The basics.

Game Notes for Pitt and Navy (both PDF).

How does Navy look on the national level?

And now, Pitt.

Well, basically on defense, the Midshipmen’s weakness is defending the pass. The one thing Pitt is afraid to do on offense right now. The stats also suggest that they don’t generate a lot of pressure up front. If Wannstedt and Cavanaugh are going to let Bostick pass, this is the game. It’s also the best chance to give him confidence.

The one concern is that the Navy defense will change it’s looks and that could cause a lot of confusion for Bostick in reading it. Not to mention, Pitt’s O-line hasn’t exactly distinguished itself in any facet. Adjusting to different looks may confuse them as well.

Coach Wannstedt had his press conference today, and was talking up how the defense isn’t being given proper respect in light of its statistical rankings.

On Pitt’s national defensive rankings:

It probably doesn’t show up in wins and losses, but we’re fifth in the nation in passing defense, 27^th in rushing defense and (ninth) in the country in total defense. We’re still in the top 10 in the country in total defense and when you look at the last three games, you say ‘well how can that be?’ Obviously we’re doing some real good things on defense, but you don’t get a chance to stand up here and talk about them when you don’t get the win. We’re doing some good things on defense and our defensive guys are confident. This is a different challenge, it’s exciting to them and I think they’re looking forward to going out there and executing.

I was going to blast away, but Kevin Gorman essentially beat me to it.

Pitt’s defensive statistics this fall can be misleading, considering it has allowed 57 of its 78 points in the first half the past two games as its opponents cruised to victory.

Granted, Pitt’s aptitude for turning the ball over has given its opposition prime field position. Both Connecticut and Virginia took advantage to score in the game’s first two minutes, the Huskies using an interception return to Pitt’s 6 to set up their first touchdown and the Cavaliers recovering an onside kick with a 10-yard penalty to start at Pitt’s 39.

“That’s no excuse,” sophomore cornerback Aaron Berry said. “You still have to keep them out of our end zone, hold them to three points. I feel we’re a great defense and we’re going to keep our heads up the rest of the season.”

Not to mention, we’ve seen these seemingly impressive starts on defense in past seasons quickly degenerate into pathos in the second half.

Not to mention, the biggest problem for Pitt’s defense in the last few games has simply been getting off of the field on 3d and 4th down. Guess what? Navy’s really pretty good on 3d and 4th down conversions.

Navy also completes a high percentage of plays on third (49 percent) and fourth downs (75 percent), which will repeatedly test the fortitude of Pitt’s front four.

Against UVa, Pitt allowed 6 of 13 and 2 for 2 on 3d and 4th down conversions. UConn was 7 for 17 on 3d downs (but a whopping 7-10 in the first half). Finally Michigan State was 8 for 19 on 3d downs and 1 of 3 on 4th. That seems problematic.