in Pitt Football 837 Words

2021 Production Loss – Georgia Tech

We have entered Pitt’s 2022 ACC Conference opponents review. The first team is the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

Geoff Collins enters his fourth season at the wheel of the Rambling Wreck and a wreck it is. In his three years at Georgia Tech, his teams have been consistent. Three straight years of 3 wins with an overall record of 9 – 25 (7-18 conference, 2-7 OOC and no bowls). The fans and blogs are getting restless. They want Collin’s head.

Georgia Tech Football Opinion Week 2022: The Outcome is Assured – From The Rumble Seat

I like the writer of the above link – Robert Binion. He not only writes opinion pieces but does an exceptionally excellent job with S&P+ analyses. More on him later.

Georgia Tech’s 2021 results and the 2022 schedule.

Are Pitt fans the only ones who complain about scheduling? No.

Opinion Week 2022: Georgia Tech football’s schedule might be the worst in program history – From The Rumble Seat

Might as well get this over with. Robert Binion’s S&P+ projected win totals for all 65 P5 teams against a Vegas betting site (Points Bet USA).

The Binion Index: Looking at Win Totals for 2022 – From The Rumble Seat

Just one more link to go but not just now.

Here are the Rivals 5.7 and above 2022 commits. Also included are the current Transfer Portal (TP) additions.

GT lost 16 players to the TP (nine on offense, seven on defense). In return, they neared the NCAA limit of 32 commits with 15 class of 2022 recruits and plucking 15 from the TP. Notice the two QB TP additions. Are they depth or a QB competition? GT lost two QB’s to the TP. The current QB Jeff Sims has not lived up to his potential.

The best of the TP entries is RB Dylan McDuffie (Buffalo) and Safety Ahmari Harvey (Auburn).

On to the stars identified as NCAA team leaders in selected stats or members of the 2021 All ACC teams. I have added a new stat Athlon’s 2022 preseason All ACC Conference four teams.

ACC Football 2022 All-Conference Team – AthlonSports.com | Expert Predictions, Picks, and Previews

In total, 116 individual names (120 positions) were selected. That is approximately one third of all ACC starters for the 26 positions used. I already list the 2021 All ACC selections. Athlon just gives some names to replace those who are no longer eligible. I have the “names” in Orange to identify them.

Get used to a lot of color coding losses. Jahmyr Gibbs is the major loss to the TP. He is going to Alabama to get more national attention for his overall performance. NIL money may be involved but not Addison money.

The  offense revolves around QB play. I have added sacked and yards lost to the QB chart. I also added career stats for the Sims and the two TP QB additions.

Georgia Tech running backs and receivers 2021 activity. Also returning production summary for Pitt and Georgia Tech.

GT is now leading in the lowest percentage of returning offensive production of the ten teams I have reviewed. While they picked up two RB’s from the TP, I am surprised that they did not pick up any WR’s. They did get two TE’s.

Can the Oline stats mitigate the loss of returning production. I added Pitt allowed sacks and tackles for loss.

Just to refresh your memory a “bright green” color coding means the player(s) are lost due to medical reasons.

GT lost three of their OL starters. They have added four players from the TP for potential starters (Tchio-Clemson, Quick-Alabama) and experienced backups.

Unless the OL makes a gargantuan leap in play, the Oline will not help mitigate the skill players loss.

On to the defensive review.

Georgia Tech had 46 players make a defensive stat. But nine of them were offense players. Two were special teams players. That leaves 35 defensive players making a stat.

The chart below strips out the non-defensive players and eleven players who did not make at least seven or more tackles.

The below chart includes 24 players- eleven DB’s, nine DL’s and four LB’s making up (and I mean made up) “seven+ tackles two deep.”  Yep, I lowered the number of tackles to have at least a “two deep.”

Half of my “two deep” are gone. Less than half of the total defensive production is returning. The DB position needs rebuilt. GT did pickup five defensive players from the TP. All were DB’s with P5 backgrounds.

Let us put the above in perspective – 2021 NCAA defensive stats

Georgia Tech’s 2021 defense, in my opinion, was a solid F+. Then they lose more than half of their production.

I feel sorry for Geoff Collins. He took over a team that ran the triple option and tried to convert it into a P5 offense. He signed a seven year contract.

Geoff Collins’ contract averages $3.3 million annually (ajc.com)

At least, he was able to upgrade recruiting but too little too late. He is gone. On to Virginia Tech.

142 thoughts on “2021 Production Loss – Georgia Tech”

  1. Poor GT. Plays in an urban NFL environment and right in the heart of SEC country. And apparently, as soon as they get a diamond in the rough, it gets plucked by Alabama. And they get to play Georgia every year

    If ever a school needs some big pocket boosters, it is GT

    On the other hand, it is located right in the middle of probably the most fertile recruiting area, and there should be plenty of quality 3 stars available. They need to coach them up. Maybe the first step is increasing salaries to get some quality coaches who can recruit?

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    1. Have to play Clemson and Georgia every year. There is 0-2 off the bat.

      Not sure if academics play a part in their coaches trying to bring in better athletes. It must and its a very tough school to get into.

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  2. Rich, great job as always! Do you have any stats on what percentage of opponent coaches Geoff Collins tries to snub in the after game handshake? 🤝

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  3. GT has a gem of an OCS. Makes a difference in recruiting. Our future depends on Heinz and the Steelers.

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    1. Frank, not sure if you are being sarcastic or ironic, but obviously their OCS hasn’t made any difference in their recruiting and certainly on their level of success or lack thereof.
      Last year pretty much proved that Pitt can be successful at Heinz and people will attend games if you have a solid product. Have not heard of any recruit saying that they didn’t come to Pitt because of Heinz and that they share practice facilities with the Steelers. In fact just the opposite many that come to Pitt say that is one of the reasons they came.
      Certainly a hundred thousand screaming fans is hard to compete with but an OCS at Pitt probably does not affect attendance.

      Liked by 4 people

      1. Pitt will not get any of the top football players tn the WPIAL
        this year. Maybe its the lack of an OCS? Heinz field is like watching a game at Walmart. Does anyone notice
        the amount of new construction in Oaklad? Seems the only people concerned about Oakland traffic are those opposed to an OCS.

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  4. You can make the case that Heinz Field actually better for attendance since it is easier to access than in Oakland. On the other hand, a right sized stadium is better from a perception standpoint due to a lack of several empty yellow seats

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    1. Heinz is easier for me to get to, but I do miss walking around campus. I do not miss the hassle of trying to find a place to park…. and then how would our Red 5A crew get to tailgate together?

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  6. Pitt plays at 70 percent max capacity at Heinz. And in some years it’s as low as 55 percent if you count real fannies in the seats. Pitt has one of the lowest if not THE lowest capacity figures among ACC schools.

    The yellow seats do impact Pitts ability to recruit elite caliber athletes. Few if any recruits knock Heinz but even fewer gush about it. Heinz would look much better and feel more electric if it was a smaller and more intimate stadium of 50,000.

    Pitt would then be playing near full capacity in most seasons.

    Has Heinz helped improve attendance? No. Having a great product will do that although you do get an early boost with the novelty of a new stadium.

    Has Heinz really significantly helped in recruiting? That’s debatable with the general consensus being No.

    Has Heinz provided a great fan experience leading to higher gifting rates? No

    Heinz will always be known as the Steelers stadium.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. We need to tarp upper endzone areas and maybe some sidelines to make it look better on TV. Tarp the Pitt sideline and fill up the visitors side would look better on TV.

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  7. Thank you, Richard.

    Here’s a factoid I ran across: After 3 years, Collins has yet to win back-to-back games at Georgia Tech. Ouch!

    Collins is making about a million bucks for each win. Clearly they need to bump his salary up to maybe $10 million…. 🙂

    Pierce Quick is an interesting name for an offensive lineman…

    Maybe Collins wasn’t a big Duzz fan because they are both supposed to be defensive gurus and Duzz’s team just laid 52 points on the Collins’ defense…. This was a couple games after GT had held Clemson to 14 points.

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. GT is in the very heart of superior football talent. I know that a powerhouse like UGA will have the inside track on the majority of the most sought-after players, however, there should be enough available high level 3*** to put a solid team on the field. Atlanta is a great City and Tech is an excellent school///something is missing that can be corrected with better on and off the field management.

    The GT scheduling is completely NUTS. 4 out of the last 5 games on the road and a schedule that includes Clemson, Notre Dame, Ole’ Miss and Georgia….OUCH!

    Once again I repeat outstanding job, Richard.

    Liked by 2 people

  9. I have always been in favor of an OCS, but winning the ACC this past year has given the lie to previous claims that Pitt cannot win at Heinz, or that recruits won’t come to Pitt because of Heinz. Basically, it is all speculative BS that Heinz even matters. But I think it is real that recruits like the closeness between Pitt and the Steelers. And you can’t have one without the other- the Steelers and Heinz.

    In all of the post selection interviews I have read with recruits where PSN or someone has asked them why they didn’t choose Pitt, I have never read where Heinz was even a factor. Players actually like playing on the same field as the Steelers. So it is perfectly rational to want an OCS, but blaming any failures on Heinz at this point is total nonsense.

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  10. The failure lies solely at the BOT, chancellor and AD back in 1999 when it was decided to raze Pitt stadium, move off campus to an oversized ketchup bottle and build a single purpose basketball arena that hasn’t seen a sell out in over 7 years.

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    1. Plus, after all knocking down the stadium and building an arena and focusing on being a basketball school, Pitt let its best coach ever walk instead of backing up wanting to be a hoops school. Not offering Howland 10 years/$30 million to stay was a mistake. Pitt bumped its offer to $1.5mm a year. Wow, talk about being serious.

      How lucky for Pitt that Dixon panned out after Prosser turned them down and Nordy listened to the players to promote Dixon. Still, what could’ve been with Howland.

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  11. Pitt volleyball scheduled to be on the ACC network from 3PM to 7PM. First match against @Louisville then @Georgia Tech. Then at 9PM, Louisville @Pitt.

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    1. Valeria Vazquez Gomez will be playing for the Puerto Rico national team in a qualifier for the FIVB qualifier in Mexico. See link below. So long as Pitt’s players stay healthy doing these international competitions, the better it is for Pitt. Valeria may be critical in how we do this year if Dalton does not pan out or if Fairbanks gets injured.

      https://pittsburghpanthers.com/news/2022/6/17/womens-volleyball-vazquez-gomez-to-play-in-norceca-final-four.aspx

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Two Pitt loses to Louisville and a Pitt win over Georgia Tech. By the way there is a lot of hate of Pitt volleyball among the fans of the North Carolina ACC schools especially North Carolina and Duke. Both teams were the powerhouses of the weak ACC before Fisher and Pitt joined the ACC. I imagine Louisville is now in the same boat as Pitt. The last 5 ACC volleyball titles have been won or shared by Pitt and Louisville.
      Richard: Another volleyball comment with a link is waiting approval.

      Liked by 3 people

      1. We would have won that match with a healthy Kayla Lund! Nebraska played sloppy in that first set but their coach settled them down unfortunately.

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  12. Richard – thank you for all your hard work and detail on these posts.
    I haven’t commented before because I’m not a stats guy. However, come Fall I really enjoy rereading these posts pregame.
    Appreciate all you do!

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Recruits may not mention the 1/3 empty Heinz field when visiting but you be sure our anyone considering us versus PSU, ND or OSU are made keenly aware of our less than stellar game day crowds at Pitt.

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  15. Well, I guess attendance will increase this season with possibility of starting the year with 2 sellouts. On the other hand, it is an unattractive home ACC schedule with only Va Tech causing any kind of excitement

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  16. If GA Tech wants to win, they do need to increase their football budget. They do need to lower academic standards. They do need to find boosters.

    They are located in a talent rich area. But they need to spend money and expect a lower GPA in non engineering courses.

    I doubt that ever happens. Far too many hurdles and obstacles to overcome. You’d have to change the culture. It’s not easy or quick.

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  17. Collins has been a big disappointment at Tech. The academics at Tech make it a difficult place to recruit. A triple option coach is their best approach to the problem or at least it used to be. With the “air raid” offenses now being just as effectively at smaller schools, that would probably Tech’s best choice for new coach in 2023. I would be surprised if Collins makes it through the entire season as head coach. Tech will be 1-4 after their first 5 games and will probably end up at 3-9 at best. If they lose to Duke, that will be Collins’ last game.

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    1. A small private school with a small donor base, a nerdy and sports apathetic alumni network, and paltry operating budget can only consistently succeed by running a gimmick scheme. They will never compete against Georgia’s talent but they can out coach and out scheme them. The triple option is their only hope. And they only need a bunch of two and three stars to make it work. Who are well coached, disciplined and hard working. Very military like. They could be the Navy of the South.

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  18. Sorry to burst your bubble, but Tech is a PUBLIC University with more than 14,000 undergrads. Tech
    will NOT lower its very high standards, nor should they!!! A degree from Tech is worth money in the bank and prospective employers couldn’t give &%$#) about the football fortunes of The Rambling Wreck!!

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  19. Well then it explains their directors cup standings over the past 30 years. You can be affordable public and excel in sports. Tech never learned that. Seriously you call tech a public with those tuition rates? Georgia is better all round. You must be engineering.

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  21. Richard – you are a rock star

    Only 76 days until the season kicks off.

    Great number to celebrate!

    I think I will with Mrs. Erie – tough week…

    Liked by 3 people

  22. I am saying in my post that GT has a stadium that makes a difference in their recruiting. Our future depends on Heinz and the Steelers.

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    1. That’s not a problem Big Dan, think Pickett, Addison and Aaron Donald. Proven to all PITT fans, PITT likes to be dissed on.

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    2. Patience. They were #36 earlier in the week, but theses rankings change daily this time of the year. Wait until after all the June visits.

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  24. I wonder if ESPN considers transfer portal players, and if so, how it rates them when evaluating recruiting classes..

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    1. Speaking of transfer portal players here’s what Pete Fiutak had to say today regarding one of Pitt’s transfer players:
      “Shhhhhhhhhh, no one will say it out loud, but USC transfer QB Kedon Slovis might be a more talented player than Pickett. That’s not to say he’ll come up with the same production – Pickett grew into a fantastic decision-maker and big play passer – but it’s been lost in the narrative that last year was a massive fifth season jump.

      That’s not to dog Pickett in any way – he really is/was great – but he didn’t throw more than 13 touchdown passes in any of his first four years, and then he bombed away for 42 scores.

      Slovis threw 30 touchdown passes as a freshman, threw 17 touchdown passes in six games in 2020, and blow off the mess that was USC last year. The Pitt quarterback situation will be more than fine.”

      https://collegefootballnews.com/2022/06/pitt-panthers-preview-2022-season-prediction-breakdown-key-games-players

      Liked by 3 people

  25. The college World Series was being dominated by the SEC at the regional level.

    Then at the super regionals where only 16 teams were left, the #1 team was knocked off by an ACC Midwest/northern team.

    The SEC still represents 4 of the final 8 teams and actually 6 if you count Texas and Oklahoma.

    So the other two who do not represent the SEC are ND from the ACC and Stanford from the P12 who are on the opposite side of the CWS bracket.

    ND did their part and beat Texas last night in convincing fashion, 7-3. Texas A&M (SEC) lost to Oklahoma (?).

    Stanford plays its first game today and is in a bracket with 3 SEC teams.

    I would enjoy seeing a ND vs Stanford championship series.

    However this turns out it is some mighty fine baseball.

    Only 75 days until Pitt football.

    Enjoy your Father’s Day weekend – I’m hoping to have a few magical moments on the golf course, starting in two hours.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Note: the #1 team referenced in the previous post was Tennessee of the SEC.

      For those that don’t follow college baseball or don’t care for that matter, for whatever reason.

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  26. In what is expected to be another good weekend for recruiting, a Pat Signal appeared about an hour ago

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  31. BigB I was thinking the same thing. We need bulldozers who can be coached and have the desire to do the HARD work necessary to develop the skills needed in P5 football…

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  33. DB’s and DE’s are always high on the list for Pitt recruits based on the number we had get their shot at the NFL. OLmen are sought after but Pitt is not nearly as successful in getting that group to sign on the dotted line.

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    1. No announcement yet on the ND transfer. The first commit announced today is RB Montravius Lloyd 5′ 11″ 205lbs out of St Pete Fla.

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  35. I just viewed Lloyd on HUDL and he seems to have above average speed. The problem with HUDL is that unless you know the caliber of competition it is extremely difficult to draw any conclusions. Lloyd has good size and offers from FSU, Wake,WVU and Arizona, so I will assume that he will be a plus for the Panthers.

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  36. If the other four verbals are who I’m hearing, the lone one that excites me is Bass, the Virginia LB.

    Where are the O-linemen?

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    1. They are seeking NIL deals with Bob’s Big Boy restaurants?

      Duzz will sign 2 or 3 and be done until portal season opens up again.

      It is the new way of piecing together an O-line. Long gone are the days of developing – the portal makes Borbs and Duzz’s job easier. Not too long ago that was highly criticized.

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  37. Welcome RB recruit Montravious (Trey) Lloyd who committed yesterday to Pitt – he is a 3 star prospect out of St. Petersburg, FL.

    He is 6’ 205lbs – seems quick and has a solid build.

    I pulled this line from PSN:

    “In their last two recruiting classes, Pitt signed but ended up losing both Bailey (academics) and Malik Newton (health reasons), so Pitt is looking to restock their depth at running back.”

    Maybe we see Bailey again after a year at prep school (Shady’s route to Pitt). Either way, I wish Bailey and Newton the best in their life travels.

    Happy Father’s Day to the dads of the POV. Hit ‘em straight today in whatever you do.

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  38. At this point you have to trust Pitt’s recruiting judgement and prowess and forget the number of stars. It’s always going to be three stars with a few fours sprinkled in.
    Especially now that the top kids can command big NIL deals.

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  39. Here is a review of Pitt by the SBNation site Rocky Top Talk:
    https://www.rockytoptalk.com/2022/6/13/23148352/tennessee-vols-football-2022-opponent-preview-pittsburgh-panthers

    I try to read sites after I review them to see if anything of consequence has occurred that will impact the upcoming season. For example, Boston College lost four starting OLinemen to eligibility. They have now lost the remaining starter to a torn ACL. He is considered out for the next 6 to 9 months.

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  40. Richard, Thanks for posting “Rocky Top” One thing I agree with them is our “ leaky pass defense”… would like to see a shut- down pass D but don’t know if it’s more due to the style of play or Duzz’s creation. They also buy into Slovis’s as the starter- I think Nick Patti will have something to say about that…. after highly rated Max Brown, Yellen and Ricky( was it Townes?) I’m holding my breath when it comes to west coast QBs.

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    1. I think Slovis threw for more yards in the first four games of his freshman season than Brown, Yellen and Town did in their respective careers combined.

      Kedon’s name should never be lumped in with those three.

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          1. Hopefully Barden’s hands have improved because we need a deep threat to take advantage of Slovis’ arm.

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    2. I believe I met your wife John, very lovely lady. Let her know the POV is praying for her…. and you!

      btw, I was scheduled for a pacemaker but canceled for another opinion. Maybe not right for me but heard they do great things.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Just stay away from the microwave or at least that used to be the case…. Met your sweet wife John… She will be in our prayers.

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    6. John – Thoughts and prayers for you and your wife.

      Had my first in 2000 at age of 49. Spent three days in hospital after surgery. Only problem was due to a sandbag being placed on my shoulder to in mobilize it. Took a week or so for shoulder soreness to go away.

      I’ve had 2 replacements since. Both were outpatient. Both were done early morning (6 or 7am). First replacement I left hospital around 4PM. Second, I was eating at a Panera Bread at 11;30am. The first two devices had a battery for 5 years. (Mine lasted 7 1/2 years. New one has a 10-year battery. Got three years to go.

      Replacements are easier since doctor only has to remove old device and attach new device. They use the same wires from the original device.

      The Pacemaker was what alerted my cardiologist to another heart problem I am experiencing. I just started Elequis. Everyone has seen the commercial for it.

      Liked by 4 people

  44. Not want you wanted for Father’s Day, however, your wonderful present will be the good news that everything has gone well. My best wishes and prayers for your wife to have a speedy recovery.

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  48. Appreciate the kind words from you awesome POVers.

    👍

    (They actually installed a temporary pacemaker Friday night, while in the ER, because her heart rate was so low…)

    Liked by 1 person

  49. John, Blessings and peace to you and your wife. Prayers for her quick and safe recovery.

    Happy Dads day to all! Raising kids is no walk in the park.

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  51. Please pass along to Kathleen that she is in our prayers, John. I’m confident that she will go through this just fine and will be joining all of us in Red 5A in a few months.

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  52. Rasheem Biles, ath, probable LB coming. Weak offer sheet. They must project potential.
    So far none of the guys that have Pitt in their top five have committed, other than the QB and receiver it looks like the normal Pitt class. Hopefully still time for those big targets to come.

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    1. Two LB verbals without great offers. This upcoming weekend was a big week for linebackers coming into town and one visit has already been cancelled, a four star from Georgia. Twins from Florida are scheduled and I’m curious if those two trips now happen.

      Biles’ tape looks good and I’m sure more offers will pour in during his senior season. Lovelace has a VTech offer at least.

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  53. Phil Steele has 5 Clemson and Pitt players on his pre-season All-ACC team

    Warren / Baldonero / Kancey / Dennis / Hill

    (all 3 stars)

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  54. Major, you never know how things will turn out. But I know you are well aware of the miracles of modern healthcare/ science. Keep the faith

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  55. Sadly, I’m expecting Pitt will get less and less 4 stars as NIL grows more and more. A program like Pitt has to pick its spots. Narduzzi is not going to a booster meeting and tell the booster budget has to be $13M for this year

    Just like before, Pitt may be able to grab some 4 stars later on who are not getting any good $$ offers … but anyone who thinks NIL will help even the score is delusional.

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  56. Recruiting for Pitt is challenging to say the least because our backyard no longer produces the large number of talented players that once populated our roster. Eastern Pa for the most part is PSUX country and Ohio is tilted heavily to the B1G. Yes, we all remember the days when high school football was loaded with amazing players throughout Western Pa, however, those days are long over….declining population, lack of funding and on and on.

    As a Noo Yawka HS football was very secondary to the FANTASTIC basketball teams that were almost everywhere. It was very rare for a team to have a stadium that seated more than 2000. The first really great HS game that I saw (oddly enough) was in Massilon, Ohio in 1962. I had a friend at Pitt who was from Canton and he had relatives in nearby Massilon who were able to get tickets to a game. NO, NOT MASSILON vs CANTON. We went to a Massilon vs Steubenville game, and mighty Massilon LOST!! The stadium was enormous with a huge crowd that was upset, to say the least. What an experience!!!!!

    Today HS football talent (for the most part) is below The Mason-Dixon Line and that puts pressure on our coaches to establish relationships in regions often more than 500+ miles from the 412. When you add the NIL fiasco to the situation it adds incrementally to the difficulty of putting a strong team in The Ketchup Bottle. Bottom line we will get 3*** talent THAT MUST BE COACHED UP TO COMPETE in p5 football. I know that I am stating the obvious, however, I admit that I appreciate the efforts of our coaches (Let’s all hope that we see basketball show the same level of dedication to winning).

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    2. Nice quote here: “My long-term goal is to graduate from the school,” Louis said. “My long-term goal is to be what Aaron Donald’s doing right now, always coming back to the school like it’s his home. I know now in college, a lot of people treat their schools like it’s just business, but I truly believe in the brotherhood that football brings, so I’d love to do something like Aaron Donald’s doing.”

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Unfortunately the other big men other than Hugley are light weights. Hopefully they are in the weight room and eating many Primanti sandwiches.

      Liked by 1 person

  65. Well P Zeise loves Pitt’s chances this year. He said on ACCN this morning that if Pitt can get past the first 2 games, he wouldn’t be surprised to see an undefeated Pitt team play at Miami in November

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  66. Just read where K Slovis is following in KP8’s footsteps and is attending the Manning Academy

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  68. Saw Zeiss on Packer and Durham this morning. Entertaining interview. He had a lot to say about the Pitt rivalry with the hooping. Including 13-9 and the old EIEIO joke. Made my day.

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  69. I don’t mind donating for scholarships but damn if i will give any money for NIL deals. I know that is the current status, but I cannot get my head around it. I have worked damn hard over the last 45 years and on a good year made a couple hundred thousand. If Addison got $3,000,000 for this year that would have been 15 years of my best salary in one year. I don’t mind if they can make that in the pros, but this is so screwed up that it makes me sick. Not getting my money. Make them employees of the University and make them pay taxes on the NIL and their scholarships.

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    1. They are pros now … but that also puts me in a position to say, no, as well. Pay your own employees. I’m not in the salary donating business … and I say this as someone who is all for the current state and players getting what the market dictates … I just won’t be one to contribute to it.

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    1. Wow, Mark, that seemed to come out of nowhere. Wonder who is leaving the staff. And I wonder what this new guys’ area of expertise is.

      Go Pitt.

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  71. My wife came home from the hospital today. Permanent pacemaker is in and apparently working well. She’s looking and feeling better. Still work to do in a couple areas, but a big problem solved.

    Thanks again for all the kind thoughts. POVers are awesome.

    Liked by 9 people

    1. Great news, John! You two have way too much time ahead of you to enjoy without dealing with medical hurdles. Glad that one is behind you.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. John, the terrific news about your wife has given me a great start on my day, The POV Community is one family (sometimes a bit dysfunctional, but a fantastic family). We all were waiting for the good news.

      Liked by 4 people

    1. A big thanks to everyone for all the encouraging words. Kathleen and I appreciate your thoughtfulness very much.

      (And this is crazy, but in two more weeks we will have been married for 49 years. It all started at Pitt. 👍)

      Liked by 6 people

    1. The down side is that there is attempted poaching going on. Sign of the times I guess. not sure anything can/will be done. Dennis is our best linebacker since Olsalvsky.

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  75. What a great interview with SirVocea Dennis in this morning’s Gbg/Pgh Trib. Maybe GC can post a link here. So refreshing to hear a young man factor ethics into his decisions. Gotta root for that man. Proud that he is a Panther!

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  76. Several recruitment prospects no showing for camp reported by PSN…anyone on here have a membership and give a perspective ? NIL money, no longer a position of need, grades, legal issues, homesick before they got here ???t

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    1. My guess would be that they committed elsewhere as some of our commits canceled future visits although I read that n is still visiting UNC after committing to Pitt.

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    2. Most trips were canceled because Pitt filled up at linebacker. Some talented kids were turned away but that’s the nature of the business I guess. A good corner also canceled his visit.

      This next round of visits this weekend are the meat and potatoes players.

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  77. John, great news about your wife…keep her away from the microwave !!! Ike you were in the on-deck circle…. batter up !!! Goota get the POV teamed healed by Labor Day.

    Liked by 3 people

  78. Went to Oakland yesterday, hospital traffic a real mess and going to get much worse as the new flagship is built ( it really does look like a cruise ship)

    PAA renovations made it look brandy new, shiny white.

    Really enjoyed my one summer semester, recommend it to all students.

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  80. Gondola system

    https://www.fastcompany.com/90725056/how-urban-gondolas-grew-from-a-tourist-attraction-to-a-viable-transit-option

    And Oakland should create a four block tunnel for vehicle traffic under Forbes. DC and other cities have such a concept. The topside would be open for pedestrian traffic. Grass, trees, courtyards.

    Could also create parks above Forbes and fifth. Dallas has that above major highways.

    But Pittsburgh is stuck in its old ways in viewing transportation.

    To be bold, they need to start creating helopads for flying vehicles.

    Glad the procedure went Aces Major.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. I suggested the tunnel idea, but for Fifth Avenue instead of Forbes. But what the heck, while we are spending imaginary dollars… let’s do both!

      Doing it on Fifth would be a great way to connect the upper and lower campuses from Bellefield to Boquet would be great. Shuts down Bigelow, which could be turned into green space between the Cathedral and surround buildings.

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  82. Had no idea Cignetti Jr went to my high school. Nobody ever mentioned him when I got there. No big deal. He left his mark elsewhere.

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    1. Goose was one of the fun players to root for when I started getting to the age where I could begin to analyze Pitt football a little more critically, a little more analytically, but he was definitely a guy whose impact extended beyond the numbers on the page. I’ll always remember him fondly for his passion and personality. Definition of a football player and a proud Pitt man. #RIP #H2P

      Liked by 1 person

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