Pitt 1976 vs Pitt 1980

[cbpitt2]

Who wins 1976 Pitt vs 1980 Pitt? Is it a high-scoring game? Is it a low-scoring game? Majors vs Sherrill. Pitt great Mike Ditka on-hand with the coin toss.

Does Tony Dorsett get outside on Hugh Green and Rickey Jackson? How many yards does Dorsett rush for?

The '76 defense never faced a QB like Dan Marino. Does Marino outplay Matt Cavanaugh? Does Green's pass rush force a costly Cavanaugh mistake?

Your game analysis?

 

[Celtsfan]

I think the VAUNTED 80 defense doesn't shut td down but keeps him in check and MARINO makes enough plays to get the 80 team like @ 21-17 WIN!!!

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

I think the VAUNTED 80 defense doesn't shut td down but keeps him in check and MARINO makes enough plays to get the 80 team like @ 21-17 WIN!!!

I don't know, it's a big game, how does Marino perform? OH.......I said that out loud, sorry.

 

[Gep Dawg]

I know it sounds crazy because the 1980 team was so stacked but I think 1976 would win. TD was that dominant and as a unit they always found a way to win. But I think it would be super close.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

I know it sounds crazy because the 1980 team was so stacked but I think 1976 would win. TD was that dominant and as a unit they always found a way to win. But I think it would be super close.

Yeah 1980 had alot of big names, but don't sleep on the talent of the 76 team. Cavanaugh was just as good of a QB in college as Marino. Gordon Jones was better than any of the 1980 WR's. Corbett was an All America at TE. Randy Holloway was an AA and 1st rd pick on the DL. Pitt had a really good secondary.

 

[giveitarest]

76 team also had a great defense.

 

[303vND]

76 team and it doesn't take much thought. Take into account that Cavanaugh wasn't the starting QB when the season started and they still won the NC.

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

I’d say the ‘76 team finds a way to win. The ‘76 defense would create more turnovers and frustrate Marino.

 

[Zeldas Open Roof]

cavanaugh vs Marino lol. i'll take the 1980 team.

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

cavanaugh vs Marino lol. i'll take the 1980 team.

1980 Marino - Underwhelming
51.8% Completion
1609 yds
15 TD’s
14 INT’s

 

[wbrpanther]

76 team and it doesn't take much thought. Take into account that Cavanaugh wasn't the starting QB when the season started and they still won the NC.

And Tommy Yewcic started 3 or 4 games mid season. '80 was a great team and the game would be ferocious but I think '76 wins.

 

[MarshallGoldberg]

cavanaugh vs Marino lol. i'll take the 1980 team.

Rick Trocano threw for almost as many (few?) yards as Marino in 1980. They platooned some games. 80 had way more NFL talent but 76 was the more coherent, senior heavy team. I'd give 76 the narrow edge.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

cavanaugh vs Marino lol. i'll take the 1980 team.

Don't think of it as NFL, Cavanaugh was a legit Heisman contender his SR year until he got hurt that first game.

 

[303vND]

Don't think of it as NFL, Cavanaugh was a legit Heisman contender his SR year until he got hurt that first game.

Yep...I think we would have went back to back if he didn't get hurt.

 

[pittmeister]

The 1976 team would win. On offense the 1976 team had two dynamic playmakers Tony Dorsett and Gordon Jones. People forget how good Jones was. He could make spectacular catches. He was very elusive in the open field and was a great punt returner. Elliott Walker was very good as well. Corbett was better than Pryor.

Cavanaugh was a great dual threat QB. A second round NFL pick, a legit Heisman candidate and the MVP of both the Sugar & Gator Bowls.

They had a ball hawking defense. I believe the 1976 team led the nation in interceptions. This would not bode well for Marino. He tended to force the ball a lot.

In the end, I believe that Dorsett was WAY too dominant to stop.

1976: 20
1980: 13

 

[steelcurtain55.]

If the 1980 team goes undefeated and wins the NC, does that change your outcome of this mythical game?

I remember reading an analysis on this mythical matchup a few years ago and the one thing that stood out to me was the difference in schedules.

 

[pierre93]

A Bob Jury interception late in the game seals it for a 76 victory. H2P

 

[pierre93]

Yep...I think we would have went back to back if he didn't get hurt.

Darn Willie Fry

 

[303vND]

Darn Willie Fry

Yep!

 

[303vND]

The 1976 team would win. On offense the 1976 team had two dynamic playmakers Tony Dorsett and Gordon Jones. People forget how good Jones was. He could make spectacular catches. He was very elusive in the open field and was a great punt returner. Elliott Walker was very good as well. Corbett was better than Pryor.

Cavanaugh was a great dual threat QB. A second round NFL pick, a legit Heisman candidate and the MVP of both the Sugar & Gator Bowls.

They had a ball hawking defense. I believe the 1976 team led the nation in interceptions. This would not bode well for Marino. He tended to force the ball a lot.

In the end, I believe that Dorsett was WAY too dominant to stop.

1976: 20
1980: 13

Very strong take!!

 

[The Ole Six-Fiver]

1976 barely over the 1980. It overachieved, while the 80 … well I don’t want to say underachieved but it (and I’ll lump all the Marino into this) made key errors each season and left natty’s on the table

 

[MarshallGoldberg]

If the 1980 team goes undefeated and wins the NC, does that change your outcome of this mythical game?

I remember reading an analysis on this mythical matchup a few years ago and the one thing that stood out to me was the difference in schedules.

Probably would tbf. Their regular season schedule was definitely better. But I think 76 beating Georgia in the sugar bowl is more impressive than that South Carolina win. That SC team was one dimensional.

I would have liked to see how Jackie would have defended Tony D and the veer with that great d line.

 

[rmf05]

There was a ton of NFL talent on the 76' team but Jones was cursed to play with TB as was our starting MLB whose name escapes me. He and Corbett were excellent NFL players whose careers were cut short by injury. Jury, Delaney and the guy that was a surprise star PR and special teamer for the Steelers in 78' all got hurt as well.

 

[Las Panteras]

Not an exact comparison, but the pitt team that beat Georgia held Herschel Walker to 65(?) Yards.

An offense (Georgia) that rightly went to their money back much the same as Pitt/Dorsett

I would argue the 80 defense was BETTER than the defense that stuffed HW.

I think the 80 D would do the same to Tony D

And Marino would pass for the W

 

[Slick Manager of Champs]

Not an exact comparison, but the pitt team that beat Georgia held Herschel Walker to 65(?) Yards.

An offense (Georgia) that rightly went to their money back much the same as Pitt/Dorsett

I would argue the 80 defense was BETTER than the defense that stuffed HW.

I think the 80 D would do the same to Tony D

And Marino would pass for the W

the correct answer. Curt Warner, George Rogers....shut down in 1980.

 

[pittmeister]

Not an exact comparison, but the pitt team that beat Georgia held Herschel Walker to 65(?) Yards.

An offense (Georgia) that rightly went to their money back much the same as Pitt/Dorsett

I would argue the 80 defense was BETTER than the defense that stuffed HW.

I think the 80 D would do the same to Tony D

And Marino would pass for the W

Trocano was the primary QB that season. Marino as a sophomore, struggled and got injured. Trocano took over and was very effective. People forget that (including myself).

 

[The Ole Six-Fiver]

Not an exact comparison, but the pitt team that beat Georgia held Herschel Walker to 65(?) Yards.

An offense (Georgia) that rightly went to their money back much the same as Pitt/Dorsett

I would argue the 80 defense was BETTER than the defense that stuffed HW.

I think the 80 D would do the same to Tony D

And Marino would pass for the W

Strictly based on talent on paper I agree.
But as we grew in talent with those early 80s teams we also got sloppy especially on offense. But choosing 1980 specifically makes it interesting because as the poster above noted, it was mainly Trocano at the helm. So it would be interesting for sure. I still think the 76 team had a destiny aspect to it, and would beat anyone.

 

[cbpitt2]

Marino attempted 67 more passes than Trocano. Threw more completions, had more yards passing and more passing touchdowns as well.

1980 Pitt Panthers Stats | College Football at Sports-Reference.com

1980 Pitt Panthers Stats

www.sports-reference.com