throw to Weah was a well thrown deep ball yet some say ‘it should of been an interception’ Maybe so but it was not, it was a key pass well thrown and battled for by Weah. Give credit when it is due. Nooch played on a day that Pickett was apparently not feeling well and Pitt won. Get over your hate of the kid Poverts,We all can see why Reed gets a woodie talking of him. Pickett will eventually win out and start next year but we won with Nooch today. Get over it. How many of us could see nothing in Hall? I didn’t and admit it. He had a great game, tip of the hat. Nooch QBd and won. Dane played great. Heal quick Avonte. you small but you a battler.
HAIL TO PITT AND NICE WIN GUYS
LikeLike
8-18 for 149 yards while on the field for 40 minutes. Oh, he also ran (and slid) for 22 yards on 11 caries. Yipeeee…..
LikeLike
Great post , rkb!
LikeLike
I don’t think anyone hates him — I certainly don’t, and don’t hate anyone in fact. Many of us just see him as pretty limited, which is okay, but when you combine that with more than occasional bad decision making, its a bad combo. He’s clearly trying and no one knocks him for that, but many of us see he’s not super-talented and we’d like to see Pickett or MacVittie get a full game to check them out.
LikeLike
No, we still suck and that’s a true statement. They just sucked more than us. 🙂 That game was painful to watch if you were a fan of either team. I feel good for the kids on the team to get the win because they work their tails off all year for it. And the young kids are getting some great experience this year – except for one that I wish would get a little more….KP.
LikeLike
ps Sean at LB makes me eat my words every week.
LikeLike
Pitt Grad I get your point but did you want KP to play with the flu? He will play next week and every week after.
LikeLike
No, I understand why he didn’t. That was just a general statement.
LikeLike
Let’s see, who do I call out next week…to guarantee a Top 10 Pitt record and win 🙂
LikeLike
How about little Q? He needs a shot in the arm. Tough year so far for our All-American.
LikeLike
I guess Pitt isnt a good enough draw if only 22k fans showed. But Duke is a small school and that stadium is 35-40k max. And without the yellow seats and more intimate with college character. But still good they invested in their stadium.
Obviously their board sees the value in the investment and its return via lifetime university donations. Its not necessarily wins and losses, competitive advantage or actual attendance that is the reason behind an OCS. Its the on campus experience particularly the atmosphere and feel outside the stadium.
Thats how loyalty, pride, spirit and connection to alma mater is made. A shame that most visiting fans dont have a chance to visit Oakland. I think they would love the campus. Pitt loses a great way to market the school. We’re associated with a ketchup bottle instead of the Cathedral.
LikeLike
RKB, I agree. What is to be expected and what would PITT have done today without Dinucci?
I’ve been touting Hall and Lopes for a good while now. Yeah, chest thumping a bit but a young team is a work in progress.
Lots of posters have said that this team will get better and better as the season went on, the schedule became a little easier and the young guys gained experienced.
Impatience and being unreasonable are not listed as virtues… imo
Being logical is I believe? . . .ike
LikeLike
Hamlin started today with Revis on the sidelines. I wonder if they discussed their islands?
LikeLike
You know last nite, after I made my prediction, I saw rkb’s post(which was a couple above mine) about John Brown dying. And I sat in front of my computer for more than several minutes, cause I was just in shock. And I was looking at the pic of John and Danny post Sugar Bowl win, caused it almost seemed like yesterday to me . And I was also trying to remember who #22 was.
Then I wanted to go back and change my prediction to a Pitt win. You know, win one for John.
Didn’t tune into today’s game until late 3rd quarter and I gotta say the 4th quarter was magical.
LikeLike
Great shot in the IU vs MSU game of the crowd in Sparty gear except one guy rockin a script Pitt hat, lol. We are everywhere.
LikeLike
Duke liked to run the ball and stop the run. They didn’t do all that well today in both. shoulder shrug.
LikeLike
Need to bench Nooooch. Just horrible qb play I don’t know what Duzz was watching
LikeLike
Duzz watch Pitt win today. And Nooch was the QB. The eye test didn’t look great, but he made some key throws late in the game and he handed the ball off well…
LikeLike
Hey EE, did those hand offs looked good because of the PITT D?
LikeLike
The Pitt D “held” on for the win today – literally.
The Nooch hand offs were key to Pitt’s win today. No fumbles and lots of positive yards, with 3 HUGE TD’s.
LikeLike
How about FLState losing again today? – to louisville
LikeLike
Didn’t know Pickett had the flu. If he did what was he doing around the team? Nobody else to play? That would explain sticking with the Nooch. Under pressure what limited form he has just folds.
LikeLike
Next week, start Pickett. This defense is learning game by game what it takes to win. Hopefully Maddox can play next week, if not he’ll be coaching from the sidelines from here on out simply because of the young guys waiting in the wings for their chance.
This win was ugly but just like scoring when you were in college, as long as she’s gone by the time you wake up on Saturday morning, there are no such things as an ugly win.
LikeLike
I heard rumors that the team doesn’t like seeing Nooch getting pulled for any reason. More friends on the team I guess. They will learn to like Pickett and his hustle and leadership soon enough though.
LikeLike
Great outcome, but a pretty hard game to watch.
Gotta love the big plays, but so much incompetence in one game.
Funny, the difference was Weah stealing a catch.
When does Pitt ever get a break like that?
LikeLike
Also, when does Pitt get two long runs like that?
Baby steps. Really glad for the guys.
LikeLike
As painful as our game was, try watching a BiG game. Talk about watching paint dry. Not sure if there are two teams in that conference who can score on a decent team!
LikeLike
Remember, tOSU was shut out in the playoffs last year by clemscum 31-0
The B1G Ten is a B1G Joke!
LikeLike
I have been a skeptic of Hall for sometime.
It felt great watching him have a game to remember.
Happy for him and the rest of the team.
LikeLike
Ben did a good job today. Hey he won the game but did not impress me. Don’t know if it was the game plan for him not to lose the game but the short throws are making me weary. I really disapprove of him rolling out on passing plays. His arm is just strong enough.
Loved Ben running and using his legs, I believe this is what helped out the O-Line and the running game over-all.
Want to see Pickett more next week but the flu has set him back another week with a team that is beatable for PITT. You guys think PITT should still be experimenting after this win? I ask for real not rhetorically.
I stick with Ben and get him the first team reps and grow the playbook for him. <<< and include Weah and Lopes. How bout some tight end shots?
Does PITT really have a running game now?
It’s a work in progress and I see progress. ….. . .ike
H2P!
LikeLike
ike— found DiNooch really frustrating today. Many weak passes thrown off his back foot – and guys were open. He was getting pressure, but still, I mean Lopes had no one within 10 yards of him on a 3rd down in the first half and DiNooch’s pass comes in 5 yards short.
And on the run plays, I really thought DiNooch had the chance for some big gainers, but he showed no quickness or elusiveness today and the slides were just lame…
The offense is just a mess. If Hall doesn’t have the speed to take those two plays all the way, Pitt loses this game.
Delighted by the win though…
Go Pitt.
LikeLike
Pitt probably would be better in the B10 …. more of their speed (literally)
LikeLike
Anyone know why Aaron Mathews did not play today? He had a few good games in a row recently.
No catches today and his name is absent from the participation report.
LikeLike
Good question
LikeLike
I thought I saw Mathews on the field a few times today – just no catches.
Go Pitt
LikeLike
Say what you will about DiNucci, but he did lead the team to a comeback victory, something we have rarely seen at Pitt over the last ten years, maybe more. Yes he benefited from Hall’s big run, but he completed two important passes to Weah on a winning drive and threw one more first down completion to Lopes to help seal the deal. Also give Weah credit, it has been a tough year for him but he really came through today.
I will bet very few of us saw a victory after Dukes last TD pass. Hats off to Pitt for not giving up.
Good question Ike, where were the tight ends today?
We are off the schneid in the ACC.
LikeLike
Hall led that team…DiNucci was just along for the ride.
LikeLike
^^EE, Sherlock himself couln’t get to the bottom of that question concerning Matthews. In Narduzzi’s next life he will be the Chief of Staff at Fort Knox
LikeLike
Northwestern beat Iowa today 17-10 in OT.
Duke beat Northwestern and psu barely beat Iowa on a last second TD.
Is Pitt improving?
The eye test says, “a little bit of improvement”.
LikeLike
Yep….that’s how overrated the pedos are. Iowa was their best win so far.
LikeLike
It’s OK to believe…
LikeLike
Great win. Virginia, NC seems possible. Have to pull out VT or Miami. On another note, very sad to hear about John Brown’s passing. Having watched him in person at the Superdome in the 1982 Sugar Bowl, I will always be grateful for experiencing what was probably the most exciting Pitt football night of my life. God bless you, Touchdown John Brown. Thanks for the great Pitt memories.
LikeLike
Pulled this from Twitter after the Duke victory –
https://mobile.twitter.com/Pitt_FB/status/921849845077377024/video/1
HTP!
LikeLike
Finally got one right as I picked Pitt 35 – Duke 28. Hopefully beat Va and UNC to get to 5 -5 and pray for one against VT and Miami..
LikeLike
Nice to see some POVers at the game today. Beautiful day in Durham. I liked Duke’s stadium — very basic, but nice IMHO.
We sure tried hard to give this game to Duke but they just would not take it.
More head-scratching plays and play-calls by Pitt. How we won, I have no idea. But Whitehead’s interception at the end was right in front of the Pitt section and was a thing of beauty!!
After the game, the wife and I headed to Virginia Beach to celebrate for a couple days…
Go Pitt.
LikeLike
Have fun at the beach MM. I think Maddox may be hurt fairly bad.. Hate to see that. PITT didn’t look lost out there to this team imo.
How do you think the Duke fans feel tonight. Are the Duke fans keeping their eyes on Duke like we do here at the POV? …………… .. .ike
H2P!
LikeLike
Only in hoops Ike….only in hoops.
LikeLike
Good write-up & video on John Brown in the Trib:
http://triblive.com/sports/otherlocal/12858701-74/former-pitt-burrell-football-star-john-brown-dies-at-58
LikeLike
A song for Upitt and stop being so pig headed and get back here. Of course all the geriatric POVer’s are sound asleep and will never see this or care anyway.
Couldn’t find a decent Bob Dylan video. So this is a cover asking Upitt where in the hell are you tonight?
LikeLike
I posted the other week that they are indeed setting up the Creepsters for a NC game. In this the Golden Age of the Pedophile (see hollywood).
LikeLike
I think Suburban Urban has a worthy plan on how to defeat the creepsters. His athletes can match Franklinstein’s, whereas Michigan’s athletes were too young.
The psu vs tOSU game will come down to coaching. Morehead vs Meyers – lol.
LikeLike
Within the top 4 right now, psu is the weakest – Alabama, TCU and Georgia are better.
How far does nd jump in the polls after trouncing USC? The team that beat the pedos in the Rose Bowl. That’s a one loss team that will be coddled and charmed into the playoffs, but at who’s expense.
LikeLike
That’s a one loss team = nd
LikeLike
Some thoughts. Georgia beat ND at ND. Bama and Georgia are in different divisions and will meet in SEC title. A one loss Georgia team should have more cachet than any other 1-loss team except for ND because head-to-head.
LikeLike
.. including ND because of head-to-head
LikeLike
I looked at the Trib this am and a headline “Derailment in Knoxville Sends Car into Building” …. and my initial thought was that it was a streetcar in South Hills.
I need to retire
LikeLike
Reed, do you still think Whitehead should be our running back?
The sad thing for Pitt is that Whitehead is going pro after this season just when the defense looks to be pretty strong next year.
LikeLike
gc – The D will need to be pretty strong without JW. He will go to the NFL.
Now, if Wirginis returns from his injury, he could fill the void of JW being the leading tackler every game he plays. Must stay off the suspension list though…
Paris Ford will also make an appearance next year, I think.
LikeLike
By the way, two ex-Pitt RB’s had little to no effect on Wisconsin’s B1G Joke win yesterday –
R. Ibrahim with 1 carry for 12 yards.
C. James with no carries and no catches for no yards.
LikeLike
Finally watched a full game rather than bits and pieces from internet feeds or dvr’d game with no desire to “see/watch” every horrible play.
First thought for me is that the offense still stinks but something HAS started to click with Hall’s vision where he is hitting holes better and also adjusting to what is available sooner.
Secondly, I really think Watson game planning for Browne or Dinucci was a monumental task and probably hurt the offense in many ways from game prep to in-game adjustments because of how vastly different their games are. Good thing is going forward, Pickett and Dinucci are much the same, just hope that they both improve in accuracy and in seeing the field/going through progressions.
On top of that, this offensive line is still suspect yet maybe improving, but as others have stated, the switching of positions has to have hurt and I have to question the coaches decision to do that while having to work with our QB’s as mentioned above and our “stable” of RB’s of which finally we may be seeing the lead horse.
Any word on Maddox? If he is gone, as much as others have criticized, we lose a leader and IMO, solid corner/athlete on defense.
LikeLike
That’s two captains down with injuries. Leaves Briggs and Weah as the two leaders on the field. That explains why both continue to start even though others may have passed them talent wise.
LikeLike
Haven’t posted in a while, have been away, other factors, but I finally decided to check in after yesterday’s game, win or loss, and summarize things, at least from my perspective. Glad to do so after a win.
Coaching – I think most people evaluate coaches, past and present, the wrong way. Too much emphasis on the HC, not enough on the Assistants. In hindsight, Chryst is proving to be a good coach, but I think a large part of that is he is surrounded by a better staff at Wisconsin, especially due to upgrading his defensive coordinator. And Narduzzi suddenly doesn’t look as smart, after downgrading his offensive coordinator position (yeah I know, lost a few key players, most importantly the QB). In my opinion, this makes it really hard to evaluate Narduzzi at this point. I personally still suspect he’s the right guy, and I’m impressed with the obvious improvement in the defense over last year despite a weak DL, however if the offense doesn’t get going, and if Watson is the wrong guy, then Watson could be Narduzzi’s version of Chryst’s House.
Stats – I believe most people have it wrong here too, people seem to compare “last year” to “this year”, but this year is far from over (statistically) and year-to-date stats prior to yesterday were misleading as a result, Let’s wait until we get closer to year end and see what things look like. Regardless, the improvement in our pass defense this year is far greater than I would’ve ever imagined. In fact, despite a huge drop off in our DL, the overall defense is considerably better as a result. And specifically, Dane Jackson has been very good (Maddox’s improvement prior to the injury yesterday was impressive too).
Defense – As I said, nice, obvious, and unexpected improvement on this side of the ball, season ending stats should bear this out.
Offense – Generally sucks of course, but I struggle evaluating this unit, how much is on the QB and how much the OC??? Of course their inability to run has been problem #1, but even when we did run well yesterday, our passing overall was pretty poor. Would love to hear thoughts on this…
QB – Yesterday told me a lot. Of course my opinion is very open to change, but DiNucci is underwhelming. I think it’s time to put Pickett in in doses each game and see if he can grab the position. Burning Pickett’s redshirt though and not giving him the opportunity would be unethical in my opinion. What do we have to lose, given DiNucci’s lack of ability???
So if we’re going to make a jump next year, here are my concerns: OC, QB, front 7, and I’m afraid that may be too much to overcome, especially since the OC situation will likely remain unchanged. Then again, hopefully I’m wrong about Watson.
LikeLike
Head coaches are only as good as their assistants. Head coaches create the culture and overall strategy, but their assistants make or break them.
Ben is just a game manager. Which is fine if you have a running game and good D.
Our O line just isnt tough. How difficult is it to get 1 yard on the ground when you need it?
Our D is a young unit but gaining confidence.
Most puzzling is play calling, the handling of the QB, the decline in an experienced O line, and lack of a running game despite yesterday.
I havent seen the players quit. They seem to be motivated. But they are either too inexperienced or less talented than the teams we play. Experience comes with playing time but the coaches need to coach (develop players) and run the right schemes so their talents fit with the system. Talent is recruiting and recruiting has been sub-par with many misses.
LikeLike
Could not agree more on the coaching. JM1 assembled one of the greatest coaching staffs in college football history, and that’s no exaggeration. Who on the current staff will be a head coach??
Being a HC requires an eye for talent, both with players and assistants. The current crop is mostly old retreads, with one or so exceptions. Again, the HC doesn’t have to be the sharpest x&o guy, but the lack of high quality assistants falls on him. And you don’t need high paid guys, you need an eye for talent.
LikeLike
Charlie Partridge is a former head coach. not a great one but he was. but this is no Majors 1 like coaching staff.
LikeLike
Good point tvax1 about trying to work with Browne and the other QBs, when their games are so dissimilar. Shows why it was such a disastrous decision to bring in Browne and not find someone with some run potential, or go with the guys you have…
Investing all that time in Browne gained us nothing and lost us a lot of development from the other QBs…
Go Pitt.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know we never had a chance but Khaleke Hudson may be the best one that got away.
LikeLike
… and just to drive a few of you nuts, I’ll throw in Conklin’s name as a future head coach after he turns the PITT defense into a national powerhouse D……. 🙂
LikeLike
At what high school?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Frankly, DiNooch has started to bother me a bit. Yesterday he makes a first down in the 1st half and does a pose… Are you kidding me, with the way he played that half???
And after last week’s game he said he was caught off guard by Pickett coming into the game? What planet has DiNooch been on?
Confidence and even a bit of swagger is good — IF you have the game to go with it. I think DiNooch should humble up a bit – at least until he plays better than he’s played to date, which has been nothing to crow about…
I know, I’m a cranky old geezer…
Go Pitt.
LikeLike
Totally agree, I want a leader, not a showboat poser! Act like you have done it before and then do it again…..IIRC, they punted 4 plays later.
LikeLike
I hear you MM, Twice Dinucci slid a yard before the sticks. << I don’t go for play like that. Narduzzi said that won’t happen again.
LikeLike
Actually, Jackie’s first staff might be better than Johnny’s. Carrick wouldn’t hire Kooklin.
LikeLike
I think the Nitters run the table in an extremely weak BiG. Other than them I do not think there is another really good team in that league. Most offensively challenged conference in the country.
Not sure what the line is but I love then vs the Suckeyes. And one more that I have a tough time with, they will be ranked no. 1 before the year is over.
LikeLike
I’ll be rooting for the bucknuts.
LikeLike
At worst, the awful nitters win the national championship
At best, PITT played a playoff team tough at their erector set of a crap stadium.
LikeLike