Keys to Winning at Miami

[VAPITTALUM]

After plowing through way too many threads unrelated to this weekend's important game at Miami, maybe it's time to focus on some of the keys to this game; in my opinion of course:

1. Establish the run game very early. Miami has some young LBs who are incredibly quick on the edge, but will likely be a little shaky when it comes to playing assignment football. Eyes will be watching Henderson, Whitehead, etc. everytime they run past Peterman through the backfield; which should open up the middle for Conner Moss, and possibly Ollison.
2. If it's not broken, don't fix it. In the VT game, there were a few pivotal series where Conner was almost completely removed from having an impact on the game. He was running through their defense, yet they went away from him for a few series which focused on the pass.
3. When provided the opportunity, Ford really needs to show his experience on the field. Early in the VT game, there was some definite rust between him and Peterman, hopefully he is able to shake that off. Along the lines of the passing game, please keep the ball away from Elder. He is the one player on their defense who can change the game in an instant.
4. What will the adjustment be this week against Kaaya? When given time, he is extremely accurate and can hit the long passes to Coley, Richards, and Njoku. The key is to create pressure, where he is prone to make big mistakes. Will Narduzzi, Conklin, etc. come up with a scheme in the secondary to keep Kaaya guessing, as well as getting consistent pressure from Price, Soto, Jarrett, etc.
5. How will this team play in a close game coming down the stretch? There have been 3 tough losses where PITT was either in the lead or had a tied game and they have failed to put the game away. I really hope PITT can jump out to an early lead and grow that lead as the game goes on.
6. Special teams need to be excellent in this game. The need for quality field position both offensively and defensively is imperative on the road. As great as Henderson has been on special teams, the fumble last week against VT on the Kickoff could have absolutely crushed PITT.

 

[runthewildcat]

After plowing through way too many threads unrelated to this weekend's important game at Miami, maybe it's time to focus on some of the keys to this game; in my opinion of course:

1. Establish the run game very early. Miami has some young LBs who are incredibly quick on the edge, but will likely be a little shaky when it comes to playing assignment football. Eyes will be watching Henderson, Whitehead, etc. everytime they run past Peterman through the backfield; which should open up the middle for Conner Moss, and possibly Ollison.
2. If it's not broken, don't fix it. In the VT game, there were a few pivotal series where Conner was almost completely removed from having an impact on the game. He was running through their defense, yet they went away from him for a few series which focused on the pass.
3. When provided the opportunity, Ford really needs to show his experience on the field. Early in the VT game, there was some definite rust between him and Peterman, hopefully he is able to shake that off. Along the lines of the passing game, please keep the ball away from Elder. He is the one player on their defense who can change the game in an instant.
4. What will the adjustment be this week against Kaaya? When given time, he is extremely accurate and can hit the long passes to Coley, Richards, and Njoku. The key is to create pressure, where he is prone to make big mistakes. Will Narduzzi, Conklin, etc. come up with a scheme in the secondary to keep Kaaya guessing, as well as getting consistent pressure from Price, Soto, Jarrett, etc.
5. How will this team play in a close game coming down the stretch? There have been 3 tough losses where PITT was either in the lead or had a tied game and they have failed to put the game away. I really hope PITT can jump out to an early lead and grow that lead as the game goes on.
6. Special teams need to be excellent in this game. The need for quality field position both offensively and defensively is imperative on the road. As great as Henderson has been on special teams, the fumble last week against VT on the Kickoff could have absolutely crushed PITT.

Score 50 and pray Miami doesn't score more than that.

 

[Nittany1997]

Show up!

 

[kma0043]

Be nice to force 3-4 turnovers. I think it every single game, but at some point dropping into a Cover 2 zone has to be considered.

 

[9nationalchampionships]

7. DBs turn heads around to look at the ball as it approaches the WR's hands.

 

[VAPITTALUM]

Show up!

Man, I wish it was that easy. Being a PITT fan is not for the faint of heart.

 

[big marty]

Every game has been exciting. We had some boring offensive teams in the past. This isn't one of them.

 

[9nationalchampionships]

This team is the anti Sun Bowl offensive juggernaut.

Every game has been exciting. We had some boring offensive teams in the past. This isn't one of them.

 

[PHATWOOD]

Score 50 and pray is likely the best answer.

Didn't read the rest of the OP by the way. It doesn't matter. This game will be decided by Pitt's defensive secondary.

 

[PhPanther1]

Oddly enough, I don't agree that the secondary is going to kill Pitt this week. I think being able to contain Walton and Yearby in the passing game might be the biggest issue. Tackling will be the biggest thing imo.

Offense will score plenty to win. Defense is gonna blitz like hell. Gotta be able to minimize the amount of yards the 2 rb's get on screens.

 

[vegasgreed]

This is a better matchup, compared to spread teams. Then again, we lost to them last year and they didn't even have a HC.

 

[Cap pitt]

It's simple, score more than they do

 

[thebadby2]

After plowing through way too many threads unrelated to this weekend's important game at Miami, maybe it's time to focus on some of the keys to this game; in my opinion of course:

1. Establish the run game very early. Miami has some young LBs who are incredibly quick on the edge, but will likely be a little shaky when it comes to playing assignment football. Eyes will be watching Henderson, Whitehead, etc. everytime they run past Peterman through the backfield; which should open up the middle for Conner Moss, and possibly Ollison.
2. If it's not broken, don't fix it. In the VT game, there were a few pivotal series where Conner was almost completely removed from having an impact on the game. He was running through their defense, yet they went away from him for a few series which focused on the pass.
3. When provided the opportunity, Ford really needs to show his experience on the field. Early in the VT game, there was some definite rust between him and Peterman, hopefully he is able to shake that off. Along the lines of the passing game, please keep the ball away from Elder. He is the one player on their defense who can change the game in an instant.
4. What will the adjustment be this week against Kaaya? When given time, he is extremely accurate and can hit the long passes to Coley, Richards, and Njoku. The key is to create pressure, where he is prone to make big mistakes. Will Narduzzi, Conklin, etc. come up with a scheme in the secondary to keep Kaaya guessing, as well as getting consistent pressure from Price, Soto, Jarrett, etc.
5. How will this team play in a close game coming down the stretch? There have been 3 tough losses where PITT was either in the lead or had a tied game and they have failed to put the game away. I really hope PITT can jump out to an early lead and grow that lead as the game goes on.
6. Special teams need to be excellent in this game. The need for quality field position both offensively and defensively is imperative on the road. As great as Henderson has been on special teams, the fumble last week against VT on the Kickoff could have absolutely crushed PITT.

If it's not broken, don't fix it. In the VT game, there were a few pivotal series where Conner was almost completely removed from having an impact on the game. He was running through their defense, yet they went away from him for a few series which focused on the pass.

Disagree. We were moving the ball easily with the diverse mix of playcalling Canada was employing. Then, in a critical early 4th quarter possession with momentum changing VTs way, we went 3 and out by running Conner twice for minimal yardage before an unsuccessful 3rd and long pass play. That was a turning point in the game.

The moral of the story--stick with what's working, whatever it may be, especially when you have the lead in the second half.

 

[TIGER-PAUL]

Pittsburgh at Miami ESPN Predictions
Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET on ACC Network

NAME PICK SCORE
Andrea
Adelson

28-27
Matt
Fortuna

31-28
David
Hale

41-36
Jared
Shanker

35-34

 

[MajorMajors]

Win the battle for the 50-50 balls with their WRs...

Don't turn the ball over...

Go Pitt.

 

[h2p_5150]

Pittsburgh at Miami ESPN Predictions
Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET on ACC Network

NAME PICK SCORE
Andrea
Adelson

28-27
Matt
Fortuna

31-28
David
Hale

41-36
Jared
Shanker

35-34

I think it's just adorable that two people think we're gonna hold Miami to less than 30 points. I think prediction number 3 is correct.

 

[crharris8892]

This game is very winnable, but it's the WTF singular keystone cops moments that will be our undoing. It has to be a complete game and quit giving them penalty yards to help their cause. Get some turnovers and turn them into points. Be solid in special teams, get pressure on the QB, yada yada yada. One of our CB's need to channel their inner Revis Island....

 

[VAPITTALUM]

Pittsburgh at Miami ESPN Predictions
Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET on ACC Network

NAME PICK SCORE
Andrea
Adelson

28-27
Matt
Fortuna

31-28
David
Hale

41-36
Jared
Shanker

35-34

David Hale has a pretty solid track record of predicting the winner, hope he's right again. The only way PITT hold Miami to less than 30 is if they are able to sustain long scoring drives, running the clock for 8+ minutes.

I really feel the first quarter will dictate the rest of this game. PITT is disappointed with the VT result and its bearing on the rest of the season. Miami can't be happy after losing 4 in a row following a #10 ranking.

 

[VAPITTALUM]

This game is very winnable, but it's the WTF singular keystone cops moments that will be our undoing. It has to be a complete game and quit giving them penalty yards to help their cause. Get some turnovers and turn them into points. Be solid in special teams, get pressure on the QB, yada yada yada. One of our CB's need to channel their inner Revis Island....

If Maddox, Whitehead, and Hamlin communicate well,they can be successful . Like the game against VT and their use of Hodges, Njoku can be the match-up nightmare this week, coupled with the other really talented WRs.

 

[Jpripper88]

There is 1 key: Adapt and adjust to our deficiencies in the secondary.

If we don't do that? We probably lose. We might even get pummeled. If we do that? We probably win with some ease.

We aren't a great team, but we should be 8-0.

 

[BFo8]

Get ahead early. Miami is in freefall and if Pitt can punch them in the mouth at the start Miami may lose heart. What promises to be a smallish crowd will lose interest as well.

 

[pbrad]

their QB doesn't move that well and can be sacked, blitz and let Price have a field day.

 

[VAPITTALUM]

their QB doesn't move that well and can be sacked, blitz and let Price have a field day.

If PITT can get some push and move Kaaya around with a 4 man rush, I really like PITT's chances. If they have to bring one more defender on the rush, leaving more room for the secondary and LBs to cover, it may be a long day.

 

[cruzer]

Good comments. I'll limit my comments to what I think is really critical to win this game.

#1 Pass rush - we absolutely need pressure on Kaaya. And that pressure needs to come from someone not named Price. Price will get his, but he'll also be doubled a lot. We need Soto or Blair or Edwards to get to the QB at least a few times. Our DB's will never be able to hang with Miami WR's if Kaaya has time to throw.

#2 No Turnovers or bonehead penalties. We really need to play a clean game. We can't lose the turnover battle and win this game IMO. We also can't have any drive killing penalties. It would be great if we could create a few turnovers ourselves.

Lot's of other variables, but I think these are the key.

Cruzer

 

[VAPITTALUM]

Good comments. I'll limit my comments to what I think is really critical to win this game.

#1 Pass rush - we absolutely need pressure on Kaaya. And that pressure needs to come from someone not named Price. Price will get his, but he'll also be doubled a lot. We need Soto or Blair or Edwards to get to the QB at least a few times. Our DB's will never be able to hang with Miami WR's if Kaaya has time to throw.

#2 No Turnovers or bonehead penalties. We really need to play a clean game. We can't lose the turnover battle and win this game IMO. We also can't have any drive killing penalties. It would be great if we could create a few turnovers ourselves.

Lot's of other variables, but I think these are the key.

Cruzer

Good comments Cruzer. looking at the VT game , PITT gave up the ball twice, while failing to make an interception and having an interception taken away due to being lined up offside on the opposite side of the field. Those were the difference in that game, and then some. Have to limit mistakes and take advantage of opportunities as they are presented.

 

[Ol_Roy]

There is 1 key: Adapt and adjust to our deficiencies in the secondary.

If we don't do that? We probably lose. We might even get pummeled. If we do that? We probably win with some ease.

We aren't a great team, but we should be 8-0.

This is the whole season for me. Their record is pretty much what most expected coming into the season with the roster as it is and the results last year. The fact that they could be 8-0 (or admittedly 2-6 psu,uva,gt) right now with a few plays going their way is what makes the losses that much more crushing. This staff has them going in the right direction.

 

[PhPanther1]

I think it's gonna be a close game and I would hope that Pitt has much more mental toughness than UM has right now and it will be the deciding factor at the end of the game.

 

[Jpripper88]

This is the whole season for me. Their record is pretty much what most expected coming into the season with the roster as it is and the results last year. The fact that they could be 8-0 (or admittedly 2-6 psu,uva,gt) right now with a few plays going their way is what makes the losses that much more crushing. This staff has them going in the right direction.

Yeah, I expected we would be good enough to be 7-1 or 6-2 at this point, but would have at least one game where things just didn't bounce our way and lesser talent wouldn't make up the difference. However, we have been there every week and with just miniscule coaching adjustments we should be undefeated. Unfortunately that songs a lot more than just having the breaks go against you because it leaves a stinging worry that is a coaching ability/philosophy deficiency, which will continue to show up every year at some point. Hopefully that is not the case.