Last night and to be truthful for most of the Syracuse game, Pitt looks like a team whose emotional gas tank looks spent. I think the team has hit an "emotional" wall after so many close, dramatic wins. They started last night as flat as a pancake-the tackling was terrible. And when that happens, the talent factor rears its head. This team defensively has to play at a high pitched emotional level because they have a number of holes on defense: a front four which is modestly talented and has little pass rushing ability or ability to penetrate, slow LBs and DBs who, while they may be "plucky", are either too small or too slow. . I think the short turnaround between games also was a big factor last night. This team has to be emotionally charged to play well.
I think the long week to prepare for ND will really help this team and that we will see a much more energized, focused squad in 10 days.
I see there's been a lot of discussion about Chaney and the play calling. My biggest criticism is Olleson not being in the game after the blocked punt. Pitt should have just pounded straight ahead with Olleson in that situation. And as for Dooz' post game comments where he placed the accountability for Olleson not being in the game at that point on Chaney, we're 7 games into the year, Dooz and Chaney should have had a chat about 5 weeks ago that Olleson absolutely has to be in the game every time Pitt's in that situation. No HC has to defer to the OC-Dooz should have inserted Olleson into the game because it's clear to the whole world now that he's the best red zone runner on the team. This is another example of an HC doing a little learning on the job.
I think the long week to prepare for ND will really help this team and that we will see a much more energized, focused squad in 10 days.
I see there's been a lot of discussion about Chaney and the play calling. My biggest criticism is Olleson not being in the game after the blocked punt. Pitt should have just pounded straight ahead with Olleson in that situation. And as for Dooz' post game comments where he placed the accountability for Olleson not being in the game at that point on Chaney, we're 7 games into the year, Dooz and Chaney should have had a chat about 5 weeks ago that Olleson absolutely has to be in the game every time Pitt's in that situation. No HC has to defer to the OC-Dooz should have inserted Olleson into the game because it's clear to the whole world now that he's the best red zone runner on the team. This is another example of an HC doing a little learning on the job.
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