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Barkley vs Pitt LBs, PSU WRs vs Pitt CBs

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Sean Miller Fan

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These are the matchups that really worry me. In what should be a low-scoring game, PSU has one of the best RBs in the nation, who is a home run hitter-kind of back. His insane 9 yards per carry number indicates a ton of long runs. Our LBs are simply not top of the ACC-level. One missed tackle, one bad angle, and its cya.

I feel we are better than PSU but they have significant advantages in the skill areas which could be the equalizer for them since Pitt should dominate the trenches.

Nobody talks about PSU's WRs but they might be the best we face all year. The one is going to be the school's all time leader and both have been starting for years and both could be NFL players.

I was hoping Hamlin would have a Whitehead type of year but with him out, I am really concerned with our CB play in this game.

I do think PSU is going to have the typical first year adjustments to the new offense. Its a big change and a lot to learn. Timing wii be off, bloc assignments will be off.....but when you have skill players like they do, you have a chance.
 
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They're breaking in a new QB and a new offense under a new OC. Their OL hasn't been worth squat and they return the same group.
The strength of their team last year, their DL, graduated the key players.
And they have James Franklin.
We have a potentially great OL, we have a senior QB, we have a stable of very good RB's. We should be able to control the clock through our potentially punishing running game.
Our defense is more seasoned and we add better edge play. We have Jordan Whitehead.
I like our chances.
 
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"Sean Miller Fan, post: 1518992, member: 704"]These are the matchups that really worry me. In what should be a low-scoring game, PSU has one of the best RBs in the nation, who is a home run hitter-kind of back. His insane 9 yards per carry number indicates a ton of long runs. Our LBs are simply not top of the ACC-level. One missed tackle, one bad angle, and its cya.
This is how I see it too, but the OL-DL Play each way also plays a big part and that favors Pitt! PSU has better LBs but thin there too, one injury and could be Big Problems. PSU DBs have played together more than Pitt DBs still forming. Coaching plays a critical role, but Game Day Execution is so much more important.

I feel we are better than PSU but they have significant advantages in the skill areas which could be the equalizer for them since Pitt should dominate the trenches.
Exactly!

Nobody talks about PSU's WRs but they might be the best we face all year. The one is going to be the school's all time leader and both have been starting for years and both could be NFL players.
Godwin is another Barkely but at WR and deserves much respect. Hamilton is another Sanders and deserves the same? Covering all them and their Subs, and Back-Ups is tough especially with QB that can RUN & GUN! Moorhead Offense needs some time is one advantage for Pitt and the OL has to be better. But Game Day Execution takes time to leran together.

I was hoping Hamlin would have a Whitehead type of year but with him out, I am really concerned with our CB play in this game.
Ditto!

I do think PSU is going to have the typical first year adjustments to the new offense. Its a big change and a lot to learn. Timing wii be off, bloc assignments will be off.....but when you have skill players like they do, you have a chance.
Agree, a big advantage for Pitt, but a few big missed tackled plays and overcoming a lead is tough, but Pitt did that most of last year.

Other Factors:
1. PSU has 4 New Coaches at Positions too, Pitt just has 1.

2. Any Key Injuries can discombobulate either Team at anytime.

3. Rivalry Game in spite of what anyone else says.

4. Four to Five Plays either way decide the Game
 
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FreeportPanther said:
They're breaking in a new QB and a new offense under a new OC. Their OL hasn't been worth squat and they return the same group.
The strength of their team last year, their DL, graduated the key players.
And they have James Franklin.
We have a potentially great OL, we have a senior QB, we have a stable of very good RB's. We should be able to control the clock through our potentially punishing running game.
Our defense is more seasoned and we add better edge play. We have Jordan Whitehead.
I like our chances.
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I think we will win but honestly, PSU RBs vs Pitt LBs and PSU WRs vs Pitt CBs are pretty big mismatches. They could exploit those areas possibly.
 
We should know pretty early how the game is going to go. If we come out and whip them up front we should handle them pretty easily. If we struggle with their new up tempo offense and can't run the ball, who knows? Our DE are strong, but the interior DL isn't deep and is young. That concerns me.
 
Sean Miller Fan said:
I think we will win but honestly, PSU RBs vs Pitt LBs and PSU WRs vs Pitt CBs are pretty big mismatches. They could exploit those areas possibly.
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I suppose they could, but first the PSU OL has to make a hole for them to run through.
We should have strong safety play, and our LB'ers aren't THAT bad.
In a game like this anything can happen, but the analysis seems to favor Pitt.
 
I'm sure PSU has similar thoughts, though they likely will never express them, about our RBs. They have an excellent back in Barkley, PITT has TWO proven RBs who will create major issues behind an excellent OL.

Like others have said, you're making a very big assumption that the PSU OL is going to be able to create holes for Barkley to run around. Having Price and Hendrix on the edges should help seal the runs bouncing to the outside and keep the PITT LBs clean and ready to step up.

Where the hell does this 9 yards per carry (ypc) stat keep coming from? He posted a solid 5.9 ypc. Hell, Ollison averaged 5.3 ypc last year, yet Conner is likely the one who PSU focuses the majority of their attention on. Rightfully so, since Conner averaged (you guessed it!) 5.9 ypc in 2014 on his way to scoring 26 TDs.
 
I expect a somewhat higher scoring game. PSU will score v. Pitt's D. Pitt will score more v. PSU's D. Something like 31-24 or 35-28.
 
Getting PSU in 3rd down passing situations where Narduzzi can use his pressure packages will be a huge factor. Turnover city. If we can't stop Barkley on first down, it will be a long day.
 
Again, PSU has some quality guys on D but Pitt's O should be able to dictate the game enough to win.
 
Sean Miller Fan said:
These are the matchups that really worry me. In what should be a low-scoring game, PSU has one of the best RBs in the nation, who is a home run hitter-kind of back. His insane 9 yards per carry number indicates a ton of long runs. Our LBs are simply not top of the ACC-level. One missed tackle, one bad angle, and its cya.

I feel we are better than PSU but they have significant advantages in the skill areas which could be the equalizer for them since Pitt should dominate the trenches.

Nobody talks about PSU's WRs but they might be the best we face all year. The one is going to be the school's all time leader and both have been starting for years and both could be NFL players.

I was hoping Hamlin would have a Whitehead type of year but with him out, I am really concerned with our CB play in this game.

I do think PSU is going to have the typical first year adjustments to the new offense. Its a big change and a lot to learn. Timing wii be off, bloc assignments will be off.....but when you have skill players like they do, you have a chance.
Click to expand...

The biggest key of the whole game is time of possession. The nits offense is based on a fast pace and not possession. A few three and outs or quick non scoring drives and our offensive line could wear their defensive line into submission.

The local hacks here in Altoona compare their offense to Indiana. If this is the case then they try to out score their opponents with no regards to defense. If you can for a few punts on them and keep their defense on the field they you can have a successful day.

To me it comes down to pressure and not letting them have the big play.
 
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Pitt will control the line of scrimmage offensively and Barkley will not be on the field that much. If Pitt throws more than 15 times I'll be shocked
 
I expect PSU to score on some big plays because of their WR/RB talent.

The key to me will be whether Pitt can get into the endzone or have to settle for FGs.

Go Pitt.
 
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MajorMajors said:
I expect PSU to score on some big plays because of their WR/RB talent.

The key to me will be whether Pitt can get into the endzone or have to settle for FGs.

Go Pitt.
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If the quarterback doesn't have time due to lack of protection from the offensive line it doesn't matter how good their skill guys are. If their line can't handle our line then nothing else really matters. IMHO
 
Pantherman43 said:
If the quarterback doesn't have time due to lack of protection from the offensive line it doesn't matter how good their skill guys are. If their line can't handle our line then nothing else really matters. IMHO
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PSU will do a ton of quick game stuff though. Quick game is a big part of the spread. Get it to your playmakers in 1 on 1 matchups in space.
 
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Sean Miller Fan said:
PSU will do a ton of quick game stuff though. Quick game is a big part of the spread. Get it to your playmakers in 1 on 1 matchups in space.
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Yes, they will. And, they'll certainly have success. But, they'll make mistakes too. Whereas Pitt's more experienced offense and superior OL and RB stable should have just as much success and make fewer mistakes.
 
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MajorMajors said:
I expect PSU to score on some big plays because of their WR/RB talent.

The key to me will be whether Pitt can get into the endzone or have to settle for FGs.

Go Pitt.
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Quite agree, and Pitt has better Special Teams! Long Ears tell me big kicking problems still at PSU at camp!
 
Pitt needs to get the big play problem under control. Barkley usually busts one a game. He's actually a bigger threat to catch a ball and run. But big plays have been a problem the last two years so I'd hope that was a major focus.

The WR's don't get much talk because, frankly, nobody knows if their QB can throw the ball.
 
It's modern day college football and Narduzzi's still filling cupboard on the defensive side... Big plays will happen v. any team with some talent on offense. Again, this season, A LOT is on Canada.

Pitt returns a quality starting QB, a deep, uber-talented stable of RBs, a road raiding FB, a quality TE with the ability to make plays in the passing game and blocking TE that's an animal, the most celebrated OL they've had in decades, a solid primary WR and an explosive slot WR. Score some damn points. Control the damn clock.

If you're worried about the PSU offense which undoubtedly has skill but is installing a new system, with a new QB and an OL that hasn't proven itself. What in the hell do you think PSU fans are thinking about containing Pitt's offense?

What if Weah with his freak speed for his 6'3" 215 frame actually becomes a contributor and hauls in a few downfield? What if Tipton, who only RS last season due to injury because the staff LOVED him, is a baller at WR? For these guys to coast past Challingsworth must mean they're doing something right, no? Even though Chally wasn't great, he showed flashes and was solid last year.
 
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Sean Miller Fan said:
PSU will do a ton of quick game stuff though. Quick game is a big part of the spread. Get it to your playmakers in 1 on 1 matchups in space.
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I don't get the idea that Joe Moorehead is some offensive guru savant. He was mediocre at UConn and then went to Fordham where his team scored 7 points against Nova the past 2 years and had around 200 yards of Offense in each game.
 
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Trying to understand why we have this belief that our LB play will be so bad. Yes it appears we will have a new player at the Star role. Both other positions are Seniors with a ton of experience. Several high quality new players came in and nobody seems to be able to unseat either of these LB's. That should tell us something. My sense is that this unit will perform adequately enough to be part of a Pat Narduzzi defense or they would not be on the field. This coach is not one to play someone because they have "been in the program". He has clearly recruited this position very hard and yet non of the new kids are mentioned as seeing significant playing time. Must mean the two seniors are holding their own. Thoughts?
 
A lot of people talking about psu having a new offensive coordinator and will take time to install his offense like we have an advantage. Well we have a new coordinator too
 
fivetoolprospect said:
A lot of people talking about psu having a new offensive coordinator and will take time to install his offense like we have an advantage. Well we have a new coordinator too
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True. But, it seems, at least compared to what PSU ran last season with Hack, that this is much different offense. Whereas, Canada's approach given what his offenses of the past looked like at Wiscy and NCSU somewhere between Chryst's Year 3 and Chaney Year 1... Seems more suited to what the players already know. And, of course, Pitt seems to have much more experienced and depth... At least this season. Especially at OL, RB and TE. Experience at QB too.
 
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I agree about the PSU WRs. I went to the PSU-Maryland game last year and PSU could not stop Maryland at all (that was MD with an interim HC). But MD had short CBs and PSU started just having Hackenberg toss the ball up for grabs in the second half and the PSU WRs utilised their size advantage and great ball skills and won all of those battles.

Forgive me for going to a PSU game...I happened to be nearby for a conference and I talked my PSU fan brother into going to GTech-Pitt with me but the deal was that we went to PSU-MD the following weekend.
 
I am very concerned about pedo st's ability to make big plays with barkley and their receivers. We can regularly stop them but they just need to break one off every once in a while. We on the other hand lack big play ability like last year (unless some receiver comes out of nowhere). I really fear big plays could be the difference in the game.
 
The skill position match ups scare me too, but I don't think enough is made of Tyler Boyd being gone. He was a huge focus of opposing defenses that did not allow teams to put safeties down low to stop the run
 
Sean Miller Fan said:
These are the matchups that really worry me. In what should be a low-scoring game, PSU has one of the best RBs in the nation, who is a home run hitter-kind of back. His insane 9 yards per carry number indicates a ton of long runs. Our LBs are simply not top of the ACC-level. One missed tackle, one bad angle, and its cya.

I feel we are better than PSU but they have significant advantages in the skill areas which could be the equalizer for them since Pitt should dominate the trenches.

Nobody talks about PSU's WRs but they might be the best we face all year. The one is going to be the school's all time leader and both have been starting for years and both could be NFL players.

I was hoping Hamlin would have a Whitehead type of year but with him out, I am really concerned with our CB play in this game.

I do think PSU is going to have the typical first year adjustments to the new offense. Its a big change and a lot to learn. Timing wii be off, bloc assignments will be off.....but when you have skill players like they do, you have a chance.
Click to expand...
I think we are giving them too much credit. This is the same team that only beat one bowl team last year. The same team that gave up 10 sacks in one game.
Granted, that was last year and things can change, but can they improve that much?
Their offensive line was awful at best. Now include a new offense and QB into that equation and I think the answer is don't let Barkely run for 300 and you win.
 
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PittMan2003 said:
I am very concerned about pedo st's ability to make big plays with barkley and their receivers. We can regularly stop them but they just need to break one off every once in a while. We on the other hand lack big play ability like last year (unless some receiver comes out of nowhere). I really fear big plays could be the difference in the game.
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And in a game that could end something like 17-13, those one or 2 big plays by PSU could be the difference.
 
Sean Miller Fan said:
And in a game that could end something like 17-13, those one or 2 big plays by PSU could be the difference.
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Yeah. I am always overly pessimistic. But that is my worry. Our offesne without big playmakers needs fo stay on schedule and avoid penalties and plays for lost yards. I think they might have more room for error with their skill positions.
 
What are the strengths of PSU's defense? 3/4's of their line went to the NFL. They have 1 returning player and are moving Givens (a lb) to a DT spot. They have a strong 3 LB's (2 returning from injury) and no depth behind them. They have a good secondary. I fully expect Pitt to blow their front 7 off the ball at will. Power running and short passing game to control the clock and scoring as much as needed. imo, PSU has a weak defense that we'll be able to take advantage of.

On the other side of the ball, their OL outside of Nelson is a trainwreck. Our DL should be in their backfield all day long. Barkley will be forced to run to the outside, so whitehead and the CB tackling will be huge. Their WR's are their big advantage...but I don't think McSorely can throw the ball accurately all game long, especially after a few hits by Price and Hendrix.

Pitt wins by no less than 10....probably in the 13-15 point range.
 
What are the strengths of PSU's defense? 3/4's of their line went to the NFL. They have 1 returning player and are moving Givens (a lb) to a DT spot. They have a strong 3 LB's (2 returning from injury) and no depth behind them. They have a good secondary. I fully expect Pitt to blow their front 7 off the ball at will. Power running and short passing game to control the clock and scoring as much as needed. imo, PSU has a weak defense that we'll be able to take advantage of.

On the other side of the ball, their OL outside of Nelson is a trainwreck. Our DL should be in their backfield all day long. Barkley will be forced to run to the outside, so whitehead and the CB tackling will be huge. Their WR's are their big advantage...but I don't think McSorely can throw the ball accurately all game long, especially after a few hits by Price and Hendrix.

Pitt wins by no less than 10....probably in the 13-15 point range.
 
PittMan2003 said:
Yeah. I am always overly pessimistic. But that is my worry. Our offesne without big playmakers needs fo stay on schedule and avoid penalties and plays for lost yards. I think they might have more room for error with their skill positions.
Click to expand...

I worry without big playmakers (not sure about Conner being 100%), we can have 12-15 play drives against a PSU defense.

Pitt can march it all the way down the field, then a hold makes it 1st and 20 and its FG time. PSU can suck all game and Barkley breaks a 65 yd run for a TD or a WR beats Dane Jackson for a 70 yd TD.

The irony is that PSU's "tempo" favors Pitt in a way because I feel Pitt is the overall better team so the more possessions Pitt gets, the better.
 
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