We settled for 3 instead of 7 inside the red zone twice in the first half, when on the rest of the drive we were rolling along. So there's 8 points right there. Especially our first drive of the game where we methodically moved it down the field, then went for the corner route (and Marquise delivered the ball late) which put us behind the chains and we settled for 3. Using your example above where Hood fumbled on the 3rd down attempt, if he doesn't fumble, or if forward progress is blown before he fumbles, his forward progress likely gives him a first, and we could've punched it in because we were at like the 10. So that's 4 more points. There's 12 right there. We also had dropped interceptions on balls that hit our DB's in the hands, and I think y'all got either a TD or FG on one of those drives.
Overall though, I would agree that Pitt and UNC are fairly evenly matched. IMO, both are in the Top 5 best teams in the conference and I think both have the best/brightest future ahead of them out of all 7 Coastal teams, especially with Va Tech going through their rough Beamer (aka Bobby Bowden) situation and Miami looking for a new coach.
Last night's game didn't and isn't getting the hype/pub it deserves. That was a premier matchup in terms of what was on the line, but since it was the ACC and didn't involve two "name" programs, it didn't receive as much play as it should.
Best of luck moving forward. I absolutely think y'all can beat Notre Dame and possibly win out. Louisville will be tough but your defense will give their fledgling offense fits.
