Most important positional battle Saturday

[kma0043]

I know that most Pitt fans are in fear of our putrid secondary, but I think that the most important positional match up is our D-line vs. their O-line Saturday. The D-line was very underwhelming last week and they need to step up and not only pressure McSorley in pass downs, but stay disciplined when PSU runs read options. I don't really know much about PSU other than McSorley, Barkley, and their TE. Would love to hear others' thoughts on this.

 

[JohnnyGossamer]

As you mentioned, for Pitt to have a real chance, they'll need to be very successful on offense. PSU's strength on D is their front four. So, yes, Pitt's OL and blocking schemes is far and away the most important match up of the game.

 

[wbrpanther]

I know that most Pitt fans are in fear of our putrid secondary, but I think that the most important positional match up is our D-line vs. their O-line Saturday. The D-line was very underwhelming last week and they need to step up and not only pressure McSorley in pass downs, but stay disciplined when PSU runs read options. I don't really know much about PSU other than McSorley, Barkley, and their TE. Would love to hear others' thoughts on this.

Exactly what I was thinking watching our Dline getting neutralized against Youngstown. If the UPS line merely gets a stalemate Pitt will get their asses whipped. We need to get some pressure on McSorley and get penetration into the gaps against Barkley or it will be a long day. We will be in a position where we will need at least 40 points.

 

[10002268]

I think Penn State is rotating around 9 or so guys on the D-line. With the o-line the depth is pretty good. Steven Gonzalez which is one of PSU O-linemen if he gets injured there is two true freshmen 2nd and third in the depth chart. So if he were to get injured Penn State would either have to play a true freshmen or juggle their o-line around just like last season

 

[10002268]

I would also watch out for Penn States back up quarterback Tommy Stevens. He is very dangerous when in the game and with him and McSorley both in the back field there is a lot of different option of where Penn State can go with the ball. I think we're going to see a lot more of this tomorrow.

 

[JohnnyGossamer]

I would also watch out for Penn States back up quarterback Tommy Stevens. He is very dangerous when in the game and with him and McSorley both in the back field there is a lot of different option of where Penn State can go with the ball. I think we're going to see a lot more of this tomorrow.

Very curious if we see that dude tomorrow. I read about him playing some snaps alongside McSorley v. Akron. I wasn't sure if he'd actually play tomorrow? Or, if it was potentially a ruse by Franklin to give Narduzzi something to mull over?

 

[psbroderick]

I think it might be their DEs and OLBs vs. our edge blocking. Their DTs seem good but our jet sweeps are too fast for anybody except Aaron Donald to stop from the inside. If we can get the sweeps working and get their safeties and CBs concerned, we can get Henderson and Weah over the top possibly.

But the real answer is our pass coverage...if they can throw against us, they'll give it to Barkley and we'll be in trouble.

 

[yourhired]

Pitt OL has to play well goes without saying Barkley can't hurt you if he's on the sidelines

 

[Cathedral Lawn Frisbee]

Pitt's defense against the run is the key. If we can stop their running game it will force them to pass and if we can get pressure on their QB......well well

 

[rmf05]

Pitt must be able to hit the deep ball against PSU. Weah vs their DB's is the biggest IMO. We simply won't be able to string together 3rd down conversions for long drives.

On D, I agree, our DE's and OLB's vs their T's on the blitz is crucial. Without a pass rush that forces big plays, we won't stop them.

They have mismatches all over the field. They will win 80-85% of the plays. When we do win a play, it needs to be a biggie. This is the exact opposite of last year where we dominated 80% of the plays but their wins were so big when they happened, the game was close.

 

[kma0043]

Pitt OL has to play well goes without saying Barkley can't hurt you if he's on the sidelines

This was what I thought was the 2nd most important position match up. It'd be nice if Pitt could play a Parcells/Schottenheimer type game and hold the ball for 40 minutes to keep it close and help the D.

 

[MajorMajors]

PSU is going to score a bunch of points. Only way we stay in the game is by also scoring a bunch of points. So most important to me is keeping the rush off of Max Browne. If PSU is getting to MB, we are in a heap of trouble.

Go Pitt.

 

[10002268]

Very curious if we see that dude tomorrow. I read about him playing some snaps alongside McSorley v. Akron. I wasn't sure if he'd actually play tomorrow? Or, if it was potentially a ruse by Franklin to give Narduzzi something to mull over?

I don't know because Stevens is just that good. A lot of people think he has better upside then McSorley and what I saw last Saturday, not using him in the same back field this Saturday would surprise me.

 

[rmf05]

Sustained drives are tough without multiple personnel match-ups in your favor. I see their D taking away the jet sweep just as they did in the 2nd half last year but I think our coaches have some plays off that look that will keep them scrambling for awhile. Aside from Henderson, Weah is a major weapon. Can they take away both without hurting their ability to clog Ollison's running lanes? A dynamic TE would be huge for us if we had one.

On D, we just have tons of issues. Barring a wretched performance by McSorley, they are starting with a 500 yard, 4 TD head start on offense. Turnovers are our only hope, just like last year.

If we can somehow force some mistakes or get breaks in the early going, maybe they get frustrated and start to press. Every PSU fan I've met this week without exception is expecting 50+ points. Those folks are completely geeked over not only winning but destroying us. That can backfire (48-14 anyone?).

 

[sibleyfan91]

Pitt OL has to play well goes without saying Barkley can't hurt you if he's on the sidelines

This is my take as well. It's much like last year. The offense has to possess the ball as much as possible, but also critically, convert as many touchdown chances as possible too. Mere time of possession alone won't save us.

 

[BuffetParrothead]

I know that most Pitt fans are in fear of our putrid secondary, but I think that the most important positional match up is our D-line vs. their O-line Saturday. The D-line was very underwhelming last week and they need to step up and not only pressure McSorley in pass downs, but stay disciplined when PSU runs read options. I don't really know much about PSU other than McSorley, Barkley, and their TE. Would love to hear others' thoughts on this.

I'm with you on this one!
PITT has a good chance to win despite being down some players IF we pressure McSorley and Hit Barkley Early, Often and Hard at the Line or at the LB level.
If pressured McSorley will get rattled, he'll start running around, and that's when he'll make mistakes which will be necessary for PITT to win!
We have to manufacture Nitter mistakes Somehow!

 

[vegasgreed]

We're going to lose this battle. Why? It's because our DL is not very good.

I know that most Pitt fans are in fear of our putrid secondary, but I think that the most important positional match up is our D-line vs. their O-line Saturday. The D-line was very underwhelming last week and they need to step up and not only pressure McSorley in pass downs, but stay disciplined when PSU runs read options. I don't really know much about PSU other than McSorley, Barkley, and their TE. Would love to hear others' thoughts on this.

The nitwits are going to win the line of scrimmage, no doubt.

 

[BuffetParrothead]

We're going to lose this battle. Why? It's because our DL is not very good.



The nitwits are going to win the line of scrimmage, no doubt.

If we lose the battle in the trenches McSorley gets time, wont make the mistakes we need, and Barkley runs all over the place and its game over!
We have to slow down those two guys somehow!