Author: Michaelangelo Monteleone (aka MA, MM, Mike...)
Michaelangelo holds a degree in Travel Writing from the University of Pittsburgh. He was a former staff writer for InPittsburgh Newsweekly, and currently resides near Atlanta, Georgia. He has been a Pitt fan since 1997 after he witnessed Pitt upset then #22 Miami on Thursday night.
QB Corner
This is something that I’ve been late in publishing, and it’s based on the work of Richard Hefner (also knowns as Pitt-Cocks Fan on the POV). Richard has been diligently tracking QB stats all year, and I’ll be using his research to post a weekly “QB Corner” piece going forward. Here is a short intro and something to sink your teeth into leading up to the game later today.
Also for those of you who have had your comments disappear when posting (seems to happen to few of you from time to time), I’ve turned off the requirements to add your name and email, so please remember to type in a username when you post. I don’t know if this will solve the problem, but I suspect it may help. Thanks so much.
-Michaelangelo Continue reading “QB Corner”
Syracuse Prediction Thread
Here’s a prediction for you.
Pitt plays really well in the first half. Our defense dominates, and our offense, despite some hiccups, manages to score three touchdowns. We jump out to a 21-0 lead by halftime. Continue reading “Syracuse Prediction Thread”
Syracuse Preview
On paper, Pitt should dominate this one.
Syracuse hasn’t beaten a power five opponent this season. They also haven’t scored more than twenty points against a power five opponent.
And while you can say what you want about people in glass houses not throwing stones (Pitt has only scored more than twenty points against P5 once this year) at least Pitt has a semi-compent offensive line. Syracuse’s clearly does not. They’ve surrendered 26 sacks in six games, including eight last week to NC State. They also gave up four to Maryland, and another eight to Clemson. That’s 20 sacks surrendered against three power five opponents – nearly seven per game. Continue reading “Syracuse Preview”
Midseason Grades – Special Teams and Everything Else
For the last edition of our slightly-too-late midseason grades series (it really should have been published last week), I’ll be reporting on special teams and coaching. Anybody wondering why we aren’t in the top 25 with a 4-2 record against a top-20 schedule? Look no further than coaching and the third phase. sigh
- Fewest Penalties per Game: 8.83. 124th out of 130 – 5th Percentile. The good news is that the only two power five teams lower than Pitt are Miami (9.0) and Syracuse (9.17). Also for some sand in the craw, #21 Cincinnati is 129th (10.17)
- Fewest Penalty Yards per Game: 83.17 – 127th out of 130 – 2nd Percentile. Oklahoma is the only P5 team lower than Pitt. (89.33).
Continue reading “Midseason Grades – Special Teams and Everything Else”
Midseason Grades – The Defense
We looked at the offensive stats yesterday, and I asked you to weigh in. Here are the defensive stats. I’ve also added a little analysis today since I have some more time.
It’s clear that the strength of this team is the defensive line and the pass rush. I am grading them an A, although you could argue for an A+. They sack the quarterback better than 98% of teams in college football, and have more TFL’s than 92% of teams. They are a big part of Pitt’s top-20 ranking against the run. Average all three and hey, there’s your A. Continue reading “Midseason Grades – The Defense”
Your Midseason Grades – Offense
There have been several “midseason grades” articles published over the last week, and most of them say pretty much the same thing. Passing game is good. Running game is bad. Receivers are playing well. As such, I’m going to avoid adding to the noise, but I’d like to give you a chance to weigh in with some more detailed opinions. I’ve provided all the relevant statistics below.
One thing I will add: Pitt is 31st in Time of Possession. That is better than 76 percent of college teams out there. Not something you see everyday with a pass-first offense.
Note: “Percentile” is a measure of percentage rank. Higher is better. I.e. if you are in the 38th percentile you are better than 37% of the population. If you are in the 99th percentile, you are better than 98% of the population.
Most stats from NCAA.com
Offensive Line stats are from FootballOutsiders.com
Quarterback:
Kenny Pickett
- Completion %: 60.7% 74th out of 120 – 38th percentile
- Completions per Game: 27.2. 2nd out of 100 – 98th percentile
- Passing Efficiency: 117.4. 103rd out of 120 – 14th percentile
- Passing TD: 6. 81st (T) out of 120 – 33rd percentile
- Passing Yards per Game: 274. 18th out of 120 – 85th percentile
- Passing Yards per Completion: 10.07. 109th out of 120 – 9th percentile
- Yards per Pass Attempt: 6.12. 105th out of 120 – 15th percentile
- 4th quarter game winning drives against P5 opponents: 2. 1st out of 120? – 99th percentile???
