in Pitt Football 634 Words

POV Related Odds and Ends

Just a few things that I did in my spare time over the last few weeks.

I am going to start off with Pitt roster management. At this time, I believe Pitt currently stands with 88 “potential” scholarship players on the roster. The problem is that the NCAA scholarship limit is set at 85 including Super Seniors (SS).

My 89 number consists of returning or incoming recruits.

  • 2022 recruits – 12
  • 2021 recruits – 22 (signed 23)
  • 2020 recruits – 15 (signed 18)
  • 2019 recruits – 15 (signed 19)
  • 2018 recruits – 12 (signed 20)

That is 76 recruits. To that we need to add the announced new SS’s  from  the 2017 class. Those are OLinemen – Warren, Houy, and Drexel.

That brings the number to 79. But that does not include 2017 recruits Deslin Alexander and Grant Carrigan. I cannot find any announcement one or the other on their future at Pitt.

Pitt is now at 81 scholarships if Alexander and Carrigan return. (That is why I am using the ‘potential”.)

To that we add the returning or new transfer portal (TP) entries – Yellen, Minor, Devonshire, Jacoby, Slovis, Dowell, and Mumpfield. Those seven TP additions brings Pitt’s potential roster to 88 (76 recruits, three 2017 announced SS’s, two potential additional SS’s, and seven TP entries).

Pittsburgh Sports Now says Pitt scholarship count stands at 89. Maybe I am missing a walk-on who was awarded a scholarship. One more thing to add to my tracking for the future.

Pitt will make the 85-man roster limit, but some current eligible players will be leaving.

My next odds and ends may rip the bandage off the wound caused by Kenny Pickett opting out of the Peach Bowl. I understand Kenny’s decision and support it.

But this is not an opinion piece but tracks the potential first round 2022 NFL draftees and their decision to play or opt out. It will put some data behind just how many first rounders opted out of a bowl.

I got this inspiration from one of two links that Reed provided not in an article but in a comment. That link was a list of potential NFL first rounders by three different CBS draft “experts”. Ninety-six names in total but lots of triplicate and duplicates names. In total, those CBS experts identified 42 individual names. The following is a what happened to those names.

I think the headings on the charts to follow are apparent except for the “Key” heading. To make number crunching/sorting easier, I separated the names into four groups. Here is the key to the “Key” heading.

The below charts will show the total number of players in that group and the percentage of that group to the total number (42).

This group is playing in the CFP. Not surprised that no one opted out.

This group are those players whose team where not bowl eligible. They did not have to decide on opting out. IMO, only the FCS player would have played if Northern Iowa made the 24 team FCS playoff.

This group are either the quitters or business decision makers. They decided to opt out. The traditional New Year Six bowl games plus the other two bowls (Outback, Citrus) played on January first are highlighted.

The group that played for God, Country School, and King Fans. I could find nothing on Hall (Houston) and Kinnard (Kentucky). Hall a D-lineman had no stats. Kinnard (Kentucky) is a O-lineman. Stingley had a season ending injury back in September. Ekwomu (NC State) did not opt out but the Holiday Bowl was cancelled.

Hope you enjoyed a fraction of what I did over the Holidays. It wasn’t difficult to gather the opt out bowl data. Maybe I’ll expand it to include the second-round next year if warranted and I can find a projected second round from a reliable (CBS, ESPN, etc.) site(s). BTW, I also did a projected final top 25, but I am just a dilettante sportswriter.

150 thoughts on “POV Related Odds and Ends”

  1. Richard, you are at minimum a SUPER dilettante sportswriter. 😎
    I will restate what I wrote yesterday…i want a bad azz middle linebacker.
    SirV is a senior and Brandon may be moved outside.
    We need depth with some experience.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. don’t!!!!!!!!!!!!
      FROM LAST THREAD:

      is there a bar up there you’ll gather at to watch while they play 1000 miles south of you?

      North Dakota State University has advanced to the 2022 NCAA Division I Football Championship Game to face Montana State at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 8th, at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas

      https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP._9Ci6mLxsPigqnYRU2h8fwHaDt%26pid%3DApi%26h%3D160&f=1

      .

      https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/frisco/75033/daily-weather-forecast/346100

      https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/fargo/58102/daily-weather-forecast/329833

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  3. My 2 cents: I’m kind of surprised at a few transfers … W Davis, Bright, Jacque-Louis who were getting a lot of PT.

    I’m not surprised that Sibley and N Palmer got into the portal; neither saw much PT. And I will not be surprised if more upperclassmen who see no PT will transfer

    I do expect a TE transfer and maybe another LB but that’s it

    I’m not sure that Duzz even knows right now how everything will shake out. IMO he probably hopes even more non-PTers transfer.

    Sent from my iPhone

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  4. Nice summary, cocksfan.

    Interesting that only one senior chose to play in a non CFP game while 5 seniors opted out. It appears that for top draft projects opting out is becoming the new normal.

    Liked by 4 people

  5. With the portal and coaching changes, it’s even more of a crapshoot now. Check this out

    A few weeks back, UCF QB Dylan Gabriel (left hander who played Pitt in 19) entered the portal. Then Oklahoma HC, Lincoln Riley, left to go to UCLA, and Gabriel immediately announced a transfer to UCLA.

    Yesterday, Oklahoma starting QB Caleb Williams, entered the portal (and all is rumored to follow him Riley to UCLA). And immediately Gabriel announced a transfer from to Oklahoma.

    Sent from my iPhone

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  6. Does anyone know if there is a walk-on who received a scholarship that is still on the roster? I like my data to match reputable news outlets.

    I really want to shake off the “dilettante” label and be invited into the press box when I make my annual visit to Heinz. I want to ask the official record keeper what exactly is a “team” pass or run. Then I will leave and take my seat in the stands.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I can’t remember who, but I do remember a walk-on getting a scholarship before the season started. You can probably find it on PSN if you go back far enough.

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    2. Rich a “team run” is when an offensive player runs with the ball but fumbles and another offensive player grabs it and advances. The yardage can’t be split so goes to the team total…At least it used to be that.

      Not sure what a team pass is…maybe a short completed pass then fumbled behind the LOS, picked up by an offensive player and thrown forward for a completion??

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      1. Thanks – He was a walk-on and went on scholarship in 2020. The problem is that he played at John Carroll in 2016 and enrolled at Pitt in 2017. He sat out the 2017 per then NCAA regulations. Since he started in 2016. I believe he has now used up his eligibility for the upcoming 2022 season and isn’t the walk-on I’m trying to find.

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  8. IMO, Pitt is in a hard place with roster management. Both Reed and I believe Pitt offers four-year scholarships instead of the traditional one-year scholarships. As long as a recruit meets standards that Pitt imposes (classes, grades, staying out of the news, etc.) they will stay on the roster even if a recruit is not even sniffing the 2 deep after three seasons.

    If above is true, Pitt cannot just say we are not renewing your scholarship-have a good day. They just have to tell the player their projected place on the team and hope they get the point.

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  9. the year is 2042 (most of us will be tuned in from the other side0 Kenny Pickett is interviewed after playing his last NFL game of his HOF career. , Interviewer, “Kenny, you have won 7 Super Bowls, have passed for more yardage for more touchdowns than any quarterback who has played the game and people look at you as the GOAT….Do you have any regrets?” Without hesitation Kenny responds, ” Peach Bowl 2021…I shoulda been out there with my team..if I could just go back in time….”

    Richard…great work as usual…I will buy you some beers next time we hook up.

    Road trip tailgates next year (time to mentally start thinking ’bout it) Carolina and UVa….

    Liked by 5 people

    1. the championship game is in FRISCO, Texas, 1000 miles south of Fargo

      I posted above but fully understand someone skipping over my posts 😦

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    1. I believe he is the one. Had another suggestion (Zilinskas) but I believe he has used up his eligibility after the 21 season.

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  12. I don’t sweat the roster size too much, it seems to always work out some how. Plenty of guys on the bottom of depth charts that should want to get PT elsewhere.

    I am most concerned about the linebacker group though. Bright was right there with Dennis as our most effective tackler in space. Also adds to the loss of W. Davis that is still a mystery. Love to know what the fight was about, seems so odd, as crazy as Zavackas quitting on his team. My guess is that Bright left rather than submit to the punishment ascribed to the incident.

    In any case getting a portal linebacker would seem to be a very high priority at this point, maybe two if possible.

    Liked by 2 people

  13. Rich. I went back to 2018 commit list. M saluhuddin, Rick Town, Cam O’Neal, V Carter and C Brown were not listed on this year’s roster. Plus Palmer, Davis and Jacque-Louis are recent transfer. Not sure if all of them were accounted for; it’s too hard to keep up these days

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

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  14. Good stuff Richard, thank you.

    I will wait until the day after the draft as to how this plays out. There are only 32 first rounders so it will be interesting to see whether there were true opt outs for drafting and preparation purposes. I say that with a smile on my face because when you look at opt outs, many believe it is all about the Benjamins. While true to an extent, for some, it is about not going to class the entire fall semester. For example, if a graduate transfer comes to Pitt and begins classes in August, theoretically, the class will not end until the end of december. The athlete can get free room, food, travel, access to weightrooms, dieticians, etc., and never attend a class, only to “opt out” of playing because he is forced to because his participation was only based on athletics, not classroom activities. The athlete student withdraws from class at the end and still has an undergraduate degree. Eazy Peazy. One of the academic scams of higher ed, thinly veiled as student athletes. There will be some of those for sure.

    I think Bright had to leave as he is clearly heard saying he was going to kick Battle’s rear in the locker room after an exchange of blows on the sideline. Say what you want about no issues in a program, but when there are fisticuffs on the sideline, things probably aren’t as rosy as the picture being presented to the public. Perhaps another interpretation of “Lock the Gates”. What happens in the locker room is between the coaches and players…..or stated differently, is what happens behind the locker room doors hidden from the rest, in an effort to show the public a much different portrayal of what really goes on….behind those locked gates?

    On rostering, out of all the transfers in, how many did not play? My sense, like Slovis, many are promised the starting role and it is theirs to lose, versus a straight up, fair competition. Petrishen is the only one i can think of, but he played special teams. He grew into the hybrid during his second year. A lot of TE’s and OL starting with ulizio and the rutgers dude.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Pitt’s roster management, I don’t think is too difficult. You ask graduated seniors to move on. At some point you have to prepare for the future. I saw an article before signing day somewhere that said one ACC team was only taking 10 recruits and would fill out the rest with transfers. It was speculated that it was Pitt and it looks like that’s been confirmed. Natural attrition will figure itself out. A few kids will quit after spring ball, too. You don’t have to be at the roster limit until camp starts in the summer. So Pitt has a long time to figure it out.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. A quick analysis shows 7 guys that could move on without much of a negative impact to the program.

    1. Kaymar Mimes TE – does put us a little thin, but how much has he really contributed? Given that he’ll be a R-Sr he’s probably graduated.
    2. Daniel Carter RB – I wouldn’t want to see him go, but he may choose to. He’s carved out a niche at fullback, but he could probably see the field more somewhere else. With that said he’ll probably want to wait around to see how the new OC wants to use him. He’s got talent.
      3a – 3b. Yellen or Beville at QB – Take your pick. Somehow Beville managed to beat out Yellen this year which boggles my mind, but if neither of them improve over what we saw in the Peach Bowl I can’t imagine that both will be on the roster. Both will be R-Jr.
    3. Jason Collier OL Will be an R-Jr and does not seem to have cracked the two deep. Could be another one that waits to see if he can break into the depth chart in spring ball.
      1. Nate Temple DL – Will be an R-Jr and we are stacked on the DL. He plays DE and Dayon Hayes has clearly passed him on the depth chart and we have tons of talent waiting in the wings. I could see him dropping down to like a Western Kentucky or a Middle Tennessee State and having a couple of nice years. Maybe follow Rob Harley to Arkansas State?
    4. Chris Maloney DL – Yes he earned a scholarship (and kudos to him) but now will be an R-Sr so could be asked to move on.
    5. Jud Tallandier – will be an R-Sr and has not made much of an impact. More of a depth guy and you have to think we have more talented players waiting in the wings that will surpass him with a year of development.

    Liked by 3 people

      1. After watching Yellen start two games last year, I’d prefer Beville to stay. Yellen wouldn’t run at all and that is my big concern with Slovis. In this day and age, a qb needs to be willing to run rather than chuck it out of bounds.

        Liked by 1 person

    3. If either Beville or Temple goes both go. Afterall, they were a package deal. (Wish I knew how to put in
      an emoji).

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  17. Totally off topic so please don’t read if Steelers talk offends you.

    I am in a very small minority of Fans that think that Ben R. mightily underacheived in his career.

    When I first saw the guy I was amazed at his skill level, particularly pocket awareness, arm strength, ability to read defenses.

    With his talent and the talent around him he should have won 4 or 5 superbowls.

    I know most fans want to blame Tomlin and I get it, but it is the QB that wins or loses playoff games, more than any coach, except for a very small minority, but even Belichek had the greatest QB of all time and Lombardi had Bart Starr.

    Ben’s legend started by making a game saving tackle in his first playoff run, and played well enough to get a Superbowl 2006. He was more responsible for his second 2009 with the great pass and spectacular Santonio Holmes catch. That being said, how many Superbowl splash plays do you remember him making. How many highlight film throws and catches do you still see from Bradshaw to Swann and Stallworth.

    Ben was surrounded by great players for most of his career. A spectacular defense lead by Polamalu and an offense with the best O-line receivers and running backs.

    Ben was one of the absolute top regular season QB’s that ever lived but it didn’t translate to the playoffs where his record is good largely because of the two SB runs, but what could have been.

    Yes, Brady had a lot to do with that record as did the Ravens on occassion.

    Ben certainly deserves the Hall of Fame and 2 Superbowls is way more than most, he brought great excitement to Pittsburgh, but no dynasty.

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    2. Haha – I just think he’s a bum. I’m excited to start rooting for the Steelers again now that he’s gone.

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    3. How many super bowls did Marino get to play in? There are 32 NFL teams and it takes only one loss in the playoffs to be eliminated. I’ll agree on one point and that’s the Steelers should have moved on from Big Ben 3 years ago. That said there would be a whole lot of NFL teams that would be happy to say they would have liked to have won two Super Bowls in the last 16 years is my guess.

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Good points, but Marino never had a defense or a decent running back.
        No doubt most people are happy with what Ben accomplished, but too many times I saw him throw deep into double coverage when a guy was wide open for the first down.

        The difference between him and Brady was that Brady always took what the defense gave him while Ben looked to make the splash play.

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  18. I think Tossing’s right. If a kid has his degree, then Pitt owes him nothing more and could ask him to leave. Players loved the idea of graduating in three years so they could transfer and play immediately. But it is also good for the team if a graduated player doesn’t fit into their future plans on the field.

    Liked by 3 people

  19. I too look for some additional portal transfers, which appear to make the roster total number appear to be a problem, however I think it will fix itself soon enough with players leaving “voluntarily”. For example, I wasn’t necessarily thrilled when the entire OL decided to return. 1) they hardly distinguished themselves in the running game which will be much more important without KP8 and 2) it likely retards the development of the younger OL men who are ready for PT.

    LBs and TEs are the obvious needs however the most important item on the agenda is for our HC to announce who his new OC will be.

    I see that Texas did the obvious and found a dual role for our former WR coach making him a co-OC and WR coach. I appreciate that Sark will really be the OC, however titles do matter and the new role is a step forward in Marion’s desire to be an OC and possibly HC.

    If I were making decisions, I’d find room in the budget for an OC and a QB coach. I can’t help but wonder if a dedicated QB coach wouldn’t have accelerated KP8’s development and would have also enabled the QBs on the 2-deep to have gotten more one-on-one time, giving them a better chance of being ready when needed?

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  21. I kind of like Alex Van Pelt, definitely favors the pass, plenty of NFL cred which is a big part of what Pitt has to sell. I agree somewhat on the recruiting, but should be a good closer considering his bonefides. Does he have the personality for it, who knows. But you wouldn’t need a seperate QB coach and could use the dough for a strong recruiter.

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    1. Yes because after Gottfried was fired, so was Buddy Morris by Hackett. Van Pelt got chubby.

      Incompetence seems to follow Pitt too much.

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  23. Was reading on Dowell and saw this picture of him… IMO, he has the body of a linebacker…pretty thick young man…I would think he would play an outside line-backer with his DB/cover experience.

    Liked by 1 person

  26. @Reed … sorry, was not trying to circumvent the no cussing rule … just sharing a tweet …

    Side note, strong rumors that WFT will be named after you, Commander …

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  27. WMU’s QB Eleby enters the NFL draft in 2022. Considering how badly he carved us up this past season this can’t be bad news for Pitt’s game at WMU this year.

    Liked by 1 person

  28. Maybe it is true PN spoke with AVP but it was not about AVP being the OC. He could have been talking to him about potential candidates in the NFL that he has worked with.

    Liked by 1 person

  29. Always the contrarian, I think Pitt is positioned to look less at high school recruits and more at the fruit on the transfer tree.
    The uncertainty of high school recruits ( Ricky Towne, Pat Bostik, Rushel Shell, Shane Hale, etc), combined with the burgeoning demand for $$$ via NIL make it more advantageous to seek out known quantities. Admittedly, the Brian O’Neils and Kenny Picketts and Jordan Addisons may diminish in quantity, but in reality, how many of those have we had over the past decade?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I absolutely agree. Pitt’s chances of getting 5 stars and high 4 stars are slim and none unless they are local kids. Pitt has to look for backup talent at the “Bigs” that aren’t going to get much playing with a potential high NFL draft choice playing ahead of them. Now that’s easier said than done because many other P5 programs are looking for those same transfers via the portal. But this year Narduzzi has done one hell of a job getting Slovis and Mumpfield to transfer in even without an OC in place IMO.

      Liked by 2 people

  34. From earlier – I like Carter and feel that our rb room should have been Hammond, Carter, Izzy-Sibley (tie) and Flea. In my opinion, Carter will not make a splash because he will be sharing the rock too much. Running backs especially need to stand out because the league undervalues the position to start. This is where it is helpful for these athletes to have advisors who understand rosters, know coaches and can make deals with portal potty recruiters regarding opportunity to start, etc. That said, Izzy may have medical, sibley portalled, and Hammond could portal.

    Using the Pickett phraseology for Hammond – too much flea, not enough me.

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    1. The new OC has to put “his imprint” on the Pitt offensive roster and he may well chose to focus on some names lightly used by Whipple. I also think that Carter should have been given more of a chance this past season. Especially on many of those 3rd and very short yard plays. Not too many toss sweeps will get that job done in those circumstances.

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    3. Someone, probably a PITT coach, whispered in Carter’s ear that playing time may drastically increase next year? I can’t think of any other place he would have gotten that idea from?

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  35. A look at the projected 2025 Top 25 in CFB… Where’s Nardo?

    1. Wisconsin Badgers
    2. Iowa Hawkeyes
    3. Oklahoma State Cowboys
    4. Michigan State Spartans
      Wisconsin is a nationally-ranked mainstay under Paul Chryst, but the Badgers have not won big yet. They have to do so during a down year at Ohio State, Michigan or Iowa it appears in the coming seasons, it appears. … At Iowa, Kirk Ferentz just posted another 10-win season, but who takes the Hawkeyes job after him? He has established a winning culture since his arrival in 1999, an eternity at one coaching stop in the current landscape.
      Mike Gundy won 12 games for a second time at Oklahoma State this season and has finished inside the national rankings every year — except four — since 2008.. … Mel Tucker and the Spartans are coming off one of the more surprising campaigns in program history at Michigan State, capping off a notable season with a win over Pitt in the Peach Bowl. Can this be sustained in East Lansing? In short, if Mark Dantonio managed to do it, Tucker can too and perhaps at a higher rate.
      (Photo: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports, USA TODAY Sports)
    5. Baylor Bears
    6. Penn State Nittany Lions
    7. North Carolina Tar Heels
      Keeping Dave Aranda at Baylor is going to be a challenge for the Bears in the coming years after the banner season he managed in 2021, capping off a Big 12-winning season with a victory in the Sugar Bowl over Ole Miss. Aranda brought instant credibility to one of the Big 12’s mid-tier programs. The Bears have a bright future if they keep him as the Big 12 evolves by 2-25. … James Franklin is locked into a lengthy deal at Penn State, but it feels like the national championship window may have passed the Nittany Lions if Michigan is suddenly a title contender. Recruiting top-10 classes annually continue to be the goal for Franklin in Happy Valley. … Mack Brown is recruiting at a championship level, but unfortunately for the Tar Heels, the production on the field up to this point during his tenure hasn’t matched up.
      (Photo: Calvin Mattheis, Knoxville News Sentinel)
    8. Tennessee Volunteers
    9. South Carolina Gamecocks
    10. Kentucky Wildcats
    11. Arkansas Razorbacks
      Will the SEC East teams not named Georgia return to prominence in the near future? It would there’s three in great hands under their current coaches with noticeable strides made in recruiting and on the field. Josh Heupel won seven games in Year 1 with the Vols and has an offense that will be a force for years to come it appears. … South Carolina’s Shane Beamer, with a roster that went 2-8 in 2020, managed to finish 7-6 with a bowl win during his first campaign. The Gamecocks finished inside the top 10 three times under Steve Spurrier and are trying to get back to that level with Beamer in charge.
      Mark Stoops recorded 10 wins for the second time during his tenure at Kentucky and is recruiting at an all-time best for the program. … At Arkansas, Sam Pittman is ahead of schedule two years into his tenure with the Razorbacks coming off a nine-win campaign. Recruiting power will be at the forefront for a program fighting for space at the top of college football’s toughest division.
      (Photo: Matt Prehm, 247Sports)
    12. Oregon Ducks
    13. Michigan Wolverines
      Did Oregon make this cycle’s most underrated home-run hire with Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning? It’s possible. … Not going to assume Michigan’s first trip to the College Football Playoff turns the Wolverines into a top 5 program overnight, but Jim Harbaugh believes it’s the start of something great. He could be right, but until he starts recruiting at the level of Ohio State, Georgia and Alabama among others near the top, it’s hard to projected a perennial 11-game winner in Ann Arbor.
      (Photo: Getty)
    14. Miami Hurricanes
    15. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
      Miami’s power players have invested nearly $100 million into Cristobal to ensure he’s the guy who brings the Hurricanes back to prominence. Cristobal played at Miami, is from the area and understands what it’s going to take to move the Hurricanes from a mid-tier Power Five program back to the ranks of the elite. … At Notre Dame, Marcus Freeman’s debut as head coach didn’t go as planned in the Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma State, but there’s no reason to fear. He’s an ideal fit at a program that will always be a factor in the title race as an independent that recruits better than 11 out of 12 teams on its schedule every year now that Lincoln Riley’s at USC.
    16. CLEMSON TIGERS
      (Photo: © Ken Ruinard / USA TODAY NETWORK, USA TODAY Sports)
      Where will the ACC’s most dominant program go from here without the luxury of staff continuity following departures from coordinator Brent Venables and Tony Elliott to Oklahoma and Virginia, respectively? Dabo Swinney has won 10 or more games every season since 2010, that run of success includes two national championships and seven conference titles. Clemson isn’t going anywhere, but there’s at least concern over the next few seasons in Death Valley to see how these in-house promotions pan out at the two most important positions on staff under him.
    17. LSU TIGERS
      (Photo: LSU Football, 247Sports)
      The fourth head coach at LSU since the turn of the century in Baton Rouge, Brian Kelly understands the opportunity that awaits with the Tigers. After all, the previous three all won national championships during their respective tenures and did so with loaded rosters at a program in the middle of a recruiting rich part of the country. The first five years for Kelly with the Tigers will be an intriguing watch for a coach who got really close to winning it all at Notre Dame with comparative, but not quite as elite, talent.
    18. FLORIDA GATORS
      (Photo: Getty)
      Don’t expect Florida to be down for long under new coach Billy Napier. A respected leader with an SEC pedigree with an elite recruiting reputation, Napier is assembling a quality staff of assistants and support-level employees to ensure the Gators get back to national prominence quickly. He won 33 games over his final three seasons at Louisiana including two conference championships and a pair of top 25 finishes. Dan Mullen turned Florida around quickly before things went south and everything is in place for quick success yet again.
    19. OKLAHOMA SOONERS
      (Photo: Parker Thune, 247Sports)
      Some first-year coaches face multi-year turnarounds at their respective programs, but not former Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables. It’s a solid bet he is a home run as a first-time head coach, doing so at a program accustomed to winning. The Sooners don’t have down years. Venables’ job is to continue competing for national championships. One of the nation’s top recruiters during his time at Clemson, Venables puts his foot on the gas in terms of talent accumulation as Oklahoma heads into the SEC down the road.
    20. TEXAS LONGHORNS
      (Photo: Getty)
      It has to happen for the Longhorns at some point, right? The coaching staff is respected, the transcendent quarterback is now signed with Quinn Ewers’ arrival and the rest of the roster — based on talent and ceiling — is better than most. Execution and player development needs to catch up at Texas. And it will. A couple years from now, Steve Sarkisian should have things rolling in Austin unless the program takes a couple more steps backward in 2022. The upcoming season will be a great barometer on the plausibility of this projection down the road.
    21. TEXAS A&M AGGIES
      (Photo: Maria Lysaker, USA TODAY Sports)
      Jimbo Fisher declined the job at LSU because he believes the resources and infrastructure is in place to win big with the Aggies. He’s right, and is on the verge of signing the highest-rated recruiting class in the modern era this cycle according to the 247Sports Composite. Five-star linebacker Harold Perkins’ pledge over the weekend during the Under Armour Game puts the Aggies ahead of Alabama’s record-setting haul during the 2021 cycle as the best all-time. Per Steve Wiltfong, Perkins’ verbal sees the Aggies score go from 325.14 to 328.82. Alabama’s terrific class last year finished at 327.76, surpassing the Florida group that inked back in 2010 for top honors.
    22. USC TROJANS
      (Photo: Getty)
      USC won the coaching carousel this cycle after dropping a bag for Lincoln Riley, convincing him to leave Oklahoma for the West Coast. Listening to Riley’s early interviews with the Trojans, it’s obvious he believes the program can get back to national title contention as a playoff mainstay sooner rather than later. Given his penchant for signing top-end quarterbacks and his success offensively at Oklahoma, USC will be fun to watch again and will assume the role of annual Pac-12 favorite. This is one of the more confident picks for future success in our hypothetical 2025 rankings.
    23. OHIO STATE BUCKEYES
      (Photo: Getty)
      Ohio State is positioned in a great spot under head coach Ryan Day, who is out-recruiting others in the Big Ten, arguably college football’s most competitive conference from top to bottom considering Alabama and Georgia’s clear stranglehold within the SEC. In a down year, the Buckeyes were Rose Bowl champions this fall and will look to start another rivalry winning streak against Michigan in 2022 and beyond. A storied program, Ohio State will be in the mix to win it all every season over the next five years.
    24. GEORGIA BULLDOGS
      (Photo: Brett Davis, USA TODAY Sports)
      Kirby Smart has transformed Georgia into a recruiting machine during his tenure in Athens, shredding the competition on the field with Herculean roster talent compared to others. The only thing he hasn’t won up to this point is the program’s first national championship since 1980, but perhaps that changes next week against Alabama. He’s 65-15 over his first six seasons with four division titles and a conference championship. His program will be the team to beat over the next decade on that side of the SEC.
    25. ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE
      (Photo: Ron Jenkins / Stringer, Getty)14COMMENTS
      Until Nick Saban grows tired of competition and finally walks away, college football’s all-time greatest coach will have this program on the shortlist of national championship contenders now through the end of the decade. Texas A&M supposedly delivered the death blow in October to this season’s title hopes and do you see what happened? The Crimson Tide thrived with their backs against the wall and were fueled by another Heisman winner, this time at the quarterback position. Saban gets the most out of his talent and many of the elites will sign with Alabama as long as he’s leading the program.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The only ranking that matters is the last one. Save your list and compare it to the ‘real’ list after next season and you’ll see how nonsensical this one is.

      Like

  37. First off you look at last years top 25. (no PITT) Also, I thought the list was a joke until I realized that the numbers were upside down. A split second later, I asked myself… what do I care about what this numb nuts thinks will happen in 2025.

    Like

  39. It has Bama and UGA with OSU at the bottom of the list … or did that re-order on the copy and paste? That must have happened.

    Like

  42. @ Gordon – I agree that Big Ben is way over-rated given the talent surrounding him and as such, I also put Coach Tomlinduzzi in the same category. Yes, they both have very good winning records, but they also had the best talent in the league for many years and under-achieved in my opinion.

    Steelers are funny in that they will claw and scratch to finish .500. Just enough to position themselves for a non-impact player in the draft. Although Najee had a good game last night he is not the solution in my opinion. They need a lot.

    H2Pov

    Like

  43. Keyshawn Camp declared for the draft. Can’t remember if he was added to the list of outgoing players.

    Like

  46. Just my 2 cents on Big Ben. O don’t think he’s as good as Bradshaw. 2 different eras, Bradshaw was an amazing athlete who excelled on the big stage. I guess my opinion is probably tainted by Big Ben’s off field antics. It amazes me that we as a society we are quick to forgive star athletes of transgressions that others in other walks of life are branded for ever. Zeise wrote that Ben is not well liked by his teammates, which is why he was never voted team MVP. I just found it hard to put him on a pedestal.

    Like

  48. I am proud of Ben for changing and becoming a good family man and father. “Let ye who have never sinned throw the first stone”

    None of us have been perfect in our youth.

    I think Ben’s talent was held back by horrible coaching, terrible Steeler talent decisions and a mishmash of personnel changes in coaches and players. Could he have achieved more, maybe. But he did achieve lots!

    I’ve only cried after two games in my life; the 1975 7-6 loss to Penn State and last night.

    I took our Peach Bowl loss hard, not that Pitt lost but by the “sudden change”pick six!

    It reminded my of drunkenly sitting on my dads couch and rehashing tearfully the 12 blown chances that Pitt had in that 75 Penn State loss!
    My dad said “what if I told you that Pitt will win the National Championship next year” I just laughed and went “yeah sure”.

    So I remind all of you Pitt’s next year in Football could be very special. Hey, maybe they’ll even win the National Championship! H2P

    Liked by 3 people

    1. I’m sorry you took the loss so hard Dan. Look at it this way: As a fifth grader in 1995, I began following Pitt football. My dad liked it and my elementary school principal gave out a ton of free tickets that year for kids with good grades. We won 2 games that year. In 1996 we only won 4 games…and not all of them were on TV, it was not easy to follow the program then.

      By the time I became a student at Pitt, Walt had gotten us to 6, 7, and 8 win seasons but we weren’t allowed to be called Pitt and we had a dinosaur/cat logo.

      Now in 2022, we won 11 games, own a major conference title, played in a New Year’s six bowl, are referring to our school as the proper name, and we wear the proper colors/uniform.

      This has been one hell of a journey but this year made all the patience, heartbreak, and anger of the past worth it. Thanks to the team and to Coach Duzz. I never thought we would have a year like this.

      Liked by 2 people

    2. If you are talking about almost killing yourself on a motorcycle or getting thrown out of Laurel Valley in a drunken stupor fine, but possible rape on multiple occassions no.

      By the way I did not include the off the field stuff in my opinion that he underacheived in the playoffs.

      Like

      1. And you are sinless? How bout those Carlow girls at Wolfies GC.
        Several were very good friends!

        Easy to judge from a distance.

        Like

  49. Getting QB Slovis and WR Mumpfield, isn’t that like adding two 4-stars to the incoming class? That’s what it feels like to me…

    Thanks for the article, Richard. I’ve tried to thank you a couple of times but my comments haven’t shown up. I must be using a bad word somewhere…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I’d say that’s about right. Obviously star ratings are often wrong. Didn’t we get a 5 star QB (Browne) from USC that unfortunately was not very good? And a 5 star tight end that was even worse. It’s hard to gauge, but given that Mumpfield was a freshman all american, I’d say he’s at least a 4 star if not a 5 star; and if we’re lucky, maybe Slovis has about 4 star talent, for what that’s worth.

      All take this opportunity to be a broken record, and add that we need a new offensive line coach. Teams that are shooting for that next level should always be trying to upgrade their weaknesses.

      Like

  51. Paranoia, the Destroyer (cue the Kinks)

    The longer it takes to hire an OC, the more paranoid I become. I’m hoping there is a list of capable candidates that are being interviewed, and I wouldn’t mind a younger candidate who did well on a mid-major level

    It took well over a month to hire Watson who was obviously a fallback choice. I would have to think there are more viable candidates this time around

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

    Liked by 1 person

  53. Pitt needs a new OL coach?

    Heisman finalist
    Bilitnikoff winner
    Unitas Award
    2 All Americans
    1 FR All American
    1 2nd team All ACC OL
    2 3rd team All ACC OL
    1 honorable mention All ACC
    41.4 points per game
    4th in scoring
    26th in tackle for loss allowed
    Izzy 5.3 ypc
    Hammond 5.1 ypc
    Davis 4.2 ypc
    ACC champs!!

    A teams OL must be terrible to accomplish all of that. 😀

    Liked by 1 person

  54. Yep, that is my opinion, I don’t think Borbs (or the line) is very good. We get exposed every time we play teams with strong lines, like Miami & Michigan St. (there were one or two others as well). We may not be so lucky next year with a QB that can scramble and buy time, I hope I am wrong, but this has always had the look as the team’s weak line (along with pass defense) in 2021, despite a great year.

    Like

  55. The OL was great. Play calling hurt the line against Michigan St. It was one of the best offensive lines in the country all year. All those WR screens everyone hated were to keep LB’s honest and they were missing from the MSU game. Kenny also had mastered the RPO mesh point and that kept LB’s honest, too. Patti and Beville were much less savvy running the RPO, which is to be expected based on their experience level. The also are not as mobile as Kenny. When you’re playing catchup, you will get sacked more often. Pitt got down 21-10 fast against Miami. You won’t fool them as often with the threat of the run or a quick screen pass. The entire team played poorly against Miami. OL is a clear strength and a strength moving forward. This was the best OL we’ve had in probably 40 years. They could run block and pass block. We’ve been good at one or the other but not both. They also have several players who will play in the NFL.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Great? Almost every time Bevell dropped back their was a d linemen pouncing on him. I’ll give you the play calling was bad, but they were dominated in that game as well as the Miami game, regardless of excuses. I am hopeful that getting Kradel back, maybe upgrading the center position, plus the Ohio St. guy, and we may be better next year.

      Like

      2. The game was a month after the season ended. I really don’t care about a bowl game or anything that happens during one. I’ll never be able tot take stats from those games seriously.

        I’ve been pretty adamant that I believe it’s an exhibition game and don’t put too much stock into bowl games … plus, it was a third string QB with an OC who hadn’t called plays since 2004. Beville was a deer in headlights the entire game.

        Great, I agree, is probably too strong but the entire season the OL was exceptional and I fully believe that the season ended with an ACC Championship. Once Beville was in there, you pin your ears back and go after the inexperienced QB. That’s what MSU did. That’s all that was.

        Izzy and Hammond both averaged over 5 yards per carry and VD averaged a pedestrian 4.2. I think that’s an indictment on VD more than the line. 61% of the rushing between those 3 was over 5 yards per carry.

        Pitt allowed 34 sacks this season but was 11th in drop backs. The more you drop back the more you’ll get sacked. On 39 drop backs, Pitt was sacked 2.42 times per game. From PFF … “Pitt has tasked its offensive line with the fifth-highest rate of true pass sets in the FBS (54%)”

        That entire line returns next season and should theoretically only improve.

        Like

        2. Did you get that tvax?

          Bowl games = Exhibition, don’t matter, not worth anything, discount stats, etc.

          🤮

          Like

          1. Haha – I hate them. Have hated them for a long time now. I literally don’t understand the point of them with a playoff. Expand the playoff to the 12 and give all the bowls to the group of 5.

            Like

          2. oh boy, I’m being “targeted” again

            please pull up the comment AND the comment it was in response to

            I rarely am wrong,,,,, not never but rarely! You’d never know by my writing HERE but it’s true,,, LOL!!!!
            🙂

            Like

    2. TT, OL in 2016 blocking for Conner and Peterman were much better IMO…3 of the interior lineman and the TE played or are playing in the NFL- Biz,DJ, O”neal and Orndoff

      Like

      1. That team was not great at pass blocking. One dimensional. I’m talking all round offensive line, this is the best. They can run block and pass block. We just didn’t have a run oriented team.

        Like

        1. 2021/2022 OL will match 3 NFL OL, plus Krull and Barthalomew.

          They are truly exceptional. You DO NOT win an ACC title with an OK line.

          Like

  56. Off season Off topic: Tribune Review front page news from Big B’s hometown….. Apollo Pa.

    It’s being reported that the famous Yak Diner is being moved from 2104 to 2130 River Road, North Apollo right next to Lackey’s Dairy Queen. Nancy of Washington Twp is quoted as saying,”This is exciting”

    Yes indeed Nancy, exciting times for sure, I just hope Biggie B doesn’t get lost in his home town reshuffling.

    On a more somber note, the Apollo Ridge boy basketball team to one on the chin last night with the Vikings losing the game 92-19. OUCH! I’m sure Bernie could have helped out his old team at center clearing the lane.

    That’s the breaking news from your home town Big guy.

    Liked by 2 people

  57. Thanks Iek for keeping me posted…knew about the Yak diner getting moved and renovated but the A-R BB getting whooped, whipped and embarrassed…sounds like they had 2-3 guys on the court to lose that badly….i will have to check in with my homies,,,

    Like

  58. Did you see the movie “News of the World” with Tom Hanks, ike? Your Apollo-Ridge post reminded me of the movie, with you as the Tom Hanks character reading the newspaper to locals in the far west for 10 cents per person.🤠

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Didn’t see that one Mark…Apollo-Ridge beat Steel Valley a couple of weeks ago and my high school team-mate’s grandson scored over 30 point in that game…now that was a shocker- “country” boys beating a “city” school…I will be coming “round the mountain” tomorrow to Apollo, Pa and will get the low-down……

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Always found it a bit puzzling why anyone thought Champagnie should return for another season.

      Think a little Pitt “wishful thinking” might have obscured the obvious that he had far more to gain by making the jump.

      Like

    2. Don’t get too excited, he averages 3 points per game. I think he will stick for a while, time will tell.

      Like

  60. ESPN says Peach Bowl between MSU and Pitt had 7.6 million viewers (up more than 25 percent
    from the previous two standalone weekday primetime games) with peak of 8.7 million in final 10 minutes.

    — Matt Wenzel (@mwenzel2) January 4, 2022

    Like

  61. I think the debate on the 2016 and 2021 O-lines is a good one and nice to have.
    This year’s lead us to 11 wins. They both didn’t have good bowl games though.
    2021’s line isn’t done yet and should be even better next year, another year of strength and conditioning,
    and playing together.

    Like

  62. I have mixed feelings on the OLine discussion above. I think the OLine has undergone incremental improvement each year over the last couple years. Warren has always scared me with his lack of lateral mobility, but he has gotten a bit better each year.

    What scared me with Coach Borbs was him saying a few years ago that Warren was “our most athletic lineman.” That was supposed to be a positive statement but I felt sick for a week after hearing it…

    I like some of the other guys – I think Goncalves should play more. One encouraging thing is that there will be a true 2-deep this year. After playing Mich. State’s big line, maybe that will send a message to those aspiring to the NFL and they will work even harder.

    Should be some good OLine competition in spring ball at all 5 spots for the first time in many moons…

    Go Pitt.

    Like

    1. My issue with him was mental mistakes – the abundant amount of pre-snap penalties and not being in the right position to maintain leverage. FOr me , more about that than his agility/athleticism.

      Two things you could count on at the beginning of 2021 games.

      Krull drops one.
      Warren gets a false start.

      Liked by 3 people

    2. One other comment MM.

      Some folks here hasve expressed doubts about the OL because of the guys returning. One thing I have seen folks talking about is the potential impact of Ryan Baer, who many think could crack the starting line-up as a freshman – he’s apparently that good. Proof is in the pudding, but certainly something to feel good about. And a couple kids in the 2021 class – one who’s from Massilon I think – keep adding to the depth.

      Like

      1. JoeL – I agree that things are looking up for the OLine. One reason is that Pitt finally started to bring in more bodies. You can’t bring in 2 OLine recruits each year and expect a good OLine. No margin for error – and it’s tough to hit on Olinemen, IMHO.

        Go Pitt.

        Like

  63. Looking at next year’s DB situation, I’m not real comfortable there will be improvement for this weakest part of the Pitt defense. Someone mentioned there are 17 DBs on the roster, but it’s questionable in my mind as to the talent level. Mathis is gone and must be replaced. I was high on M.J. Devenshire initially, but he got smoked later in the season. Does anyone have a feel for the depth of talent in this group?

    Like

  64. Took me a while, but I finally figured out what the bad word is. Sadly, it had become a somewhat favorite word of a couple of us, including “dilettante sportswriter” Richard…. 🙂

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

    2. Actually, Mike is the “dilettante sportswriter” He used it first. I liked it and appropriated the term. Just like I stole a word you first used. Dilettante’s like to steal words and make them their own.

      Like

  65. Beville’s impact reaches far and wide. Beville’s drop-back is nothing like KP’s and Patti and looks like it would take lots of time getting use to? The 5 returning starters may not be the very best but they did a good enough job this year. BTW, it’s just not the top 5 starters returning it’s the top 7 linemen. Zubovic may even beat out Owen at center? I believe that PITT still has the OSU linemen still on the roster Jacoby.

    Like

  67. @VOR. I don’t think it is the talent as much as it is the system. Dane Jackson, Hamlin, Whitehead, Maddox, Pinnock, are all on NFL rosters with 3 of them starting. Many times those guys have been blasted on this site (Whitehead not so much as the others). I’m not a fan of the defensive system as it gets exposed a lot and leads to a lot of shootouts.

    Liked by 2 people

  69. You have to score points to win in college football. I’m okay with Pitt’s defense. The big plays are annoying but the sacks make up for it. You win with explosive plays. On offense and defense. Playing it safe puts you in too many close games to win consistently. I would hate to be Iowa, for example. I know a lot here would disagree but YOLO.

    Like

  70. OL returnees

    Warren, Minor Drexel Kradel Huoy

    Jacoby (OSU transfer). Concalves. Zubovic B Taylor. Plus 4* frosh

    Defense—. Played 6 of the top 19 rated offenses this year. Reminiscent of 2016

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

    Liked by 3 people

  71. Mathis will be the next Pitt DB in the pros. Pitt DBs have more experience one on one than other defensive schemes. Part of their attraction. Of course they get beat occasionally.
    Devonshire and Woods got beat late in the season, but in most cases they were stride for stride with the WR which means they have the speed, just need to make the breakup at the end of the play.

    Liked by 1 person

  73. Remember the same defensive system a year ago against Notre Dame.

    There’s something called “match ups” that come into play… and this is where TALENT reigns supreme.

    Like

      1. He’s playing behind a beast, too. Jordan Poyer should have been in the pro bowl. I think he’s 30, so Hamlin is sitting and learning from a good role model.

        Like

  77. But the season isn’t over, yet?

    Like

  78. I agree with Tossing on his OLine take on sacks. Go back to my Peach Bowl article and reread the chart on Sacks and TFL’s. MSU going into the bowl allowed only 18 (tied for 25’th) but had thrown about 175 less passes. As a % of total pass attempts (actual passes + sacks allowed), Pitt and MSU were off by 0.38%. Far different than NCAA rank based just on a number. I’ve said it before, solitary stats need context.

    Like

  79. Here is one projection:
    AP Poll Prediction: 2021 Season Final
    Number in parentheses is where each team finished in the most recent rankings.

    1. San Diego State Aztecs 12-2 (NR)
    2. Iowa Hawkeyes 10-4 (17)

    3. BYU Cougars 10-3 (14)

    4. Oregon Ducks 10-4 (15)

    5. Kentucky Wildcats 10-3 (25)
      Expert Picks: CFP National Championship

    6. Arkansas Razorbacks 9-4 (22)

    7. Utah State Aggies 11-3 (NR)
    8. Clemson Tigers 10-3 (19)
    9. NC State Wolfpack 9-3 (18)
    10. Houston Cougars 12-2 (21)
    11. Wake Forest Demon Deacons 11-3 (20)
    12. Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns 13-1 (16)
    13. Ole Miss Rebels 10-3 (8)
    14. Pitt Panthers 11-3 (13)

    15. Utah Utes 10-4 (10)
      – Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY final ranking prediction

    16. Oklahoma Sooners 11-2 (14)

    17. Michigan State Spartans 11-2 (11)
    18. Notre Dame Fighting Irish 11-2 (5)
    19. Oklahoma State Cowboys 12-2 (9)
    20. Baylor Bears 12-2 (7)
    21. Cincinnati Bearcats 13-1 (4)
    22. Ohio State Buckeyes 11-2 (7)
    23. Michigan Wolverines 12-2 (2)
      1 or 2. Georgia Bulldogs 13-1 (3)
      1 or 2. Alabama Crimson Tide 13-1 (1)

    Like

  80. So in this poll prediction PITT is ranked #12…. right?

    Almost forgot my obligatory congratulations to Richard for his fine fine work he does on his articles. Another great one my Friend.

    Liked by 1 person

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