Glass half full or glass half empty?

[Chairman Moe]

Pitt goes from 3-9 in 2023 to 7-5 in 2024. 4 more wins; 4 fewer losses. Picked 13th in ACC pre-season and will finish 10th. Predicted to win 5.5 games by the sports books before the season and won 7

So, is our Pitt Football "glass" half full, or half empty?

I'm not going to sugar coat this season. We could've won or lost at least 3 more games than we did, but we didn't. After going 7-0 to start and to then finish 0-5 is a major disappointment, not just for we fans but the players and coaches, too. The poor finish (regardless of the injuries) was an equal combination of the failure by coaches and players. "Next man up" didn't produce, and that's on the coaches for not having a ready-to-play second string; dropped passes, missed assignments, false starts, holding penalties, et al, is on the players

I've read scores of posts and replies here as to what's wrong. There is a litany of reasons. But from this "armchair quarterback" the most egregious reason for Pitt's lack of success lies in the trenches. OL and DL were the top two of Pitt's weakest positions, IMO. Bell's offense can't run efficiently without a line that can block. And our cover 0 pass coverage is ineffective if the opposing QB isn't feeling pressure

So, Moe, how do you feel about the Pitt Football "glass"?? Right now, I'd say "we need a different glass..."

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Pitt goes from 3-9 in 2023 to 7-5 in 2024. 4 more wins; 4 fewer losses. Picked 13th in ACC pre-season and will finish 10th. Predicted to win 5.5 games by the sports books before the season and won 7

So, is our Pitt Football "glass" half full, or half empty?

I'm not going to sugar coat this season. We could've won or lost at least 3 more games than we did, but we didn't. After going 7-0 to start and to then finish 0-5 is a major disappointment, not just for we fans but the players and coaches, too. The poor finish (regardless of the injuries) was an equal combination of the failure by coaches and players. "Next man up" didn't produce, and that's on the coaches for not having a ready-to-play second string; dropped passes, missed assignments, false starts, holding penalties, et al, is on the players

I've read scores of posts and replies here as to what's wrong. There is a litany of reasons. But from this "armchair quarterback" the most egregious reason for Pitt's lack of success lies in the trenches. OL and DL were the top two of Pitt's weakest positions, IMO. Bell's offense can't run efficiently without a line that can block. And our cover 0 pass coverage is ineffective if the opposing QB isn't feeling pressure

So, Moe, how do you feel about the Pitt Football "glass"?? Right now, I'd say "we need a different glass..."

Needed an insane amount of luck to reach 7-5. This was a 3-9/4-8 level team that.

 

[Gunga_Galunga]

Pitt goes from 3-9 in 2023 to 7-5 in 2024. 4 more wins; 4 fewer losses. Picked 13th in ACC pre-season and will finish 10th. Predicted to win 5.5 games by the sports books before the season and won 7

So, is our Pitt Football "glass" half full, or half empty?

I'm not going to sugar coat this season. We could've won or lost at least 3 more games than we did, but we didn't. After going 7-0 to start and to then finish 0-5 is a major disappointment, not just for we fans but the players and coaches, too. The poor finish (regardless of the injuries) was an equal combination of the failure by coaches and players. "Next man up" didn't produce, and that's on the coaches for not having a ready-to-play second string; dropped passes, missed assignments, false starts, holding penalties, et al, is on the players

I've read scores of posts and replies here as to what's wrong. There is a litany of reasons. But from this "armchair quarterback" the most egregious reason for Pitt's lack of success lies in the trenches. OL and DL were the top two of Pitt's weakest positions, IMO. Bell's offense can't run efficiently without a line that can block. And our cover 0 pass coverage is ineffective if the opposing QB isn't feeling pressure

So, Moe, how do you feel about the Pitt Football "glass"?? Right now, I'd say "we need a different glass..."

All depends what happens in the off season. Who do they lose and who do they add? College football has changed drastically. It's year to year free agency, and you don't even know who's going to be on your team next year.

 

[Chairman Moe]

All depends what happens in the off season. Who do they lose and who do they add? College football has changed drastically. It's year to year free agency, and you don't even know who's going to be on your team next year.

I definitely agree with your comments. Which makes the need to find acceptable OL and DL transfers even more critical if all other things (coaches/offensive and defensive schemes) stay the same

 

[Gunga_Galunga]

I definitely agree with your comments. Which makes the need to find acceptable OL and DL transfers even more critical if all other things (coaches/offensive and defensive schemes) stay the same

I'm thinking about this and don't have any way to predict. Holstein is good enough at QB, but need to bolster the OL and WR crew.

I'm concerned that none of our young WRs played. It's not a hard position to get on the field early, nobody stood out enough to get any play. I think the young DL guys have some potential. Dont know how you improve OL quickly unless some younger guys step up.

 

[Chairman Moe]

I'm thinking about this and don't have any way to predict. Holstein is good enough at QB, but need to bolster the OL and WR crew.

I'm concerned that none of our young WRs played. It's not a hard position to get on the field early, nobody stood out enough to get any play. I think the young DL guys have some potential. Dont know how you improve OL quickly unless some younger guys step up.

Losing the transfer center from NC State to injury didn't help during the losing streak. Our entire OL was ineffective during the 5-game losing streak, and our running game proved it. Reid was hampered; Carter got injured; Davis played out of position (I wonder if Pitt ever considered using him at DB?) and Goff never got any playing time when the line was healthy

As for the WR's, it seemed nothing could go wrong in the first 7 games, and then the drops began. Mumpfield was a warrior last night but he's only 1 guy

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I'm thinking about this and don't have any way to predict. Holstein is good enough at QB, but need to bolster the OL and WR crew.

I'm concerned that none of our young WRs played. It's not a hard position to get on the field early, nobody stood out enough to get any play. I think the young DL guys have some potential. Dont know how you improve OL quickly unless some younger guys step up.

I would like to see Pitt make a concerted effort to go recruit the backups at places like OSU, PSU, maybe some SEC schools. Are those guys happy carrying water? I'll give you an example: Quinton Martin played in 3 games and had 8 carries for 25 yards this season. Do they like him enough to pay him a big salary to sit for a few more years? He isnt going to play for a couple more years. Is he still ok with that? Can we pay him as much or more and say, "hey kid, playing football is more fun than not playing football." This is just an example because its a local kid but the point is, you need to recruit off these rosters. I'd rather go bring in some backups at these places than MAC or FCS transfers. These kids get all excited to sign with an OSU or PSU but are they still ok with sitting and are they being paid enough to do so?

 

[Gunga_Galunga]

I would like to see Pitt make a concerted effort to go recruit the backups at places like OSU, PSU, maybe some SEC schools. Are those guys happy carrying water? I'll give you an example: Quinton Martin played in 3 games and had 8 carries for 25 yards this season. Do they like him enough to pay him a big salary to sit for a few more years? He isnt going to play for a couple more years. Is he still ok with that? Can we pay him as much or more and say, "hey kid, playing football is more fun than not playing football." This is just an example because its a local kid but the point is, you need to recruit off these rosters. I'd rather go bring in some backups at these places than MAC or FCS transfers. These kids get all excited to sign with an OSU or PSU but are they still ok with sitting and are they being paid enough to do so?

I'm fine with that, but it takes money. Likely more money than going after FCS or MAC guys, which is why we never signed those guys in the first place.

 

[Chairman Moe]

I'm fine with that, but it takes money. Likely more money than going after FCS or MAC guys, which is why we never signed those guys in the first place.

if the NIL and transfer portal was in place several years ago, would a kid like Robert Foster have ever considered transferring from Alabama? I know he was injured but he came back healthy and was never given much playing time there

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

I would like to see Pitt make a concerted effort to go recruit the backups at places like OSU, PSU, maybe some SEC schools. Are those guys happy carrying water? I'll give you an example: Quinton Martin played in 3 games and had 8 carries for 25 yards this season. Do they like him enough to pay him a big salary to sit for a few more years? He isnt going to play for a couple more years. Is he still ok with that? Can we pay him as much or more and say, "hey kid, playing football is more fun than not playing football." This is just an example because its a local kid but the point is, you need to recruit off these rosters. I'd rather go bring in some backups at these places than MAC or FCS transfers. These kids get all excited to sign with an OSU or PSU but are they still ok with sitting and are they being paid enough to do so?

Penn State is a good program. But they're not good to a point where I want their discarded players who couldn't even get on the field. Q. Martin would be Derrick Davis part two. Pass on that one.

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

This team has as little talent as I can recall. The glass is empty and shattered. And to follow this program is to snort the shards.

 

[Burgh15]

Half empty. This team regressed throughout the season and got stomped in these games.

 

[Las Panteras]

I would like to see Pitt make a concerted effort to go recruit the backups at places like OSU, PSU, maybe some SEC schools. Are those guys happy carrying water? I'll give you an example: Quinton Martin played in 3 games and had 8 carries for 25 yards this season. Do they like him enough to pay him a big salary to sit for a few more years? He isnt going to play for a couple more years. Is he still ok with that? Can we pay him as much or more and say, "hey kid, playing football is more fun than not playing football." This is just an example because its a local kid but the point is, you need to recruit off these rosters. I'd rather go bring in some backups at these places than MAC or FCS transfers. These kids get all excited to sign with an OSU or PSU but are they still ok with sitting and are they being paid enough to do so?

I was told over Thanksgiving from a Belle Vernon resident that Martin is leaving and coming home.

Just passing along

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

Pitt goes from 3-9 in 2023 to 7-5 in 2024. 4 more wins; 4 fewer losses. Picked 13th in ACC pre-season and will finish 10th. Predicted to win 5.5 games by the sports books before the season and won 7

So, is our Pitt Football "glass" half full, or half empty?

I'm not going to sugar coat this season. We could've won or lost at least 3 more games than we did, but we didn't. After going 7-0 to start and to then finish 0-5 is a major disappointment, not just for we fans but the players and coaches, too. The poor finish (regardless of the injuries) was an equal combination of the failure by coaches and players. "Next man up" didn't produce, and that's on the coaches for not having a ready-to-play second string; dropped passes, missed assignments, false starts, holding penalties, et al, is on the players

I've read scores of posts and replies here as to what's wrong. There is a litany of reasons. But from this "armchair quarterback" the most egregious reason for Pitt's lack of success lies in the trenches. OL and DL were the top two of Pitt's weakest positions, IMO. Bell's offense can't run efficiently without a line that can block. And our cover 0 pass coverage is ineffective if the opposing QB isn't feeling pressure

So, Moe, how do you feel about the Pitt Football "glass"?? Right now, I'd say "we need a different glass..."

Unfortunately the answer is “Half Empty”

If you look at the big picture, then you realize there were signs for concern throughout the year but Holstein was able to bail us out early in the year. Cal showed everyone how to stop Eli and this offense. Eli then got banged up and lost his mojo. This team lacked talent, depth, and leadership to overcome it and our coaching didn’t help the situation.

 

[pittbb80]

Unfortunately the answer is “Half Empty”

If you look at the big picture, then you realize there were signs for concern throughout the year but Holstein was able to bail us out early in the year. Cal showed everyone how to stop Eli and this offense. Eli then got banged up and lost his mojo. This team lacked talent, depth, and leadership to overcome it and our coaching didn’t help the situation.

When teams can get pressure rushing four and dropping 7 I. Coverage there’s not a lot of Qbs who are going to look great especially with the limited talent Pitt has at wr BC rarely blitzed and were able to Maul Nate

Fix the OL and most of the issues on offense are solved

 

[Eastern Eight]

This is the 2nd straight season where by seasons end, we’re below average on both sides of the ball and getting worse each subsequent game. 2nd straight season where the wheels have fallen off. In what will be 10 years into his tenure, I have to believe that this is a trend that’s going to continue, unfortunately. With the needle decidedly up for Syracuse, BC , I’ve got to say ‘glass half empty’ for the Panthers . I’m generally a very positive person, but I’m also a realist. My metric is this. Pitt football under Pat Narduzzi is a much better bet to win less than 6 games over the next season or two than win 9 or more.