The 3-2-1 Column: Mack's eligible, Pine moved, tickets are sold and more

[Chris Peak]

In this week’s 3-2-1 Column, we’re thinking about Taysir Mack, Chase Pine, season tickets, scoring numbers and just what exactly they’re going to do with Paris Ford.

https://pittsburgh.rivals.com/news/the-3-2-1-column-mack-s-eligible-pine-moved-tickets-sold-and-more

 

[thebadby2]

In this week’s 3-2-1 Column, we’re thinking about Taysir Mack, Chase Pine, season tickets, scoring numbers and just what exactly they’re going to do with Paris Ford.

https://pittsburgh.rivals.com/news/the-3-2-1-column-mack-s-eligible-pine-moved-tickets-sold-and-more

That anemic 2017 scoring average gets a lot more grim when you back out the YSU, Rice, UVA, and UNC scores. Then the average was more like 18 ppg. So against anything resembling a middling or better P5 team, the offense was embarrassingly bad.

 

[JohnnyGossamer]

Will Ford do the same as a RS FR?

 

[Chris Peak]

Will Ford do the same as a RS FR?

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Ha ha. I threw that line in at the end to see if anyone read to the finish.

Interesting parallel, though...

 

[JohnnyGossamer]

Ha ha. I threw that line in at the end to see if anyone read to the finish.

Interesting parallel, though...

I remember that built up that game and that play in particular vividly. Incredible atmosphere. Awesome win. "We are! Shut! Out!"

 

[thebadby2]

Examining the 2016 versus 2017 offensive production a little further, leaving out the "hidden" defensive and special teams TDs that you referenced in your article--the production was:

2017 Offense: 366 ypg, 33 total TDs.
2016 Offense: 446 ypg, 64 total TDs.

That's a staggering dropoff that had nothing to do with those "hidden" TDs provided by the defense and special teams.

As you pointed out, we had huge scoring games in 2016 against the best 2 opponents on our schedule, PSU and Clemson, and big scoring games against VT and Duke as well, two teams that we couldn't score on last year. I think that says a lot--that we scored in bunches against our top opponents in 2016, and could barely move the ball against any half decent opponent in 2017.

Watson is going to have to be a WHOLE lot better than he was last year for the offense to be where it will need to be to have a successful season. Plenty of reason for skepticism so far.

 

[rmf05]

Better QB play fixes most of our problems from last year. Once we have a threat from the pocket again, I think the jet sweeps, etc. will open up for us a bit.

 

[bayardstreet]

I was at the game with my dad. Not a strong PSU squad. Walt could have gone for the kill shot in the last three minutes but backed off. Should have been 19-0

Paterno coached his team that day like he had to get back home quickly for a nap.

 

[DiehardPanther]

Examining the 2016 versus 2017 offensive production a little further, leaving out the "hidden" defensive and special teams TDs that you referenced in your article--the production was:

2017 Offense: 366 ypg, 33 total TDs.
2016 Offense: 446 ypg, 64 total TDs.

That's a staggering dropoff that had nothing to do with those "hidden" TDs provided by the defense and special teams.

As you pointed out, we had huge scoring games in 2016 against the best 2 opponents on our schedule, PSU and Clemson, and big scoring games against VT and Duke as well, two teams that we couldn't score on last year. I think that says a lot--that we scored in bunches against our top opponents in 2016, and could barely move the ball against any half decent opponent in 2017.

Watson is going to have to be a WHOLE lot better than he was last year for the offense to be where it will need to be to have a successful season. Plenty of reason for skepticism so far.

2016 had Biz, Dorian Johnson, Orndorff, Peterman, Aston, and Conner. There is absolutely no comparison in talent between the 2 squads.

 

[cashisking884]

Watson had 4 First Rounders starting for him for two years of the Bridgewater run. Obviously including Bridgewater himself at QB.
His offense averaged out to 27th in the S&P+ during that time. Which is good. But with that much talent, one would expect better than that.
I agree that improved QB play would certainly help. But people are too quick to dismiss the idea that Watson’s issues aren't just a QB.

 

[thebadby2]

2016 had Biz, Dorian Johnson, Orndorff, Peterman, Aston, and Conner. There is absolutely no comparison in talent between the 2 squads.

No doubt they made a big difference. But other than JC they all played in Chaney’s offense as well. And that was almost as lackluster as last year’s O. 377 YPG, 40 total TDS. And that team had Tyler Boyd amd JP Holtz.