Disclaimer -- I am not being critical of Pitt or HC Duzz. I would just like to discuss the challenges and poor play experienced by the Pitt defense in the last 2-3 games.
The Pitt defense was very good to great during the first 5 to 6 games. Pitt was 1) stuffing the run, 2) getting a lot of pressure on the QB (I think they were 2nd in nation in sacks) and 3) DBs had a lot of pass break ups (especially Maddox).
However, in Pitt's last 3 games vs Cuse, UNC and ND the Pitt defense has struggled in all 3 of these areas.
What is the reason(s) for these struggles:
1) Better competition -- UNC and ND are clearly 2 of the top offenses in college football. The OL for these teams are good for UNC and great for ND. In addition, both teams have future NFL players at WR and OL.
2) Teams have figured out Pitt's blitz packages -- This is hard for me to understand and believe; however, Pitt had a lot trouble pressuring QBs from Cuse (used quick passes), UNC and ND.
3) Pitt's DTs and DEs have not been winning 1-on-1 battles -- I really think this is a major change from the first 5 games to the last 3 games. Pressure from Blair and Jarrett have vanished.
4) Teams have figured out that Duzz defenses need to have outstanding CBs to make this defense work -- I also really think this is a major factor. The current Pitt CBs, as with most of college CBs, cannot be left on an island and cover WRs all over the field especially if the DL cannot get pressure on QB. I watched the MSU at Nebraska game on Sat pm. The young MSU CBs really had problems covering the Nebraska WRs deep down the field. Announcers in both the Pitt vs ND and MSU vs Nebraska games repeated commented that with the SS and FS uptight in the Pitt and MSU defenses that leaves the deep post pass open. Both ND and Nebraska repeatedly threw deep post passes. I look for Duke to throw the deep post all day long on Sat.
Peace,
NGF
The Pitt defense was very good to great during the first 5 to 6 games. Pitt was 1) stuffing the run, 2) getting a lot of pressure on the QB (I think they were 2nd in nation in sacks) and 3) DBs had a lot of pass break ups (especially Maddox).
However, in Pitt's last 3 games vs Cuse, UNC and ND the Pitt defense has struggled in all 3 of these areas.
What is the reason(s) for these struggles:
1) Better competition -- UNC and ND are clearly 2 of the top offenses in college football. The OL for these teams are good for UNC and great for ND. In addition, both teams have future NFL players at WR and OL.
2) Teams have figured out Pitt's blitz packages -- This is hard for me to understand and believe; however, Pitt had a lot trouble pressuring QBs from Cuse (used quick passes), UNC and ND.
3) Pitt's DTs and DEs have not been winning 1-on-1 battles -- I really think this is a major change from the first 5 games to the last 3 games. Pressure from Blair and Jarrett have vanished.
4) Teams have figured out that Duzz defenses need to have outstanding CBs to make this defense work -- I also really think this is a major factor. The current Pitt CBs, as with most of college CBs, cannot be left on an island and cover WRs all over the field especially if the DL cannot get pressure on QB. I watched the MSU at Nebraska game on Sat pm. The young MSU CBs really had problems covering the Nebraska WRs deep down the field. Announcers in both the Pitt vs ND and MSU vs Nebraska games repeated commented that with the SS and FS uptight in the Pitt and MSU defenses that leaves the deep post pass open. Both ND and Nebraska repeatedly threw deep post passes. I look for Duke to throw the deep post all day long on Sat.
Peace,
NGF
