in Pitt Football 195 Words

Virginia Teach at Pitt Open GameDay Thread

In my gut I feel like Pitt is going to come up short in this one. Maybe it’s shell shock from last year. Maybe it’s just late November pessimism. Maybe it’s just been too long since I’ve seen us run the ball down someone’s throat. But… Bud Foster is gone, it’s (probably) not going to rain, and the home team has won the last 7 out of 8 in this series.

As Richard pointed out on Wednesday VT is coming off a grueling stretch of games and Pitt has played one game in three weeks, so they should be rested and healthy. Kenny Pickett’s ankle should certainly be in better shape.

At the end of the Day the defense is going to have to create some turnovers just like against FSU. And it sure would help if Whipple can manage to find a running game.

So yea my gut says Pitt loses, but rationality (and fanhood) wins out. Pitt 24 – Hokies 21.

Update: 2:15 PM

University of Pittsburgh Department of Athletics Statement:

Pitt has 16 players who will not be available for today’s football game against Virginia Tech due to COVID-related protocols.

201 thoughts on “Virginia Teach at Pitt Open GameDay Thread”

  2. I hope the game is played.
    Clemson / FSU game today is postponed.
    Good guys 23-21.
    VT misses late field goal as the 3 Amigos (Rich, JoeL and Al) create mucho crowd noise.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. My first instinct is the Panthers lose, but I think it should be close and with it likely being Kenny Pickett’s last home game I will pick the Panthers 27-24.

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  8. We need to do to them this year what they did to us last year – but i doubt that will happen.

    Assuming our receivers somehow manage to get separation, KP has a BIG (not to be confused with B1G) day, and we win going away – but not 28-0. More like 31-21.

    On another subject – from last post. Mike, I don’t recall the price of a 1970 Buick, but I bought my 1st car after graduation: 1970 MGB ragtop for $2900.00 – a little more than I paid Pitt for 4 years of classes and books!

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    1. By tonight the pedos may be 0-5. It could be worse…and then on to an away game at Michigan. They wish they could have 4 wins. They may be the only team in history one win and a bowl bid.

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  11. Did my days shopping to get home for some football. Nothing on at noon. Best game for me is App State & Coastal Carolina. (I do not watch Big 10). I am going to frolic outside.

    FSU – Clemson postponed to give Clemson 2 weeks to rest & recuperate for the Pitt game. ACC worried.

    Sticking with Pitt 27 – VT 20.

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  14. Not making a prediction but hoping for a couple things. PITT knocks off the mistakes for senior day. Kessman brings his lucky shoes today. Whipple signals in the offensive plays.

    PITT wins by a gnats eyelash.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Yeah, we play VT tough, especially at home, but we also play ND tough, and how did that work out.

    I guess that ND game just took it out of me, I don’t see another win this miserable season… ☹️

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  16. MM, the ND game took a lot out of me also. That was really tough to watch. I think it will be ND and OSU in the NC game.

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  17. My prediction …

    1) Pitt will be rusty at the start and
    2) VT will make some big plays because that’s what they do (and what Pitt’s D does), but
    3) a healthy KP will lead a valiant 2nd half comeback which
    4) will come down to a last second FG but Kessman will slip while kicking which
    5) will allow VT to win 27-25 thus,
    6) preventing VT from losing their 2nd straight 1 point loss because
    7) c’mon, what team loses back to back 1 point games?

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  19. Brett McMurphy@Brett_McMurphy
    ·
    Pitt has 16 players who will not be available for today’s football game against Virginia Tech due to COVID-related protocols

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  20. Classic matchup here between…the #2 Rushing Defense (Pitt) 79 ypg vs the #8 Rushing Offense (VT) 262 ypg.

    Although Pitt’s ranking slips to #31 for Scoring Defense, so the Rush Defense rank could be inflated
    somewhat or rendered moot if you can’t stop them from scoring. And VT scores a lot, 35.6 ppg. which in the day of Offense, that only puts them at # 31 nationally. So #31 Scoring Offense vs the #31 Scoring Defense.

    VT’s Defense is nothing to write home about, giving up about 500 ypg and almost 31 ppg.
    Although Pitt is a laggard on Offense, both personnel wise and coaching wise and statistically at just #71
    at 27.6 ppg.

    Ok enough the all the stats, we’ve all seen this scenario before. Pitt will be tough against the run, but will almost assuredly get burnt on several long pass plays for TD’s. Plus VT’s QB is a slippery fellow, the kind that tends to give our defense trouble.

    Will Mr Whipple’s 1990’s west coast dink and dunk offense be able to keep up with the breakdowns in Pitt’s secondary ….is the big question ?

    I’m hoping so, but thinking not.

    VT 38 Pitt 28

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  23. With 16 players out, If Narduzzi goes ahead and plays the game, Pitt will lose, but it will give Narduzzi an excuse as to why they lost. Left unsaid by Narduzzi: you can’t hold this (or this season) against me.

    Lunacy to play this game. Lunacy to play this season. Just cancel the rest of it.

    BTW, when is the game time for the Pitt Men’s Soccer game, and is it being televised?

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  24. Pitt soccer is the real deal. They are the equivalent of a mike leach team. But with a bunch of euros from prestigious academies. God bless coach Jay. And that one dog that was in attendance three years ago.

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    1. They have to wear them on the sidelines now though. The Steelers also got the ‘OK’ to not have to wear them while playing.

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  30. I live in Texas and haven’t lived in PA for 19 years, but if that governor and his favorite Secretary of Health get re-elected, I have to really question the people of that state. Masks to be worn in houses? On football fields? No Thanksgiving gatherings for unrelated people? Full on nanny state in PA. When will the thought police show up to houses? Orwellian I say.

    Tex, we are lucky we live in Texas. Thankful my boys will be on the ice this weekend and next without Big Brother dictating how I live my life.

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    2. I’ll be frying a turkey. But my wife’s parents have chosen to eat alone. They are old and high risk. We’ll gather next year after the vaccine. My parents still reside in da Burg. Saw them for the Domer game. I’ll attend any bowl game for Pitt here in DFW. I think we have four. And there’s no 5k attendance limit. Maybe we meet up. And UPitt of course.

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  33. UPDATE (3:32 PM)-
    **Freshman RB Israel Abanikanda will not play today.

    UPDATE (3:22 PM)-
    **Chris Peak from Pantherlair.com, is reporting that Jordan Addison, Jared Wayne, Gabe Houy, Carter Warren, Jake Kradel, SirVocea Dennis, Brandon Hill and Nick Patti will miss today’s game due to COVID-19 protocols.

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  46. Wow…..what a horrendous pass after the turnover.

    The ALL blue smurf uniforms warrant Pitt getting blue smurf turf. A visual feast for the eyeballs. haha

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  49. I’m glad I’m not watching this game. But blue is better than coal.

    Tex who looks like coal after bbq’ing for half a day.

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    1. Krill is SO overrated it’s pathetic. Considering all of his preseason mouthy BS I would have expected a game to back it up. Not so much. He is FL’s btch

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  61. Hate to say it but the ACCN broadcasting group is pretty heavy on the Gobbler side, Usually don’t criticize announcers but they are hanging VT defense on 6 sacks against Miami ignoring that VPI has a 91’st ranked rushing defense & a 66’th pass defense (#94 overall defense) .

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  67. When I lived in Virginia I could get the ACC network on my FiOS TV. Now I move back to Pennsylvania and get Comcast nowI can’t watch the game. WTF

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  89. Is that Jim Furyk refereeing today’s game?

    Can’t wait til this season is over. But maybe we find some better Olinemen today…

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  99. 40 passes in a half…you might have to go back to Alex Van Pelt days…for 40 in a half

    Good chance that is a Pitt Record for Number of passing Attempts in a half.

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  104. 1st half observations:

    Score should be 35 to 14, mental mistake presnap penalty cost them in the red zone, they settled for a FG.

    Pickett threw to the wrong side of a wide open receiver, lack of execution cost them, settled for a FG.

    Tipton drops a very easy catch, settled for a FG.

    I know you can’t be perfect but we as usual stopped ourselves not VT.

    Still anyone’s game, instead of a very comfortable lead we are in a very competitive game.

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  106. Barden had offers from VT! Ky, Indiana, Tennessee and he can read and write– offers from Army! Navy and Cornell

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    1. Hats off to them! Unfortunately, I can’t tailgate remotely and then drive to the stadium. I don’t tailgate that way.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Let’s not get carried away ! VT’s Defense is ranked #95 in Total Dfense for a reason.

      You’re getting close to where you’re gonna have to change your name. haha

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I just got a little crazy, that’s all! 🙂 I thought that they should have tried to get Turner the record in this last drive.

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    1. ACC has two teams in the Top 4. You’re listening to much to B1G and other propaganda.
      Who else has two teams in the Top 4 ? Answer……NO ONE !

      Liked by 1 person

  131. Nice to see AJ Davis get some work on senior day….

    Zubovic looks to be doing pretty well at guard. And I like Van Lynn and Goncalves…

    Liked by 1 person

  132. Pitt could have laid 60 points on VT tonight, looks like Duzz stays with a possible record of 6/5.

    Does the OC, TE and receiver coaches return next season?

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  135. With all the covid attrition on the o line I would have never expected this offensive performance.

    I know, VT defense is bad, but still impressive.

    Liked by 1 person

  138. last 3 Pitt – VT games: 2018 P 52-32 at Pitt; 2019 VT 28-0 at Vt; 2020 P 47-14

    I’ll give you Pitt and 17 next year

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    2. Don’t forget Mark, VT has a lousy defense, so we can poo poo this win with that too. Oh and BTW, VT has a losing record BECAUSE of PITT.

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  143. Next year WRs: Bardon, Addison, Wayne, Jacque-Louis, and maybe Mack … plus they have a 3rd FR WR, Henningham who is a 5.7 from FL who is supposed to be good. Hopefully they’ll have someone to get the ball to them

    Liked by 1 person

      1. Or he might enroll at Pedo State…since they need real players. Oh but wait …..no PHD programs at the Dairy Community College. And no Dental School. And no Business School. And no Medical School.
        Which would make it a Dairy Community College.

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          1. Only PhD they offer I hear…….is in Child Molestation. And Cousin Itt runs the Psychology Dept at a branch. Go figure. LOL

            Liked by 1 person

  144. There is also a chance that Turner will be back. Good receiving corps if these guys all return. I didn’t see Krull’s name in that group, though. Wasn’t he Mr. 7-11? Always open? I hate to sell the young man short, but when you talk like that you better back it up.

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  148. Had to run off to dinner directly after game and couldn’t post, but OMG what happened. Picket with 141 rating and +400 yards and not sacked once. And a running game—-where did that come from? Great win, great day. H2P

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  149. Panthers had 30 first downs today and gained 556 yards. Nice.

    VT seems to have worse problems than we do – on both sides of the ball…

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  150. Kudos to Pitt and Va Tech for playing the game. 16 out from one team. 12 out from the other. Each has 85 scholarship players and probably 30 or 40 walk-ons. You play the game with what you got.

    Liked by 1 person

  151. What a great win for the team and the seniors, especially Kenny.

    Who screwed up not playing Barden more and not trying tonight’s O-line combination?

    What a joke Pitt has to play Clemson next week to make three top 10 teams on the schedule. After GTech I hope Pitt can schedule another game on December 19 versus some minor opponent to get another W and play a ton of the younger players

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  152. Closing out comments and I’ve opened up a postgame thread. H2P and enjoy the win everyone.

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