Why can't this Pitt team go 10-2?
- Thread starter Sean Miller Fan
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One of Pitt's best players on defense this year is Lafayette Pitts. He has truly sucked for 3 years and yet he is being promoted as a leader of the defense. Sorry guys, until Duzzi gets his recruits on the field (2 to 3 years from now) we will continue to see 6-6 in our near term future.
The Offense can go 10-2 or better, but the defense is another subject!
Points given up, 20 or lower.
Total defense 330 or less.
Turnover margin has to be on the plus side (2014, -5).
And get more sacks, at least 2.5 a game or 30+! (2014, 1.46 or 19)!
If the defense can improve that will help the team win more games!
Points given up, 20 or lower.
Total defense 330 or less.
Turnover margin has to be on the plus side (2014, -5).
And get more sacks, at least 2.5 a game or 30+! (2014, 1.46 or 19)!
If the defense can improve that will help the team win more games!
Going 10-3 is a good season IMO. If Narduzzi posts that record in each of his first 10 seasons that'll give him a record of 100-30. Only Ron Cook would call that mediocre.
It certainly is amusing the way some of you guys set yourselves up for disappointment.
"Can" Pitt go 10-2 this year? Sure. How? No injuries to any important players. No learning curve with a first time head coach. First time head coach turns out to be a well above average hire. Somebody figures out how to turn a defense that absolutely sucked last season into an above average unit. Win ALL the close games. And so on.
In other words, "can" Pitt do it? Sure. But anyone who is expecting it or thinks it's likely is a fool. It's almost as if some of you have completely erased the last 30+ years of Pitt football from your memories. It's almost as if you've never paid any attention to the growing pains that a typical first year coaching staff has. It's almost as you've forgotten how absolutely god-awful that defense was last year, and with no great infusion of talent coming in for this year. It's great ot be an optimist and it's great to hope for a better season, but some of you have expectations that are way out of whack with reality.
But hey, blind squirrel, acorn, you never know.
"Can" Pitt go 10-2 this year? Sure. How? No injuries to any important players. No learning curve with a first time head coach. First time head coach turns out to be a well above average hire. Somebody figures out how to turn a defense that absolutely sucked last season into an above average unit. Win ALL the close games. And so on.
In other words, "can" Pitt do it? Sure. But anyone who is expecting it or thinks it's likely is a fool. It's almost as if some of you have completely erased the last 30+ years of Pitt football from your memories. It's almost as if you've never paid any attention to the growing pains that a typical first year coaching staff has. It's almost as you've forgotten how absolutely god-awful that defense was last year, and with no great infusion of talent coming in for this year. It's great ot be an optimist and it's great to hope for a better season, but some of you have expectations that are way out of whack with reality.
But hey, blind squirrel, acorn, you never know.
I still have a problem with phrases like "awful defense" or the "defense complete stunk" in regards to last year's team. Not great, obviously, but not as terrible as some here seem to think either.
Yes, North Carolina was real bad. Duke wasn't too good either. You can include Georgia Tech, but that game deserves an asterisk thanks to the offense and it's fumbles.
But those are some pretty decent offensive teams. Those results weren't entirely unexpected.
An awful defense allows a team like Syracuse to score 28 points (they scored 3). Or a Virginia Tech team to score 42 (they scored 16 I think)
Here's a breakdown of what Pitt's defense did in losses against two average teams - Iowa and Virginia - compared to what those teams did in conference.
vs Iowa
24 points (30.9 ppg in conference)
311 yards (417.3 ypg in conference)
5.86 yards per play (5.54 ypp in conference)
vs Virginia
24 points (20.4 ppg in conference - excludes the Pitt game)
346 yards (341.9 ypg in conference - includes Pitt)
5.77 yards per play (4.91 ypp - includes Pitt)
Save for the ypp in the Virginia game, the Pitt D for the most part held those teams around their average, and I suspect that holds true for other average offensive teams like Boston College, Virginia Tech, Miami, etc. That sounds more indicative of a team that's average to mediocre, not awful.
Point I'm trying to make, if the offense is as good as some people here (or the players) think (it was a problem it a lot of games also last season), combine it with just an average defense - one would like to think it wouldn't regress under Narduzzi - and Pitt can win quite a few games. Not so sure about 10-2, but still a decent amount.
Yes, North Carolina was real bad. Duke wasn't too good either. You can include Georgia Tech, but that game deserves an asterisk thanks to the offense and it's fumbles.
But those are some pretty decent offensive teams. Those results weren't entirely unexpected.
An awful defense allows a team like Syracuse to score 28 points (they scored 3). Or a Virginia Tech team to score 42 (they scored 16 I think)
Here's a breakdown of what Pitt's defense did in losses against two average teams - Iowa and Virginia - compared to what those teams did in conference.
vs Iowa
24 points (30.9 ppg in conference)
311 yards (417.3 ypg in conference)
5.86 yards per play (5.54 ypp in conference)
vs Virginia
24 points (20.4 ppg in conference - excludes the Pitt game)
346 yards (341.9 ypg in conference - includes Pitt)
5.77 yards per play (4.91 ypp - includes Pitt)
Save for the ypp in the Virginia game, the Pitt D for the most part held those teams around their average, and I suspect that holds true for other average offensive teams like Boston College, Virginia Tech, Miami, etc. That sounds more indicative of a team that's average to mediocre, not awful.
Point I'm trying to make, if the offense is as good as some people here (or the players) think (it was a problem it a lot of games also last season), combine it with just an average defense - one would like to think it wouldn't regress under Narduzzi - and Pitt can win quite a few games. Not so sure about 10-2, but still a decent amount.
Interesting analysis on the defense. Yards given up is an aged stat in today's college football. The biggest problem with the defense was lack of big plays and turnovers. We need to create turnovers.
I say you're wrong about 10-2.
I say Panther is 11-1
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I say Panther is 11-1
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Not really. Pitt was 88th in average yards per play against. We were significantly closer to the bottom in yards per play allowed than we were to the top. Add to that the fact that the defense was also 125 in turnovers created (out of 128, or in other words fourth worst in all of college football) and you have a defense that is much, much closer to awful than average.
If you want to argue that we weren't awful defensively, we were just really bad, well, OK, we can call it that. But if you think that defensive performance last season was anywhere close to average you just simply don't know what it was that you were seeing. The defense looked bad, and the numbers back up the fact that the defense was bad. Simple as that.
Seriously, look at the numbers that you quoted to show that we weren't that bad. Iowa gained approximately 6% more yards per play against us than they did against an average Big Ten team. Virginia gained almost 18% more yards per play against us than they did against all ACC opponents, and let's keep in mind that including the Pitt game in their all ACC average skews the numbers to make Pitt look closer to average than they would be if you (correctly) excluded the Pitt game from that average. So the two data points that you think show that we weren't that bad actually show that we were somewhere between below average and well below average. And that doesn't even account for our pathetic lack of creating turnovers.
Not really. Pitt was 88th in average yards per play against. We were significantly closer to the bottom in yards per play allowed than we were to the top. Add to that the fact that the defense was also 125 in turnovers created (out of 128, or in other words fourth worst in all of college football) and you have a defense that is much, much closer to awful than average.
If you want to argue that we weren't awful defensively, we were just really bad, well, OK, we can call it that. But if you think that defensive performance last season was anywhere close to average you just simply don't know what it was that you were seeing. The defense looked bad, and the numbers back up the fact that the defense was bad. Simple as that.
Seriously, look at the numbers that you quoted to show that we weren't that bad. Iowa gained approximately 6% more yards per play against us than they did against an average Big Ten team. Virginia gained almost 18% more yards per play against us than they did against all ACC opponents, and let's keep in mind that including the Pitt game in their all ACC average skews the numbers to make Pitt look closer to average than they would be if you (correctly) excluded the Pitt game from that average. So the two data points that you think show that we weren't that bad actually show that we were somewhere between below average and well below average. And that doesn't even account for our pathetic lack of creating turnovers.
Yea, our D was even worse than the numbers show because we played at such a slow "pace," so if you look at "points per possession" or "yards per play" or "yards per posssession," its really bad. After we lost to Iowa, even though we didnt give up that many points, I posted on this board that the 2nd half defense was some of the worse I've ever seen at Pitt. We just had no chance to stop their mediocre TB. Every play was 4-5 yards.
It really depends on how well he turns the Defense around. I still say 8-4. I just don't see enough talent on our defense to cause problems for some of these teams. If we win it will be a shoot out against teams with better defenses. For Pitt to go 10-2 Chad will have to have a great season...much better than last year. I think the Defense can be solid...but without pass rushers it will be difficult to be disruptive.
Agree and so true, but Pitt was the Head Coaching Clinic Alvarez sent Paul Chryst to on Pitt's Dime. Coach Chryst did alright and has provided Pitt with a formidable Offense. However, Coach Pat is here because he wants to be here, unlike Chryst that needed to be here because no one wanted him and Pederson miscues caused Pitt to take anyone after his Wannstedt-Haywood-Graham Debacles with Nordy's Big Buyouts for Pederson's Pockets?
We will soon know if we can see the difference of a Dynamic Defensive Coordinator becoming a Head Coach that always wanted to be a Pitt Coach, versus, a Thnker Offensive Coordinator (Much Like Walt Harris) being given a Head Coach job, so the person that stepped in recommending Chryst would bring him back Wisconsin (Unlike what Happen to Walt Harris forlorn & forgotten Sports Agent)?
We shall see soon in a few weeks?
It's going to take while until we really know if the new coaching staff will be successful. When Narduzzi was hired, several Michigan State fans cautioned us that it will take some time for him to get things turned around and that we need to be patient with him. I'm hoping we see a dramatic turnaround this season, but I don't think that's likely to happen.
I agree, and good post too. I tend to be over optimistic on new coaches and end up quite wrong early on and glad other Posters are here to keep it more real based on what they know.
I did want Wannstedt to be Head Coach but after appointed backed him because he did improve Pitt recruiting and relationship with High School and NFL Coaches that Walt kind of let wane on in the end. It took him 3 years to put in his system, just like it took Walt Harris about 3 years to do the same after his first 6-6 Year with Johnny majors Players?
When ScraHAM came, I really was excited by his No Huddle High Octane System, but he made big mistakes in not knowing what Players to use and did not fully implement his system and ran off to ASU where got what he wanted rather work under Steve Pederson's tampering with his system?
Coach Chryst was very slow in finding his coaches and needed sometime to build his own Offense, but he really let Pitt down while learning from his mistakes, and his lack of attention on the Defense and Special Teams and his own play calling really hurt everything Pitt gain on his Players Offense efforts and successes.
However, Coach Pat looks to be the real deal on just making all his Players better and on all Three Units doing it with more quiet ways and not allowing the media follow it as much as the other 3 coaches before him.
I'll be frank, I think Coach Pat is going to be an enormous success and sooner at Pitt than the other 3 before him. Over the belief and possibility he will be a total failure and will have to be replaced in 4 years?
Just a hunch, not gospel!
I see it another way, I saw the Offense build up pretty good leads and did the job to win but it depended upon what time of year.
The Defense last year was pretty good at the start of season and it was the Offense that let Pitt down in UVA and GT games.
Yet, what I saw was how Special Teams gave up big TD's On Kick Off and Punt Returns after the Offense scored against Duke and UNC, and their coverage on Onside Kicks was horrible in Houston Game.
Coach Chryst in his all 3 Years made critical mistake bad calls that cost Pitt 2 to 3 games each year as he learned to become a Head Coach and not sure he is a complete Head Coach right now?
In addition, Coach Chryst laughing that he did not need a Special Teams Coach and later saying he will take responsibility on any losses caused by Special Teams, was pure bravado that ended up hurting his Players efforts when they work hard to gain leads and stop the other Team on Third Downs......only to witness Punt Returns, Kick Off Returns, Poor Coverage, Bad Field Position Calls That Missed Field Goals, and Onside Kick Coverage Mistakes cost Pitt 2 to 3 Games each Year under his Non-Special Teams Coaching!
Chryst ended up taking no accoutablity and just slinked away back to Wisky
taking Pitt Recruits him.
During Chryst Three Years, some Pitt Fans can blame some losses on Offense at times, and Defense, and sometimes the Players and Team were not prepared to play on Game Day like YSU, UCincy, GT, MIAMI Losses, but I saw breakdowns on Special Teams rally the other teams to victory under Chryst & Staff too!
Walt Harris another Offensive and QB Great Coach had the same problems at times too. Pitt played well enough to win games on Offense and Defense but lost them on Special Teams, and in specifics....Texas A&M Open Gate Mistake, Playing Miami Tough only to witness Punt returns killing off games.
Nothing takes the heart out of Offensive and Defensive Players to play tough on 55 to 60 plays and watch 1 to 3 Special Teams Plays change the score and cause the loss!
I think it's important to look at what the coach in inheriting. Narduzzi is taking over a team with a poor defense, but a very good offense. His coaching should help the defense a little, even before he gets his players in. Realistically, there's a limit to what coaching can do, though. The offense should help a lot. I think winning up to 8 games this season may be possible and I'd be VERY happy with that. I am also optimistic about Narduzzi. I think Pitt may finally have made the "right" hire.
I disagree with your comparison of Harris and Wannstedt. Harris took over one of the worst teams in all of college football. His task was monumental. It's not like he took over a good team and just needed time to put his system in. He took over a team on life support and brought it back. Wannsedt took over a decent team that averaged 8 wins a season for the several years before he became coach.
Agree about the Harris monumental fact. I was a student then and I can recall the Pitt News had ads for offensive linemen during Harris' first year. I mean, what school has to take out an ad in their student paper to actually get players at a key position? Pitt did..
I thought Holgy was the real deal when he came to WVU.He was the hottest OC in the country at that time.Everyone,including Luck,thought he would take WVU to the next level.Well look how that has worked out down there.So I'll take a wait an see attitude when it comes to coordinaters getting their first HC job.HC is a world of difference then being a DC.Nard might be the best HC that Pitt has ever seen or could be another Holgy!!!!Time will tell my friends.bwdik
Another good post.
I will add, it should be noted that Coach Pat added a Top Special Team coach known for making that Unit pretty good at places he coached!
On Walt Harris no question he took over a Pitt Football Program that was only funding 67 Scholarships at that time and did not get up to 85 Scholarship Players until 2002!
On Wannstedt, I agree, he changed the Harris's West Coast Offense to Pro Set but did not have the horses in place and took 3 years to find and develop them? A better coach would have adapted the talent he had and at least adapted his talent to systems that utilized his talent better to win a few more games.
Wannstedt Just like Chryst loss some games to MAC Schools he should have beaten with enough talent on the Rosters they inherited. They had the chance to win those games if the Head coaches had their Pitt Teams better prepared and not out coached by their opponents on Game Day Prep Plans!
Because it's Pitt. Look, I live & die for my alma mater too, but I think 8 - 4 is about the ceiling with this crew. And I would take that in a heartbeat right now. Something bad's bound to happen...because we're Pitt GODDAMMIT!!!
Yes we can win 10 games!!! No doubt about it!!!
I had some of the same points and game by game observations as the OP in a similar thread I started several months ago and I believe someone else (maybe it was Captain) had a another similar thread too.
So what if we haven't had 2 or less loses in over 30 years. The past will not equal the future, if you make the enough of the right kind of changes (better coaches, better AD, and a new Chancellor all with a shared vision), As long as Pitt has talented enough coaches and talented enough players in place who give their best effort and paying attention to the right details and together building stronger and stronger chemistry, the future will will be better.
To that point, we haven't had talented enough coaches in 30 years (save maybe Graham). Heck, half of our previous coaches had trouble putting a sentence together during a press conference. Who was the last coach we had that gave a well thought out, intelligent answer to any question he was asked? Can anyone on this board name one of Pitt's previous 7 or so coaches (not named Graham) who was impressive during interviews and who gave inspiring and motivating speech to their players before a game?
PN is very different from any HC at Pitt in a long long time. He is the first coach in forever to actual make fans feel like he is on top of things. He doesn't just talk about the importance of details, he actually backs it up by talking about those specific details.
This is not a coach whose priority is to make sure players are having fun. His priority it to make sure his players are always giving their best, which will mean so much more for the players (and the team) at the end of the season and later in life.
His first season hasn't even started and he's already made more smart comments than most of the past 7 coaches have made during their entire tenure at Pitt. Watch the recent training camp videos (if you haven't yet) and see if you don't feel this HC is not going to be more prepared, paying greater attention to detail, and less likely to blow a lead at the end of a game.
As some have stated above (something I've pointed to in previous threads) we very well could have won 10 games last year with a little better coaching - especially on game day. And to think we are bringing back many of our best players and what certainly appears to be a better staff.
Too guarantee 10 wins may be foolish, but certainly not believing Pitt could win 10 or more games this season. Conner and Boyd want to go out on top and you've gotta think the two of them and the coaches will get the rest of the teammates to believe in themselves more and leave it all on the field. These coaches think faster and react quicker and because of that are less likely to squander opportunities to put games away like our coaches of past.
Someone posted above that "there isn't a single team that sees Pitt on their schedule and doesn't thinks they can win that game" ...and maybe that is true... And yet there isn't a single team on Pitt's schedule this season that they can't beat. Yes, even Notre Dame and Georgia Tech.
Got to believe- Pitt will be it!
I had some of the same points and game by game observations as the OP in a similar thread I started several months ago and I believe someone else (maybe it was Captain) had a another similar thread too.
So what if we haven't had 2 or less loses in over 30 years. The past will not equal the future, if you make the enough of the right kind of changes (better coaches, better AD, and a new Chancellor all with a shared vision), As long as Pitt has talented enough coaches and talented enough players in place who give their best effort and paying attention to the right details and together building stronger and stronger chemistry, the future will will be better.
To that point, we haven't had talented enough coaches in 30 years (save maybe Graham). Heck, half of our previous coaches had trouble putting a sentence together during a press conference. Who was the last coach we had that gave a well thought out, intelligent answer to any question he was asked? Can anyone on this board name one of Pitt's previous 7 or so coaches (not named Graham) who was impressive during interviews and who gave inspiring and motivating speech to their players before a game?
PN is very different from any HC at Pitt in a long long time. He is the first coach in forever to actual make fans feel like he is on top of things. He doesn't just talk about the importance of details, he actually backs it up by talking about those specific details.
This is not a coach whose priority is to make sure players are having fun. His priority it to make sure his players are always giving their best, which will mean so much more for the players (and the team) at the end of the season and later in life.
His first season hasn't even started and he's already made more smart comments than most of the past 7 coaches have made during their entire tenure at Pitt. Watch the recent training camp videos (if you haven't yet) and see if you don't feel this HC is not going to be more prepared, paying greater attention to detail, and less likely to blow a lead at the end of a game.
As some have stated above (something I've pointed to in previous threads) we very well could have won 10 games last year with a little better coaching - especially on game day. And to think we are bringing back many of our best players and what certainly appears to be a better staff.
Too guarantee 10 wins may be foolish, but certainly not believing Pitt could win 10 or more games this season. Conner and Boyd want to go out on top and you've gotta think the two of them and the coaches will get the rest of the teammates to believe in themselves more and leave it all on the field. These coaches think faster and react quicker and because of that are less likely to squander opportunities to put games away like our coaches of past.
Someone posted above that "there isn't a single team that sees Pitt on their schedule and doesn't thinks they can win that game" ...and maybe that is true... And yet there isn't a single team on Pitt's schedule this season that they can't beat. Yes, even Notre Dame and Georgia Tech.
Got to believe- Pitt will be it!
LOL... That's how you should feel based on the recent track record and events in general the last 30 years.
10 wins are possible this year if the defense is much better than last year and we finish games stronger. I think we will be in better shape due to Andrews but the defense is pretty much the same personnel as last year so 10 wins in not probable.
H2P
H2P
I like your post a lot... I am right there in agreement with many of the things you say.
Though don't be fooled into believing things just don't seem to go our way or that there is some unexplainable curse on the Pitt football program. Any curse on Pitt over the past 30 years has been a direct result of the coaches and ADs hired during that period.
In a way, I guess you could say we were "unlucky" during Wannstedt and Chryst's tenure, who have never had a good answer when things went wrong other than to say "We've just got to get better" (in Wannstedt's case) or "We need to clean some things up" (in Chryst's case). When you are a HC who refuses to pay much attention to the important little details and you are unable to make smart decisions on the spot (whether it's play calling or personnel on the field)... Guess what..."Bad luck" happens to your team (or at least that's what those coaches would have you believe).
Hire a HC and staff who know the proper way to coach and who teach and condition their kids properly, who pay attention to every detail, who are so prepared that they can make fast smart decision at critical moments and who get players to give 100% effort and you will be surprised how many bounces and calls (and even less injuries) work in your favor.
I will put it this way, if we don't win 10 games, I at least want the reason to be that the teams we lost to were objectively THAT good- not because our coaches or players were unprepared and made dumb mistakes that caused a loss. This year, with Narduzzi at the helm, I like our odds in that regard.
Yes, GT74...I agree with you that we need to stay positive... As a fellow optimist, I decided to edited your post... Keeping only the positive possibilities we fans need to start believing will happen.
every single year at this time posters are calling for 10 wins. Every year. Got a first year coach, brand new staff, a D with a lot of holes and our OC said(his words) that year one is never his best year.
Wanting something to happen and it happening is two different things.
How many first year coaches win 10 games in year one? Urban and how many others?
Wanting something to happen and it happening is two different things.
How many first year coaches win 10 games in year one? Urban and how many others?
Fair enough, though ultimately my point is that I don't think the defense is as unsalvageable as some people think.
i think there's a lot of talent in the secondary even without whitehead that is going to show itself this year.
and that the LBs will be markedly better as grigsby and bradley aren't terrible i think they were being held back by the coaching (both in the playcalling and their development overall as players). and wirginis has potential, how much i don't know but he has some for sure.
but it will be next year at the earliest that i think the LBs will be a consistent and strong unit. very probably more like 2017.
the d-line just bleh. hendrix will hopefully make a big difference next year and blair will hopefully continue turning into a pretty good player and stay out of trouble, but i'm not expecting much there until narduzzi gets his own recruits with a year of redshirting and another of backing up under their belts.
and that the LBs will be markedly better as grigsby and bradley aren't terrible i think they were being held back by the coaching (both in the playcalling and their development overall as players). and wirginis has potential, how much i don't know but he has some for sure.
but it will be next year at the earliest that i think the LBs will be a consistent and strong unit. very probably more like 2017.
the d-line just bleh. hendrix will hopefully make a big difference next year and blair will hopefully continue turning into a pretty good player and stay out of trouble, but i'm not expecting much there until narduzzi gets his own recruits with a year of redshirting and another of backing up under their belts.
Exactly. Let's have some sort of realistic expectations. I think that some people make pie in the sky predictions because they are truly optimistic. Others do it so they can criticize the team when the expectations aren't met.
It generally takes some time for things to come together when a new coaching staff is hired. I think Narduzzi is the real deal, so I don't expect to see a disaster like when Wannstedt took over, but it will take some time. As I mentioned earlier in this thread, Michigan State fans cautioned us to be patient with Narduzzi. Things won't get turned around overnight. I think 8 wins is the best we can hope for and even that is a long shot.
I will end by just saying I will be very happy if Pitt just improves from its first game to its 12th and Bowl Game. Consistency is what has been missing almost every year for over 20 years. Changes in Coaching both Head & Assistants, Conferences, Recruiting Classes, Chancellors, Athletic Directors, Strength Trainers, and Scholarships, Benefits, and Stipends just has had this Program on Rolling Coasters!
I will love to see 8 to 9 wins but I want those wins towards the end of the season showing all the Players improving and even if Pitt loses they are in the games and something to look forward towards for 2016 and beyond with attracting recruits.
If Coach Pat & Staff just make the higher step in that direction, I will be very content!
I will love to see 8 to 9 wins but I want those wins towards the end of the season showing all the Players improving and even if Pitt loses they are in the games and something to look forward towards for 2016 and beyond with attracting recruits.
If Coach Pat & Staff just make the higher step in that direction, I will be very content!
I think we can go 10-2 or at worst 9-3. The big difference is not going to be offense or defense. it's going to be coaching. In close games like YSU , Iowa and even the first half of Georgia Tech, Chryst folded. He didn't fully use the weapons he had and tried to force Connor in many situations that hurt him and the team. He had great tight ends that were seldom used. I like Chryst but it just seems that some time's his laid back approach effected his coaching. I don't think that will happen with Narduzzi especially with B10 and inferior teams. If you beat Pitt it's gonna be because you are out right better. And most teams on that schedule are not. VT is only rated better because of their history. Weren't they supposed to blow Pitt out last year ? Forget the stats coaching is one stat/factor that is very under rated. I hate to bring the jerk (being nice ) up but why do you think Graham is doing better at ASU ? it's not the players , it's coaching. He decide to coach there where at Pitt he was just show boating to get what he perceived as a better job. He didn't coach he was a snake oil salesman. He didn't care and that's how he coached. Chryst cared but lacked passion, fire, and sometime cutthroat ability. I think we get all that with Narduzzi.
10-2 may not be a "realistic expectation" this season but it certainly is a "realistic possibility."Coach Narduzzi thinks he can win the ACC championship this year. He said so during a recent interview on ESPN and frankly I believe him.
Why? Because I believe he's a smarter and more determined coach than Chyst or Wannstedt or Graham or Harris or Hackett or Gottfried or Fazio... And he knows he has enough good players right now and enough beatable teams on the schedule. And I love that he doesn't use the excuse of needing 3 or 4 years to get results.
I refuse to let past poor performances due to inferior coaching turn me into a fan who thinks winning 10 games is either impossible or always years down the road for this program.
Right now, we have 2 all-American playmakers to go along with a solid QB, TEs, and O-line. Plus, Ford and Qaudree Henderson will surprise many this season. Right now we have one of the best defensive minds in the country, which should certainly help things on that side of the ball.
Maybe Pitt doesn't win 10 games and maybe they do, but I certainly do not think that "8 wins is the best we can hope for." Goodness that sounds depressing.
I'd rather admit I believe this team can win the ACC coastal and be thought delusional by some fans, than say they have no chance and feel in my gut I'm selling my team short.
It took many years of mediocrity for some fans to feel everyone should always have low expectations for Pitt. It will only take one very good year lead by one very good coach to convince them Otherwise!
I think Narduzzi is the guy who will do it. And look out...
This year may be it - Hail to Pitt!
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