I’m a Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech and a hell of an engineer
A helluva’, helluva helluva helluva helluva engineer
Like all the jolly good fellows I drink my whiskey clear
I’m a Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech and a hell of an engineer

Oh, if I had a daughter sir, I’d dress her in white and gold
And put her on the campus, sir, to cheer on the brave and bold
And if I had a son, sir, I’d tell you what he’d do
He would yell “To Hell With georgia” like his daddy used to do

Oh, I wish I had a barrel of rum and sugar three thousand pounds
A college bell to put it in and a clapper to stir it around
I’d drink to all the good fellows who come from far and near
I’m a ramblin’ gamblin’ hell of an engineer! Hey!

 

 

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.

425 thoughts on “Pitt at Georgia Tech Open Game Thread”

  6. “I’m a Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech and a hell of an engineer…”

    That is a cool verse…

    Go Pitt.

    Like

  7. Pickett w happy feet again. Stand in the pocket and throw the damn ball!!!!

    Executing the Whipple offense to a Tee. Righty up and down the field and kick FGs.

    Like

  10. When we’re inside the 20 this season we’ve only scored a TD about 50% of the time. Not good…

    Go Pitt.

    Like

  11. I like the GT QB he’s big and strong and will be tough to bring down. He also made a great throw on that pass play.

    Like

  30. Can’t find the game anywhere on TV or the internet. Totally blacked out here in South Carolina and the rest of ACC country it appears. Any advice? Listening to Billy Hillgrove on the Fan 93.7 via the web.

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    1. Sling is carrying the game–if it’s blacked out in your area, you can on your laptop download a (totally legit) vpn/up masker, pay the small monthly fee and then set your ip to another city like New York, then watch from sling/espn on a laptop. This sounds like a lot but it’s actually very easy and would take just a few minutes to set up.

      Like

    4. Bobby – Are you on Spectrum (charter). The game is on Fox Sports Southeast. Mine is on Chanel 35 basic or 812 HD.I live in Cherokee County in the upstate.

      Like

  31. I think they may go for it on 4th down. Of course if you think Pitt will turn the ball over 5 or 6 more times then you can go for the FG.

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  41. Moving the ball with ease …. yet 10 – 7. Following typical script. Turnovers and the big play against the D

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  46. How many times has ffrench turned it over this year? Anyone know? I’m thinking it’s 3-4 times including today.
    He comes back after it but dammit they are always costly when he commits the error.

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  47. Fox Sports is carrying the game. I think it is Fox Southeast in the Florida/ Georgia area. Station 402 on Comcast.

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  48. Finally got Shocky in the game. He’s also got the speed to test the opposition D’s on the long pass. I’d like to see Pitt try that call a least once or twice every game.

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  49. I told you before the season.
    The 30 year old punter is going to cost us big time with a bad hold.
    It is ridiculous that he holds.
    It is going to happen.
    Stone hands
    Kman

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  69. Another no brainer dumb decision by Narduzzi. You go on 4th down with 10 seconds on the clock if you make it you have a chance for a long field goal by downing the ball or using you last time out.. He’s just a very poor sideline game coach IMO.

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  71. Good news is that other than the turnovers, very good play so far.
    Mack looks healthy again. Defense is super, just don’t let their QB get in the open field.

    Still CAN NOT afford our usual third quarter swoon.

    Does anyone else feel like we are watching the Georgia Tech coverage?

    The announcers seem to know everything about them and little about us.

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  73. All I know is GT is in this game with Pitt 2nd half turnovers and conservative play calling. I think I have seen this scenario before.

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  76. First 3 and out of the game – the turtle is alive. And now a blocked punt – 4 turnovers – when does it end?

    Remember, Pitt will not score in this 2nd half.

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  78. Pretty much like I expected. A couple of big plays and puts a lot of pressure on the d. They have managed to turn the ball over every way possible. These guys are amazing.

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    1. I know Whipple is squeezing that Charmin, the comedy of errors continue with the special teams and offense.

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  80. We must be the worst 2nd half team in the US. FFFRENCH has tremendous athletic ability and absolutely
    no football smarts!

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  83. Pretty much like I thought. A couple of flukey big plays and puts a lot of pressure on the d. Turned it over pretty much every way possible. These guys are amazing.

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  86. i love passes to our speedy back out of the backfield. I hate passes to Ffrench behind the line of scrimmage.

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  98. Seen this movie too many times. Again no points in 3rd q….Toilet Paper & NoDoz must put them to sleep at halftime. Every frickin game

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  104. Week after week the madness never ends. This team is very consistent – at being inconsistent! I realize it is college kids, but more likely the reason is inconsistent coaching. Things like:

    -Wildcat works very well… so let’s not do that anymore

    -When calling a timeout would help, better hold on to them… or waste them on miscommunications on a meaningless 2nd down

    -Your kick returner fields a ball as it goes out of bounds… so yell at the ref

    -The offensive line has played well for once and given him lots of time to throw, but at least 4 times Kenny has run right in the direction of the one defender that is making some ground. Your receivers struggle to catch the ball… so let’s go all in on a short pass high volume attack.

    -Every time GT punts their gunners are on top of the returner immediately – where is the blocking?

    -2nd half adjustments?… nah, surely won’t need them. The other team will probably fumble going in to endzone and help us.

    The shame is this says more about me since I have been watching for over 40 years. I think I understand the process…. if it to get us back to Birmingham every year. H2P

    Liked by 2 people

  106. too bad Bright couldn’t lateral it back to a faster player like Paris. cause we will probably blow this scoring oppurtunity

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  112. 3 and out with a fumble on 3rd down.

    Let’s see, no yards gained but 9 yards lost. We were in FG range after the Cam Bright slog down the field.

    This team is pathetic.

    Liked by 1 person

  113. Truely one of the worst offenses in college football. Just like UMass, tons of yards, no points. Sad

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  117. I don’t understand that play. AJ Davis was a blocking back on that play. Yet Pickett tried to hand it off to him. Major screw up.

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  118. It looks like they have lost all confidence in Pickett throwing down field.

    They almost squandered a prime opportunity.

    It’s going to be an interesting 4th quarter.

    If this team didn’t have a good defense they would be close to winless.

    Liked by 1 person

  122. Where are Mack and Shocky? I don’t get this. Pickett won’t step up and throw it, and the RBs have disappeared. There must be more than short passes to Ffrench

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  124. Now we don’t seem to be able to stop the run. If it wasn’t for the penalties GT would be on the 50 by now.

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  128. New drinking game – I’ll go in the other room and drink when Pitt’s O has the ball and drink and drink until the D gets back on the field.

    Who’s in?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. UMass lost again today I think they are 1-8, Whipple left his mark on that program

      Like

    1. Everybody is up at the line to stop the run for GT. The pass to Shocky was there on 1st down not 3rd and 14.

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  143. that miss only means 1 thing….gt is gonna score. pretty predictable, as is pitt not scoring in 2nd halves

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  148. Postgame presser:
    Ran into a buzzsaw today.
    They beat Miami, who beat us.
    So I’m proud of our guys.
    Another outstanding game by Kenny. A true leader. He gave another halftime speech as I was eating my corn dog, and I’m sure that’s why we caught fire in the third quarter.
    So, it’s on to…who do we play next, EJ? Oh well, it doesn’t matter. Kenny will have em ready.

    Liked by 1 person

  151. Don’t know who I’m angrier with. Whipple or Pickett. Horrible horrible call!!!!!!

    Cannot take that sack.

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    1. Whipple on that one, Pickett didn’t have time the TE was covered and Pickett couldn’t react fast enough.

      The offense just can’t execute properly.

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  153. Well we got 3 points in the 2nd half I guess we should bet satisfied. i hope they at least run the clock down before they punt the ball.

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  155. LOL at a UMASS reference. They lost 63-21 to LIberty Today. Ranked 219 in Sagarin Ratings!!!! NOTE: There are only 130 D-1 teams. HAHAHAHA

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    1. BUT Dan and with all respect. You predicted GT would win the game? Now they are a horrendous football team? GT didn’t have 200 yards of total offense and that includes a 50 yards pass for a TD.

      Liked by 3 people

  165. Ever the optimist but my original comment was that we would control this game…but geez can we ever play a good offensive game!!

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  168. More from the presser:
    Hard-fought win…and yes, a win is a win and it keeps us alive for the Coastal title.
    We’re in the hunt, baby.
    Just a few things to clean up.
    EJ tells me we have a week off to get healthy…who knows, maybe get James Connor back…I know, I know…he plays for the Steelers…I see him sometimes, when I’m watching them instead of coaching.

    Liked by 4 people

  173. They won and beat the spread but again the same old story, turnovers, poor offensive play calling and execution.

    Liked by 1 person

  174. Goal line stand probably saved the game. Defense definitely won this one.

    Going to need the offense to contribute in the next three if we want anymore wins.

    If you were expecting this team to blow anybody away, get over it.

    Delaware should have told you that.

    Liked by 2 people

  175. Last 3 games….no TD’s in the 2nd half for Whipple’s pass happy offense. 1 fg against mighty cuse who gave up 58 to BC, 2 FG’s against Miami who lost to putrid GT……and 1 measly FG against said…putrid GT…even The Citadel scored 27 against GT
    PASS HAPPY WITH NO SCORING…IS CRAP

    Liked by 1 person

  176. I had to turn the game off in the 3rd quarter. I couldn’t take it anymore. At least they got the victory. This team plays an unwatchable brand of football, though. Is it b-ball season yet?

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    1. Can’t wait for that bowl game. Is the BBVA Kumquat Bowl a part of the magnificent ACC bowl sleep-a-thons…er I mean games. We all need an extra watching of Whipple’s pass happy no score offense.
      5th in passing attempts, last in Scoring.

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  178. You have to wonder, why all the sideline passes? If you throw down field at least you have a chance for positive yardage. The O-line was giving Picket much more than his usual time to throw too.

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  179. hOW can a team that is 5th in passing attempts….not be able to complete a pass longer than 2 yards.

    What do they practice just throwing 2 yard passes all week ? It’s just almost unwatchable, watching this garbage at this level.

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    1. It depends on what direction you throw the ball… Duzz has something against attacking with a vertical passing game…

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  180. We should have plenty of surprise plays for the next three weeks because once Pitt gets the lead it’s vanilla city.

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  182. I don’t see how we beat NC or BC and VT is hardly a sure thing. They did play well the last several minutes. AJ is a decent back. Uses his hands to help him finish his runs.

    If Pitt had lost this game and before the Ford interception I thought they were going to, I felt the season was over and it was time to sit Pickett for the rest of the year. Now, that does not happen.

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    1. the other qb’s must be horrendous(or more horrendous)….one would have to think.
      pickett should be playing at Shippensburg like his old man did. (nice kid, tough kid, no arm and not getting any better) In fact Pitt’s offense is regressing.

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    2. Sit Pickett???? Why??? Pickett should be fighting to retain his starting QB job next year. He has done nothing to ensure he retains the starting job next year!

      Liked by 1 person

  183. That win was so ugly, I am now sipping on Jim Beam Black instead of Woodford Reserve.

    Just got on the site …. anyone know why Hamlin didn’t play? Peak, Pantherlair twitter, didn’t know

    Liked by 1 person

    2. I hate bourbon. I don’t really like scotch either. I used to like canadian whiskey’s. I seem to favor Rye whiskeys today. Bushman’s Irish Whiskey is also mild. Wish I could drink more, but getting old doesn’t make the next day any fun if you do.

      Oh!, by the way, Pickett and French played badly!!!!!

      Like

  185. Yeah but win two of the final three and you have eight wins with a shot at nine.

    That would be pretty good for a team picked to finish near the bottom by the pundits.

    Our defense should keep us in most any game, now if the offense just…..

    Liked by 2 people

  186. final 3 games:

    UNC who we never beat

    at VT which lost by 1 today at South Bend

    BC who beat just beat the crap out of the Orange today in the Dome

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    1. We always play our best when we expect the least.

      After the last two weeks no one should be expecting much.

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  187. here we go …

    John McGonigal@jmcgonigal9

    Damar Hamlin is “dinged up,” but could have played tonight if Pitt needed him, Pat Narduzzi said. Was a game-time decision.
    Narduzzi guaranteed that Hamlin will be back for North Carolina after the off week.

    That’s good …. and a thumbs up to Stocker who played well as his replacement IMO

    Like

  188. PSN calling this game and UGLY win.

    But we are toilet bowl eligible.

    Did the D have any sacks today?

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    1. Tumbleweed, in Eastern Washington is scary at night. Especially if you are trying to find the town of LaCrosse and you’re driving a small MGB in winter with the wind blowing. It’s wheat country and swarms of mice cross the two lane roads with the wind and tumbleweed in the dark. After I met her parents, I married the girl.

      I really hate our new retro colors!

      Maybe a week off will help our turnovers. Whipple needs to change it up. They seem to know what he is doing. The line needs to hold better. Pickett needs to practice….practice….. practice…… Kenny turn left instead of right. Change it up! French needs to concentrate. I still love the kids.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. The kids represent the university and city well. I just wish the game was more enjoyable to watch. The only thing crossing a road at night is an armadillo down here. Its cotton and cow country here.

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  190. If NoDoz wants to pass, bring in the OC from Washington State…they have Gardner Minshew for 1 year and he’s great(and he was from ECU). Anthony Gordon(another 1st year starter) this year is leading the nation in Passing yards(3,387) by a mere 500 yards. Almost double Pickett’s 1700. Whipple is a clown, who won’t even use signals to get the plays in.

    Liked by 1 person

  192. as good as a walk-on as Alexcih, Idowu and Aston were, Morrisey probably surpasses all of them.

    There was a PG story about …… here is the lead in

    John McGonigal@jmcgonigal9
    Oct 11

    126 rejected emails, four high school teammates, 615 pounds on the squat rack, one Ivy League program bailing last minute and a call to the South Side.

    Every walk-on’s story is unique. Pitt captain and La Salle leader Jimmy Morrissey is no exception.

    Liked by 3 people

  194. Interesting that in conference Pitt is 0-2 at home and 3-0 on the road
    Watching NC/Va. Wish I knew what the oldest game in the South is 😀

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  195. —So, instead of going 0-4 the rest of the way, looks like we will go 1-3? 🤔

    —Does Campbell have to sit the first half next game, or was today’s second half his punishment half?

    —Oh crap, now we have to go to a bowl — those bowls have really messed up Duzzer’s overall W-L record… 😊

    —So did Ffrench really have a knee down on his fumble and we got another crap call?

    Go Pitt.

    Like

    2. Narduzzi should have called a timeout and forced them to look at it. The bad call is on our coach!
      KMAN

      Like

  197. Announcers kept harping on Pitt being 5th in the nation in pass attempts(which means absolutely nothing). Here’s a more telling stat.
    In just the ACC alone, Wake Forest (328 ypg), Clemson (272 ypg), UNC (268 ypg). MIAMI (264 ypg)
    and NC State (258 ypg) , all throw for more yards per game than Pitt at 255 ypg. Today only 204 yards.
    Putting Pitt at Number 100(of 130) in Passing Efficiency. Which sux.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. 10-3 VA, 10:00 left in the 2nd. . Getting a lot of yards on sideline passes to the receivers. Carolina’s middle D looks good. LBs are fast.

      Like

  199. I’m a glass half empty with pitt football, and I’m not trusting the process, but congrats to them for becoming bowl eligible again. They have a chance to finish strong and go to a decent bowl. I sure wish they would be a pound the rock kinda team instead of being so pass happy.

    Liked by 2 people

  200. The UI beat FSU 27-10 …. that’s 2 in a row for them. You would think they would win out but something will happen

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  201. Verbal Rodney Hammond looks like a speedster in the mold of Henderson and Ffrench.

    My guess is he will be used like Ffrench if Coach Whip is still here…

    Go Pitt.

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    1. the way Ffrench is being used reminds me of the way Boyd was used by Chaney in ’15. Neither was able to spring his playmakers loose for long gains

      For speed next year …. Jacques-louis, V Davis, H Parrish (hopefully) and that RB out of NYC who has one highlight long run after another.

      Then Hammond the following year

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  202. Deadly offensive situation // a combo of Whipple and KP. I hope that Whipple is fired after this year because he has brought NOTHING to the table for our offense.

    I watched part of the BC game and they more than destroyed the Orange. I believe (and yeah this is
    very negative) we will lose the next 3 games. The Heels have our number, VTech will be out to knock
    our head off and BC is much better than most people realize. We stink on offense and deserve
    to go to the Garbage Disposal Bowl.

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  203. That this team is 6-3 says a CRAPload about D-1 college football.
    To think we really should/could be 7-2 and not even crazy to think 8-1 is,,,,well crazy.

    I am very glad we have won 6 so far but they suck.

    I regret my analogy comparing Pitt’s loss last week v Miami to a slow ab#%&!*#
    This was equally bad but against an even worse team where our defense was able to overcome.

    I disagree with the tweet reposted above in that HCPN does not REMAIN but has REATTAINED the status as a hell of a DC.

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    1. we could easily also be 3-6. On the other hand, take away the 2 unforced turnovers today and we win at least 20-3.

      Like

    1. They are pretty obnoxious to watch. Noxious as well. Or is it noxious to watch and obnoxious as well.
      haha

      Like

  208. 6-3 is 6-3. PITT has played every game tough. Are they mistake prone? Yes! Do they drive me crazy at times? Yes! Am I happy they are 6-3? Yes! Watching 3 grand-kids tonight, do they drive me crazy? Yes but I still love them to death!

    Liked by 4 people

  210. It still comes down to personnel. Pitt needs more players on offense. Pickett throws an adequate short ball but is slow, not very athletic, and has an average arm. The TEs are terrible, and the play execution is horrible. Face it, we were all waiting for them to give this game away..

    Liked by 1 person

  211. Please can we just use this time off to put in a Patti package. Use it in the third quarter on the second offensive series and see what he can do. Pitt’s offense is short on several positions but the most glaring are tight ends. The second most glaring is our quarterback. Give Patti some snaps during the game, either that or use Picket in a run/pass option offense. The way he is being used now with his limits is not going well. Whipple has to start using a two quarterback system!

    Liked by 2 people

  213. I just can’t understand why this coaching staff cannot get things fixed. Same problems every week. Same mistakes too. We will have no such luxury with NC, BC, or VA Tech.

    Liked by 3 people

    2. Salem definitely needs replaced after the season. The special teams coach should be on the hot seat with two punts blocked this season already, but he also coaches the running backs and does an OK job there.

      Like

  214. Right, Dan. So many mistakes this late in the season, especially the interceptions, are hard to explain. There were no open running lanes and the OL should be doing better by now. The offense looked better earlier in the season.

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    1. ike — I’m not buying that one… He’s a Golden Domer.

      (But Kelly sure looked funny today in the “doughboy” jacket…)

      Go Pitt.

      Like

    2. Unless he is grad transferring. No way he leaves without his ND diploma. I would think Phil wouldn’t be graduating after this year and be a Panther in 2020.

      Like

    3. I wondered if he’d ever see playing time there. Our luck the pedos will grab him. (no pun intended)

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  217. Dan and VOR – spot on. The coaches don’t seem to fix anything week to week. For the true football gurus I have a question….are the consistent penalties and turnovers a result of coaching, raw talent, or lower player Athletic IQ??

    The players seem to realize there is no accountability for bonehead plays, penalties or consistent mistakes/turnovers If I’m being realistic and fair, the coaches have no alternatives.

    Kenny certainly knows he is Teflon no matter what. Like I said last week, he’s clearly not a P5 QB and is making no progress week to week under a guru. Happy feet, locks on to one receiver, no pocket awareness, etc. If Patti got no snaps today and none next week, we have to assume it’s time to transfer to James Madison or Cal U. Pickett is a nice kid but peaked a while ago and Whipple is certainly smart enough to know that – so if he keeps playing him than the writing is in the wall for Patti.

    Defense is great and the best we’ve had in a while….and constantly with their backs against a wall and exhausted due to this inept offense. I thank those kids for making these games bearable to watch!

    Liked by 2 people

  218. when your team plays undisciplined and is sloppy and doesnt execute, thats 100% on the coaches. I’ve coached and managed kids and adults in sports and business. The buck always stops at the top.

    The coaches always have alternatives and can change tactics. Narduzzi is too stubborn and it will be his downfall. Too damn conservative when it counts (also called gutless) ad plays his favorites. The sooner he is ridden out of town on a Greyhound the better….and he can pay for the gas…the overpaid buffoon.

    Like

      1. GT had 2or3 illegal substitution penalties…too many moving parts- almost like line changes in hockey…..

        My bitch is the play calling on the O side particularly in the 2nd half half.

        In today’s Trib Duzz/Gorilla arms quoted “ You win championships with defense!” Guess what gorilla arms “ you still gotta our score your opponent,”

        Your right we could lose the next 3,,,way to passive on the O … clearly demonstrated by the long fumble run back and throwing the ball side-ways for minus 10-12 yards and settling for a field goal… are there no plays in the playbook that take a shot into the end-zone on the 1st play after a turn-over to catch the D off balance… prior series we threw 2 side ways passes for losses forcing us to punt allowing the Jackets to take it to the brink… a bees eyelash of being 17-17…like watching a damn soccer game in the 2nd half trying to protect a 1-0 lead…frustrating as hell and getting very old….

        Liked by 3 people

  219. Pitt will have a very difficult time winning any of their next 3 games. There best chance may be in the BC game. Our defense should keep us in most of those games. But I don’t see anything that suggests our offense will be any different than what we have witnessed so far far up to this point.—-A safe bet take NC on the betting line a week Thursday. I really like their freshman QB and their running game. Pitt will need plus 3 on the turnovers just to stay in the game.

    Liked by 1 person

  220. well as bad as Narduzzi is as a HC, he still has exceeded the win total that ESPN had predicted (5.5) as well as many of the naysayers here. I agree that the offense is bad and needs to improve, but if it would just stop tuning the ball over, these games would be stomachable, What hurts is the TOs are done by experienced players … Pickett, Griffith-Stewart and Ffrench.

    I’m afraid that we will not see pretty wins until we are able to run the ball consistently … and that day not come this year

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I think all the turn-overs were in the 1st half.. correct me if I am wrong.. they stop drives- same thing with dropped balls.. same thing goes with crap play calling referring to this horizontal passing attack… we are easy to defend as we don’t stretch the field vertically and maybe we are not capable and the coaches don’t trust the players to execute… in 16 they/coaches trusted NP to attack the D vertically about 4-5 games into the schedule… not so with this bunch of players.

      Liked by 1 person

  222. BC scores 58 on the Orangemen…and VT scored 38….

    Remember how we were a complaining about Alex a few weeks back???? Gotta admit it… he’s become our #1 offensive weapon…. blue suede shoes were back in style yesterday….

    Liked by 2 people

  223. We need a stadium similar to GT at the hot metal bridge… development will swallow up the parking at the North Shoe and will remove the highlight of playing there – tailgating….

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You mean the #6 rated NFL stadium is not good enough for Pitt fans?

      “6. Heinz Field — Pittsburgh Steelers

      Like its baseball neighbor PNC Park, Heinz Field gets high marks for its location and view of downtown Pittsburgh. The open-air south end zone caters to that view and helps make Heinz seem a world apart from the cookie-cutter Three Rivers Stadium. Once the Terrible Towels get waving by the thousands, there’s no sight quite like it in the NFL.”

      I know, it’s not on campus – I miss that too.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. #1. Johnny Majors Field – Pitt Panthers

        This venue is named after a Pitt coaching legend and gets high marks for its on campus location and view of the iconic Cathedral of Learning. The facade incorporates archways of Pennsylvania limestone and sleek modern looking glass with embedded LED lights providing 360 degree views of campus and the neighborhood of Oakland. The retractable roof supported by 30,000 tons of US Steel provides shelter for Pittsburgh’s harsher weather and a third of the field has a hydraulic system that can raise and move the field to expose a pit area used for big time basketball and hockey games as well as concerts with its state of art lighting and sound system. The venue is world class and once Pitt fans begin chanting ‘Penn State Sucks’, there is no site quite like it in college football.

        Liked by 3 people

      2. Heinz sucks. It is the worst stadium I have ever watched a football game. I will put in Nickerson field ahead of it.
        Pitt should play in PNC park after the baseball season is over.
        KMAN

        Like

  224. Good time down here in Hotlanta with our POVert friends…. “On the Road again” in 10 days to the Burgh… to be there for the “ penciled -in loss “to the Tarheeks.

    Liked by 1 person

  225. BigB, agree that the offenses of UNC and BC were very impressive. BC scored 44 points vs Cuse in the first half alone. If Pitt is to have any chance against these guys, it can’t be a shootout …. which IMO is why we lost to UNC the past 2 years. I would gladly accept an ugly win vs either one.

    The VT game promises to be a low scoring game and they are back to being a team gets a lot of turnovers … which is nightmarish

    Liked by 1 person

  226. and once again, the learning curve of FB teams are very unpredictable …. as are ebbs and flows. Consider that VT and BC looked terrible for the early part of the year.

    And then there is Miami. In the past month, they beat UVa, Pitt and FSU … but lost at home to Georgia Tech. Aren’t any of you POVers ever going to believe me that when it comes to SOP, Miami makes Pitt looks like pikers

    Liked by 1 person

  227. After sleeping on it, Pitt seems to play to the level of the competition (except for UVA). I see at least 8 wins coming. Pickett and the offense does need to clean it up. Whipple needs to review his very conservative play calling. Looks like even he is getting gun shy. Defense will keep us in with most anyone.

    Like

  228. Well I have been saying and will continue to say that any ACC team outside of Clemson can beat any other ACC team. Probably should add GT and Syracuse, but you get the point. There is parity, especially in the Coastal. VA probably clinched last night with a big win, although they still have to play VA Tech, their rival.

    It does look like Pitt has the toughest remaining schedule, but at this point their ACC and overall record is better than any of the three future opponents.

    One thing to keep in mind is that Pitt knows how to win ugly. The only game that was a thing of beauty was UCF which probably could be debated.

    So for the most part Pitt has been able to overcome it foibles and a number of games have only been close because of Pitt’s own mistakes, and coaching style. Because of this we have never been able to breathe easy and a game is not over till the fat lady sings.

    Playing “just good enough to win” while not very satisfying to Pitt Fans is actually a very good thing. It means your team never gives up and always has a chance to end up on the right side of victory.

    It also means you are going to lose when you cannot make that final big play on offense or defense, like with Miami.

    I also see a trend with Narduzzi teams being better on the road than at home, which again is not very satisfying for the fans, but usually a sign of good coaching. I know, hard to believe.

    In any case, we have three more 50/50 games left, better than last year when one was Clemson, by the way,
    sort of happy we don’t have to play them.

    I like our chances.

    By the way, for the first time it seemed we got the better of the refs calls, but the announcing seems to be continually one sided.

    Liked by 4 people

  229. Although I was screaming at the TV over Whipples play calling and KP’s decision making and execution, I did like the running back rotation and how they were used for the most part. Other than the one three and out where they were stuffed at the line they were pretty productive.

    You have to question why KP threw the long one into double coverage and again short on the first INT. The second one was thrown high although Stewart should have caught it.

    Overall it seemed like GT was reading our signals, too many times they just blew plays up, like they knew what was coming. Especially on the screen passes and our last offensive play. KP never seems to recognize when a play is going to get blown up and throws the ball anyway. At least he finished one drive this week.
    If Franklin or some others were our coach, he would have finished the last one too. I like Narduzzi’s class to never rub anyone’s nose in it.

    Ffrench is like a strong case of heartburn to the opposition and to us fans. He goes all out on every play giving either fantastic results or another turnover.

    Pitt has been surprising in many ways, but whatever happens in the next three won’t be a surprise either way.

    Liked by 4 people

  230. The game was decided by three really big plays. The biggest was the hit by Johnson and the run by Bright from the goal line, The other two were the wildcat run by Davis and the INT by Ford.

    Pitt wins when it gets enough of these splash plays.

    Liked by 1 person

  231. —Agree with the comments above by BigB that the sideways pass plays have to go. And I don’t see them as being necessarily conservative — it’s a long pass that is one anticipation away from being a pick six.

    —One thing I’m starting to wonder about is whether KP has any play options when he comes to the line. Coach Whip appears to just give him one play – not a play and an optional “kill” play to go to if the defense doesn’t look favorable. Maybe the kills are ore-set? Anyone know how that works in Coach Whips system? Does KP ever change the play at the line?

    —I’d like to see us try going more to Mack and less to Ffrenchy in the next game.

    —The lack of a good TE continues to haunt us. Though the blame this week for the INT is shared by the TE and QB, IMHO…

    —Van Lynn looked pretty good at tackle. Good experience for him. He seems to move his feet better than the other tackles to my untrained eye.

    —Much as I hated all the sideways stuff and lack of pass patterns down the field, you have to give Coach Whip credit for the setup of the wildcat long TD run play. He had 4 WR to one side and ran to the other side — excellent execution too, and an extremely rare time when our RB actually faked out a couple tacklers… Was that Shady??

    —Nice to be 6-3 with this flawed team — but it’s exhausting watching these games…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 3 people

    4. Run blocking is improving IMO .. saw backs missing or dancing when the get to the LOS… many times seem to run with heads down looking at the ground instead of bursting to daylight( didn’t Dorsett spoil we old men!)
      I also get a wedgie every time the catch a pass in the flat and start spin moves trying to entendres plays when the enemy is closing in full steam ahead- great way to have the ball stripped or pounded away … part of the game though…

      Liked by 2 people

    2. Really? Isn’t Book a senior this year leaving the QB situation up for grabs next season?

      Or is the Brian Kelly factor coming into play?

      Like

    4. Ian Book is a RS JR. On their roster they have him listed as a SR because he is in his 4th year. They don’t list anyone as a redshirt, they just list them according to the number of years they have been at ND. I’ve heard the Jurkovic rumors myself.

      Liked by 2 people

  233. This is a very strange year. I believe Pitt’s record is the best since I started to follow Pitt religiously (the Todd Graham year), but the team to me is the most frustrating to watch.

    Liked by 2 people

  234. They have a good chance to win out, my pretzel logic.

    UNC is going to be a tough competitive game but Pitt is due to win maybe this is the year, the odds are with us.

    Everyone is enamored with VT but 3 of their 5 wins are against Furman, Old Dominion and Rhode Island. Again I’m expecting a close game but I like Pitt, our defense is going to be a tough out.

    Pitt gets BC after ND, ND is a huge rival for BC. The Jesuit’s want to beat the Catholic’s. BC is probably going to lose a close game I’m hoping they are physically and mentally down a little for Pitt.

    Positive vibes from all we can run the table if the offense plays responsible or just mediocre without turnovers!

    We can do it!

    H2P

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I like your pretzel logic except for “ due a win against Carolina” that will take a complete game with no mistakes ..He’ll we are due to win a coin toss- what are we 0-10… and that takes no effort…

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  235. Guys – i love to scream about Whipples play calling as much as the next guy….but, i bet the plays sre a result of him trying to make up for a crappy QB. I think it’s plain to see now, even for the KP apologists, that Kenny stinks. He has very low athletic IQ for a QB – panicky, lost, doesn’t ever learn or adjust, easily fooled or manipulated by the defense, etc. Couple the “mind” problems with a guy with absolutely no touch and you get what we get…no offense and complete reliance on an outstanding defense. If Whipple is truly the QB Whisperer, then we are done at QB for several years if he is forced to trot this guy out every week. That means there is less athletic ability and IQ behind him.

    Just have to take comfort in watching this excellent and fun defense.

    Liked by 1 person

    2. I guess Whipple sees KPs limitation ( receivers included) with the longer throws so he is not calling on 20 yard plus passes….KP is a gamer but has issues with touch and accuracy and these deficiencies are magnified when he is on the move… he has been consistent with those observations since he has started- I don’t see him progressing no matter how many Manning’s do a “ laying on of the hands!”

      Like

  236. ACC announcers seem to be homers for the original ACC member teams because they went to that school, live in that city, are ACC long termers, etc. The bias is very evident.

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  237. I like the pretzel logic…Steely Dan-ish.
    Already looking to the UNC game.
    I know Tim Chambon, Uncle Iek and Biggie’s posse are coming to the Burgh. Any other “outta tahners?”

    Liked by 1 person

  238. Total yards for PITT ……362
    Total yards for GT ………194

    It’s not perfection but not nearly as bad as some make it out to be. This UNC game will be a big challenge though.

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      1. Even when PITT wins Mark? Those yards still mean something during the game and have an affect on the outcome. Sure yards mean nothing in a loss but they sure do contribute to a PITT win.

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        1. ike, I think my frustration comes from what I perceive to be a conscious decision by Narduzzi to take the foot off the gas with the offense when Pitt has the lead. It’s not fair to the players on either side of the ball and really limits your ability to get more players into the game because the outcome is always in question. Pitt’s scores this year have been relative the same whether they are playing Delaware, Ohio, UCF, or Georgia Tech. Does that make sense to anyone?

          Liked by 2 people

  239. —It’s just remarkable that the defense played so well without Hamlin and Campbell, and of course without Weaver and Camp… Coach Bates!

    —So I read where Pitt has outgained every opponent except UVA in the opener. And this despite the dismal offensive third quarters. I keep going back to the fact that this team can play way better than it has…

    —I find AJ Davis to be an interesting RB. Somehow, he’s pretty good at getting extra yards after contact. He doesn’t seem to have a burst or be elusive, but he must have very strong legs…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. I agree John and say the same thing. PITT could play better which is a good thing moving forward. What’s psu now, #5 in the country? PITT played them down to the last play although I don’t want to revisit that ending.

      I keep reading this SOP crap, SOP is history as they would heave lost games like Duke and GT. I just don’t get that so many posters get so upset over a PITT WIN! (not you John)

      Liked by 1 person

      1. ike — speaking of the nits, what I find really puzzling is that Pitt seemed so focused in that game. I mean in spite of the big hostile crowd, seemed like we played a pretty clean game.

        Maybe I’m “mis-remembering,” but I remember being worried that we’d have a bunch of false starts in that game in that environment. Didn’t seem to happen.

        However lately, seems every time we get into the red zone, we have a false start or illegal shift or “something” bad… Did we use up our quota of “discipline” in the nit game?

        Go Pitt.

        Like

        1. John I have no answer for the poor execution, mistakes and dropped passes and apparently neither do the coaches. It is frustrating.

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        1. ^^ I can’t tell, are you being serious? Just in case you are, let’s go back to last weeks game against Miami. Should Miami be hanging their heads after getting whupped on the field yet still winning the game? A win is a win, always. I still think some are missing my points. Dominating the stat sheet will usually lead a team to victory.

          PITT beat Ohio by 10 pts and Delaware by 3. That’s ancient history by now and those games still count as two wins for PITT. If PITT finishes the regular season by winning 3 more games in the same fashion as yesterday? I’ll take it! ……. and I believe if PITT does win any of these remaining games, they will be ugly wins.

          Like

    2. I have never seen a RB who uses his hands as a third leg as consistently as AJ Davis does. It happens towards or at the end of his runs when his torso is almost parallel to the ground. Anyone else know another RB who does that the way Davis does?

      Liked by 4 people

  240. Lastly, suggest they become more familiar with the opposing team players and refrain from being more excited about their favorite team.

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  241. Lastly, suggest they become more informed about the other team players and school and to not be so excited about their team.

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  243. Pitt has a top 10 D but is number 88 on offense. Turnover and penalty prone. Tough product to sell and view on TV. And yes it’s a product that is supposed to entertain and represent the schools brand. Offense sells and Pitt doesn’t have one.

    Liked by 1 person

  244. I can’t for the life of me remember a play that involves a lateral throw to the flat that resulted in positive yardage. Certainly not this week or last or…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Several went negative… not going deep after that big hit on our goal line with the long fumble return was mind boggling…

      Like

  246. Have Kenny throw 5-15 yard vertical passes on ALL 3 downs, every series. It’s going to be successful on a few drives sooner or later, is exciting entertainment, and the only realistic way out of this painful pattern. Forget the running game this year. We just don’t have one and aren’t going to develop one in 3 games. Other than the wildcat, running is just wasting precious downs. Let the defense get the stops. I don’t care if he throws 5 INTs per game and we lose by 3 touchdowns for each of the next 3 games. Grow a set, just try it and don’t change for 60 minutes. Turn this into a PAC 12 scoring offense. We need to break out of this pattern. Or give Patti a series or 2 to see what he can do. We’re already going bowling. The quality of the bowl matters not regardless of going 8-4 or 7-5, so why not play balls out on the passing game to see what it can do? All in!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Pete, you got some fire in you… I hear you brother…..Carolina is on the clock and each team has 10 days to prepare for the battle…. bet we see a new variation of the horizontal passing attack but to our untrained eyes it will go right over our heads….I would love to see a passing game to exploit the territory behind the backers but until the characters change I think we are stuck with more of the same… hey, we broke a long TD run in Atlanta… that’s been a long time coming but we 1 in the books!!!

      Like

  247. Mack is the deep threat, so is it any wonder he is not getting more balls? Those sideways passes are designed to negate the pass rush. Pickett has happy feet and rolls out too quickly before Mack can get open. His second half stat was 9 of 10 for 31 yards! Really? Is the OL that bad?

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  249. Some good news… My buddy Frank Nixon, a Carolina diehard fan told me that all it has to do is throw the ball 7-10 yards… With the exception of Surratt the Carolina linebackers are not athletic and cannot cover…Suratt Was a quarterback last year and they shifted him to linebacker and he is a great ballplayer… His brother is an excellent wide receiver who is playing for wake forest and they have a very nice football club this year

    Like

  250. —On the good side, GT was only 2 for 13 in converting 3rd downs. Outstanding job by the Pitt D.

    —So it seems like opposing teams are stacking the box, as they say, and our only counter is to throw sideways. I sort of see the logic there — get rid of the ball quick and get it to the outside — but yesterday we had poor blocking from our WRs and those plays generally went nowhere. And for most of the season they’ve gone nowhere.

    —However, we did have a play or two where we hit the RB out of the backfield. This has worked well several times this season — I hope we see it more…

    Go Pitt.

    Like

    1. And I guess I question why haven’t we seen that throw to our RB’s out of the backfield more. Covering V Davis and/or V Carter should be a handful for most opposition LB’s.

      Liked by 2 people

  252. Pitt will need a minimum of 21 points out of the offense to win against UNC. If Pickett throws an interception they will need 28 points. The offense has regressed to the point where short passes to Ffrench are about all they’ve got. What do you think UNC will be working on this week?

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  253. BTW, Pat Bostick called it. While talking about the drops problem on the pre-game, Pat said he’d call a pass to #86 on the first series to give him a catch and get his mind into positive territory.

    And we hit #86 on the very first play — and yes it was about a 10 yard pass — and yes, he caught it…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

  254. While on my rant, one more thing. As I have said, it seems like the offensive strategy with a lead of 7 points or more is to play it safe and not show anything new, so as to save those plays for later in the game or season when they may need them. I disagree with that philosophy as stared but in addition, if you are playing with the future in mind, how about thinking about next year? What about this offensive strategy is going to impress 4 and 5 star recruits. Now, all that said, I’m not calling for Narduzzi, but think he needs to rethink his philosophy on offense. Okay, I feel better now.

    Like

    1. Mark — I don’t know anything, but I’d be shocked if Pitt is saving stuff. I think they are trying “to take what the defense gives them,” trite as that sounds.

      I agree though that when the defense “stacks the box,” taking away the run and also being able to blitz and pressure a pass — we certainly don’t have an effective counter. It is a puzzlement…

      I think passes to the backs on wheel routes or just in the flat should be used more. (Wouldn’t you love the chance to sit down with Coach Whip and discuss this stuff…)

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 1 person

  256. As we know, French had 11 catches yesterday meaning that 14 completed passes went to other players. Lead by Mack with 5 catches. BTW, the TD pass to Jacques-Louis was a really good pass.

    Like

  257. I had the honor of accompanying my wife’s uncle (a retired Army Colonel) to the Air Force v Army game yesterday. Air Force won, but Army gave them all they could handle. Was a fund event and game.

    Air Force Academy’s stadium is a really good venue. Not a bad seat in the house. It seats around 46,000 naturally and additional seats can be added down near the field for big games. I couldn’t help but thinking that it would be perfect size for Pitt….

    Glad that Pitt won, but didn’t see the game.

    Liked by 2 people

  258. As TV showed, GT stadium has a very small footprint as it rises very steeply and has big overhangs. Has been there in one form or another since 1905.

    Just saying.

    Liked by 1 person

  259. I appreciate the effort to reduce injuries, especially head injuries. However, there seems to be some randomness to when “targeting” is called.

    I didn’t know that the rule applies not only to the helmet, but also to the “forearm, hand, fist, elbow or shoulder.”

    So are they telling us that Campbell was the only player in yesterday’s game to forcibly contact someone in the head or neck area with one of those body parts?

    I’m confused.

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 2 people

  260. —Steeler play-calling is worse than Pitt.

    —Are the Steelers paying Switzer? If so, what for?

    —What is it with fumbles by the Steeler RBs? Have lost them 3 or 4 games in last two seasons…

    Go Pitt.

    Like

      1. And Eli probably went to sleep at the end of the Miami game or we would have won that one also!! 😳

        Like

  263. Well PITT has now won 5 out of their last 6 games only losing the Miami game. (yeah that was bad) << PITT was the better team. Are we all sure that this PITT coaching staff lead by Narduzzi is all that terrible? Other losses UVA and psu, you guys are being way too tough imo.

    Like

    2. Ike: I’m relatively pleased with 6-3. But the GAME DAY coaching cannot be defended. We struggled to beat the three worst teams on our schedule. We lost to one of the worst (Forget about Stars, Miami is bad), which was directly due to inept coaching. But for two final minute game saving drives, we lose to both UCF and Duke. Coaching was directly responsible for the Penn State loss. And all of this with a DOMINANT defense that is one of the best in the country. Sorry, but I’ve been very patient with our coach. And I don’t think firing him is the answer. But if we ever hope to aspire to national rankings and bowls better than Little Caesars and BBVA Compass, he has to be better. We are undisciplined, careless with the football, and have played not to lose in several games. And the ACC Coastal is a joke, so it’s not like our schedule is a gauntlet.

      Liked by 4 people

      1. How did PITT’s defense get so good Eric? Plus why was PITT the better team and beat them that in your words, playing the worst 3 teams in the league? From where I stand, somebody’s doing something right?

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        1. btw, imo, Miami is not close to being one of the worst teams in the league. Not even close. Ask the team in first place (UVA) and Fla State.

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        2. That’s a layup Ike. Coach Bates. But to your point, you can have good players, which we do, and still be a bad game day coach. Remember a guy named Wannstedt? We are somewhat successful in spite of our coaching. Yes, he is doing some things right. But are we really any better than last year, or the year before, or the year before? Personnel wise I think we are. But I have no confidence that we are going to be any better than a mediocre program, which is what we’ve been forever.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. Not to jab with you my good friend but Narduzzi has been criticized for some of his hires. He’s the same head coach that hired Bates, who, btw was roundly criticized as a bad hire by Narduzzi. Let’s just agree, win some dam games PITT. Next three games are going to be real tough.

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  264. I see the teaser on one of the other sites that Coach Whip will be in Georgia tomorrow to talk to a possible QB recruit for 2020. Does anyone know this player’s name?

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    1. It’s good. Better if pitt wins 8 plus a bowl for 9.

      I’m just happy the Steelers won. My daughter refused to wear her gold rush ju ju jersey until the Steelers reached .500

      My children do know all the Pitt greats. I think my son and daughter could name at least ten each. That’s my contribution to society. Indoctrinating my children into Pitt football. Also called brainwashing but it’s for good.

      They also know Evil such as Poopy Pants and Sandusky.

      Life’s lessons learned through sport.

      Liked by 5 people

  266. Again, ike, I am not calling for Narduzzi’s head and yes I’m glad the team is exceeding the expectations of most, but come on, some of the game time decision making is highly arguable and yes we should have beaten Miami. As I believe John first mentioned, he can be reminiscent of the bumbling Inspector Closeau, winning at the end in spite of himself. So I guess you can say after the GT game…..The Pink Panther Strikes Again!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I get it Mark and you’re right, well at least half right imo. 🙂 PITT has got jobbed just as many times as they got lucky. I do like the Closeau analogy though. When it comes to PITT’s level it’s not always the best team winning or the worst team losing. This is where cutting mistakes is the most important thing PITT has to do…… and I’m talking team not just coaching. The players have a responsibility in this as well!

      Liked by 2 people

    2. Your Clouseau reference is on target.

      Maybe the Pitt Band could open the second half with the Pink Panther Theme song.

      Like

  267. BTW, the majority of Bowl Projections have Pitt back in the Pinstripe Bowl, with one projection for the Music City Bowl in Nashville on Dec 30.

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    1. Need to win eight to get to either. Right now we are staring the Gasparilla bowl right in the face.

      Liked by 1 person

  270. For the last many years I find this dynamic interesting. The more PITT wins the more division it causes on the POV. Cracks me up and puzzles me at the same time. It’s like Mo Money, Mo problems.

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        1. If I’m judging a coach and a program, I have to look at the overall body of work. If the program was moving forward, we would of won some of those ooc games.
          Of course the jury is still out on this year.

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  271. Perspective from LA Panther, here. I’ve followed two teams closely for more than 35 years, Pitt and USC. Pitt is the better team this year and was the better team last year. Think about that with all the History and Hollywood glam, the great on-campus stadium, boosters who could buy Heinz field for chump change, top recruiting classes… yes, they are underachieving, but does anyone think Pitt is overachieving? Not I.

    Liked by 1 person

    2. Maybe PITT is just achieving? Although you would never guess it on the PITT Blogs and message boards around town.

      Like

  275. Saw some info on the Lair about which freshmen have played and how many games…

    Looks like Vince Davis, Brandon George, AJ Woods, and SirVocea Dennis have appeared in more than 4 games and cannot redshirt.

    “Wide Receiver Jarred Wayne is at four, defensive back Brandon Hill 3, lb Leslie Smith 2 and running back Daniel Carter has appeared in two but has yet to rush the ball.”

    RB Carter is a 220 pounder – roughly the same size as Sibley…

    To me it’s a tough decision on WR Wayne, but I would play him because with the numbers our WRs are putting up, we should be able to lure some excellent WR recruits going forward…

    Go Pitt.

    Like

    1. I agree on Wayne. Get him some experience because I think he can contribute next year.

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      1. The way our offense is playing, maybe he can contribute this year!

        He looks pretty athletic and he has good size… Let’s see him on some more slants…

        Go Pitt.

        Liked by 1 person

  276. We are 9 games in now, and the second half scoring jinx continues. Can anyone explain what the problem is?

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  277. I saw Daniel Carter, #4, in on a couple plays yesterday. He looks really solid. I’d love to see him get a few carries to see if he might be that downhill runner I think this O is badly missing.

    Liked by 2 people

  278. I agree with those who find fault with Narduzzi’s game day coaching. It is sub-par. Perhaps our seemingly better-than-expected won/lost record is due largely to the fact the players really like and trust their head coach and are willing to go all out for him. (Well, the term “fact” used above is actually just my observations and what I have read—guess that ain’t “fact,” huh?)

    Liked by 3 people

  279. How about some positive spin on the Pitt defense this season. A couple of current and ex POVERS criticized the Narduzzi defenses of past and well as low star recruits(rightly so) but are nowhere to be seen currently commenting on the Pitt D. Playing without Weaver and Camp all year round and on Saturday playing without Hamlin, Cambell after the ejection in the 1st half and Kylan Johnson after the stinger in the 3rd Q and they still controled the GT game.—So how do all you Narduzzi haters explain the play of along with the low star recruiting of our current Pitt D team?

    Like

  280. Pitt ranked 34th in AP poll. The UCF Knights are 26th.

    And the B1G Joke conference getting much love in the polls – someone is paying big $ for a playoff spot?

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    1. Pitt with no votes in the Coaches poll – UCF at 28th, UVA and VA Tech with votes

      Two HC misses by Pitt – Ruhle at Baylor and Fleck at Minnesota are both undefeated – another great reason to hire an established HC and not a life long assistant.

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      1. apples and oranges. Lets see how Fleck does against good teams when he finally plays one. Baylor is a different story and takes a certain kind of coach to win games there. Can’t say what Ruhle would or could have done in the ACC where some teams actually play defense.

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      2. Hey Auto, Minnesota is a member of the B1G and is 8-0 and is ranked 13th. Baylor is a member of B12 is 7-0 and ranked 11th. I’ll let you figure out why

        There are 4 one-loss teams and 1 2-loss team ahead of Baylor, while there are the same 4 one-loss teams but 2 two-loss teams ahead of UMinn. I’ll let you figure out why

        Having said that, Fleck and Ruhle are doing great jobs and are likely better HCs than the Duzz. But at the same time, maybe you should look at entire CFB landscape and see how many worse hires have been made over the past 5 years

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  281. I would say that pretty much is a fact Mr Dad. Narduzzi is far far from perfect that’s for sure but he does have some qualities that make him a good coach for the PITT football program. Plus he wins a lot of ACC games. After the Monday QB article we will have 10 days to get ready for UNC and by “we” I mean the pover’s. Many say Narduzzi doesn’t win games after bye weeks but no one mentioned he won one against Syracuse on the road. However the UNC game will be a tarheel of a different feather. Their QB is really good.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. Will need to Pressure and lay some licks on QB Howell as well as sack him 3 -4 times …. his is not a runner and prefers the pocket from what I have read down here in Carolina..,.

        Liked by 1 person

  283. MajorMajor, just in case you haven’t got your answer yet, Campbell does not have to sit out in the 1st half vs UNC per DiPaola, Trib

    BigB, a piker is a slacker, pretender. FWIW, I have heard the expression “next to ____, _____ is a piker” my entire life … so maybe it is a local expression.

    Liked by 1 person

  284. Having this weeks partial bye should be really good for Panthers who are pretty dinged up right about now.
    Good timing with three tough contests to go.

    It is funny to me that the guys that said Pitt would stink this year are either missing in action, show up for losses or are complaining about how we winning. Saying things like the Coastal stinks, frustrated that we are not killing teams or why isn’t Narduzzi undefeated, he has been here five years.

    Pointing out the coaches that are having great seasons means nothing to me, there are some every year that overcome the odds. Why not point out the guys that are having stinky seasons, there are plenty of them.

    How do you expect a team with a so so offensive line, no marquis running back, an average quarterback, and tight ends who drop as many as they catch to be this mythical team that you want it to be. Not to mention that in one season they have switched from a running team to a passing team.

    I think their record is pretty remarkable considering they are playing teams that are just as good as they are week after week. WBB pointed out last week how close the margin of victory is in all ACC games.

    I get how frustrating it is to watch Pitt every week, with all of the turnovers, penalties, questionable play-calling, but considering that there are no All-Americans, and possibly no All-ACC on the offense, how do you expect otherwise.

    It seems that all too many Pitt Fans discount that there are guys on the other side of the ball that are capable of making big plays and having big games.

    Narduzzi and Bates have finally put together a very formidable defense that is fun to watch and cheer for. It has very few four star guys, but many guys that play like they should have been.

    I think the offense is coming, is showing some signs this year and will be a lot stronger next year.

    Impossible to predict what will happen in the next three, but all should be very close, hard fought games and something to look forward to. I would think that would be enough to satisfy most fans, but obviously not those that expect a return to the glory days.

    Yeah it would be nice to be Baylor or Minnesota this year, but more likely we could be WV, Maryland or Rutgers. Last year everyone was fawning over Syracuse, oh well.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. GC — appreciate your perspective on the Panthers. I was thinking of Dino Babers too when this year’s “hot” coaches were brought up…

      The process has been slow, and at times agonizing, but I see better times coming for the Panthers and Panther fans…

      Go Pitt.

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