Thursday night. ESPN. 7pm.
What? You really want to watch the Browns-Bengals tonight?
Didn’t think so.
The only thing Pitt fans have a higher angst level over the actual game is the attendance. Hopefully the crowd matches the excitement around this game and this team.
I’ve spent most of the week just clearing work, to make sure nothing comes up at the last minute to force me to a DVR delay. Justin will be doing pressbox duties tonight.
It’s a fine line between overhyping this to a point where the game is all or nothing, and understanding that win-or-lose the season isn’t over and goals are still there to be achieved.
North Carolina doesn’t have the football history of Pitt, but they have the label of perpetual underachiever/sleeping giant. They seemed on the cusp of making it with their run in the mid-nineties under Mack Brown. But, they couldn’t get past the Seminoles in 1997 — suffering the loss that year. Then losing Mack Brown to Texas.
They quickly nosedived back to ineptitude. Butch Davis was a seemingly great hire after the inevitable failure with the Cleveland Browns. He stockpiled talent there, as he had done in Miami. But he couldn’t win big before scandal brought him down. Now Larry Fedora — after spinning the wheels for a couple years — has the Tar Heels as close to a breakthrough as Pitt appears to be. Yet, I can guarantee that Tar Heel football fans are as braced for disaster probably more than success.
I guess what I’m saying, is that there is history on both sides has been one of disappointment in a big game like this. As much as the recent times weigh on Pitt fans, it has been even longer for UNC. Both sides can look back and say this is a game they don’t win. Both sides can believe or fear.
Something has got to give.
Our longest runs by the backs were 10 by Ollison, and 9 by James. Not nearly good enough.
Have really enjoyed your observations of last nights game!!! I’d say something more but you all already nailed it on the head. Thanks
– Obviously bummed, but all hope is not lost. Narduzzi is ahead of schedule with this program, but there will be bumps.
– UNC the better team in all phases except special teams. One of the obvious changes from SOP, our specials have won two games and gave us a fighting chance last night.
– For once I disagree with gc…I was hugely disappointed in the crowd size and energy. We can come up with a dozen excuses but last night once again proved what a jaded and fickle fan base we are dealing with. Like the team, a work-in- progress. Got loud for two minutes after the punt block. Students outlasted the fans last night.
– Pitt abandoned the run too quickly. Same Ollison question as everyone else- where was he?
– No separation for the WRs led to Peterman holding the ball, let to incompletions and sacks. We need more talent at WR.
– Peterman was great on a number of throws, but he’s not a talent that is going to put a team on his back. Still, a lesser QB (pick one from our past) is sacked 8-10 times and throws 2-3 picks. Peterman did not make that back-breaking mistake that beats us, although an easy pick was dropped. He gave Pitt a chance.
– Too many plays where every receiver at least 10 yds. downfield. Why not adjust to quicker throws w/ a 3-step drop?
– 3rd and 1+ QB sneak was an awful call.
– No idea what our offensive philosophy is. It just seems like a mishmash of plays.
– Boyd is not 100% and was on the sideline for Pitt’s last drive.
– UNC held everything that moved.
– Ford’s ‘fumble’ was an incomplete pass.
– Marquise Williams is really good. When Pitt Pressured him. He would either sidestep or shake off the would-be tackler.
– Jordan Whitehead made a ton of tackles again. Unfortunately last night, most were 7-10 yards down field.
– Yet again the defense started slow. We all knew it would bite us against a good team.
– On the flip side, the defense was good in the red zone, which again at least gave Pitt a shot.
– And the most obvious observation of all: our corners are just not good enough for Narduzzi’s man/press coverage scheme.
There is very little I can add to the above astute observations from yinz all. All year I have said our line play is mediocre at best and last night showed that on both sides – how many times is Bis gonna jump the snap?, the LBs just dont have the speed, TAckliing was generally uninspired, Pitts is still looking straight ahead. A poor team effort all around and we lost to better athletes (hope there are no more Marquis type QBs on our horizon)- I strongly believe the team will be vastly different in 3 years.
I havent said a lot about OCJC beyond the odd joke here or there. It was one thing when he was settling on a QB but the offense has been together 7 games going into last night. There is not excuse for his play calling, use of players etc. I would defer to Reed on all things Peterman but I believe he has the arm strength to air it out – this shortens the field for thier defense when we dont go for the bomb. The QB sneak was atrocious on 4th and 1 and 1//2 yards, the line was not pushing people off the ball, at best they were opening some holes – STUPID STUPID STUPID. The mismanagement of the clock at the end of the first half was inexcusable for someone with Chubbs experience. Boy did Nard Dog lay into him for an extended period. How did this guy get to be an offensive ‘guru’ that could get McVattie to commit?
I am so confused I feel like Chubbs, BEAT THE IRISH. Hang in there I believe there will be better days ahead under Narduzzi. Hail To Pitt.
None the less, don’t underestimate this bunch of upstart Owls. Yeah, I also think ND wins this game too. However, Temple is not going to be a pushover. Temple’s defense is made up of a bunch of tuff guy enforcer types. I’m just hoping that the Owls beat up the Irish so much that they’re still licking their wounds come next week when they should be giving their full attention to preparing for the Panthers.
Watch the game tonight before concluding that I’m FOS. Then you can come to your own conclusions about these Hooters from the inner city.
