Finally a cupcake.

And despite what others may say, that is exactly what this game it.  Yes, Delaware was an FCS playoff team last year, but based on what we’ve seen, Pitt should have a pretty clear-cut talent advantage in this game.

In case you wanted to know a little more about the Blue Hens, you can check out a pre-season preview at HeroSports.com.

Here is an excerpt:

OUR TAKE: In the first five games, only two games look like Delaware is expected to be in the “underdog” column — at Pitt and home vs. defending FCS national champion North Dakota State. The Blue Hens don’t get highly ranked James Madison or Maine in the CAA slate, but do have daunting road trips to Elon, a loaded Towson team and always-tough Villanova. The home slate consists of New Hampshire, Richmond, Albany and Stony Brook — all teams Delaware can certainly hang with. Our prediction is seven wins and the Blue Hens being in the FCS playoff discussion as a fringe at-large team. That’s not too shabby considering most consider this a “rebuilding” year. We won’t bore you with the “this team reloads instead of rebuilds” line … but you get where we’re going with this.

Delaware has already played North Dakota State – the only other team that HeroSports expected them to lose to.  State won 47-22.

Delaware has also played three other games, winning all three.  Last week they rallied from 20 points down to beat Penn 28-27.  In week one they beat Delaware State 31-13.  They’ve also beaten the University of Rhode Island 44-36.  If you remember, Ohio U also played the University of Rhode Island, defeating them 41-20.  Pitt in turn dispatched the Bobcats 20-10, so if you use the transitive property…

Of course the transitive property doesn’t always hold, especially in college football.  Still, all Pitt has to do is play mistake-free ball and we should win this game going away.  We may not cover the spread (24 points!) but Pat Narduzzi has never lost to an FCS team.  This is a perfect opportunity for Pitt to get some backups some more experience, work on the weaker areas of its game (ahem running game), and rest some banged up guys before the Duke game.

The stats support this logic.  Delaware is 71st in total offense (in the FCS).  They average 372 yards per game.  They have a balanced offense, averaging 151 yards on the ground and 221 through the air.  What Pitt fans should be really excited about though is that Delaware ranks 110th in the FCS in sacks allowed, and 115th in TFL allowed.  They are giving up 3.25 sacks and 9 TFL per game.  If their offensive line has been over-matched by FCS competition, you’d have to think that Pitt’s DL is going to have field day.  I’d expect to see a strong defensive performance from the Panthers that starts up front.

On the other side of the ball, Delaware’s defense is nothing to write home about.  They are giving up 449 yards per game, good for 92nd in the FCS.  187 of those yards are on the ground.  If Pitt can’t run the ball against the Blue Hens, they won’t be able to run the ball against anybody.  Whipple needs to put his passing tendencies aside for one week and make sure Pitt focuses on establishing the run.

Now with all that being said, Pitt is going to get Delaware’s best shot, and upsets do happen.  The Citadel – a 2-2 FCS team – recently took down Georgia Tech.  But as I pointed out, the Duzz has a strong track record against the FCS.  Pitt has also had four games to form an identity, and we have plenty of tape on the Hens.  As long as we minimize mistakes and make the plays that are there to be made – no false starts, no holding, no dropped passes, players executing their assignments – this should be a pretty easy victory.

Hail to Pitt

Michaelangelo Monteleone

 

 

Michaelangelo holds a degree in Travel Writing from the University of Pittsburgh. He was a former staff writer for InPittsburgh Newsweekly, and currently resides near Atlanta, Georgia. He has been a Pitt fan since 1997 after he witnessed Pitt upset #22 Miami on Thursday night at Pitt Stadium.

131 thoughts on “Previewing Delaware”

  1. Editor’s Note: I’m reposting a comment that JoeL made yesterday because I think it’s a great conversation starter around Delaware. Joe makes a great point and I agree that this game will tell us a lot about our team.

    …

    I’ve been thinking about this arrow thing with a bit of a narrower lens. that gets blurry after Saturday around 4pm or so.

    Before the UCF game, I said that if we were to somehow win the game, the trajectory would change for the positive. So for now, the arrow is up.

    Back to this week. We are 28 point favorites over the Blue Hens. 28 as in four touchdowns.

    Beat the spread and the arrow stabilizes a bit. Although not a signature win, we probably pick up a couple votes in the rankings. I do not foresee this happening, but if Pitt somehow repeated the results from the last meeting with the Blue Hens I think we will get a few more people’s attention and that upward arrow firms up a little.

    Win in a close one and the goodwill from Saturday starts to become a distant memory and the PItt Special T-shirts move to the bargain rack at Big Lots. The arrow quivers.

    Narduzzi looked focused on Delaware in his pressor on Monday. He knows who they are and why they will be ready to pay in Pgh Saturday. Guessing the coaches are as well.

    The players are another question. Are they able to compartmentalize that win and focus on this week – or are they still celebrating?

    I have no doubt that Kenny Pickett is focused on the Hens. My bet is he watched the UCF game on tape in his parent hotel room Saturday night and focused on the 2nd and 3rd quarter. And BTW, I don’t care much for the QBR stat. Its misleading and fails to account for an number of factors that are relevant.

    The other players? I don’t have a clue. But those guys played with a lot of emotion on Saturday – and the one before. I hope they have a reserve tank for Saturday. We will find out a lot about the maturity and mindset of this team in this week’s game.

    To answer your question though, I cannot rule out exceeding 8 wins this year at this point. It is certainly possible based on not only the improvement in the team, but the level of play in the Coastal. Nor will I rule out 6-8. Another 5-7 season does seem less likely though. But its a bit too soon for me to look ahead.

    Lets take care of business Saturday!

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  2. IMO it is not possible for the team to focus this week the way it did the last two. Yes, they mean to not overlook the Hens but it is human nature to do so. I can even see a tightly contested game where Pitt finally breaks away a bit in the 4th quarter. This is not an uncommon formula …. look at UVa last week, and about 2 or 3 other ACC teams last week.

    The saving grace is the defense. This unit will keep the team in contention for the remainder of the games. Pitt may lose a game or two it should win … (don’t know) .. but Saturday won’t be one of them

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  3. Yeah, a 30 to 7 or 10 win will be ok imo just as long as PITT plays a lot of backups at the same time. It may be Patti cakes Patti cakes time?

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  5. We are clearly the better team, and will win the game. Quite honestly, unless it’s a blowout, I don’t think it will impact our national perception in any way. There has to be some letdown after the past two weeks. Short of there being a tight game in the fourth quarter, I think the arrow is pointing up. There are a lot of things to like about this team. We all knew it would take time for the new offense to gel, and for the offensive line to gain its footing. Lots of progress being seen there. And the Defense has been very good. I’m not sure if this week’s game tells us anything that we do not already know.

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  6. BTW Mike nice job.

    Here’s another thought I have been thinking about. << that doesn’t make any sense does it? 🙂 Narduzzi gets a lot of credit for getting his players fired up for the big games. Well, while that’s true enough I think there is more to it than that. Last week being a great example, that effort wasn’t just about being fired up. That was a well executed and well coached game plan. Maybe an example of lower rated * players being coached up huh? aah, it couldn’t be, it’s coach Narduzzi’s team…….

    Liked by 2 people

  9. Side note… I returned home from a surgical follow up in Philadelphia yesterday, and waiting for me was a get well card from the POVers who attended Fran’s tailgate at the UCF game. It’s was signed by quite a few people. Just wanted to use the forum of this great blog to thank those responsible. I’m looking forward to thanking them all in person later in the season. Hail to Pitt!!! And Hail to the POV!!!

    Liked by 10 people

  10. Remember, Pitt is 2 and 5 in its last seven games – and very nearly 1 and 6.

    I don’t see a let down. These players seemed pretty focused…

    I still go back to the fact that these guys work and prepare practically year-round for a mere 12 games. To me, that would mean every game is a big game – because there just aren’t that many of them versus all the time spent…

    Plus most of the players have guys behind them who’d love to take over their job and who have some talent. There’s some incentive for you.

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. If Pitt uses its size advantage in the trenches and speed advantage everywhere else, they should be giving their backups some playing time for most of the 2nd half.

    No need to run up a score, and HCPN never does this anyway, so I don’t see a blowout, but instead hopefully a well executed dominant game against an opponent that is looking for a pay check.

    I am especially hopeful that J Pinnock and Mathis can take some time off, and frankly if KP has shoulder issues, I don’t see why they need to see much of the field for most of this game.

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  13. Just watched the Erick Hallett interview. Very bright kid and well schooled in the art of the interview. Our depth is getting more impressive from week to week.

    You never know, but I don’t see this team coming out flat. Certainly less emotional than the last two, but a great time to work on the running game and give a lot of guys the opportunity to play, rest up the dinged guys, and have a good time.

    I think they know if they don’t go full out, bad things can happen.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. My daughter is a UD grad and a proud Blue Hen. UD is a loooong way from the great teams coached by
    Tubby Raymond. Pitt should win easily, however, I want to see Whipple focus on the running game.
    Patti should get some meaningful playing time and maybe Kessman will get his game back in focus.

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      1. You know I toyed with naming the article after this joe. Turns out I didn’t need to…

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  16. Our team’s determination and tenacity will reveal a lot about who we are. The degree of urgency displayed will reveal the depth of our motivation.

    Liked by 2 people

  17. Keeping track of former POVPUNCHING BAGS: Matt out-House is inside linebacker coach for the KC Chiefs. Josh Conklin ended his first year as HC at Wofford leading the Terriers to a 9-4 season and tied for 1st in therr conference. Jim “chubs” Cheney is calling plays for the Vols after a couple of successful season at UGA and last but not least “Potato Sack” Paulie is having another successful season at Whisky…..

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      1. No John, right now he is not.. He’s got his pedal to the medal and in the fast lane to nowhereville. Maybe he should call Holgy and see if he can bunk with him at the Motel 6?

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    3. Conklin is 1- 2 so far this year. Started out #8 & now is no longer ranked.

      Cheney got $1.5 to go back to Tennessee.

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      1. Cheney also got kicked the the curb by Kirby Smart. After the dawgs put up 7 against The Domers you have to wonder if he’s second guessing

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  18. We haven’t bitched too much about our coaches lately with the exception of maybe a play call or 2….what a noticeble difference…. POV is obviously having a positive affect on the administration and the more recent hires….

    Liked by 2 people

  19. Plays from the UCF game keep popping into my head.

    —On the last drive, we had a 4th and 5 on which UCF jumped offsides to give us the first. I wonder if this was a Coach Whip move to have KP change up the cadence at a very opportune moment???

    —I can still see the last play of the game – Dane Jackson looked like he was shot out of a cannon when he made that final tackle.

    Good stuff.

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 2 people

  20. Regarding Canada… While I might have been FIRST to coin the phrase, seems I wasn’t the only one who saw Canada’s Offense for what it really was… “Smoke ‘n Mirrors!”

    The following from former LSU Offensive Lineman Garrett Brumfield who played for Canada… until the Head Coach stripped Canada of his OC duties just HALFWAY through the Season.

    “I understand how people could have thought that some of the motions and shifts were smoke and mirrors,” Brumfield said, “but I think a good bit of it worked. I thought that offense was only going to get better.”

    Think it might be time to close the door on the “Canada Adoration Society.”

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    1. The LSU guys were in no way smart enough to grasp that offense all the way up to the head coach.

      If Canada had an ounce of loyalty he’d still be employed and making a lot more than he made in year one at Pitt

      In my opinion…

      Liked by 2 people

            1. I believe Pitt would have not matched but definitely given him a substantial raise. And he could have stayed as long as he wanted.

              I was a writing major but $800k over four years is 3.2 M. What did he make at LSU? $1.1?

              Just my opinion.

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                1. Okay so he’s making the same and doesn’t have to work. Good for him

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      2. Absolutely right MM. Besides LSU payers not being smart, the biggest problem was the QB’s

        While NP is still receiving a NFL check (or was the last time I heard), the LSU QB Danny Effling (in my best UPitt imitation) is selling used cars in Arcadia, La. He spends his spare time giving tours of the Bonnie & Clyde shooting site or playing video pokers at the truck stops in Minden.

        Liked by 2 people

  22. Has anyone heard anything about Comcast and the ACC Network. I am surprised this has gone on this long. I did see something about Comcast having very little presence in North Carolina.
    pmdH2P

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    2. All is silent on the Comcast-ACC thing. I did find my call to Comcast just yesterday interesting, though not sure if it means anything. I called them to let them know I was contemplating downgrading or cancelling to save money, since I have to add the ACC network with another service and I didn’t want my cost to go up. Unlike the last time I called to complain a month ago, this time they put me on hold twice and came back and said they expect to have the ACC network soon. I know it’s just a sales pitch, but their response was much different a few weeks ago, when they just said they didn’t have any information on it.

      Liked by 1 person

        1. Thanks Dan72, so maybe there was something to their change in disposition when I called? Anyway, I sure hope you’re right! If you hear anything else, like an estimated, reasonable time frame for implementation, would really appreciate hearing your scoop!

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  23. I don’t see any let up in Pitt’s play this coming weekend. Many of the backups are dam good and they have a great incentive to play all out in this game. Moving up the ranks for the opportunity of playing on the first team should be front and center for this group.—As for the running game improvement, that should only take place after we get a substantial lead in the game. An “ineffective” running game only kills the clock and keeps the large underdog in the game much too long.—-Pressure the QB as they have done the past few weeks and just maybe the D can set up the O for some short scoring opportunities early and often.

    Liked by 1 person

  24. Ike I agree the coaching gameplans have been really good lately. Narduzzi deserves credit for that as well as how fired up he gets the team.

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  25. pmd… Comcast hasn’t signed on yet. Locally it shows the game will be played on AT&T network, which seems odd to me. I have Comcast but they have an AT&T channel that will broadcast the game Saturday. Seems like a conflict of interest to me?

    Now AT&T has signed on so if you get that service where you are at you should be good to go.

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  26. For goodness sakes, Marstro, why do you think they call’em Hens. Guaranteed to lay an egg!

    Our D has a BIG day, so we can work on the road graders!!

    Liked by 3 people

  28. As I said above (and thanks for re-posting my comment Maestro), how the kids approach this is a question mark for me.

    Fully agree with Gordon that they will not come out emotionally charged Saturday. And I think its unrealistic to expect that. I’d like to think they will come out focused though. Narduzzi has probably been working day and night to get them focused this week.

    The Blue Hens had guy Danny Rocco is a good FB coach. He was at my undergrad alma mater (UR) and had some success. Unfortunately, we had an AD (since fired) who wouldn’t go to bat for him with the admissions office a a few occasions. Rocco blew his lid publicly and called out the administration for lack of support and took the Delaware job (AD was subsequently fired, rightly btw). Rocco’s father was a Nits assistant, so there is something to hate (haha). His roster is filled with kids from eastern and central PA, although there are 5-6 kids from the Pgh area. So they are like a mini-Penn State. I expect him to have his guys ready and motivated for this game. Its their Central Florida matchup.

    Important for our guys to come out ready from the start, avoid turning over the ball and making mistakes that cause drives to stall. Have to put these guys away. The outcome should not be in doubt at the half or we risk not being able to get playing time for the back-ups – or worse yet an awful upset.

    This is a good opportunity to get the the running game going. Get a lead – hopefully a comfortable one at halftime – and run the ball to keep the clock moving. Or high percentage passes art least.

    Would love to see Kenny have another great game and have Patti come in for mop-up duty with enough time on the clock to get some good reps.

    On paper, we should win comfortably. Sure hope that’s what happens.

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  29. Running Backs:

    Sibley Marvelous;

    Swerving AJ …. nah, that doesn’t work.

    INvincible;

    Can’t do V’Lique!!

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      1. Also the name of a famous hero in geek antiquity and one of the British warships that defeated the German battle cruiser “admiral graff spee” off the coast of Uruguay in 1939

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  30. So JoeL is saying the Fighti’n Egg layers are putting up a bunch of 2 star Pennsylvanians against our 3 star Floridians…..I am giving a Reed-like prediction 45-17 but in favor of the yellow and bright blue..(I know…Delaware stole our colors) ..gargoyles win.

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  31. JoeL…. this weeks game will, like you mentioned, go a long ways in telling us all what exactly this PITT football team is made up of. Good football teams sleepwalk to a blowout win against teams like this. PITT needs to keep the momentum they created last weekend. But at the same time, get and keep the team healthy. BTW, I hope PITT scores 3 or 4 touchdowns in the third quarter to put that non-story to bed for good. << You know, like they put the no turnovers to sleep last week with two picks and a blocked punt…..

    Liked by 1 person

  32. Someone posted earlier…PITT has only 2 wins in the last six games…I think.they like the taste of winning…..just lead that horse to the water!!!!

    Liked by 1 person

  33. BernieB, PITT is 2-2 this year with a hell of a tough schedule so far in 2019. Winners don’t look back…… and you’re a big time winner!! . . . .ike

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  34. I will not be able to make it to the game Saturday – five straight weekends away from home is about all I can handle. Especially since I will meet up with some of yinz in Durham the following weekend.

    Bummed at missing the chance to see how Reed’s back is progressing (and how is the CBD stuff helping). More importantly would love to meet pittman4ever/Jim – my homie from Dormont Boro. I’m sure those there will give him a big Red 5A welcome and encourage him to participate in this space again.

    Liked by 1 person

  35. OT: The fact that Comcast carries the AT&T Sports channel on their network has nothing to with them not signing on as of yet with the ACC Network. Comcast subscribers will get the Pitt game if the local Comcast network includes a AT&T Sports channel. The following week the ACC Network is carrying the Duke Pitt game and Comcast subscribers won’t get the game unless Comcast signs on to ACCN in the interim.

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  36. Expectation against Delaware: A win so dominating that…

    Pitt covers the spread.
    True FR get to play and show what they have.
    Nick Patti plays and gets to throw some.
    The back up kicker gets a few shots.

    It rarely happens for Pitt. If it does Saturday, it is more proof this team is good.

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  38. Does anyone know SirVocea Dennis’s story? Pitt FR LB that has played in 3 games so far.

    I see he did a year of prep school even though he was a national honors society high school player. Is he on scholarship? Don’t remember him from the recruiting class.

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  39. Thanks MM. That is a great article. Obviously a smart, disciplined kid if he was headed to a military academy. Hope his career takes off at Pitt.

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    1. It’s already beginning to take off since he’s played in 3 of the first 4 games. I don’t think Dennis will be eligible for any red shirt on this seasons play. When he went to the prep school in New jersey he was converted from playing a Safety at his Syracuse HS to playing a LB at the prep school. After viewing his tape I believe I said I think the last recruit in might end up being our best recruit in his class.—-To this point I believe he is playing mostly on special teams. Right now it’s pretty hard to jump ahead of the LB’s Pitt is playing currently. However I’m hoping Pitt is able to stick their native son Dennis right in their face come this years game in Syracuse. Wouldn’t that just be something to write about?

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      1. Yea it would. He did got fooled mightily on a passing touchdown earlier this year (can’t remember if UVA or Ohio) so he’s got some learning to do, but it seems like the physical tools are there

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  41. Woooooahhhh there partner. This is exactly the type of game where we play down to the opponent. If history has shown us anything it’s that we can beat anyone, but also struggle and lose to anyone. When did we earn the right to become so cocky?

    Yes, this UD team is not as good as other teams they had in the past, but to think this will be a cakewalk is nuts. Cautiously optimistic yup, flat out cocky, huh?

    Anyhow, I’ll be away for 3wks, and will try to unplug. Let’s hope there is no letup, letdown, or let sideways. Us 28- Them 23.

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  42. ok JoeK, you laid it on the line…… again I might add….. this PITT football team is not SOP!! well at least I don’t think so???

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    1. I’m with Ike on this count. Joe knew clearly has been vastly affected or should I say infected by the SOP disease

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  44. Just sayin, don’t get too giddy. May well be 4-2, maybe not. Posts were sounding just a little too cocky. Anything this team gets will require hard work and complete concentration. Loss of focus will mean loss of game. The Duzz got them refocused quickly ( which I did not think was possible) Let’s see if he can get them to do it with a lesser opponent, cause I’m sure the Hens will be ready.

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  46. If PITT comes away from the Delaware game, that wears New Jersey’s, with a big win and health, they will kick Dukes butts up and down on their own field..

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  47. James Conner Story on ESPN tonight at 7:00 PM. Fox and Dish are fighting so the Pitt Delaware game will not be televised locally at they have the regional sports channel in the southeast.

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  51. Just read on PSN the freshmen Davis will not be red-shirted this year… interestingly, in the article Duzz said we ran 94 plays in the UCF game… maybe we are becoming a fast- tempo office!!!!

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    1. The key is will any redshirts be blown? Davis will get the ball plenty to warrant not redshirting, but some kids are nearing the four-game limit, like Brandon George. I was hoping Shockey-Louis would redshirt but is playing on special teams.

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  53. How could anyone who has been following Pitt for the past 35 years not be concerned about the possibility of SOP? Joe didn’t say that Delaware is better than Pitt, but correctly pointed out that Pitt tends to play down to these types of teams. We’ve seen it before.

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    1. and another way to put it friend VoR… and you know I like you. My reason for no concern? .. I’m not afraid of the dark….. bring it on………

      Liked by 2 people

        1. Hey B, we Germans are too head tough to no any better. In a way, that’s a good thing I guess? I wish I could post the Traveling Wilbury’s song ( End of the Line) right now. Bring it on…………………

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  54. VoR, the reason why, ME, personally can’t understand why someone would think anything in the past 35 years has one thing to do with what will happen this year is beyond my comprehension? You know I love you brother but when you go looking for trouble you will surely find it. You made me do the math………. since 1984? … Give me some common ground with 1984…. please. cause I can’t find it.

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  55. Ike, my friend, by 35 years ago I was basically referring to the years after Jackie Sherrill left until now. No need to point out the painful losses like Youngstown State, but the observation that Pitt loses to teams it shouldn’t isn’t really debatable.

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  56. BUT!! Give me a loss like that has happened under Narduzzi. If PITT had played Syracuse’s schedule the past four year years Narduzzi would be worshiped by now! << You know, like Dino Babers the Fake!

    Liked by 1 person

  57. Thanks for your bit of reality Joe Knew. I’m concerned about the overconfidence too. Hope the team doesn’t feel that way. If the games were sure things there would be no need to play them. H2P!

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  58. Over confidence is a good thing, not a bad thing. It means you expect to win. You should expect to win every game. Underestimating an opponent is what is bad but not the same thing. Additionally, confidence, swagger, and attitude are not the same thing as arrogance.

    As long as Pitt is overconfident but not arrogant they will be fine. Duzz teams have never felt arrogant to me. So I’m not worried in the least bit.

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  59. Tossing, it happens in the professional ranks as well as college. Teams coming off of a big win can often come out flat, make some mistakes, and give the early momentum to their opponent. Almost guaranteed this will happen with Pitt on Saturday. The key is to have a coaching staff who can spot it early and shake things up during the early going so that there is plenty of time to wake up and retake the momentum. ike, you apparently aren’t counting the Northwestern and Stanford losses as bad losses under Narduzzi.

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  60. I trust Pat Narduzzi. He told the team, “You’ve got to take every game personally; I know I do.” And then he went on to describe, in great detail, how Delaware derailed their National Championship bid in 1979 when his father was the head coach at YSU. Nard Dog never forgets, and he’s teaching this team a valuable lesson about the emotional commitment to their team and this game. Pat will have them ready.

    Liked by 2 people

  61. TT, you really should look up the definition of overconfidence. Not sure ya want to hang your hat on that one. Yes they should be confident, but aware nothing is a given. Find it hard to believe the Duzz would want them to be overconfident. What he put into them the past two weeks as underdogs should be used as a warning to be prepared. Not scared, not nervous, just a quiet confidence that f we take care of our own business we should be fine.

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    1. My point being that overconfidence is fake news. It’s like giving 110% effort. Doesn’t exist. If they overlook their opponent it’s bad thing but I want a team that expects to win by 8 TD’s whenever they take the field. That’s how you begin to exert your will on opponents. You want your team to think they’re better than the other team. I’ve just always hated the term.

      Underestimating the opposing team and/or arrogance are what usually kill you against an inferior opponent.

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  63. Before last week I’d have something to say about after halftime. Really hope you’re right Dan. Should be, but man, wouldn’t it be just like them? Anyhow, 3 weeks of schnitzel, strudel, and beer. Wonder if the river boat will get the ACC network,lol.

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  64. Avonte Maddox being taken off on stretcher.

    Whole team came out on field.

    Avonte had violent collision with teammate on a pass over the middle…

    Hoping AM is okay.

    Liked by 1 person

  65. Enjoying the optimism vs pessimism ….invincible vs beatable comments….I just have to go back to last Saturday afternoon and the bravado coming out of the mouths of those Dicksock UCF fans…. hope we never get like that….only fans worse in our conference wear baby blue – those baby blue bloods expect to beat us……

    Liked by 1 person

  67. Nope! Just raised by a man who carried his lunchbox to work… Do your job and keep it all in perspective. He told me to keep my nose to the grind stone… The only thing I would inherit was my last name and that I would have to work for the rest… Not bad advice… The Pitt Panthers Would be wise to keep their collective noses to the grindstone…

    Liked by 1 person

  68. VoR brings up a good point for discussion, the post Big Win letdown. It’s easy to get up for the huge games, a chip on your shoulder, got something to prove, leave it all out on the field. Flip the script when you’re the big boy team with a target on your back & it’s a totally different situation. SOP would be to come out flat, unfocused & under motivated. Been there done that more years than I’d like to remember. If that occurs tomorrow then I owe VoR an apology from my comment about SOP from yesterday.

    As Coach Narduzzi says, “you only get 12 assured opportunities”. These kids bust their asses 10-11 months out of the year for those opportunities and the GOOD teams prepare & play each one just as well as if it determined their conference championship. Pitt disappoints in this situation more times than not. History says so. This type of match up might actually be more telling about how far this program has come, & where it is going than a great come from behind win as an underdog like last week’s victory.

    If I’m correct in my analysis, I see this team taking care of business in a straight forward manner. We my not cover the spread, but if not, it will be because Duzz is smart enough to get the 2s in for reps when the game is securely in hand. You can SEE domination on the field more so than just reviewing the final score on a recap sometimes. A 35 to 14 win can be a beat down if the second team players are out there for the entire second half and maybe one of those Delaware TDs comes from a big play score due to a major defensive breakdown from one of Pitt’s back up players in the game for the 1st time.

    That’s what I expect to see, domination, especially by our defense, That group is beginning to play with some swagger. They should dominate. IMO, Patti needs to see significant playing time tomorrow. Not only has he earned that right, from his performance last week but it is important that he prepares, since as we saw, he literally is one play away from being our starting QB.

    Therefore, I’m not too concerned about covering the spread, no one nationally is going to notice if we miss that by a few points anyhow, but we do need to dominate this lesser foe. If we accomplish that, it shows me that this team is getting better every week & that the coaching staff is doing their job keeping these kids focused. If not,,,,, well then maybe SOP hasn’t been eradicated form this team’s DNA after all. We’ll see.

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    1. But good doctor, you only had PITT winning 3 games this year?? 🙂 jus kidding… You also make a good point. There are a couple ways PITT wins 35-21. Like you described or PITT has to add a late TD with Pickett still in the game with 2 minutes to go as PITT extends the lead to the final score. << That would be a real bummer.

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  70. There are a lot of upsets by lesser teams these days because the difference in personnel is not as great as it once was.

    No way to tell what will happen, but with Pitt you can never be surprised by any outcome. Pitt history is filled with belly flops. To think somehow Pitt is now immune to this sort of thing is folly. A few mistimed turnovers and Pitt could have its hands filled. Not saying it is going to happen.

    Look at UNC this year.

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  71. This has probably been covered long ago, but I missed it. How is the Division champ determined? Is it who has the best record in all ACC games or just games within the Division?
    I ask since UVA plays Notre Dame this weekend. I know that I am getting way ahead of myself here—but, I am trying to figure out what I need to want to see happen and when as the season unfolds.
    pmdH2P

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  72. I remember a couple of years back trying to work out a date when a friend and I could go to a game. The only date we could agree on was the game against the Akron Zips. I didn’t want to go because I knew we’d lose to them. Seems like we always play down or up to the competition. However, to the game we went and I watched the fighting Zips defeat the pathetic Panthers. Beware the Blue Hens. – Hobie

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    3. There must be something in the water that you folks are drinking who are looking for Pitt to possibly fall on its face against Delaware. A dominate defensive front 7 will almost guarantee setting up the Pitt offense early and often. I’m expecting a 17 to 21 point half time lead with no let up in the second half.

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  73. Just too much speed on this years team to lose to Delaware….should be a good game to sit back with a cold one and enjoy…. get more guys playing time as some of the 1’s get part of the day off,,,,this is the right game at the right time before taking on the Dookies….

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