Clemson...what would you do? Besides Pray...

[4upmc]

Not much talk about the game. Prob because Clemson being a 27.5 favorite is superior to Pitt and the rest of the ACC, they are probably the only team who would have a chance against Alabama.

Since the Cuse game (Lawrence was knocked out of the game) they have crushed everyone. In the 7 games since then they have won by an average of 39.1 points! I’m normally pretty positive with this team but it could get ugly fast.

So trying to be positive for a minute. PN has pulled off big upsets such as the one vs Clemson. Hell if he were to lead an upset this time they need to take the coach of the year away from Dabo and give it to PN.

Anyways what would you do to game plan to even give Pitt a punchers chance???

On D, I think we have to take some chances and throw the kitchen sink at Lawrence. Try to confuse him with different looks. I’m really worried about our O. It’s going to be hard to run. And KP won’t have time to set up. Therefore I would go with the quick passing game. Short drops and get the ball out fast to guys like Ffrench on slants etc and give him a chance to make plays.

Maybe we force a few turnovers, get some big plays out of Ffrench, Mack etc and pull off a miracle. Or maybe I have a better chance of winning the powerball lottery lol.

 

[JSSTartan]

On defense we need to be sure tacklers and not miss one. Need to contain Entiene and hit the Freshman QB often and hard. Go plus two (three hopefully) in the TO category. Play lights out special teams with some field flipping punting, long returns by our guys and points anytime we can get close enough to try.

On Offense, the OL must do better and hopefully the gameplan is such that QO and DH can have some room to work. I think their back secondary is the weakness (and they’re still very good too). Somehow hit on some deep posts and have some misdirection plays which keep them unbalanced. I’d also consider going jumbo to see if we could make this a very VERY boring game by simply running for 3.4 yards all night. They have an amazing D Line. Somehow get their talent and aggression to work against them.

Pitt has played in this inclement weather seemingly all year, so I think the weather could be beneficial to Pitt.

Finally, get to the 4th Quarter. IF that happens, then I think things could be very interesting and that Freshman QB could all the sudden remember he is a true freshman. ‘

Hail to PITT!!!!

 

[ratking17]

Hit em in da mouf

 

[Usuallyunusual]

Force their d line to run sideline to sideline all game and tire them out trying to chase down bubble screens and pitch play. I think our tight ends and receivers have a much better chance blocking their corners and safeties than we do of knocking that line around.

 

[McKee Place]

One thing appears to be in our favor so far, the weather. Cold rain forecasted. Only in that maybe it'll cause some turnovers that can give us a short field, or even some outright defensive scores. Of course, we might give up the same, likely more than them, we're not immune to elements, but we've won in the slop several times already. It's a reach but really our only chance. We will not be able to win in our "conventional" way.

 

[pittmeister]

Here is what I would do:

-I totally agree with Paul Zeise’s article earlier this week that Pitt must throw the ball to have a chance. The Miami game film should be a lesson on what not to do.

-They must do the unexpected:

• Rediscover the TE.
• Run the wildcat but throw the ball out of the set as well.
• Have Kenny Pickett run as well, but do not take on LB’s
• On Defense, I would relentlessly blitz. Rotate players in and out to put constant pressure on the QB.

-Play to win:

• The Onside kick should be used at least once.
• Go for it on 4th down on their side of the field
• Fake punt should be on the table as well.
• Flea flickers, and other trick plays should be utilized.

If Pitt plays their normal game (run it up the gut), they will lose big time. If they mix it up and keep them off balance, they have a chance.

 

[SoufOaklin4Life]

Our only chance is for Pickett to put on his John Elway pajamas and throw a ton.
Their secondary is the only soft spot for them.

We will not run on them, and I’m not sure our defense can slow them down.

 

[McKee Place]

Here is what I would do:

-I totally agree with Paul Zeise’s article earlier this week that Pitt must throw the ball to have a chance. The Miami game film should be a lesson on what not to do.

-They must do the unexpected:

• Rediscover the TE.
• Run the wildcat but throw the ball out of the set as well.
• Have Kenny Pickett run as well, but do not take on LB’s
• On Defense, I would relentlessly blitz. Rotate players in and out to put constant pressure on the QB.

-Play to win:

• The Onside kick should be used at least once.
• Go for it on 4th down on their side of the field
• Fake punt should be on the table as well.
• Flea flickers, and other trick plays should be utilized.

If Pitt plays their normal game (run it up the gut), they will lose big time. If they mix it up and keep them off balance, they have a chance.

That's usually classic stupid-fan stuff that makes coaches and rod-up-the-tail elitists roll their eyes. But in this case, you are absolutely right. To have a prayer of winning this kind of game you absolutely have to try everything like this.

This is a game where the cliche fits perfectly... you're 30 point dogs...there is really nothing to lose.

The problem is, planning and practicing these things, this isn't a bowl game where the team had 5 weeks to prepare. You still need to try them, but without prep, they're more likely to blow up in your own face as they are to work.

And not only would one of them have to work, once, all these things would have to work perfectly, and more than once. And even then still might not make a dent.

But worth the try.

 

[pittmeister]

That's usually classic stupid-fan stuff that makes coaches and rod-up-the-tail elitists roll their eyes. But in this case, you are absolutely right. To have a prayer of winning this kind of game you absolutely have to try everything like this.

This is a game where the cliche fits perfectly... you're 30 point dogs...there is really nothing to lose.

The problem is, planning and practicing these things, this isn't a bowl game where the team had 5 weeks to prepare. You still need to try them, but without prep, they're more likely to blow up in your own face as they are to work.

And not only would one of them have to work, once, all these things would have to work perfectly, and more than once. And even then still might not make a dent.

But worth the try.

Yup. You are right. Normally, it’s the absolute wrong way to go. You should do what you do best and let the chips fall where they may. But in this case, if you do that you will have no chance.

 

[fairgambit]

If Pitt plays it best game it can be competitive. If they do that and Clemson plays at less than it's best, Pitt could pull an upset. I expect it will be somewhere in between and Pitt will lose 35-21.

 

[rmf05]

You let them score the first 4-5 times they touch the ball. Then, when they take all their starters out in the second quarter you try to play even with their scrubs. Hopefully, midway through the 4th quarter, you are still down by only 4-5 scores. At that point, you just start scoring TD's and recovering onsides kicks and their starters will be too cold to come in and be effective.

Don't be surprised or dismayed if we are down 0-35. Its part of the plan.

 

[thebadby2]

To have any remote hope or prayer of even making it interesting, Pickett will have to have a huge game throwing the ball. South Carolina exposed the flaws in Clemson’s pass defense last week. Any decent offensive coach would watch that tape and try to do the same stuff just as Ohio State did to Michigan with all the crossing routes after Indiana burned Michigan with them a week before.

Unfortunately I don’t think we have the kind of offense to exploit anybody decent with the passing game. I also don’t think we have the OC with the creativity to show Clemson something they aren’t ready for, as Canada did to them in 2016.

 

[DiehardPanther]

Not much talk about the game. Prob because Clemson being a 27.5 favorite is superior to Pitt and the rest of the ACC, they are probably the only team who would have a chance against Alabama.

Since the Cuse game (Lawrence was knocked out of the game) they have crushed everyone. In the 7 games since then they have won by an average of 39.1 points! I’m normally pretty positive with this team but it could get ugly fast.

So trying to be positive for a minute. PN has pulled off big upsets such as the one vs Clemson. Hell if he were to lead an upset this time they need to take the coach of the year away from Dabo and give it to PN.

Anyways what would you do to game plan to even give Pitt a punchers chance???

On D, I think we have to take some chances and throw the kitchen sink at Lawrence. Try to confuse him with different looks. I’m really worried about our O. It’s going to be hard to run. And KP won’t have time to set up. Therefore I would go with the quick passing game. Short drops and get the ball out fast to guys like Ffrench on slants etc and give him a chance to make plays.

Maybe we force a few turnovers, get some big plays out of Ffrench, Mack etc and pull off a miracle. Or maybe I have a better chance of winning the powerball lottery lol.

1) Need long sustained drives and score TD’s as opposed to kicking FG’s
2) Need to win the turnover battle by a significant margin
3) No or very few penalties
4) Need to tackle well

 

[Pittx9]

Not much talk about the game. Prob because Clemson being a 27.5 favorite is superior to Pitt and the rest of the ACC, they are probably the only team who would have a chance against Alabama.

Since the Cuse game (Lawrence was knocked out of the game) they have crushed everyone. In the 7 games since then they have won by an average of 39.1 points! I’m normally pretty positive with this team but it could get ugly fast.

So trying to be positive for a minute. PN has pulled off big upsets such as the one vs Clemson. Hell if he were to lead an upset this time they need to take the coach of the year away from Dabo and give it to PN.

Anyways what would you do to game plan to even give Pitt a punchers chance???

On D, I think we have to take some chances and throw the kitchen sink at Lawrence. Try to confuse him with different looks. I’m really worried about our O. It’s going to be hard to run. And KP won’t have time to set up. Therefore I would go with the quick passing game. Short drops and get the ball out fast to guys like Ffrench on slants etc and give him a chance to make plays.

Maybe we force a few turnovers, get some big plays out of Ffrench, Mack etc and pull off a miracle. Or maybe I have a better chance of winning the powerball lottery lol.

Totally agree, that’s our only chance in hell. Pressure Lawrence on D. Offensively I’d go with a lot of quick passes too. Only thing I’d add is narduzzi needs to be a riverboat gambler tonight. Not gonna do this without some huge momentum turning 4th down conversions or things of that nature.

Now if pitt can somehow run the ball effectively, yes the best defense would be keeping clemson’s Offense off the field. But assuming it doesn’t, playing the field position game tonight will not work. Eventually clemson’s Superior talent will break away. Narduzzi can’t be afraid to take risks tonight.

 

[steelcurtain55.]

That's usually classic stupid-fan stuff that makes coaches and rod-up-the-tail elitists roll their eyes. But in this case, you are absolutely right. To have a prayer of winning this kind of game you absolutely have to try everything like this.

This is a game where the cliche fits perfectly... you're 30 point dogs...there is really nothing to lose.

The problem is, planning and practicing these things, this isn't a bowl game where the team had 5 weeks to prepare. You still need to try them, but without prep, they're more likely to blow up in your own face as they are to work.

And not only would one of them have to work, once, all these things would have to work perfectly, and more than once. And even then still might not make a dent.

But worth the try.

Can you give some examples of where teams pulled off monumental upsets by "trying everything," "throwing everything but the kitchen sink??"

 

[Gunga_Galunga]

4) Need to tackle well

The key to Pitt on defense. Tackle. Gotta tackle the QB or RB when you have a shot behind the LOS. Give up a completion, make the tackle. Need to tackle guys in open space. If they start missing tackles it will be a long day.

 

[daytonpanther]

CB will be isolated on their receivers most of the day so that is where the defense will need exceptional play. Pressure needs to come from everywhere and hope of slowing down their QB. If we catch a break (hate to say, but injuries are part of the game) and Pitt can knock out a few key starters it will help keep things close. I for one pray at every Pitt game. No exceptions.

 

[4upmc]

The key to Pitt on defense. Tackle. Gotta tackle the QB or RB when you have a shot behind the LOS. Give up a completion, make the tackle. Need to tackle guys in open space. If they start missing tackles it will be a long day.

True. Yes the Frosh QB is the real deal but we have to get pressure on him and hopefully force some mistakes. Since we will prob try to bring pressure guys will have to be sound and make lots one on one tackles.

 

[rmf05]

Can you give some examples of where teams pulled off monumental upsets by "trying everything," "throwing everything but the kitchen sink??"

App State vs Mich in 07' sticks in my mind. Only saw the highlights as they were happening. They were faking punts and fg's and running all kinds of trick plays.

Boise St. vs Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl that one year. They called all kinds of strange plays that nobody had seen all year.

When we beat PSU 3 years ago with a totally different offense than what we had shown the year before and in week one.

 

[President Stache]

Not much talk about the game. Prob because Clemson being a 27.5 favorite is superior to Pitt and the rest of the ACC, they are probably the only team who would have a chance against Alabama.

Since the Cuse game (Lawrence was knocked out of the game) they have crushed everyone. In the 7 games since then they have won by an average of 39.1 points! I’m normally pretty positive with this team but it could get ugly fast.

So trying to be positive for a minute. PN has pulled off big upsets such as the one vs Clemson. Hell if he were to lead an upset this time they need to take the coach of the year away from Dabo and give it to PN.

Anyways what would you do to game plan to even give Pitt a punchers chance???

On D, I think we have to take some chances and throw the kitchen sink at Lawrence. Try to confuse him with different looks. I’m really worried about our O. It’s going to be hard to run. And KP won’t have time to set up. Therefore I would go with the quick passing game. Short drops and get the ball out fast to guys like Ffrench on slants etc and give him a chance to make plays.

Maybe we force a few turnovers, get some big plays out of Ffrench, Mack etc and pull off a miracle. Or maybe I have a better chance of winning the powerball lottery lol.

So you’re saying we just need to knock out Lawrence?

 

[4upmc]

So you’re saying we just need to knock out Lawrence?

If a probable future first pick of an entire draft is out of the game it definitely helps Pitt.

 

[thebadby2]

So you’re saying we just need to knock out Lawrence?

We’d have to be able to get to him to do that.

 

[RaleighPittFan]

The key to Pitt on defense. Tackle. Gotta tackle the QB or RB when you have a shot behind the LOS. Give up a completion, make the tackle. Need to tackle guys in open space. If they start missing tackles it will be a long day.

That was the recipe for success for 13-9.

 

[steelcurtain55.]

App State vs Mich in 07' sticks in my mind. Only saw the highlights as they were happening. They were faking punts and fg's and running all kinds of trick plays.

Boise St. vs Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl that one year. They called all kinds of strange plays that nobody had seen all year.

When we beat PSU 3 years ago with a totally different offense than what we had shown the year before and in week one.

 

[VolPanther]

1) Need long sustained drives and score TD’s as opposed to kicking FG’s
2) Need to win the turnover battle by a significant margin
3) No or very few penalties
4) Need to tackle well

Agree on the penalties but for a team that is one of the most penalized teams in the country I don’t see them just fixing that tonight but they better figure it out. Your other points are spot on as well