Pitt winning the Coastal?

[SchmidtyNole]

Just a question for Pitt fans. I saw you guys are ranked number 25 in the preseason Fox Sports Poll. How do you guys feel about your chances to win the Coastal division this year? I really think the Coastal division is on the way to improving its level of play with the hires of Richt, Mendenhall and Fuente at Miami, UVA and Virginia Tech. It isn't that the Coastal has been aweful the last few years. The problem is there haven't been any elite Top 10 teams from that division. I think that has the potential to change moving forward. Thoughts?

 

[PhPanther1]

QB has to stay healthy.
2nd WR needs to step up.
True Freshman needs to be as good as his ranking, step up, start and be a solid CB.

IMO, if those 3 things fall into place, Pitt will win the coastal and we'll see you (FSU) in the championship game.

 

[H2P-2007]

I think our biggest unknown is whether we can keep up offensively with teams that are able to move the ball on our D. We expect to have a good D, but even the best D's have a game or two every season where the other team figures out how to score. I actually think that our O may end up being more explosive than people expect, but our D might not be quite as good as people expect.

 

[wbrpanther]

Just a question for Pitt fans. I saw you guys are ranked number 25 in the preseason Fox Sports Poll. How do you guys feel about your chances to win the Coastal division this year? I really think the Coastal division is on the way to improving its level of play with the hires of Richt, Mendenhall and Fuente at Miami, UVA and Virginia Tech. It isn't that the Coastal has been aweful the last few years. The problem is there haven't been any elite Top 10 teams from that division. I think that has the potential to change moving forward. Thoughts?

Well I guess we will find out a lot about our chances when we go to NC in the 4th week coming off games against Ped State and OK State. A win at NC would set the Panthers up for at least a chance.

 

[steel_curtain]

Just a question for Pitt fans. I saw you guys are ranked number 25 in the preseason Fox Sports Poll. How do you guys feel about your chances to win the Coastal division this year? I really think the Coastal division is on the way to improving its level of play with the hires of Richt, Mendenhall and Fuente at Miami, UVA and Virginia Tech. It isn't that the Coastal has been aweful the last few years. The problem is there haven't been any elite Top 10 teams from that division. I think that has the potential to change moving forward. Thoughts?

-This year, I only see 2 teams with any type of chance to win it, those being Pitt and North Carolina. It would come down to some fluke games if either of those teams did not win.

-The most important game on Pitt's entire schedule, in my opinion, is September 24th against North Carolina. Win that game, we are in the clear drivers seat to win the division.

-For the record, I think Miami is grossly overrated going into this season, and it was a terrible loss by Pitt last year. I also think Mark Richt is highly overrated as a coach.

 

[joeydavid]

If JC looks anything like he did preinjury and illness- If Ollison has built himself into JC Jr. -If the oline can impose it's will in every game...the Defense is going to be on bench much of the game.

Imo, turnovers will likely be the only thing that will derail the offense.

I think our biggest unknown is whether we can keep up offensively with teams that are able to move the ball on our D. We expect to have a good D, but even the best D's have a game or two every season where the other team figures out how to score. I actually think that our O may end up being more explosive than people expect, but our D might not be quite as good as people expect.

 

[steel_curtain]

If JC looks anything like he did preinjury and illness- If Ollison has built himself into JC Jr. -If the oline can impose it's will in every game...the Defense is going to be on bench much of the game.

Imo, turnovers will likely be the only thing that will derail the offense.

-Our offense dropped 40 places in the rankings all because of a lousy offensive coordinator from 2014 to 2015. 40 year over year. And Peterman beat out the previous years QB Voytik. That is funny and sad at the same time.

 

[vegasgreed]

Steel, we lost to Miami last year with no coach. Richt is no doubt a upgrade compared to what they've had in several years.

 

[sherepower]

If we can stay healthy. Especially at the QB spot and on the Oline ( perhaps the best in the conference). 4 guys expected to play at the next level. Pitt will be in the thick of things.

Talent has never been Pitts problem over the years. Its been coaching, depth, and never having a difference maker at the QB spot.

Hopefully, one of these years we can get lucky and get all three of these phases to come through.

Pitt has been one of the unluckiest programs in both football and basketball. Already this year 5 guys cannot play due to medical problems. Sadly, our unlucky streak seems to have already started before camp

 

[deepelemblues]

if the general mood of this forum the last 2 weeks is any indication, pitt will be lucky to win a single game much less the coastal

 

[Teh Teh]

Just a question for Pitt fans. I saw you guys are ranked number 25 in the preseason Fox Sports Poll. How do you guys feel about your chances to win the Coastal division this year? I really think the Coastal division is on the way to improving its level of play with the hires of Richt, Mendenhall and Fuente at Miami, UVA and Virginia Tech. It isn't that the Coastal has been aweful the last few years. The problem is there haven't been any elite Top 10 teams from that division. I think that has the potential to change moving forward. Thoughts?

Well will need freshman to step up and find some wr. In short, I think we would be long shots to win the costal. But definitely a chance

 

[SchmidtyNole]

-This year, I only see 2 teams with any type of chance to win it, those being Pitt and North Carolina. It would come down to some fluke games if either of those teams did not win.

-The most important game on Pitt's entire schedule, in my opinion, is September 24th against North Carolina. Win that game, we are in the clear drivers seat to win the division.

-For the record, I think Miami is grossly overrated going into this season, and it was a terrible loss by Pitt last year. I also think Mark Richt is highly overrated as a coach.

Actually, the only teams I would count out of the Coastal race heading into the season are Virginia and Georgia Tech. Miami, Virginia Tech, Duke, UNC and Pitt all have the talent in my opinion to challenge for the Coastal crown. With Miami and Virginia Tech I'm just not sure how quickly their improvement under a new coaching staff will be although I expect it to happen pretty quickly. With how Duke has recruited and with the job David Cutcliffe has done I don't see Duke going anywhere. And then you pair that with UNC and Pitt who are the obvious choices and it will be interesting to see.

I think the big factor is who each of these teams play from the Atlantic this year.
Let's take a look at that:

UNC - FSU and NC State
Pitt - Clemson and Syracuse
Miami - FSU and NC State
Duke - Louisville and Wake Forest
Virginia Tech - Boston College and Syracuse

In looking at that, I would say Virginia Tech has the easiest crossover schedule this year.

 

[raleighpanther]

I never predict such things, but Pitt has as good of a shot as anyone. UNC's QB is supposed to be good, but he is a new starter, and he's replacing a QB who was clearly the key to their offense last year.

Regarding Pitt's defense, we were told before last season by Mich St. fans that our defense wouldn't see a big improvement under Narduzzi until year 2. Well, this is year 2, so we'll see. BTW, our D was better last year than the year before.

 

[steel_curtain]

Actually, the only teams I would count out of the Coastal race heading into the season are Virginia and Georgia Tech. Miami, Virginia Tech, Duke, UNC and Pitt all have the talent in my opinion to challenge for the Coastal crown. With Miami and Virginia Tech I'm just not sure how quickly their improvement under a new coaching staff will be although I expect it to happen pretty quickly. With how Duke has recruited and with the job David Cutcliffe has done I don't see Duke going anywhere. And then you pair that with UNC and Pitt who are the obvious choices and it will be interesting to see.

I think the big factor is who each of these teams play from the Atlantic this year.
Let's take a look at that:

UNC - FSU and NC State
Pitt - Clemson and Syracuse
Miami - FSU and NC State
Duke - Louisville and Wake Forest
Virginia Tech - Boston College and Syracuse

In looking at that, I would say Virginia Tech has the easiest crossover schedule this year.

-Does anyone remember Miami losing 59-0 at home to Clemson? Miami losing 59-21 to North Carolina? Miami needing 8 laterals on the last play of the game on a kickoff return miracle against Duke? And if Pitt didnt have a total dunce of an OC that turned the ball over and pass every play on the 5 yard line, Miami would of lost that game too.

-Virginia Tech had 100 yards of total offense against Pitt last year. Is Mike Vick coming back? Its August 6th and they can't figure out who their starting QB is going to be.

-Duke's starting QB is injured. They had the 4 wins in the ACC last year against the bottom 4 teams in the ACC last year. They got completely demolished by Pitt

 

[SchmidtyNole]

-Does anyone remember Miami losing 59-0 at home to Clemson? Miami losing 59-21 to North Carolina? Miami needing 8 laterals on the last play of the game on a kickoff return miracle against Duke? And if Pitt didnt have a total dunce of an OC that turned the ball over and pass every play on the 5 yard line, Miami would of lost that game too.

-Virginia Tech had 100 yards of total offense against Pitt last year. Is Mike Vick coming back? Its August 6th and they can't figure out who their starting QB is going to be.

-Duke's starting QB is injured. They had the 4 wins in the ACC last year against the bottom 4 teams in the ACC last year. They got completely demolished by Pitt

That was last year. Things change year to year. Jimbo Fisher always says a team has a "One year lifespan." Having said that, I would agree that Pitt and UNC are the favorites. But I don't think they are the only teams that could win the division.

 

[steel_curtain]

That was last year. Things change year to year. Jimbo Fisher always says a team has a "One year lifespan." Having said that, I would agree that Pitt and UNC are the favorites. But I don't think they are the only teams that could win the division.

-Well, I guess we will find out. Miami had one of the worst rush defenses in the entire country last year and we had an OC, a complete idiot, that wanted to pass the ball at will on the 5 yard line. Are you interested in what the result will be when we run it down their throat this year on the 5 yard line? Ill predict TD, James Conner.

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

sherepower, post: 1465799, member: 2802"]If we can stay healthy. Especially at the QB spot and on the Oline ( perhaps the best in the conference). 4 guys expected to play at the next level. Pitt will be in the thick of things.

Talent has never been Pitts problem over the years. Its been coaching, depth, and never having a difference maker at the QB spot.

Hopefully, one of these years we can get lucky and get all three of these phases to come through. Pitt has been one of the unluckiest programs in both football and basketball. Already this year 5 guys cannot play due to medical problems. Sadly, our unlucky streak seems to have already started before camp.

Spot On!

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

Actually, the only teams I would count out of the Coastal race heading into the season are Virginia and Georgia Tech. Miami, Virginia Tech, Duke, UNC and Pitt all have the talent in my opinion to challenge for the Coastal crown. With Miami and Virginia Tech I'm just not sure how quickly their improvement under a new coaching staff will be although I expect it to happen pretty quickly. With how Duke has recruited and with the job David Cutcliffe has done I don't see Duke going anywhere. And then you pair that with UNC and Pitt who are the obvious choices and it will be interesting to see.

I think the big factor is who each of these teams play from the Atlantic this year.
Let's take a look at that:

UNC - FSU and NC State
Pitt - Clemson and Syracuse
Miami - FSU and NC State
Duke - Louisville and Wake Forest
Virginia Tech - Boston College and Syracuse

In looking at that, I would say Virginia Tech has the easiest crossover schedule this year.

Dino Babers will have Cuse playing much tougher this year and especially towards the end of this season. I think he is a quiet Head Coach and could be just as good or better than Richt, Narduzzi, Mendenhall, and Fuente in the future. as all 4 will improve their Programs, but may need 1 to 2 years.

Fedora does not get the full credit he deserves and respect. Petrino is a Great Coach.

Cutcliffe & Johnson always have their Players prepared and will beat you if you don't have your own executing.

Not impressed with BC, NCS, and WAKE!

Fisher & Swinney are Tops in my Book with Kelly?

Coaches
1. Fisher
1. Swinney
1. Kelly
4. Petrino
4. Fedora
4. Richt
7. Narduzzi
8. Johnson
8. Fuente,
8. Mendenhall,
8. Cutcliffe
8. Babers
13. Addazio
13. Doeren
15. Clawson

The Coaches 7 thru 15 are still proving themselves. How I see it, others can differ.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Things change year to year.

The only things that have changed from last year is that Pitt is much better and everyone else is much worse. Ask steel. He'll tell you.

 

[OriginalEther]

Actually, the only teams I would count out of the Coastal race heading into the season are Virginia and Georgia Tech. Miami, Virginia Tech, Duke, UNC and Pitt all have the talent in my opinion to challenge for the Coastal crown. With Miami and Virginia Tech I'm just not sure how quickly their improvement under a new coaching staff will be although I expect it to happen pretty quickly. With how Duke has recruited and with the job David Cutcliffe has done I don't see Duke going anywhere. And then you pair that with UNC and Pitt who are the obvious choices and it will be interesting to see.

I think the big factor is who each of these teams play from the Atlantic this year.
Let's take a look at that:

UNC - FSU and NC State
Pitt - Clemson and Syracuse
Miami - FSU and NC State
Duke - Louisville and Wake Forest
Virginia Tech - Boston College and Syracuse

In looking at that, I would say Virginia Tech has the easiest crossover schedule this year.

I'm glad you brought up the crossover schedule, and how big of a deal it can be.

Fans here like to fuss about getting Syracuse every year, but that does Pitt a favor.
Getting Wake Forest every year and avoiding Fsu and Clemson has certainly helped Duke.

 

[pittdan77]

Biggest problem Pitt had last year was letting teams get out front early and then had to play catch up. I believe that's what Miami did and Pitt was in a position to win that one late.

Pitt gave up a lot of points in the last six games and going 2-4 was the result. Defense was the problem and hopefully that's fixed.