It may be hard to accept that Rutgers is better than Pitt this year, but is it so hard to accept that the Rutgers lines were definitely better than Pitts’? I don’t think so.
What made this game so frustrating. So annoying and familiar. There were coaching adjustments that could have been made to at least partially compensate for this. I’m not saying Pitt would have won, but it would have put Pitt in a better position consider Rutgers managed to miss a bunch of opportunities in the first half.
On the defense, as discussed ad nauseum, you bring the linebackers closer to the line, bring up at least one safety. Maybe even mix in a blitz, though, not totally necessary when a team is running the ball 71% of the time. Just do something to accept the reality that the run was coming. If you want to make a QB throw, you have to make it attractive to take the chance. It’s not going to happen if the run is there, the entire game.
For the offense, keep the tight ends in to block more frequently. If there is a need to pass go with max protection. In other words, if the lines couldn’t do the job straight-up, give them some help.
These adjustments weren’t made. Again.
The defeat cost the Panthers a chance to move into the Top 25 and, once again, exposed their run-defense deficiencies — a troubling revelation with the No. 1 rushing team in the nation, West Virginia, and Louisville, ranked seventh, looming on the Big East horizon.
“Physically,” coach Dave Wannstedt said, “we didn’t hold up like we need to.”
Rutgers sophomore Ray Rice rushed for 225 yards on 39 carries, both career highs, and the Scarlet Knights offensive line mauled Pitt’s undersized defensive front.
The only hope I am taking from this is that it forces Coach Wannstedt to make the change at defensive coordinator. These “run defense deficiencies” have been there for the last 4 years or so. A run-only offensive team that everyone knows will be running, just imposes their will. The defense doesn’t prepare or adjust to it.
I know I’m not unbiased to Paul Rhoads. I’ve wanted the DC gone since the 2003 season. I’ve made no secret of that. It isn’t the lack of blitzing, or even the actual “bend-but-don’t-break” defensive philosophy. Or even seeing the team regularly make a good back look like Tony Dorsett. No. It’s the soft coverage even with talent in the secondary. It’s poor recruiting work on the D-line. It’s poor gameplanning. It’s the complete lack of adjustments after halftime. It’s not playing to the defense’s strengths and exploiting the opposing offenses weaknesses. It comes down to not putting the defense in a position to succeed.
Rhoads follows more of a “read-and-react” approach on defense, which is why he won’t make adjustments. He concedes to the offense what will be dictated. It doesn’t allow the defense to play to its strengths and mask or help at the weak spots.
On the offensive lines, I admit to being willing to cut a bit of slack. Not just because there is a new offensive system and OC, but because I honestly wasn’t even expecting this much from them this season. Talented players like Joe Thomas give hope for the future. The loss of Simonitis and injuries to back-ups also provides something of an excuse.
Rutgers has a very good and fast D-line. They used their strengths to attack Pitt. They didn’t blitz Pitt repeatedly because they always do. They did it, because they could exploit the weaknesses of Pitt (the O-line) and cover their own weak area (secondary).
Dave Wannstedt is responsibe for all of this as the head coach. I would say this is the last year he can even mention that he is still learning things about the college game and differences from the pros.
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