Pitt Schedule 2016 Recruiting Comparison Analysis!

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

I thought a review of 4 Major recruiting ratings Websites would benefit the Lair Posters on evaluating the past 4 years of coaching, recruiting, and winning. As well as portend things to come when Pitt plays the 2016 Schedule. I gave my thoughts on the numbers, analysis, and how the Programs may do in 2016 with their Players feel free to add anything you desire and correct anything.

SCHEDULE & RECRUITING RATINGS
TEAM YEARS 2016-2015-2014-2013
PITT
ESPN 31, 48, 44, 41
RIVALS 30, 65, 44, 35
SCOUT 27, 66, 42, 22
CBS 30, 47, 44, 32
Coach Pat & Staff have clearly been able to recruit up in his full year of coaching and recruiting. Coach Pat was asked about winning Championships at Pitt as promised, and said they are near it, and has no doubt Pitt Players will win championships much sooner than anyone expects. Additionally, the 4 years numbers shows Paul Chryst did recruit better than many thought if one just looks at one rankings. Still, for all the Coaching changes, Chryst did a good job. Scout rated one of Chryst's Class at 22!

VILLANOVA N/A
Only CBS247 Rates Non-FBS Teams.

PENN STATE
ESPN 18, 14, 24, 24,
RIVALS 23, 15, 24, 43
SCOUT 22, 13, 25, 44
CBS 19, 15, 24, 33
Penn State was not hurt that much on Recruiting by Sanctions, but did have a problem on Rosters Size. Still, they have recruited far better than other Teams on Pitt 2016 Schedule and still struggling to win over 8 Games. They have recruited better talent as seen in the Rankings, but still need to show it with better coaching. Coach Narduzzi in one year has stopped Franklin's cold from any domination of Pennsylvania and region in 2016. Pitt recruiting closed strong in 2016 and Franklin's limped to the finish dropping down. Yet, both did good looking at all ratings and Top Star Recruits. It is Rival Game and Pitt having a Very Good Coach with less talent due to less recruiting ratings, and Penn state has higher recruiting rankings but needs better than just good coaching?

@OKLAHOMA STATE
ESPN 41+, 34, 28, 27
RIVALS 46, 38, 27, 36
SCOUT 43, 40, 14, 25
CBS 44, 39, 28, 30
One can see why OKSU was Ranked in 2015 and they have many Players back for the Pitt Game. They will have edge on talent on Pitt. This will be a good game to measure how Pitt will do in 2016 so early. Still Pitt will have to develop more depth, but Coach Pat and Staff displays every confidence he can do that this year. OKSU coaching is very good.

@NORTH CAROLINA
ESPN 34, 24, 32, 20
RIVALS 24, 28, 23, 42
SCOUT 23, 24, 31, 29
CBS 35, 28, 31, 28
One quit wondering why UNC was Ranked in 2016, they have a Great Coach that can Recruit too. Look at his numbers and see why he has won 10 games in 2016. Pitt is is for another tough game, and will give one back too. If Pitt Players can execute earlier unlike last year they can hold their own.

MARSHALL
ESPN 41+, 70, 73, 61
RIVALS 68, 73, 63, 59
SCOUT 58, 80, 65, 71
CBS 60, 75, 62, 57
Doc Holiday is a Very Good Coach and will provide a good game test where Coach Pat has his Pitt Team at in 2016? If it goes as expected Pitt should have comfortable win, but Marshall is not a push over.

GEORGIA TECH
ESPN 41+, 41, 54, 64
RIVALS 67, 39, 48, 85
SCOUT 66, 43, 47, 72
CBS 58, 44, 56, 76
Talk about Very Good Coaching looks like GT Johnson can do wonder with more wins with less talent? It caught up with him in 2015, but he has many players back in 2016. It is seldom an easy win for any Teams, not just Pitt. The experience Pitt has had the last 2 years will help along with navy experience in the Bowl. Johnson taught the Navy Coach?

@VIRGINIA
ESPN 41+, 46, 25, 34
RIVALS 60, 44, 41, 28
SCOUT 62, 55, 51, 39
CBS 59, 50, 32, 29
Coach Mendenhall comes to Virginia with his BYU Staff that will inherit a pretty experience Virginia Team. Yet, coming in new and not knowing the region and not keeping much of Lindon's Staff hurt him this year on recruiting. Coach Pat will still be up against pretty good players at Virginia and better coaching and it is an away game. Pitt should be playing better by the time they meet unless key injuries abound.

VIRGINIA TECH
ESPN 39, 25, 31, 21
RIVALS 49, 24, 25, 23
SCOUT 56, 41, 36, 34
CBS 41, 29, 27,
Talk about a Great Coach that needed to retire, it was a wise move and VT brought in another Very Good Coach. Beamer could not do much with Top 30+ Classes. He did beat some Ranked Teams, but lost too many to others. Now Pitt faces a darn talented Hokie Team in 2016. Still, so does VT at Pitt! Another great game to see how Coach Pat handle VT Coach Fuente?

@MIAMI
ESPN 19, 23, 10, 15
RIVALS 22, 26, 12, 20
SCOUT 37, 39, 11, 21
CBS 21, 26, 12, 14
Well, now one can see why Coach Al Golden was fired. he could recruit but not coach them up, must be a Penn State Coaching trait? Yet, Temple's Coach Matt Rhule a Penn State Grad has had classes in 60s-70s and they beta Penn State, so not all true. Looks at Golden's numbers, some are better than Clemson. Miami has more talent than Pitt and now Great coaching in Richt. Somehow I do not seeing Coach Pat having no fear either. Grabbing some great recruits right in Florida that Richt wanted but could get is a good sign to come for Pitt. Still Pitt has a very tough game!

@CLEMSON
ESPN 8, 4, 12, 13
RIVALS 5, 4, 13, 14
SCOUT 14, 15, 28, 12
CBS 10, 9, 17, 15
I cannot wait for this game. What a measurement for Pitt's Coach Pat & Staff and Players to play in 2016. Clemson Swinney is not afraid of any Team or coach, and has moving closer from a Great Coach to towards an Elite Coach. Coach Dabo can coach up, recruit with the best and just missed the Top Recruit against Jim Harbaugh, and not afraid to play Freshmen. Why Pitt needs this game to see how far Pitt must go too? In order to become the Best Pitt must play against the Best! I am glad Pitt has Miami and Clemson after Mid-Season too. The Pitt Team will have more experience by this game too.

DUKE
ESPN 28, 45, 51, 65
RIVALS 31, 62, 58, 67
SCOUT 33, 70, 67, 70
CBS 33, 51, 60, 70
All Coach Cutcliffe does is coach Duke up to be better and is now doing it in recruiting too. What a Great Coach and cannot be underestimated. Pitt should start to handle this Team and Coach like last year, but if they come unprepared, watch out.

SYRACUSE
ESPN 41+, 63, 60, 75
RIVALS 56, 61, 51, 75
SCOUT 59, 50, 53, 73
CBS 66, 58, 50, 73
I do not like playing Cuse as the last game. Baber's will have them playing tougher by game 12. They have a longer way to go to catch Pitt Talent based on recruiting and coaching will be a good test for both. Rival games are never easy!

RIVALS:
https://n.rivals.com/team_rankings/2016

SCOUT:
http://www.scout.com/college/football/recruiting/a.z?s=73&p=9&c=14&yr=2016

CBS:
http://247sports.com/Season/2016-Football/CompositeTeamRankings

ESPN*
http://insider.espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/classrankings?class=2016
*Only Shows Top 40 Until Later:

 

[Chaos]

I thought a review of 4 Major recruiting ratings Websites would benefit the Lair Posters on evaluating the past 4 years of coaching, recruiting, and winning. As well as portend things to come when Pitt plays the 2016 Schedule. I gave my thoughts on the numbers, analysis, and how the Programs may do in 2016 with their Players feel free to add anything you desire and correct anything.

SCHEDULE & RECRUITING RATINGS
TEAM YEARS 2016-2015-2014-2013
PITT
ESPN 31, 48, 44, 41
RIVALS 30, 65, 44, 35
SCOUT 27, 66, 42, 22
CBS 30, 47, 44, 32
Coach Pat & Staff have clearly been able to recruit up in his full year of coaching and recruiting. Coach Pat was asked about winning Championships at Pitt as promised, and said they are near it, and has no doubt Pitt Players will win championships much sooner than anyone expects. Additionally, the 4 years numbers shows Paul Chryst did recruit better than many thought if one just looks at one rankings. Still, for all the Coaching changes, Chryst did a good job. Scout rated one of Chryst's Class at 22!

VILLANOVA N/A
Only CBS247 Rates Non-FBS Teams.

PENN STATE
ESPN 18, 14, 24, 24,
RIVALS 23, 15, 24, 43
SCOUT 22, 13, 25, 44
CBS 19, 15, 24, 33
Penn State was not hurt that much on Recruiting by Sanctions, but did have a problem on Rosters Size. Still, they have recruited far better than other Teams on Pitt 2016 Schedule and still struggling to win over 8 Games. They have recruited better talent as seen in the Rankings, but still need to show it with better coaching. Coach Narduzzi in one year has stopped Franklin's cold from any domination of Pennsylvania and region in 2016. Pitt recruiting closed strong in 2016 and Franklin's limped to the finish dropping down. Yet, both did good looking at all ratings and Top Star Recruits. It is Rival Game and Pitt having a Very Good Coach with less talent due to less recruiting ratings, and Penn state has higher recruiting rankings but needs better than just good coaching?

@OKLAHOMA STATE
ESPN 41+, 34, 28, 27
RIVALS 46, 38, 27, 36
SCOUT 43, 40, 14, 25
CBS 44, 39, 28, 30
One can see why OKSU was Ranked in 2015 and they have many Players back for the Pitt Game. They will have edge on talent on Pitt. This will be a good game to measure how Pitt will do in 2016 so early. Still Pitt will have to develop more depth, but Coach Pat and Staff displays every confidence he can do that this year. OKSU coaching is very good.

@NORTH CAROLINA
ESPN 34, 24, 32, 20
RIVALS 24, 28, 23, 42
SCOUT 23, 24, 31, 29
CBS 35, 28, 31, 28
One quit wondering why UNC was Ranked in 2016, they have a Great Coach that can Recruit too. Look at his numbers and see why he has won 10 games in 2016. Pitt is is for another tough game, and will give one back too. If Pitt Players can execute earlier unlike last year they can hold their own.

MARSHALL
ESPN 41+, 70, 73, 61
RIVALS 68, 73, 63, 59
SCOUT 58, 80, 65, 71
CBS 60, 75, 62, 57
Doc Holiday is a Very Good Coach and will provide a good game test where Coach Pat has his Pitt Team at in 2016? If it goes as expected Pitt should have comfortable win, but Marshall is not a push over.

GEORGIA TECH
ESPN 41+, 41, 54, 64
RIVALS 67, 39, 48, 85
SCOUT 66, 43, 47, 72
CBS 58, 44, 56, 76
Talk about Very Good Coaching looks like GT Johnson can do wonder with more wins with less talent? It caught up with him in 2015, but he has many players back in 2016. It is seldom an easy win for any Teams, not just Pitt. The experience Pitt has had the last 2 years will help along with navy experience in the Bowl. Johnson taught the Navy Coach?

@VIRGINIA
ESPN 41+, 46, 25, 34
RIVALS 60, 44, 41, 28
SCOUT 62, 55, 51, 39
CBS 59, 50, 32, 29
Coach Mendenhall comes to Virginia with his BYU Staff that will inherit a pretty experience Virginia Team. Yet, coming in new and not knowing the region and not keeping much of Lindon's Staff hurt him this year on recruiting. Coach Pat will still be up against pretty good players at Virginia and better coaching and it is an away game. Pitt should be playing better by the time they meet unless key injuries abound.

VIRGINIA TECH
ESPN 39, 25, 31, 21
RIVALS 49, 24, 25, 23
SCOUT 56, 41, 36, 34
CBS 41, 29, 27,
Talk about a Great Coach that needed to retire, it was a wise move and VT brought in another Very Good Coach. Beamer could not do much with Top 30+ Classes. He did beat some Ranked Teams, but lost too many to others. Now Pitt faces a darn talented Hokie Team in 2016. Still, so does VT at Pitt! Another great game to see how Coach Pat handle VT Coach Fuente?

@MIAMI
ESPN 19, 23, 10, 15
RIVALS 22, 26, 12, 20
SCOUT 37, 39, 11, 21
CBS 21, 26, 12, 14
Well, now one can see why Coach Al Golden was fired. he could recruit but not coach them up, must be a Penn State Coaching trait? Yet, Temple's Coach Matt Rhule a Penn State Grad has had classes in 60s-70s and they beta Penn State, so not all true. Looks at Golden's numbers, some are better than Clemson. Miami has more talent than Pitt and now Great coaching in Richt. Somehow I do not seeing Coach Pat having no fear either. Grabbing some great recruits right in Florida that Richt wanted but could get is a good sign to come for Pitt. Still Pitt has a very tough game!

@CLEMSON
ESPN 8, 4, 12, 13
RIVALS 5, 4, 13, 14
SCOUT 14, 15, 28, 12
CBS 10, 9, 17, 15
I cannot wait for this game. What a measurement for Pitt's Coach Pat & Staff and Players to play in 2016. Clemson Swinney is not afraid of any Team or coach, and has moving closer from a Great Coach to towards an Elite Coach. Coach Dabo can coach up, recruit with the best and did grab the Top recruit against Jim Harbaugh, and not afraid to play Freshmen. Why Pitt needs this game to see how far Pitt must go too? In order to become the Best Pitt must play against the Best! I am glad Pitt has Miami and Clemson after Mid-Season too. The Pitt Team will have more experience by this game too.

DUKE
ESPN 28, 45, 51, 65
RIVALS 31, 62, 58, 67
SCOUT 33, 70, 67, 70
CBS 33, 51, 60, 70
All Coach Cutcliffe does is coach Duke up to be better and is now doing it in recruiting too. What a Great Coach and cannot be underestimated. Pitt should start to handle this Team and Coach like last year, but if they come unprepared, watch out.

SYRACUSE
ESPN 41+, 63, 60, 75
RIVALS 56, 61, 51, 75
SCOUT 59, 50, 53, 73
CBS 66, 58, 50, 73
I do not like playing Cuse as the last game. Baber's will have them playing tougher by game 12. They have a longer way to go to catch Pitt Talent based on recruiting and coaching will be a good test for both. Rival games are never easy!

RIVALS:
https://n.rivals.com/team_rankings/2016

SCOUT:
http://www.scout.com/college/football/recruiting/a.z?s=73&p=9&c=14&yr=2016

CBS:
http://247sports.com/Season/2016-Football/CompositeTeamRankings

ESPN*
http://insider.espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/classrankings?class=2016
*Only Shows Top 40 Until Later:

Thanks for compiling the info-interesting read. So the Nitters should spank us in September if Franklin is really worth the $4 million they're paying him. If not, I would say it's an epic coaching fail on his part-but no pressure Jimmy, lol.

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

Thanks for compiling the info-interesting read. So the Nitters should spank us in September if Franklin is really worth the $4 million they're paying him. If not, I would say it's an epic coaching fail on his part-but no pressure Jimmy, lol.

To be fair, PSU & CUSE are Rival Games, and that depends on the emotions of the players when it comes to execution of Game Plans. Usually tough games is my point. Yet, I am confident Coach Pat & Staff should have the coaching to beat Franklin's New Coaching, but both Teams are very even in Talent and Experience except Pitt has a Vet at QB and PSU will have New QB??? Both have New OC's! PSU has New DC and OL and DB Coaches too! But It is going to be a Great Game but i call it a Toss Up!

Same for most other games, Toss Ups except Villanova, I will look and have others predict too, as soon as after Spring Ball & Depth Charts are set? I can see Pitt going 8-4 again and again depends on Key Injuries???

PSU depends on far more unknowns and playing against MSU, OSU, UM, PITT, TU, and IOWA is not going to be easy, and looks like 6-6 or 7-5 again?

 

[Bobtown Bart]

PSU recruiting ranking is very deceiving because it's so top heavy.They got ,5-6 really good recruits at the top and 5-6 projects at the bottom.But in my opinion(probably wrong again but can an opinion be wrong)he did a good job after losing both coordinators.This hurt recruiting plus the fact he lost his last 4 games.As far as next year if Pitt goes 8-4 with their schedule I'll say Narduzzi's is the real deal.Like many on here say about James he hasn't beaten anyone with a pulse,I say the same about Pat!I have Pitt going 7-5 next year and PSU 8-4.I also think WVU goes 7-5 and Holgy is gone,the natives are restless in Mo-town right now.Oh and by the way I have Pitt beating PSU next year and WVU being the best of the three and their coach being fired after the season!

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

"Bobtown Bart, post: 918893, member: 9081"]PSU recruiting ranking is very deceiving because it's so top heavy.
Good points and agree since they gabbed many of them very early and all those Top OL stayed with them even after losing Coach Hand?
They got ,5-6 really good recruits at the top and 5-6 projects at the bottom.
Excellent analysis!

But in my opinion(probably wrong again but can an opinion be wrong)he did a good job after losing both coordinators.
Sports, Religion and Politics are opinion built on faith and beliefs. some can be supported with some facts, links, and just counters with the same, but even then opinions won't change much? You have good and bad like all of us, from I see, but we all speak them anyway. I agree with you, still a very good class by any objective analysis.

This hurt recruiting plus the fact he lost his last 4 games.
Franklin must win 8 to 10 games soon or and has big problems sooner too. It is really divided up at State College.

As far as next year if Pitt goes 8-4 with their schedule I'll say Narduzzi's is the real deal.
I think he is now but you are correct too, tougher schedule than last year as far as I am concern. Yet, his coaching and recruiting is now in the Very Good Coaching & recruiting area. When he wins 9 and 10 games, it can move to Great Status.

Like many on here say about James he hasn't beaten anyone with a pulse,I say the same about Pat!
I differ a tad, Coach Pat Teams came far closer against 10+ Wins UNC & Iowa, and just missed Miami. Coach James was pretty much beaten by Half Time and 3rd Quarters except for NW? Holgrosen in the a just a boat length behind, in recruiting and coaching.

I have Pitt going 7-5 next year and PSU 8-4.
When we post schedules after spring break add your game by game picks.

I also think WVU goes 7-5 and Holgy is gone,the natives are restless in Mo-town right now.
I agree because I am told by some WVU Boosters, but in my opinion, so are Penn State Natives on James, more on that next week?

Oh and by the way I have Pitt beating PSU next year and WVU being the best of the three and their coach being fired after the season!
In all seriousness, normally many would make fun at those kind of predictions, but in all honesty, that may be just as accurate as any?

Right now the way I see it, If Coach Pat beat Clemson, UNC, Miami or OKSU it will show he has improved his Players into a Team.

James needs to beat at least one team to do the same, against Iowa, Michigan, MSU or OSU?

Dana the same by beating at one of OU, OKSU, Baylor, or TCU?

 

[Bobtown Bart]

Holgy never fit in down here.He was thrown at the people by Luck and never truly accepted by them.His public image is bad both in appearance and conversing.He's not a sharp dresser or talker.The fans could care less about his personal life that isn't in play why they want him gone.Remember he was following two legends in Nehlan and Rich Rod and hasn't live up to his rep,so far.Plus the one and only BobHuggins is the basketball coach and has center stage in Mo-town.He's an opposite of Huggs.Bob is a great public speaker,talks to anyone and everyone who will listen,Holgy just doesn't have the ability to do this.Luck put Dana in a tough position and left now he needs 8 wins to keep his job.

 

[gklimis]

Thanks for delving deep. All your intel demonstrates one thing very clearly: we have a very difficult schedule.

PSU
OSU
UNC
Clemson
Miami
Duke

And even the breathers, VaTech, GaTech, Cuse.....Geesh.

 

[MajorMajors]

I think the star system if pretty flawed, but good info.

PSU -- So the pressure will be on the Nits next season. The have all these highly-ranked players and they have the dominator at the helm against the lowly PItt Panthers.

OK St. -- Unfortunately for us, looks like OK St. has some good classes coming to maturity, but I think they also lose some key players...

UNC -- For years I have wondered why UNC didn't recruit lights out and have great teams. With their location, they can pull players from the north and the south.

Marshall -- They have been winning a lot of games - certainly not a game to be taken lightly.

GT -- The GT recruit rankings show how hard it is to play a good option team. GT doesn't have to get 4-star guys, he just has to get a few players who have the head and legs to run that system. Wonder how ready our new and improved front seven will be for this one.

UVA, VT, Duke and Syracuse -- Should be wins if we show up and play well; possible loses if we don't.

Miami and Clemson -- Can we be competitive given the talent gap?

I'm thinking we go 7-5 and even that won't be easy.

Go Pitt.