in Bowl Games, Pitt Football 893 Words

The Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl – UCLA vs PITT

In the 88’th edition of the Tony the Tiger “Sun Bowl”, (though I do not believe Kellogg’s has sponsored all 88 previous editions) matches up the College Football Playoff (CFP) 18’th ranked UCLA Bruins (9-3) and the unranked Pitt Panthers (8-4).

As usual, I am starting with each team’s 2022 regular season schedule. Since I had plenty of time, I have added opponents final regular season W/L record.

The Bruins OOC was not very brutal. No scheduled P5 with the one-point victory over the South Alabama Jaguars their most impressive opponent. The Jaguars were 5-7 in 2021. A nice but unknown turnaround.

UCLA played nine P5 teams (6-3) while Pitt played 10 (6-4). What is surprising is that while UCLA can score, they also give up a lot of points.

The rankings I use are NCAA stats through games of 11/26/2022. The individual stats are from ESPN and checked against NCAA numbers where possible.

As you are aware, I use color coding to identify certain activities. The charts below use “reddish pink” for TP entries, “green” for bowl game opt-outs and injuries, and yellow to identify defensive starters. Individual defensive players can (and do) have two colors.

On to the review starting with offensive NCAA stats:

The Bruins has a juggernaut of an offense. They put up nearly 508 yards per game with the yardage nearly evenly split between rushing and passing. Pitt’s offense is not a juggernaut. Enough said.

The offense revolves around QB play and UCLA has a good one.

The above chart gives summary season results for starting QB’s for Dorian Thompson-Robinson (aka – DTR) and Kedon Slovis. The backups for both teams show their passing results for the games they played in.

The running backs and wide receivers:

The effects of announced opt outs and TP entries are significant for Pitt. UCLA only has six players entering the TP. Only three of them have stats. One UCLA player has officially announced that he is opting out of the bowl game.

UCLA runs a fast tempo offense. Per my attempt at calculating the speed of an offense, UCLA (23.1 seconds/play) is slightly over 5 seconds faster than Pitt’s (28.3 seconds).

On to the offensive line comparison. Chart includes players with game experience, TFL’s and sacks allowed statistics and a breakdown of pass/run/sacks ratios, average offense plays per games, True TFL’s Allowed as a percentage of Adjusted run plays and average offensive plays per game for both teams.

Stats wise, the Bruins OLine is not heads and shoulders above Pitt as I expected. I think this comparison is a tossup.

IMO, Pitt’s OLine gets a bad rap for some very unimpressive play early in the season. In their last six games, they have played at the level we expected with a senior dominated line. You do not believe me, go back to my Louisville review. At that time, Pitt had allowed 39 TFL’s and 13 sacks. Since then, Pitt has allowed 16 TFL’s and five sacks.

That ends the Offensive review. On to the defense. I am starting with the NCAA defensive stats comparison.

Pitt had a juggernaut of a defense. As you will see, Pitt lost a lot of production between the TP and opt-outs. UCLA’s defense is not a juggernaut. Enough said.

Let us take a look at the individual defensive stats for the Bruins. Both teams had 34 identified defensive player make a stat. Since it is a bowl game, I expect backups and seldom used players to make more appearances than usual. I will be showing all 34 for both teams.

At this time, no Bruin with a defensive stat has entered the TP or opted out. UCLA had 20 players make a start. I am assuming that the DL group had injuries or finding a qualified fourth starter. It seems to me; UCLA plays a 4-2-5 defense based on the number of DB’s with starts.

Pitt’s defensive player stats:

Four opt outs and two TP entries. They took a lot of production out of the Pitt defense especially at the DE position. But I said we would see a lot of backups play.

Miscellaneous NCAA stats:

Pitt is good at the defensive miscellaneous stats. Not so much on the offensive side except for TOP. Pitt continues to not excel on penalties. UCLA is the opposite.

If you are wondering, earlier in this article I said UCLA had three players with some stat. One was a backup RB and the other was a backup OLineman. Where is the third. He is UCLA’s starting Kicker and Punter.

Right now, I believe this is a UCLA victory. With a Pitt backup QB, the loss of Izzy and the missing defensive players I expect a long day. At the worse it could be a blow out. At the best, UCLA’s QB (DTR) and RB Charbonnet play a quarter and retire for the day.

This could be a good game if DTR, Charbonnet, and leading WR Jake Bobo opt out. Those three players have not absolutely committed to playing the game. They have only said they will be in El Paso. Maybe they are going to get a taste of the bowl game atmosphere since UCLA has not attended a bowl game since 2017. (UCLA was bowl eligible in 2021 but backed out of a scheduled bowl with NC State.)

125 thoughts on “The Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl – UCLA vs PITT”

  1. Great summary as usual – thanks!
    I too see this as a loss. I’m not there yet on a bow out, but can easily see it happening.
    I’m not too worried about Izzy. While they are not Izzy, there is a solid stable of runners that will probably be by committee unless Hammond or C’bo get hot early.
    D-line will be good to see some of the “next up” that were so graciously given the opportunity to play due to the portal. 🤣
    My only real hope is that Patti has a game of ages for himself and ultimately Pitt…maybe even in a win!

    Happy new year everyone – be safe and H2P!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. You are correct. I will edit the article to reflect 9 – 3. Thanks for catching.

      If anyone spots any errors just comment on it. I will correct if needed.

      Like

  4. Listened to Chris Peak’s podcast with the Bruins writer and he thinks the QB might just play a half and the RB will dress and go through warm-ups, but not play.

    Strange times for sure with these bowl games.

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    1. My thoughts exactly. All UCLA players are there for the bowl experience. Not necessarily there to play.

      They did have a bowl in 2021 but cancelled the day before the game due to a Covid outbreak on team. NC State is still fuming. I believe there was not much bowl experience prior to the game.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Well I’m counting on the Cignetti power offense to put up 22 points so UCLA may need 23.—-If Patti can play healthy for the entire game I expect him to put up numbers far better than what we got from Slovis.

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Thanks for the excellent overview.
    “We not Me” Nice meaningless phrase for Pitt. I realize that very high potential 1st or 2nd round draft choices will often opt out, however, Pitt despite all the “”we” verbiage is seeing in my view. way too many players looking for greener pastures. The Sun Bowl as far as I am concerned is nothing more than a wasted visit to a troubled City to face a team that could humble us. You can VERY safely bet your house that the score will be substantially higher than the 3-0 debacle from the Wanny years. UCLA could easily win, I just don’t want the score to be an embarrassment.

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    1. Most of the Pitt players opting out won’t get drafted. I hope I am wrong because it would be great for the program if they all get drafted. Kancey and Izzy are the only sure things IMO.

      Liked by 2 people

    1. He returned as offensive coordinator in 2008 when Pitt lost to Oregon State by the inglorious score of 3-0.

      That should have been a red flag to never hire him again, lol.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. The offense was good in 2009. Had Wannstedt not been fired, the 2011 offense would have been good with Dion, Graham and Hyno in the backfield along with Street, Shanahan and Bill Belton at receiver. Even Tino would have been better in year two of Cignetti’s system than operating Graham’s offense.

        The crappy performances of Pitt in bowl games sure seemed to be launched after Wannstedt’s firing. Those 6-6 teams going to Birmingham getting thumped, to Moose’s staff blowing a huge lead vs Houston, then to Narduzzi playing Navy at home, his best players getting knocked out versus Northwestern to now his best players aren’t playing in bowl games.

        Let’s hope Patti doesn’t pull a hammy in warmups this Friday.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Stull was 7 for 24 for 52 yds and 1 int on a very windy day. McCoy ran 24 times for 85 yds. It was an awful performance.

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  7. All the guys that were calling for Patti should be more confident. On defense we will be seeing the premier of next years defense, with an off season to improve.

    A little surprised we haven’t heard about some portal pick-ups and how about news on DJ?

    An observation about our bowl game opponents, it seems we play teams at their peak that fall off the charts, Navy, Northwestern, Michigan State, UCLA?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Agree on the portal. I think their will be a new wave after the bowl games. Hopefully no one leaving Pitt.

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  8. Most of these guys opting out are making bad decisions thinking they are NFL bound. A great bowl game could boost their stock.

    For example, who thought Hallet would have an epic ACC championship game last year and get MVP? That certainly helped get him in the spotlight.

    These kids all have people in their ears telling them they are great and top draft picks. Most will be like Paris Ford and be seriously disappointed.

    Liked by 4 people

  9. I’ll get this out of the way now while I have a moment. I’m not going to take a stand either way on the opt out. As a fan I’m upset. Want it to be the way it used to be. All things change, so you have to get used to it, not that you have to like it.
    As far as the game I think we’ll get thumped. Hope not, but looks that way. Six of the Duzz seven years he’s lost at least 5 games, that’s just a fact. Doesn’t matter what other coaches have done before or after, or what his salary is. Just a fact. No one should be surprised if he hits that mark again.
    Sorry, have to go, funeral stuff to attend to. Please try to enjoy the moment and best wishes to all for a Happy New Year and better times to come.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Why NIL, transferring and opt outs are justified for players? Just read Hugh Freeze’s history of screw ups. Recruiting violations, escorts, texting a victim of sexual assault because she spoke out against his last AD. The guy is a moron, negatively impacted previous universities, players and recruits but has a new job in the SEC making 6.5 million a year. His former universities and players should not pay the price. How about punish any school that hires him after violations. You want to hire a low life, you lose scholarships.

    Liked by 4 people

  11. Thanks, Richard for the analysis. Great as usual!

    Given the weakness of the UCLA offense, I hope Patti has a banner day. He deserves to go out with a bang. That is if he can stay healthy for the entire game. Patti seems to be the as injury prone as Beau Bennett, formerly of the Penguins.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Not sure how opting out helps players with getting drafted. You have a chance to showcase yourself in a game. Not by running a three cone drill at Indy

    And if you do get injured, the chances it impacting your preparedness for the Indy combine are minuscule.

    And then there is always your schools pro day later on and individual workouts with teams at their facilities.

    I don’t see any of georgias players opting out.

    So it comes down to it being a meaningless game unless you seeing meaning in taking the field one last time with your teammates and using the bowl to showcase you as a player on the field in a real game.

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  13. Thank you, Richard.

    The UCLA offense sounds like a juggernaut, indeed! But they did play seven pretty crappy teams…

    I remember that when Nick Patti came in against Tenn. he was really out of sync with the WRs for about three possessions, which really hurt us…. Will be interesting to see how he does now that he’s had a chance to practice with the starters.

    Sure wish John Morgan was playing…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 2 people

  14. UCLA is only favored by 5.5 going into the game. I don’t think it will be a blowout. We’ve played without Slovis and Izzy before. I think it will be competitive. I don’t know if it will be fun but I think Pitt can compete against UCLA. Pac12 is not a great conference. There’s a reason schools are fleeing the conference.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I think Pitt can hang, but it will be tough. The Pac-12 isn’t the SEC West, but it’s significantly better than ACC Coastal Chaos. USC, Washington, and Oregon are superior to anyone Pitt faced this year apart from Tennessee.

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      2. I would argue that this year’s UNC team is the model of a PAC 12 opponent. All offense and no defense.

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  15. Just think that if Patti throws 4 TDs with 300 yds and no ints, we can spend the summer rehashing the 2022 season if Patti had been the QB. If he has no TDs and 2 ints we can put to rest the argument that Narduzzi favored Slovis with a better Patti on the bench.

    Liked by 5 people

  16. Playing the game without Slovis is a positive. However the defensive losses of Morgan, Hill an our all star MLB will be difficult to overcome.

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    1. I don’t think Patti will help the offense. I hope I am wrong. It’s all on Cignetti’s game plan. If you’re UCLA, sell out to stop the run.

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      1. Patti won’t beat ucla. And they will double team Wayne. Sometime during the first half Nick is gonna say to himself, ‘what am I doing out here.’

        Pitts second stringers on D won’t be able to stop ucla’s third stringers.

        The acc will be undefeated in bowl games until this one.

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    1. Duke is playing right now and clowning UCF 23-7. That game tonight with UNC playing Oregon will be a good one, but Oregon is favored by 2 TD’s.

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  19. Dior Johnson just reinstated to Pitt Basketball but will be redshirted for the rest of this season! Good news and bad! The usual for all things Pitt Sports!!

    Liked by 1 person

      1. Getting red shirted are you kidding? This kid has so many frequent flyer miles built up its hard for me to believe he’s going to tick around Pittsburgh until next season waiting for an opportunity to play.

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Typical Pitt in handling this suspension and now his reinstatement.

      Play the kid. There is an entire conference season ahead and you need everybody available. Whoever is making this decision is not very smart.

      This kid will never play a minute at Pitt.

      Liked by 3 people

  20. To me a bowl game performance has a lot to do with who wants it. I’m thinking that the Pitt back-ups will both enjoy the moment but also want to take advantage of it.

    What’s so impressive about UCLA by the way?

    I like that Patti has a do over and it would not surprise me to see Yarnell in on a couple of specially designed plays or series to play to his strengths. I recall thinking that he had a pretty good arm when he played earlier this season.

    In the end, I will enthusiastically root for those that play and I kinda like our chances.

    H2P!

    Liked by 1 person

  21. The redshirt makes no sense whatsoever.

    Narduzzi said both QB’s will play and why not, it is just a practice game anyway.

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  22. UCLA is not the recincarnation of the ’85 Bears, but a little respect for the opponent is due. The Bruins scored 30+ in every game but one and scored more than 40 in most of their games. That includes 40 on Washington, 42 on Utah (both wins) and 45 on USC. All three of those teams along with Oregon (who UCLA scored 30 on in a road loss) are better than anyone Pitt played except Tennessee. Chip Kelly will find a way to move the ball against Pitt’s depleted D, so our Panthers will need to push 40 to have a shot at winning this game. That’s a tall order but I’d like to think Pitt can keep it within 10.

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  25. Re Dior

    Pitt is giving him a golden (maybe his last) chance to get his life in order.
    He gets to stay in school, practice with an ACC team, make amends to Pitt and society— but he won’t play unless he stays in good standing for the next 10 months.

    All on him.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. This might have been the only deal offered. In which case I agree with you AIP. If so, I hope part of that agreement included a
      must stay at Pitt clause for it to happen. Re: he may be out of shape…… there is no way to stay in basketball shape without actually playing basketball. So there’s that!

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  26. But….. Pitt has a very good BB team save for the point guard position. Yes we have a few guys who play the position ok but we have no true ACC PG! You can see it every time we play against a Mintz type guard
    and turn the ball over due to quick hands by the opposition.

    You’ll see it Friday vs UNC! I guess Redshirts are made to be lifted. Also, do you lose your redshirt if you play in the NCAAs??

    This kid is one and done no matter.

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  27. It’s quite possible Dior is in poor shape and could require several weeks to get ready to play. At that point he could maybe help as a back up. Capel also doesn’t want to mess with the team chemistry right now when Dior’s contribution would be small.

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  28. Anderson and Young both playing in Bama

    As reported last week – two of the best in CFB will play – first round picks too…

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    1. Actually #1 QB Jalen Daniels for Kansas is actually playing. He is coming off an injury.

      Good for him…

      In other bowl news Duke won their bowl and ended 9-4.

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  30. Maybe I’ll be the only guy to predict a Pitt win Friday nite although Greg may have done that above. Narduzzi has a shocker virtually every year and we missed that with Tennessee. It will happen Friday. 37-31

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      1. Well then, yeh….there’s THAT kind of shock too I guess🥺. Guess I was looking at that half full glass Erie!

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  32. Pitt-Cocks here is some redshirt info:

    How many NCAA games can you play and still redshirt?

    Currently, NCAA rules stipulate that if a basketball player appears in a single game, he or she can no longer redshirt. But the A10 is asking that redshirt players be permitted to serve as essentially emergency fill-ins for up to four games without burning their sit-out year.Jan 12, 2022

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    1. Thanks Reed. That’s a lot tougher than football. I can see the A10 request being approved due to the recent change (or at least for the 2022 bowl season) allowing a player to play in 4 regular season games plus a bowl game and keep his redshirt.

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      1. Who cares if he burns his redshirt…he’s not staying 4 years anyway and no way an NBA team will draft him out of HS with no college experience.

        Liked by 1 person

  33. I don’t buy the Dior being too out-of-shape to play. He’s 18 years old. He could play some minutes off-and-on right now to keep Cummings fresh, IMHO. Again, he’s 18 years old.

    Would be a great story if Coach Capel can help get through to him and Dior turns his life around. But the odds are against it. Unfortunately it only takes 10 seconds of stupid to ruin months of progress…

    Go Pitt.

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  35. I typed a couple of weeks ago that Dior may clear the LEGAL criminality. However, there is an internal process with Title IX and student conduct that doesn’t care about the criminal process. Those areas have different penalties associated with it that most will never know about it due to records privacy.

    With respect to this game, Patti may be auditioning for a transfer so I think we will get his best effort. I think he makes it through the game unscathed and with a transfer opportunity. He takes it because he has seen the narduzzi promises to a portal qb take shape at least once.

    Liked by 1 person

  36. Meant to mention that with the AD background in compliance, Title IX and student conduct compliance is a bit different at Pitt, to the athletes sporting endeavors. Good for them in the personal development department, but athletes aren’t necessarily coming to P5 for personal development. If you are a P5 athlete, you have a chance.

    Pitt needs to be sure that the behavior was and is not pervasive. They already know it is severe and offensive. To guard against liability as a university, you caution must use caution against pervasiveness. If the behavior is pervasive and something happens to another student, Pitt is in trouble. Hence, time to prove yourself as a good person. Time will tell. One more behind the scenes point. These issues travel. Wherever he would try to go, the issues follow him. Good athletic departments do their diligence now! The inner-workings would make for a whole new article…

    Liked by 1 person

    2. Huff makes a lot of sense. The University is giving him the opportunity to prove himself, similar to what happened with Hugley. They also protect the institution to a certain degree.

      What we don’t know is whether DJ will stick around next year or transfer because some school will surely take him if he wants to go. I also do not know what the NBA rule is and whether a year in college without playing qualifies him as a one and done.

      In any case it is frustrating that he won’t fill Pitt’s need for a point guard this year, unless this decision can be revisited or amended.

      We now have to hope that Hugley can return to form sooner rather than later and fill another need.

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    3. Well Capel and Lyke surely didn’t do any due diligence on this guy. Sure, he can play basketball, but would you really want him to represent YOUR university?

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    1. Turned the game on for the last few minutes of the half, an unbelievable interception and then a bullet by Maye for a long TD with 35 seconds in the half. Went from being a probable seven points down to seven points up.

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  38. Talked to my Carolina buddy who told me the Heels were missing several DBs and LBs for this game… they didn’t fit the mold Chizik is trying to make in Chapel Hill.. and moved on!

    Drake is the best 1st year starter I have ever watched….he will be so much fun to watch in years to come

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    1. They already have him on the Heisman list. The ACC QB’s rule…

      UNC up by 10 over 13.5 point favorites Oregon.

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  39. Capel needs someone to befriend and sit on Dior. He needs to show that this is not his first rodeo and Dior is not his first cowboy!!

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  40. UNC deserved to lose…they went right into a prevent defense the whole last drive. Every team does this and 90% of the time it ends in a loss. That and they wasted all 3 TO’s. Good game though…

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  41. Under the category of “Believe it when I see it” don’t think Patti gets through this game unscathed so hopefully Yarnell got some practice time with the starters.

    Hoping Haba is healthy and ready to actually show what he can do after a very disappoining season. Maybe that’s why he’s playing despite the plan to enter the draft. Simon has played well at MLB when he’s had the chance but he’s definitely not Dennis.

    If Pitt allows DTR to get out of the pocket he’s going to run them to death. I suspect their starting RB is being a jerk and simply not admitting his plan to skip this game.

    Agree with all the sentiment above, these young men are only kidding themselves thinking that sitting out the bowl game is somehow protecting their NFL future. 5th and 6th round picks and Undrafted FAs don’t get much in the way of $$$ which is frankly where most of Pitt’s opt outs will be lucky to land.

    Above excluding Kancy and Izzy who I think will be day 2 draftees.

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    1. Haba was in a sweatsuit at practice yesterday while his teammates were in full pads and helmet.

      I wouldn’t expect to see Haba on the playing field for this bowl game.

      That adds question marks to the depth chart that was made available yesterday that had Haba and WR Wayne as starters. I sure hope Wayne plays.

      The gates weren’t locked…?

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  42. Interesting how many expect Patti to get injured, but other players should play because the chances of an injury are so small…. 🙂

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Majors, starting the day with a trick question or solving for a conundrum is not fair. I think many are predicting an injury to Patti because he is oft injured when given an opportunity. So, if an athlete has a propensity for injury, sitting isn’t a bad thing, unless you need to prove you can actually stay healthy.

      For athletes, I think the saying is something like…. the best ability, is availability.

      I think Patti makes it through with no new injuries against the UCLA Southern Branch Cubs, which was their original name and mascot. They changed to bruins after uc berkeley adopted the golden bear. Kind of like our WUP, after the Pittsburgh Academy. Anything is better than Farmers High School roots. No offense @ Farmer!

      Football is a game of emotion and best to sit out if you have none. I can 100% say that I never walked onto a court or a field and didn’t 100% want to win….and do whatever I had to do…to help the team win. I don’t get the mindset of today’s sports participants.

      Liked by 1 person

  44. Carolina played a good game and should have won….can one of you provide a dissertation on why prevent defenses are prone to failure…….I have seen it sooooo many times in my career as a fanatic….I don’t understand why coaches still use it…Has Duzz ever gone into a prevent D at the end of the game?????? I know PITT goes into a prevent O-playing not to lose but I can’t recall the man who likes to leave his CB’s stranded on an island “going prevent”…what say you????????

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  45. I am not a fan of the modern game of basketball and don’t watch but read the comments on Dior and a while back Hugley and will share this thought. Society has an increasing problem with violence and to see it perpetuate in major college sports is disgusting and heart-breaking at the same time. The schools need to do much better job at due diligence on these players (I would imagine PITT had some idea this kid was of questionable character) I tire of seeing the behavior of these players and using the university as a rehab center for treatment of their violent societal “issues.” I know everyone deserves a 2nd chance but how many chances do some deserve…how long is their rap sheet before they get to school. It’s a blight that needs eradicated and IMO Dior or any player who commits an act of violence should not be on a a college team in any sport. Dior should not be at PITT.

    Part of my professional day is treating men who come into my office in leg shackles and handcuffs escorted by 2 armed guards. Ironically, the vast majority are injured while playing basketball in the maximum-security prison. While in-facility violence comes in at #2. I will add it’s humbling to treat someone who is incarcerated especially a young person. Our lives are all the end product of “choices” we make and by the Grace of God we have avoided being in their situation because of how we make choice…it’s how we were raised. There has to be a better way………

    Liked by 3 people

      1. Richard…,forgot that word that begins with “Pol” is a dirty word these days….Happy New Year and thanks for your ‘greaaaaaaat’ work…you gotta bit of Tony the Tiger in you………

        Liked by 1 person

    2. It was hung up in WP in the pending file. I do check “MY” articles for pending, spam, or trash buckets comments. I only check those buckets on Reed’s or Michaelangelo’s articles if someone mentions a problem.

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    3. Most people recognize there is a problem as you do. Violence is overlooked and under punished now. That’s they way those in power want it to be or they would fix it.

      Liked by 1 person

  46. Some random thoughts: Maye is amazing and is only 19-20 years old. Tremendous future.
    Haba should NOT OPT OUT because in my view he has underperformed and will be a free agent at best.
    Duzzi would not have used a prevent defense and would have risked being blown off the field by The Ducks charging past our secondary. The Heels offense should have won the game….in Pantherland the offense loses games and our D wins.
    Prediction–after the Bowls Pitt will announce some surprise major portal additions and (No names) I would not be shocked to see several coaching changes//NOT PARTRIDGE.

    Last but not least…. speaking of the Heels our guys who run around in shorts will gave the Carolina Blue a good game, however, this year we will lose. DJ will never play for Pitt and next year the twins will be much improved after a major weight and training program to enable them to survive the physicality of the ACC. If you have watched Mintz play for the Orange you can be like both Dan and me and agree that his loss was a Capel disaster.

    Liked by 2 people

  47. Just got off the phone with my other Heel buddy discussing prevent D…he said Carolina football is all flash and finesse…he said the Tarheels need the physical toughness of PITT…he went on and on about how PITT exhibits tough, hard nosed football ..

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    1. Funny how it was the defenses that made the most difference in that game and gave Oregon the slight edge.

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  48. I doubt many have positive thoughts about what will happen tomorrow, but in typical Pitt fashion we can’t even get a break on scheduling with a 12 noon basketball game and a 2pm bowl game.

    Students will still be at home so it will be a pretty quiet day at the Pete. It will be a much depleted team facing UCLA at 2.

    The only thing going for us is that Pitt has surprised when it was most unexpected.

    It will be interesting to see if Hugley has improved with the weeks of rest. His former abilities underneath are sorely needed and could make a significant difference moving forward.

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    1. Thanks for sharing the article.

      You shouldn’t expect much after the first line of the article…
      The Pitt Panthers have been decimated by opt-outs and transfers, leaving their roster for the Sun Bowl against No. 18 UCLA a shell of its full-strength self.

      None of the players mentioned are as good as the starters they are replacing, at least not yet. Maybe Hammond and McIntyre in the future. I think Hammonds a stud if he can stay healthy.

      Expecting Pitt’s D to perform better without Kancey, Dennis and Hill is not realistic. That weakens the D up the middle tremendously. Expect some long runs right up the gut with those players out.

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  50. Want to wish all of you a Happy New Year…heading to the OBX for the long week-end, pulling my boat for a couple of days of fishing for stripers, eating fresh oysters with my beer and hoping to watch the Nick led Panthers go out the victor. I enjoy all of your posts and have been blessed to call many on here a friend. Best wishes for a healthy and prosperous new year!!!

    Liked by 10 people

  53. It comes down to this: do the guys take this game seriously. Tonight will determine who wins. The least hungover team tomorrow wins. There’s some fine tequila in El Paso. I’d be hungover.

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  56. I know this rattles many on the board but tomorrow’s exhibition game will be interesting in one respect. If DTR and the star RB play the entire game we’ll get a chance to see what is in store for the “next man up” defense when they face Cincy, ND, and WVU.

    Also interesting to see how tough UNC played Oregon which many on the board felt is a clearly superior team to our ACC opponents. As Lee Corso says (“Not so fast my friend”).

    To win this game Cig70’s offense will have to put up at least 30 points and win TOP. 30 points hasn’t been the norm this season.

    Liked by 2 people

  57. A poster on the Lair said the team has looked awful in practice so far. Not sure how much stock to put into it but still worthy of a mention.

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      1. I hear that Coach Duzz asked General Waverly to talk to the team after watching practice yesterday. The General laid into them. Here’s an excerpt:

        “You’re soft! You’re sloppy! You’re unruly! You’re undisciplined!”

        And ties will be worn in this area…

        Go Pitt.

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