Maybe the dumbest loss in Pitt history. I flew in and sat through all 5 hours of that crap show. Here are some thoughts:
Additional Narduzzi note - Yes, I skewered him, and yes I'd love a better recruiter and game day coach. But I think a lot of us don't realize how much his culture matters. There is no way that we are outbidding SEC teams for Louis, Reid, and the LBs. Sure, some guys could still leave, but we still don't really know how college is going to be going forward. What I do know, is we have a pittance compared to other programs. I realize we aren't Ohio state, but our total NIL budget was less than 25% of what they spent just on football this year.
- This loss is on the decision making. I'll start with Bell. In no universe should Lynch have been starting. You have nothing to gain. He has no future at this program and threw two awful interception. I also blame him for the pick 6. I said to my dad before that play was called, I would run the ball here. There are 7 minutes left, we are up 10, and worst case we punt and they have to drive the length of the field. You have to play to the game situation knowing you have a freshman QB. We ran the ball well all game and then, with the game on the line, ran a formation with a defensive tackle and a tight end in the backfield. Twice.
- Narduzzi kicked a fg with 4th and 1 from the 1 with a chance to win it...to then get one play from the 3 they had to score from and also stop Toledo to win it. Seriously, I hope that call comes up for the rest of college football history as the dumbest thing a coach ever did. That is some cowardly BS.
- QB - I already said my part about Lynch, but Dugger looked good. He's def our backup next year and we could have a really fun offense built around him when Holstein is gone as well. I also expect to see him in some hines ward style gadget plays.
- If you take away Lynch's sacks, we ran the ball 64 times for 314 yards. That should have always been the game plan. Reid had 32 carries!
- I'm still not sure why threw the ball a lot but getting Bart one catch when we have no one available makes no sense to me.
- The defense was never to make the crucial stop but there were some good individual performances. George, McIntyre, Biles, Brookins, McMillon, Matlack, Scott, Fitzsimmons, Temple all made a play or two. Special shout out to Temple who you could tell wasn't really healthy enough to play but it was probably his last college football game.
- I hope we see more Tyreek Robinson on KO returns next year. Kid is dynamic.
- Sauls really cemented himself as an NFL kicker this year. 21/24. Only three misses were from 40 plus. Was SIX FOR SEVEN over 50 yards.
- Portal thoughts:
- We are almost always given more than is taken away. It stinks about Edwards but Reid, our NFL QB, and stud linebacking core are all back.
- We have a TOUGH schedule next year. At WVU, home for ND, at FSU and GT, Lville and Miami at home...but we can still get to 8 wins, maybe better if we can see some minor improvements along the margins on offense and defense.
Additional Narduzzi note - Yes, I skewered him, and yes I'd love a better recruiter and game day coach. But I think a lot of us don't realize how much his culture matters. There is no way that we are outbidding SEC teams for Louis, Reid, and the LBs. Sure, some guys could still leave, but we still don't really know how college is going to be going forward. What I do know, is we have a pittance compared to other programs. I realize we aren't Ohio state, but our total NIL budget was less than 25% of what they spent just on football this year.
