So what do I know about football? As I sat in my seats at Bobby Dodd 10 minutes before the game, I was really anticipating a tough physical nail biter. Yeah I really had this one pegged:
1. Bobby Dodd is one of my favorite stadiums to see a game. It’s open has good sight lines and reeks of history. Great weather and the fans were for the most part accomodating..
2. It’s nice having the best player on the field especially when that player is your quarterback. Yesterday on display was how diverse his game is and how mature he is.. If your an NFL scout sitting in the press box yesterday you saw go routes on the money, wide ash throws on the money, thows under duress on the money, throws on the run, throws off the back foot and scrambles for first downs. Big time game. And he also had 3 drops to boot.
3. What helps the offense too is how deep and varied this receiving corps Is. You have speed on the outside, and inside, you have a two big TE’s who can catch. It’s really an abundance of riches. Even if Jordan Addison didn’t have a great great game, Gt was doubling him a lot, he still worked the sidelines, including a phenomenal catch on his back, as well as the slot where he caught his td. It’s really an explosive set of skill sets we have.
4. He has taken a lot of heat but let’s give credit to Whipple. Balancing out all this talent, and creating explosive plays all over the field. His play calling has been on point and for those of you complaining Pitt ran the ball 41 times and threw 37. Look this offense will never be a run first offense and why does it need to be? Pickett takes care of the ball, receivers get open and the running game feeds off the pass.
5. You know watching the game live I was thinking how sloppy are tackling was and how bad the d looks but then you look at the stats and you see 2 turnovers including a pick six, 12 TFL’s, three fourth down stops.. Maybe this d is what it is a big play D that gives up big plays but that also creates negative plays. We’ll see. I didn’t love their tackling at all though yesterday.
6. I thought this was the first game where Dennis felt comfortable at MLB. He moved well and his the right gaps though I will say I haven’t watched the game on TV yet will do that when I get back to NY. The other guy that really looked good was Habba, looked very active. Should have had a sack but couldn’t wrap up the QB.
7. I think we may be seeing the end of the Ed Orgeron run at LSU. And I guess Tenn ain’t that bad. The team that BC barely beat in OT Missouri, Tenn put up 62 pts on at Missouri. Sometimes you just have to let the season play out to know how good your losses and wins were.
8. I wish we didn’t have a bye week because this team is on such a good run, but I’m not going to complain about a stress free Saturday. Heading to AC with 7 other guys to play some golf and gamble. I’m looking forward to watching VT play ND. ND looked terrible yesterday, they have QB issues though Cincy has a legit defense.
9. The offensive line did a phenomenal job of giving Pickett a clean pocket all game. GT tried a number of things to put pressure and nothing worked. For a little guy, Vincent Davis just is unafraid of sticking his nose in there on pass protection. And Izzy has improved tremendously. But the line held up and Pickett had all day to throw.
10. One of the unspoken things about Pickett it appears is how much his teammates like him. From all the quotes you read, there is definitely an understanding that he is the leader. His teammates appear to really respect him and it shows on the field. It’s nice to see.
11. I’m glad that Duzz knelt at the 1 instead of piling it on. Just saying class is a good way to go.. The Mathis hit was right in front of me. I was third row from the field on the GT side, and even in fast motion it did not look like targeting. Shoulder to chest. they need to really think about that rule especially the penalty. Ok with 15 not ok with tossing the player unless there’s clear intent to injure.
12. It’s going to be interesting to see what the coach does with Whipple after the season. If this offense continues like this do you bring him back for continuity or do you change it up? Just wondering.
13. Went to a friend’s house last night for a bbq. Dear friends of mine, Penn State fans who live on a 6 acre house in Alpharetta. He’s been a GT season ticket holder (his daugher went there) for 8 years and we had some beers and watched the PSU game. PSU’s defense looks really good but not sure about that offense. It’s going to be interesting to watch them play Michigan and Ohio State. Not sure if they play Iowa. Iowa looks ridiculously strong right now but I’ve made the mistake of falling for that team many times only to be disappointed. I guess everyone will be sacrifical lambs for Bama and Georgia but let’s let the season play out.
14. I’ll say this in ending. Barring injuries there’s no reason this team can’t put points on anyone on their schedule and beat every single team they play. Odds are they won’t but with these kind of playmakers and explosiveness I’ll take my chances. Enjoy the week off.
Pitt82
1. Bobby Dodd is one of my favorite stadiums to see a game. It’s open has good sight lines and reeks of history. Great weather and the fans were for the most part accomodating..
2. It’s nice having the best player on the field especially when that player is your quarterback. Yesterday on display was how diverse his game is and how mature he is.. If your an NFL scout sitting in the press box yesterday you saw go routes on the money, wide ash throws on the money, thows under duress on the money, throws on the run, throws off the back foot and scrambles for first downs. Big time game. And he also had 3 drops to boot.
3. What helps the offense too is how deep and varied this receiving corps Is. You have speed on the outside, and inside, you have a two big TE’s who can catch. It’s really an abundance of riches. Even if Jordan Addison didn’t have a great great game, Gt was doubling him a lot, he still worked the sidelines, including a phenomenal catch on his back, as well as the slot where he caught his td. It’s really an explosive set of skill sets we have.
4. He has taken a lot of heat but let’s give credit to Whipple. Balancing out all this talent, and creating explosive plays all over the field. His play calling has been on point and for those of you complaining Pitt ran the ball 41 times and threw 37. Look this offense will never be a run first offense and why does it need to be? Pickett takes care of the ball, receivers get open and the running game feeds off the pass.
5. You know watching the game live I was thinking how sloppy are tackling was and how bad the d looks but then you look at the stats and you see 2 turnovers including a pick six, 12 TFL’s, three fourth down stops.. Maybe this d is what it is a big play D that gives up big plays but that also creates negative plays. We’ll see. I didn’t love their tackling at all though yesterday.
6. I thought this was the first game where Dennis felt comfortable at MLB. He moved well and his the right gaps though I will say I haven’t watched the game on TV yet will do that when I get back to NY. The other guy that really looked good was Habba, looked very active. Should have had a sack but couldn’t wrap up the QB.
7. I think we may be seeing the end of the Ed Orgeron run at LSU. And I guess Tenn ain’t that bad. The team that BC barely beat in OT Missouri, Tenn put up 62 pts on at Missouri. Sometimes you just have to let the season play out to know how good your losses and wins were.
8. I wish we didn’t have a bye week because this team is on such a good run, but I’m not going to complain about a stress free Saturday. Heading to AC with 7 other guys to play some golf and gamble. I’m looking forward to watching VT play ND. ND looked terrible yesterday, they have QB issues though Cincy has a legit defense.
9. The offensive line did a phenomenal job of giving Pickett a clean pocket all game. GT tried a number of things to put pressure and nothing worked. For a little guy, Vincent Davis just is unafraid of sticking his nose in there on pass protection. And Izzy has improved tremendously. But the line held up and Pickett had all day to throw.
10. One of the unspoken things about Pickett it appears is how much his teammates like him. From all the quotes you read, there is definitely an understanding that he is the leader. His teammates appear to really respect him and it shows on the field. It’s nice to see.
11. I’m glad that Duzz knelt at the 1 instead of piling it on. Just saying class is a good way to go.. The Mathis hit was right in front of me. I was third row from the field on the GT side, and even in fast motion it did not look like targeting. Shoulder to chest. they need to really think about that rule especially the penalty. Ok with 15 not ok with tossing the player unless there’s clear intent to injure.
12. It’s going to be interesting to see what the coach does with Whipple after the season. If this offense continues like this do you bring him back for continuity or do you change it up? Just wondering.
13. Went to a friend’s house last night for a bbq. Dear friends of mine, Penn State fans who live on a 6 acre house in Alpharetta. He’s been a GT season ticket holder (his daugher went there) for 8 years and we had some beers and watched the PSU game. PSU’s defense looks really good but not sure about that offense. It’s going to be interesting to watch them play Michigan and Ohio State. Not sure if they play Iowa. Iowa looks ridiculously strong right now but I’ve made the mistake of falling for that team many times only to be disappointed. I guess everyone will be sacrifical lambs for Bama and Georgia but let’s let the season play out.
14. I’ll say this in ending. Barring injuries there’s no reason this team can’t put points on anyone on their schedule and beat every single team they play. Odds are they won’t but with these kind of playmakers and explosiveness I’ll take my chances. Enjoy the week off.
Pitt82
