Perspective

[jivecat]

I know the past two games have been disappointing but most of us did not think we would be this successful at this point. I'm definitely getting ahead of myself but how do you feel we will be next season? I haven't been this optimistic about future PITT teams since 2007 when you could see we were going to have something special in the future. QB, RB, LBers all look solid. Narduzzi's secondary is always strong.

 

[BigChungus90210]

I think it's too hard to tell with the amount of movement these days. If Holstein finishes the season strong, that's all you need to be optimistic for next year.

 

[cruzer]

Unless we fix the problems on the O Line and D Line we'll be good but not great.

 

[forbesfield]

I think it's too hard to tell with the amount of movement these days. If Holstein finishes the season strong, that's all you need to be optimistic for next year.

Or not. His price could go up too high.

 

[FIVE4PITT]

The D line is young and are highly rated players. The O line will need some improvement no doubt. The receiver position could use help. There are a lot of positives for next season if everyone stays and some strong additions in the portal.

 

[cashisking884]

Defense should be good assuming no mass fleeing in the transfer portal.

Offense I just don’t see it. OL is bad and returned everybody. The argument from some going into this season was that the OL wouldn’t be bottom tier due to it being inexperienced last year and bringing back Al these guys. Well they are still really bad. Bringing back that same really group for a third go round probably doesn’t change anything. And the portal just doesn't offer much if you’re OL shopping. You can maybe count on a center.

WR is pretty mid.

QB you can take some comfort in the fact that he’s a rFR. But he’s just gotten so bad the second half of the season. Ideally you’d feel better about him going into next year if the arrow was going up the second half of the season, instead of down.

 

[MajorMajors]

Second year of the offense should be an improvement. Biggest needs are an effective edge rusher, a solid OT, and a dynamic WR.

Biggest senior losses are Sauls and McMillon?

 

[jivecat]

Second year of the offense should be an improvement. Biggest needs are an effective edge rusher, a solid OT, and a dynamic WR.

Biggest senior losses are Sauls and McMillon?

Sauls will be a big loss. The OL may be a different situation. Given our new offense....we may look for different type of O Lineman, perhaps not BIG 10 3 yards and a cloud of dust type lineman that I feel we have been recruiting the past 5 years.

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

QB - Huge question mark right now. I assume we'll roll with him next season for better or for worse, but he's been bad.

WR - Losing Mumpfield and Williams. Can they hold onto Kenny Johnson again? Has anyone else really showed anything?

OL - I keep saying every year that it can't get any worse. Doubt it'll get much better, either.

RB - Should be fine (Reid, maybe Hammond, Goff, maybe a transfer, etc.)

TE - Should be fine (Thomas and two transfers)

DT - Will be good if they all come back, I would think. Will they?

DE - Will be okay if they all come back and we add a decent transfer. But we're missing the days when we had guys consistently getting to the QB, and I don't see any Jones/Weaver types on the team. Scott has flashed.

LB - All going to come down to whether or not we can keep them. Can we afford Biles and Louis?

S - I guess it will be fine. Cruce Brookins has not impressed me at all, but he's young.

CB - Losing Battle and Lynum. So it's Gandy, Crumpley, and maybe a transfer.

Schedule: Central Michigan, at WVU, Notre Dame, at Florida State, at Georgia Tech, Boston College, Miami, Louisville, NC State, at Stanford, at Syracuse, and I think we still need to add an FCS game.

So, what? Maybe 5-7? 6-6?

 

[jivecat]

QB - Huge question mark right now. I assume we'll roll with him next season for better or for worse, but he's been bad.

WR - Losing Mumpfield and Williams. Can they hold onto Kenny Johnson again? Has anyone else really showed anything?

OL - I keep saying every year that it can't get any worse. Doubt it'll get much better, either.

RB - Should be fine (Reid, maybe Hammond, Goff, maybe a transfer, etc.)

TE - Should be fine (Thomas and two transfers)

DT - Will be good if they all come back, I would think. Will they?

DE - Will be okay if they all come back and we add a decent transfer. But we're missing the days when we had guys consistently getting to the QB, and I don't see any Jones/Weaver types on the team. Scott has flashed.

LB - All going to come down to whether or not we can keep them. Can we afford Biles and Louis?

S - I guess it will be fine. Cruce Brookins has not impressed me at all, but he's young.

CB - Losing Battle and Lynum. So it's Gandy, Crumpley, and maybe a transfer.

Schedule: Central Michigan, at WVU, Notre Dame, at Florida State, at Georgia Tech, Boston College, Miami, Louisville, NC State, at Stanford, at Syracuse, and I think we still need to add an FCS game.

So, what? Maybe 5-7? 6-6?

5-7 or 6-6?

Not optimistic at all.

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

5-7 or 6-6?

Not optimistic at all.

Well, two points:

1) That's a pretty tough schedule. We don't know exactly who will have what, but at our rival will usually be tough. Notre Dame - goes without saying. Miami, FSU, and Louisville are going to spend on NIL. Game on the west coast. In the dome at Syracuse is tough. At GT may or may not be tough. NC State is usually about our equal as a program.

2) Who are the players you are excited about? Louis, Biles, and Lovelace... definitely. But think of what it took to go 10-2 against a pretty light schedule. Heisman-contending QB; Biletnikoff winner; All-American DT who was a freaking badass; secondary that all got drafted; 3rd round pick left tackle; etc. Heck, we were oozing with talent in 2020 and went 6-5. It's not easy to win big when you have talent that is similar to or less than the opponents on your schedule. You take your FCS/G5 wins and then hope to go about .500 against the conference teams.

I think the optimists will always point to a few guys, but what team doesn't have a few guys who are really good? That's how college football works. I just don't see enough talent on this team. Always possible some young guys can make huge strides, but you typically see them flash a little first if they're going to be really good.

 

[Weavedog469]

I hear Coach Primr is going after Holstein

 

[BigChungus90210]

Or not. His price could go up too high.

Gotta thread the needle of looks good but not good enough to get the bag men chasing him.