Based on the first two weeks of the season and overall roster construction, I think many of us realize walking out of Happy Valley on Saturday with both teams at 2-1 is pretty unlikely. Not a knock on Pitt, but just the reality. But of course, they play the game for a reason so I'm curious what factors you think it would take for us to pull the upset on Saturday. Listed mine below.
- 175+ rushing yards. Don't see anyway we win this game unless we can run the ball productively. PSU has crazy weapons on offense so getting into a shootout just isn't going to work. Not saying run the ball to waste time, but we have to establish a ground game both for TOP and to open up the secondary in the intermediate and play action game.
- Limit Parsons, Toney and rest of the front to seven to 2 or fewer sacks. This is going to be an insane test for our young OL, but PSU can wrap the game up easily if we don't have an answer for their pass rush. Again, run game will be important to counter.
- Shadow Hamler. Narduzzi doesn't do this, so it's just wishful thinking but if we are going to let Hamler line up in the slot and run 8 yards before Hamlin, Ford or Stocker had him in their range, we won't stop him. The huge advantage we have in our secondary is the size of our DBs. Whether its Dane, Pinny or Mathis, jam the hell outta Hamler and make him really work for everything. He is going to get is, but we can let him run wild against us.
- 8+ negative plays forced on defense. Sacks, TFLs, drawing a hold, anything. Whatever gets them behind the sticks and turns them a bit more one dimensional will be critical. We accomplished a lot of this against Ohio and we will need it this week.
- Finally get a turnover this season. Winning the turnover battle is always an obvious one, but even if its even or -1, any momentum gathering TO from our defense would be immensely helpful. Plus, I want to see if we have a turnover mask.
What else you guys got?
- 175+ rushing yards. Don't see anyway we win this game unless we can run the ball productively. PSU has crazy weapons on offense so getting into a shootout just isn't going to work. Not saying run the ball to waste time, but we have to establish a ground game both for TOP and to open up the secondary in the intermediate and play action game.
- Limit Parsons, Toney and rest of the front to seven to 2 or fewer sacks. This is going to be an insane test for our young OL, but PSU can wrap the game up easily if we don't have an answer for their pass rush. Again, run game will be important to counter.
- Shadow Hamler. Narduzzi doesn't do this, so it's just wishful thinking but if we are going to let Hamler line up in the slot and run 8 yards before Hamlin, Ford or Stocker had him in their range, we won't stop him. The huge advantage we have in our secondary is the size of our DBs. Whether its Dane, Pinny or Mathis, jam the hell outta Hamler and make him really work for everything. He is going to get is, but we can let him run wild against us.
- 8+ negative plays forced on defense. Sacks, TFLs, drawing a hold, anything. Whatever gets them behind the sticks and turns them a bit more one dimensional will be critical. We accomplished a lot of this against Ohio and we will need it this week.
- Finally get a turnover this season. Winning the turnover battle is always an obvious one, but even if its even or -1, any momentum gathering TO from our defense would be immensely helpful. Plus, I want to see if we have a turnover mask.
What else you guys got?
