Some of these are obvious. Some less so.
OL. Easy call. They don’t have to be spectacular pass blocking but they definitely need to be better than last season. Run blocking likely won’t be as good but having a passing threat makes the run game better anyway.
LB/SS/FS discipline. UVA isn’t really a classic 7 step drop passing team. They want quick throws, quick reads, and WR’s with YAC. The best way for them to do that is establishing the run and hitting PA throws off the run action. When UVA takes their shots, the backers and safeties can’t bite. Discipline.
Protect the ball. Early season fumbling or sloppy QB play happens to a lot of teams but turnovers really need to be avoided. I don’t think UVA is a particularly explosive team. Don’t give them short fields.
Special teams/penalties. Hidden yardage was an understated factor that worked against Pitt last season. I think Pitt had something like 900 penalty yardage against to somewhere less than 600 yards for Pitt’s opponents. This also doesn’t factor in plays that were lost to Pitt from penalties or drives that should have ended but were extended because of third down penalties. No unnecessary holding penalties on kick returns, etc. Pitt needs to be crisp in the hidden yardage and it’s usually a big signal in the game flow.
Not an exhaustive list but I think if Pitt can win these areas, they’ll win the game. (Go figure, get turnovers, play efficiently on offense and defense, and don’t make mistakes = a win. Rocket science, right?)
OL. Easy call. They don’t have to be spectacular pass blocking but they definitely need to be better than last season. Run blocking likely won’t be as good but having a passing threat makes the run game better anyway.
LB/SS/FS discipline. UVA isn’t really a classic 7 step drop passing team. They want quick throws, quick reads, and WR’s with YAC. The best way for them to do that is establishing the run and hitting PA throws off the run action. When UVA takes their shots, the backers and safeties can’t bite. Discipline.
Protect the ball. Early season fumbling or sloppy QB play happens to a lot of teams but turnovers really need to be avoided. I don’t think UVA is a particularly explosive team. Don’t give them short fields.
Special teams/penalties. Hidden yardage was an understated factor that worked against Pitt last season. I think Pitt had something like 900 penalty yardage against to somewhere less than 600 yards for Pitt’s opponents. This also doesn’t factor in plays that were lost to Pitt from penalties or drives that should have ended but were extended because of third down penalties. No unnecessary holding penalties on kick returns, etc. Pitt needs to be crisp in the hidden yardage and it’s usually a big signal in the game flow.
Not an exhaustive list but I think if Pitt can win these areas, they’ll win the game. (Go figure, get turnovers, play efficiently on offense and defense, and don’t make mistakes = a win. Rocket science, right?)
