Some things I think are important to Pitt....

[GT74]

1) That they finish with at least 7 wins.
2) That they keep it competitive against Clemson. Not expected to win, but at least be able to score points and function against their talent.
3) Show fire in the last two home games and go out with wins and positives.
4) That the young guys on defense get valuable experience in the rest of the games and show well. With the injuries accumulating, Hamlin, Watts, Brightwell and some others should get time. This will be a plus going into next year.
5) That the passing game continues to progress.
6) That Pitt finds a way to defend the fade and deep ball much better.
7) That Pitt fans realize that each year for this staff is a process, and is a step toward consistently good results.
8) That Lamont Wade sees an opportunity to contribute to raising Pitt's level and commits to Pitt. The secondary needs help, and with the other young guys available, it could be a big upgrade. I hope he continues the Clairton to Pitt history. Hoping for some other big recruits too, but the local ones gets much attention.

These things have been intermittently running through my thoughts, so I just decide to post them. Hope it didn't bore you.

 

[pittmeister]

My prediction at the beginning of the year was another 8-5 season and I'm sticking to it. I believe we beat Duke and Syracuse at home and get a favorable bowl match up and win that one as well. Unlike last year, we'll finish strong...

 

[jctrack]

1) That they finish with at least 7 wins.
2) That they keep it competitive against Clemson. Not expected to win, but at least be able to score points and function against their talent.
3) Show fire in the last two home games and go out with wins and positives.
4) That the young guys on defense get valuable experience in the rest of the games and show well. With the injuries accumulating, Hamlin, Watts, Brightwell and some others should get time. This will be a plus going into next year.
5) That the passing game continues to progress.
6) That Pitt finds a way to defend the fade and deep ball much better.
7) That Pitt fans realize that each year for this staff is a process, and is a step toward consistently good results.
8) That Lamont Wade sees an opportunity to contribute to raising Pitt's level and commits to Pitt. The secondary needs help, and with the other young guys available, it could be a big upgrade. I hope he continues the Clairton to Pitt history. Hoping for some other big recruits too, but the local ones gets much attention.

These things have been intermittently running through my thoughts, so I just decide to post them. Hope it didn't bore y

 

[jctrack]

Also, getting James the ACC rushing Touchdown record and extending it.

 

[kma0043]

My prediction at the beginning of the year was another 8-5 season and I'm sticking to it. I believe we beat Duke and Syracuse at home and get a favorable bowl match up and win that one as well. Unlike last year, we'll finish strong...

I agree with you. Finishing strong at home and winning a bowl game will put a positive spin on this season. 8-5 last year and this year would be good stepping stones for Narduzzi's program.

 

[Pittx9]

My prediction at the beginning of the year was another 8-5 season and I'm sticking to it. I believe we beat Duke and Syracuse at home and get a favorable bowl match up and win that one as well. Unlike last year, we'll finish strong...

This is a must IMO. Have to finish with a 6-1 record at Heinz, at least 7 regular season wins, and a bowl win. Throw in that we beat penn state this year and I think all that combined should be enough to keep most of us pleased with the season. Not jumping with glee, but content.

 

[Nittany1997]

I think Pitt can beat Clemson. Nobody thought PSU could beat OSU this year! My only hope is that the players and the Duzz do not have as defeatist attitudes as the fans. If so, why not just forfeit?

 

[VAPITTALUM]

I think Pitt can beat Clemson. Nobody thought PSU could beat OSU this year! My only hope is that the players and the Duzz do not have as defeatist attitudes as the fans. If so, why not just forfeit?

Watson is such an accurate passer, even against the better defensive teams, which is going to give the PITT secondary fits. Unless PITT can grind out the clock with really long drives on the ground, I can't see the team keeping up. Of course, most thought that WV would run for 600 yards against PITT in '07 on their way to an easy spot in the National Championship, and that turned out a little differently.

My hope is that PITT is just able to keep the game reasonably close through 3 quarters with a chance in the 4th quarter. My fear, playing at Clemson, is this Clemson team is ready to take advantage of the national broadcast and really shows up for this game from the opening whistle.

 

[vegasgreed]

The Clemson line is around 20, hopefully we don't get blown out. I'm looking forward to being at the game this weekend. Between Syracuse and duke I can see us losing one of those two. We didn't close strong last year. Our defense is a complete mess this year, it wouldn't be a shock if we stumble down the stretch.

Don't get me wrong, the defense is the main problem but with the offense, we have to figure out a way to be better in the second half of games.

 

[DruidTM]

Pitt got a ton of the mistakes out of the way in Miami... hopefully that means little to none at Clemson

 

[thebadby2]

My prediction at the beginning of the year was another 8-5 season and I'm sticking to it. I believe we beat Duke and Syracuse at home and get a favorable bowl match up and win that one as well. Unlike last year, we'll finish strong...

A favorable bowl matchup for this team would be one against a team that doesn't utilize the forward pass.

 

[Nittany1997]

It sounds like a lot of folks are afraid to get their hopes up...

 

[sappycrease]

Anyone getting nervous about Wade? He saw the Peds play this past weekend and his Twitter seemed like it was a positive. When is he taking his official to Pitt? I'm hoping we can get some momentum here to end the season so we can have some fans in attendance for when he's at the game.

 

[PineIslandLion]

Anyone getting nervous about Wade? He saw the Peds play this past weekend and his Twitter seemed like it was a positive. When is he taking his official to Pitt? I'm hoping we can get some momentum here to end the season so we can have some fans in attendance for when he's at the game.

PSU fan here, so you can take my comments as biased. By all accounts, Wade's visit was a home run to PSU this past weekend, and according to some writers who cover the program, PSU is in a very good position to earn his commitment. With this said, PSU has consistently failed in recruiting kids from Clairton, so majority of PSU fans (including me) still believe his recruitment is far from over.

 

[Rockyhound]

Also, getting James the ACC rushing Touchdown record and extending it.

I think he gets that record but comes back next year and adds to it. Not sure his draft prospects are that high right now. As always, I could be wrong.

 

[Rockyhound]

A favorable bowl matchup for this team would be one against a team that doesn't utilize the forward pass.

Stewart Mandel predicted Pitt in the Sun Bowl v Stanford. That's about as good a matchup for Pitt both scheme and interesting game as we can hope for. Perhaps it would even lead to the two AD's setting up a future home and home, which would be amazing.

 

[VAPITTALUM]

I think he gets that record but comes back next year and adds to it. Not sure his draft prospects are that high right now. As always, I could be wrong.

I've been on the fence about Conner coming back or not next year. Since the talent at RB seems to be solid for the next couple of years with the current stable of backs, in addition to Sibley coming in next year, I wonder if he would like to show scouts more of his ability on the defensive side of the football. The initial reaction says "no way, he's an incredible running back", however, with PITT losing Price next year, would Conner want to take the majority of his reps at the spot Price is vacating, with Hendrix working on the opposite side of the line?

Granted, we've only seen Conner for a few snaps on the defensive side of the ball, but he is a force and incredibly quick coming off of the edge. He was a half step away from getting a strip sack in the UVA game earlier this season, and really impacted the Bowling Green game a couple years ago (on both sides of the ball).

 

[VAPITTALUM]

Stewart Mandel predicted Pitt in the Sun Bowl v Stanford. That's about as good a matchup for Pitt both scheme and interesting game as we can hope for. Perhaps it would even lead to the two AD's setting up a future home and home, which would be amazing.

The images of Switzer in the UNC game are haunting me. McCaffrey would provide an incredible opportunity for the LBs/Ss, as well as the DL.

 

[Rockyhound]

I've been on the fence about Conner coming back or not next year. Since the talent at RB seems to be solid for the next couple of years with the current stable of backs, in addition to Sibley coming in next year, I wonder if he would like to show scouts more of his ability on the defensive side of the football. The initial reaction says "no way, he's an incredible running back", however, with PITT losing Price next year, would Conner want to take the majority of his reps at the spot Price is vacating, with Hendrix working on the opposite side of the line?

Granted, we've only seen Conner for a few snaps on the defensive side of the ball, but he is a force and incredibly quick coming off of the edge. He was a half step away from getting a strip sack in the UVA game earlier this season, and really impacted the Bowling Green game a couple years ago (on both sides of the ball).

I thought the same thing and wondered if that isn't his best path to NFL success. If he goes, I feel like we'd be fine at RB but if he stays and continues his journey back to Beast Connor 2014, we could have a special season. Especially if the new QB proves to be competent.

 

[Rockyhound]

The images of Switzer in the UNC game are haunting me. McCaffrey would provide an incredible opportunity for the LBs/Ss, as well as the DL.

Forgot about McCaffrey. He's kind of fallen off the map this year. Isn't he injured? I'd suspect he'd be back for the bowl game at full strength though.

 

[vegasgreed]

Ph has been saying Wade to us. I've been saying I don't think so. I think he's going elsewhere. To answer your question, he's not taking an official to us(last time I heard).

Anyone getting nervous about Wade? He saw the Peds play this past weekend and his Twitter seemed like it was a positive. When is he taking his official to Pitt? I'm hoping we can get some momentum here to end the season so we can have some fans in attendance for when he's at the game.

 

[VAPITTALUM]

Forgot about McCaffrey. He's kind of fallen off the map this year. Isn't he injured? I'd suspect he'd be back for the bowl game at full strength though.

He was injured for the ND game, but not sure what his current status is.

 

[VAPITTALUM]

I thought the same thing and wondered if that isn't his best path to NFL success. If he goes, I feel like we'd be fine at RB but if he stays and continues his journey back to Beast Connor 2014, we could have a special season. Especially if the new QB proves to be competent.

He's got to get back to being a downhill runner rather than trying to move laterally and making a defender miss. He's always been best when lowering his pads and running over people.

DE could definitely be a major area of need next year, and he could find himself staying opposite Hendrix of he chose to do so. Either prospect of him coming back as a RB or DE is intriguing.

 

[Panther_in_Kentucky]

I've been on the fence about Conner coming back or not next year. Since the talent at RB seems to be solid for the next couple of years with the current stable of backs, in addition to Sibley coming in next year, I wonder if he would like to show scouts more of his ability on the defensive side of the football. The initial reaction says "no way, he's an incredible running back", however, with PITT losing Price next year, would Conner want to take the majority of his reps at the spot Price is vacating, with Hendrix working on the opposite side of the line?

Granted, we've only seen Conner for a few snaps on the defensive side of the ball, but he is a force and incredibly quick coming off of the edge. He was a half step away from getting a strip sack in the UVA game earlier this season, and really impacted the Bowling Green game a couple years ago (on both sides of the ball).

The Philosophy Department , that is what is important to Pitt.

Pitt: Run by the Dumbest "Smart People" to walk the face of the earth!

 

[VAPITTALUM]

The Philosophy Department , that is what is important to Pitt.

Pitt: Run by the Dumbest "Smart People" to walk the face of the earth!

How is this related to Conner potentially returning and playing more on the defensive side of the football? By the way, for being run by the "Dumbest Smart People to walk the face of the earth", the university is doing very well for itself.

 

[Panther Parrothead]

What concerns me is that in their efforts to keep the Clemson offense off the field, the Pitt offense may get too conservative with its play-calling.

Against Clemson, this would be a mistake.

When Pitt gets conservative, they struggle to maintain possession. Pitt has to score, and score a lot. If we're gonna lose, I'd rather lose in a shoot-out, because I don't see Pitt putting together too many 12-play, 7-minute drives on Saturday.

 

[Pittx9]

Stewart Mandel predicted Pitt in the Sun Bowl v Stanford. That's about as good a matchup for Pitt both scheme and interesting game as we can hope for. Perhaps it would even lead to the two AD's setting up a future home and home, which would be amazing.

I would love all of that.

 

[Jpripper88]

A favorable bowl matchup for this team would be one against a team that doesn't utilize the forward pass.

Unfortunately we aren't exactly great at stopping the run, either.