Boy what a downer to finish the season like this. Feels like a losing season frankly, not happy;
1. It's telling that the two worst ACC teams to come into Heinz were Miami and BC and we had 7 turnovers and a combined 31 pts against them. Really says a lot about the inability for this coaching staff to get the team ready for bad opponents
2. After letting Watson go last year we've essentially hired the anti Watson in Whipple. The team went from ground and pound to air show but the problem is you can't just be great between the 20's. The inability of this offense to score TD's in the red zone killed them which is directly proportional to the inability to run the ball.
3. 4 turnovers and 4 trips into the red zone with 4 FG's, that essentially is the story of the game. I mean what else is there to say? Need better plays inside the 10.
4. Go listen to Dabo's PC after the game yesterday, definitely worth it. He's right too. SEC dominates the narrative.
5. Not having Mack hurt yesterday, but not enough to give us what we say. Why isn't Carter an option at the slot vs Mathews. I like Aaron Mathews but I think Carter whose much faster gives you a more dynamic option against BC's slow LB's than a slower Mathews
6. You are what you are. Yes the D was much better this year but yesterday after we took the lead they needed a stop but BC went 75 yds on 3 plays to get the lead back. Really could have used a stop there. The D all season was let down by this offense all season yesterday for the first time I can remember they weren't up to the challenge.
7. After a miserable start to the season Alex Kessman really finished strong. I had no problem with going for the FG down ten with 5min to go. Right call, you needed a FG anyway.
8. To me the story of this offense was Narduzzi making the bonehead call to kick the FG against PSU. An epically bad decision and really told you all you needed to know about his confidence in this offense.
9. Pickett had 10 TD's and 9 INT and he put the ball up a ton. Whipple's offense is extremely complex that's why I'm anxious to see how they look in the bowl game with more practices under their belt and what year 2 looks like.
10. One of the primary issues yesterday was the edges of the defense. BC's offensive line was doubling Twyman and Watts so the edges had to be stout and as the game wore on they weren't and aside from Hamlin I really didn't see a whole of folks who wanted to tackle Dillon and Bailey. For the first time all year our d got mauled.
11. Look I don't think Narduzzi should go but with the returning team next year should be very big for him. Softer OCC schedule, ND at home he needs to get to 9-10 games. I think it's actually imperative.
12. Problem is a lot of ACC teams return a bunch so there's that. Interesting what Miami does with Diaz. Boy what a way to end their season which makes our loss to them more galling.
13. With the miserable performance at Heinz I found myself switching to the Iron Bowl a lot. Boy that was a great game. Without Tua Bama put up that many points against a really good defense no less. So much speed on that field and so many playmakers. Very compelling game.
14. It's bit of an empty feeling. I realize not much was expected from this team but at 7-3 I really expected more. In fact it's amazing to me how much this offense regressed after the UNC game. Not sure I get it either.
15. Congrats to UVA for winning the Coastal and being the sacrificial lamb to Clemson.
This will be my last musings until after the bowl game which hopefully will be a win.
Pitt82
1. It's telling that the two worst ACC teams to come into Heinz were Miami and BC and we had 7 turnovers and a combined 31 pts against them. Really says a lot about the inability for this coaching staff to get the team ready for bad opponents
2. After letting Watson go last year we've essentially hired the anti Watson in Whipple. The team went from ground and pound to air show but the problem is you can't just be great between the 20's. The inability of this offense to score TD's in the red zone killed them which is directly proportional to the inability to run the ball.
3. 4 turnovers and 4 trips into the red zone with 4 FG's, that essentially is the story of the game. I mean what else is there to say? Need better plays inside the 10.
4. Go listen to Dabo's PC after the game yesterday, definitely worth it. He's right too. SEC dominates the narrative.
5. Not having Mack hurt yesterday, but not enough to give us what we say. Why isn't Carter an option at the slot vs Mathews. I like Aaron Mathews but I think Carter whose much faster gives you a more dynamic option against BC's slow LB's than a slower Mathews
6. You are what you are. Yes the D was much better this year but yesterday after we took the lead they needed a stop but BC went 75 yds on 3 plays to get the lead back. Really could have used a stop there. The D all season was let down by this offense all season yesterday for the first time I can remember they weren't up to the challenge.
7. After a miserable start to the season Alex Kessman really finished strong. I had no problem with going for the FG down ten with 5min to go. Right call, you needed a FG anyway.
8. To me the story of this offense was Narduzzi making the bonehead call to kick the FG against PSU. An epically bad decision and really told you all you needed to know about his confidence in this offense.
9. Pickett had 10 TD's and 9 INT and he put the ball up a ton. Whipple's offense is extremely complex that's why I'm anxious to see how they look in the bowl game with more practices under their belt and what year 2 looks like.
10. One of the primary issues yesterday was the edges of the defense. BC's offensive line was doubling Twyman and Watts so the edges had to be stout and as the game wore on they weren't and aside from Hamlin I really didn't see a whole of folks who wanted to tackle Dillon and Bailey. For the first time all year our d got mauled.
11. Look I don't think Narduzzi should go but with the returning team next year should be very big for him. Softer OCC schedule, ND at home he needs to get to 9-10 games. I think it's actually imperative.
12. Problem is a lot of ACC teams return a bunch so there's that. Interesting what Miami does with Diaz. Boy what a way to end their season which makes our loss to them more galling.
13. With the miserable performance at Heinz I found myself switching to the Iron Bowl a lot. Boy that was a great game. Without Tua Bama put up that many points against a really good defense no less. So much speed on that field and so many playmakers. Very compelling game.
14. It's bit of an empty feeling. I realize not much was expected from this team but at 7-3 I really expected more. In fact it's amazing to me how much this offense regressed after the UNC game. Not sure I get it either.
15. Congrats to UVA for winning the Coastal and being the sacrificial lamb to Clemson.
This will be my last musings until after the bowl game which hopefully will be a win.
Pitt82
