Having seen the two teams play....

[Saboteur]

Got to see both teams play courtesy of modern technology. Here are my thoughts for the game Saturday.

• McSorley is good. accurate and can hurt you with his feet. You want to get him rolling to his right or left because you make the field smaller and his WR's are not as good as last season. He likes QB draws up the middle of the field: especially in the red zone.
• The kid from WHills is good too. He can't break tackles like Barkely, but once in space he can hurt you.
• PSU is not an overly physical team. They rely on speed.
• Appy State is a good team and moved the ball quite well when they ran right at PSU.
• PSU backers were torched on passes to RB's.
• The new kicker at PSU has a good leg.
• I don't think PSU offense has an identity yet and they were forced to go deeper into playbook against Appy (Appy coach goofed when he tried to kick the game winning field goal...should have gone for it on 4th and 2).
• I see a ton of points being scored.
• For Pitt to win, we must win first down on both sides of the ball and not turn it over.

We win.

 

[upj87]

Got to see both teams play courtesy of modern technology. Here are my thoughts for the game Saturday.

• McSorley is good. accurate and can hurt you with his feet. You want to get him rolling to his right or left because you make the field smaller and his WR's are not as good as last season. He likes QB draws up the middle of the field: especially in the red zone.
• The kid from WHills is good too. He can't break tackles like Barkely, but once in space he can hurt you.
• PSU is not an overly physical team. They rely on speed.
• Appy State is a good team and moved the ball quite well when they ran right at PSU.
• PSU backers were torched on passes to RB's.
• The new kicker at PSU has a good leg.
• I don't think PSU offense has an identity yet and they were forced to go deeper into playbook against Appy (Appy coach goofed when he tried to kick the game winning field goal...should have gone for it on 4th and 2).
• I see a ton of points being scored.
• For Pitt to win, we must win first down on both sides of the ball and not turn it over.

We win.

"Appy coach goofed when he tried to kick the game winning field goal...should have gone for it on 4th and 2"....it was 4th and 4. But in my opinion that was not the screw up, the screw up was not running the ball on 3rd and 4. Penn State thinking pass. They had a time out. There was 24 seconds. Get the first or not you then call timeout with 19 or 20 seconds to go and figure things out.

 

[Kroixklk]

Got to see both teams play courtesy of modern technology. Here are my thoughts for the game Saturday.

• McSorley is good. accurate and can hurt you with his feet. You want to get him rolling to his right or left because you make the field smaller and his WR's are not as good as last season. He likes QB draws up the middle of the field: especially in the red zone.
• The kid from WHills is good too. He can't break tackles like Barkely, but once in space he can hurt you.
• PSU is not an overly physical team. They rely on speed.
• Appy State is a good team and moved the ball quite well when they ran right at PSU.
• PSU backers were torched on passes to RB's.
• The new kicker at PSU has a good leg.
• I don't think PSU offense has an identity yet and they were forced to go deeper into playbook against Appy (Appy coach goofed when he tried to kick the game winning field goal...should have gone for it on 4th and 2).
• I see a ton of points being scored.
• For Pitt to win, we must win first down on both sides of the ball and not turn it over.

We win.

Good review. What did you see from Pitt? What’s different from the past two years?

 

[pittdan77]

Both teams are weak on defense up the middle based on both games. That’s where the game will be won and lost.

The point above about “winning first down” is pretty relevant for Pitt’s defense to have a shot at keeping the score low.

 

[TIGER-PAUL]

The first downs don’t concern me as much as the third downs. That’s where Pitt has been awful in key situations.

 

[Las Panteras]

The first downs don’t concern me as much as the third downs. That’s where Pitt has been awful in key situations.

But this year......we have a qb that can run for the first down.

I dont think Pitt fans realize how many losses can be directly traced back to the one dimensional QBs we have had here, particularly on 3rd and 5, third and 7, etc.....

 

[TIGER-PAUL]

worried more about defense 3rd

 

[McKee Place]

Our biggest diff by far is Pickett. A year from now if all else equal I'd have more confidence in Pickett to be the difference for us for a victory. But it still is a bit too soon I fear. I don't know he yet has the proper calibration of when and where to run, to give a little more time in the pocket or not, etc. The shaky second half on Sat showed some of the reason for that thinking. I'm sure he already has 'learned' from that, but it will be more automatic in another year (for playing these guys). Fortunately it should also be so for future games this year too.

Don't get me wrong, he's already a great leap above Browne and DiNucci.

But a little much to expect from him in 5 days I think.

And tbh, I expect PSU defense to be more stout on Saturday, I attribute their poor performance vs ASU more to complacency for a lame opponent. But our defense is what it is, Albany or PSU.

Adds up to a close loss for us in my sober view. Hope it's different, of course.

 

[Saboteur]

Good review. What did you see from Pitt? What’s different from the past two years?

QB play.....mentally we are 1000% improved at that spot...physically we are 300% improved.
It is difficult to quantify just how poorly we played at the QB slot last year....I don't like to rip cfb players because they are not pro's...but last year was as bad as I have seen at the D1 level for two decades.
I wonder if our RB's run hard enough....PSU is quick so we will have to grind out some tough yards.

 

[Saboteur]

The first downs don’t concern me as much as the third downs. That’s where Pitt has been awful in key situations.

I'll quote the late Ben Hogan on this.
When asked about his putting skills, Ben responded by saying that his putting improved when he hit his approach shots closer to the hole.
That is how I view 3rd down.

 

[joeydavid]

Pickett was largely playing with 2nd/3rd teamers in the 2nd half.

1 ball thrown away, 2 tipped balls and 1 dropped pass make up 4 of his 6 incomplete passes.

Mack, Tipton and Lopes are going to keep moving the chains. It would be great if one of the young guys can stretch the field.

Our biggest diff by far is Pickett. A year from now if all else equal I'd have more confidence in Pickett to be the difference for us for a victory. But it still is a bit too soon I fear. I don't know he yet has the proper calibration of when and where to run, to give a little more time in the pocket or not, etc. The shaky second half on Sat showed some of the reason for that thinking. I'm sure he already has 'learned' from that, but it will be more automatic in another year (for playing these guys). Fortunately it should also be so for future games this year too.

Don't get me wrong, he's already a great leap above Browne and DiNucci.

But a little much to expect from him in 5 days I think.

And tbh, I expect PSU defense to be more stout on Saturday, I attribute their poor performance vs ASU more to complacency for a lame opponent. But our defense is what it is, Albany or PSU.

Adds up to a close loss for us in my sober view. Hope it's different, of course.

 

[thebadby2]

Both teams are weak on defense up the middle based on both games. That’s where the game will be won and lost.

The point above about “winning first down” is pretty relevant for Pitt’s defense to have a shot at keeping the score low.

I don't see Pitt as weak up front against the run at all. Down the deep middle of the field against the pass, i.e. the safeties, then weak for sure.

 

[Gunga_Galunga]

I don't see Pitt as weak up front against the run at all. Down the deep middle of the field against the pass, i.e. the safeties, then weak for sure.

Agree. Neither Briggs or Stocker inspire any confidence, and Garner didn't look good either. Need Campbell back ASAP.

 

[88Pitt88]

McSorely loves the homerun ball. We have been weak for years at safety and once again against Albany we let guys get behind us for long gains. We have to make the peds work for everything they get. Long TD passes will choke away any momentum we might be able to build up. Hamlin is a junior and should not be letting guys get in behind him anymore. Dennis Briggs does not have the physical gifts to match up with the peds receivers, especially the tall and lanky Johnson kid.

Our coaches personnel decisions need to be spot on in this game. If they are we should have a good chance. I think we are every bit as good personnel wise on both the offensive and defensive lines as they are. I don't think they will be pushing us around. They are a speed team. If we keep Sanders from getting outside I don't think he can hurt us. He looks to bounce everything wide which tells me he doesn't like running between the tackles.

Lastly, I would like to see Paris Ford playing situationally both ways. He should be sprinkled in on Offense to keep that defense slightly off balance. More importantly, any third and longs, he should be on the field at free safety and given a chance to read Mcsorely and pick him off when he throws it up for grabs, as he so often does. Mcsorely's receivers have made him look good over the last few years, but, I don't think this year's group is nearly as good. The only guy that scares me is that little speedster Hamler.

 

[rmf05]

Our defense won't look like it did against Albany. We'll go nickle and dime like late last year plus we'll have at least 2 of our best DB's back who did not play last week. I'm also calling it right now, Wirginis will be the ACC Def. Player of the Week.

 

[jimmoyer]

This is WIRGINIS”S game to shine. McSorley will be seeing that big, fast mean MLB in his nightmares for the next week after the punishments he will receive from QW. Max pressure all day and put the QB on his back with ferocity and intent to harm. Hey, it’s football, and it’s a violent game

 

[gary2]

I don't see Pitt as weak up front against the run at all. Down the deep middle of the field against the pass, i.e. the safeties, then weak for sure.

Can't have Briggs and Motley playing when we have so many other better choices.

 

[88Pitt88]

Can't have Briggs and Motley playing when we have so many other better choices.

Agree Gary. Those two are great kids and seniors, but, in a game like this and frankly all our conference games as well, they are greatly overmatched.

 

[Pittx9]

I don't think PSU offense has an identity yet and they were forced to go deeper into playbook against Appy (Appy coach goofed when he tried to kick the game winning field goal...should have gone for it on 4th and 2).

Probably shouldn’t have had a receiver running a fade route on 3rd and 2 either. Plenty of time there, could’ve just picked up a few quick yards (or yes go for it on 4th if you fail) and then take it from there. PSU’s secondary struggled but not the best call IMO with a relatively inexperienced QB.

 

[MajorMajors]

QB play.....mentally we are 1000% improved at that spot...physically we are 300% improved.
It is difficult to quantify just how poorly we played at the QB slot last year....I don't like to rip cfb players because they are not pro's...but last year was as bad as I have seen at the D1 level for two decades.
I wonder if our RB's run hard enough....PSU is quick so we will have to grind out some tough yards.

Seems to me the one thing our RBs do is run hard. They are not elusive, but they run hard - especially Hall...

Go Pitt.

 

[McKee Place]

Probably shouldn’t have had a receiver running a fade route on 3rd and 2 either. Plenty of time there, could’ve just picked up a few quick yards (or yes go for it on 4th if you fail) and then take it from there. PSU’s secondary struggled but not the best call IMO with a relatively inexperienced QB.

Does it seem like the fade route just is such a tough call most of time unless you have a superlative receiver like Fitz (or at least with a much superior size advantage, and even so it still usually takes a perfect placed pass and positioning). I know it 'worked' to Lopes on Saturday, if that can even have been called a fade, but generally I hate the call.

 

[JokePa]

People complain about briggs far too much. Obviously he has problems and coverage but he is definitely a good run stopper. I agree I think we’re going to use the nickel package by Austin with Paris Ford in there. The nickel will help Ford not get too lost in coverage and allow briggs to add to the run defense.

Don’t forget two years ago everybody was saying Ryan Lewis should not playing this game because how bad he was and he ended up making the game saving interception and is now playing in the NFL.

 

[Pittx9]

Does it seem like the fade route just is such a tough call most of time unless you have a superlative receiver like Fitz (or at least with a much superior size advantage, and even so it still usually takes a perfect placed pass and positioning). I know it 'worked' to Lopes on Saturday, if that can even have been called a fade, but generally I hate the call.

Yeah I’d like to see the numbers on it, but I doubt that it’s generally highly successful. Part of why I didn’t like it, I mean they probably thought the receiver could get behind a psu DB and get a lot of yards, but much harder than just hitting the TE over the middle for a quick first down.

Whatever you wanna call that play though, a beautiful ball thrown by Pickett to Lopes on Saturday.

 

[thebadby2]

Does it seem like the fade route just is such a tough call most of time unless you have a superlative receiver like Fitz (or at least with a much superior size advantage, and even so it still usually takes a perfect placed pass and positioning). I know it 'worked' to Lopes on Saturday, if that can even have been called a fade, but generally I hate the call.

Agree. Very difficult play to make work unless you have a physically dominant receiver with great hands. The Lopes fade was one of those rare ones where the receiver had substantial separation from the defender and the QB could just drop the pass over the top of the D. 90% of fade routes end up 50/50 balls. Lopes would be the last choice to run that route most often.

I think what made it work for us on that play was Lopes ran the fade from the slot and usually it's to an outside receiver. That probably caught the DBs off guard--and of course, those were Albany DBs, not the kind we'll be seeing from now on.

 

[pittdan77]

I don't see Pitt as weak up front against the run at all. Down the deep middle of the field against the pass, i.e. the safeties, then weak for sure.

Talk to me after Saturday. PSU will challenge the middle of Pitt's defense just like they did last year.

 

[Gunga_Galunga]

Talk to me after Saturday. PSU will challenge the middle of Pitt's defense just like they did last year.

If Pitt replicates their defensive effort from last year, I don't think there's any question that they win. The offense and lack of a QB was the major problem.

 

[pittdan77]

If Pitt replicates their defensive effort from last year, I don't think there's any question that they win. The offense and lack of a QB was the major problem.

I agree. I don't think giving up over thirty points makes the game winnable.