Then your 2nd Most Valuable Player gets knocked out at crunch time. How do you blame the coach?

Happy New Year Blatherites! I hope your 17′ is filled with positive energy.

I think PN has this program headed in the right direction. Just remember, our players will be a year older and should have improved by the time we kick off 2017 season. The teams we play will also have turnover and their seniors will graduate as well. I’m bullish on the program.

If only I felt the same way about hoops…

Not to mention Whitehead already out as well.
If Aston doesn’t slip on the two yard line and Pitt goes up 10-0 in first quarter it would of been an entirety different game.

Even with all that Pitt was in it till the end..even with a QB that completed one more pass to Pitt guy than he did to NorthWestern players.

Time to start looking forward to Sept 9, 2017.

Personally, not as devastated like some here over Canada’s departure.

Not a secret I was never totally enthralled with the “Smoke ‘n Mirrors” Offense.

Hoping that Narduzzi brings in an OC who wants to run his OWN Offense…

… and that Offense packs a little more “Power at the Point of Attack” than Canada’s.

For all of its success… Canada’s Offense is STOPPABLE.

Takes a D-Coordinator with enough smarts and attention to detail to have his Players reading the right keys.

Canada played one too many tricks at the bowl game. Plus NW wasnt fooled since they have a stout D and are well coached. Some of Pitt’s execution issues can be attributed to NW. I still think most were self inflicted though.

Or if you stop it yourself with fumbles, interceptions, slipping to your knee, jumping off side.

Pretty funny PoD, all offenses are stoppable. Even Tom Brady once in a while.

Even our power running game three years ago was stoppable six times.

I thoroughly enjoyed Canada’s creative offense this year. I hope we get a guy that uses his weapons as effectively next year.

Every Offensive Play has a key based upon its formation.

There can be a surprise now and then. But for the most part the keys stay the same.

That’s why the SAFEST bet is to have an Offense predicated upon challenging the Defense at the Point of the Attack… with a jet sweep or misdirection or two mixed in.

Of course, that requires that you make it a point to recruit a solid crop of O-Linemen year in and year out.

Here’s hoping this is what Pitt’s next OC will have in store.

gc… you’ve violated the rule of NEVER comparing the NFL to College Football.

The two simply aren’t comparable.

Even Clemson’s offense was stoppable.

I am not familiar with that rule, football is football. Pros and College copy each other all the time.

No doubt a great offensive line is required for a great offense.

gc… I suggest you talk with Chip Kelly.

Why not Pete Carroll or Jimmy Johnson?

Canada’s offense was extremely creative with all the motion. Most amazing was that our players were very good at it and made few mistakes. Not something for a young offensive line. He even won the Piesman for O’Neil, and used the talents of Henderson to the utmost as opposed to Chryst who was pretty much one dimensional. His offense worked against every team until the bowl due to self-inflicted wounds. I have already seen other teams copying the jet sweeps. Football is a copycat sport, when someone finds something that works other teams will copy. We won eight games because our offense was great enough to overcome a miserable defense. We largely have Canada to thank for that as well as a very talented group of kids. He got the most out of them.

And he is getting a giant raise in pay for it.

gc – and the big question is will Canada’s replacement come from within (Salem) or the MAC conference.

I’m hoping neither…

An OC would be wise to come to Pitt, where the cupboard is still loaded and the Head Coach is hands off. But we will see.

Let’s not forget QH fumbled twice in this game.

I’m not seeing a loaded cupboard – Clark and Max have never played a down at Pitt.

Who will replace Conner?

The Oline suffered badly when Johnson went out with the ankle injury – who is his & Biz’ replacements?

Jones-Smith and Officer with Dintino at center will be a very solid line. Clark and Max have the reps, hopefully they live up to them. While there will never be another James Conner, we have four guys that can play.

Henderson’s fumbling is a major worry, but the upside is unbelievable.

Weah and Aston had 10 TD’s each. Outstanding.

The O-line will be good again. They have all of spring practices & fall camp to come together. Replacing a 3 year starting All American in a bowl game isn’t easy to do. A backfield with Hall, Moss, Ollison, Sibley, & Aston isn’t too shabby. I’m most concerned about QB.

The O-line wasn’t very good in NYC, but that was just one game. Wait, Miami, VATech, not very good then either.

gc, If Astin doesn’t trip he has 11 TDs and Pitt goes up by 10 early. Having an extra 7 points on the scoreboard, maybe they kick a field goal or two instead of going for it on 4th down. Football can come down to ONE play making all the difference. It can be the difference in the outcome of a game and one game can make the difference in your season. That’s why the mindset is so important. The production of the offense this year exceeded all expectations. All season long Pitt’s opponents had to try to prepare for it in one week. Northwestern had a month to prepare and they did a good job of taking away much of what the Panther offense does best. There is nothing I would have liked better than seeing the Pitt team put 42 points on the scoreboard. Looking ahead I am optimistic about next season.

Watching the UNC vs Stanford game – the players look explosive and engaging.

Pitt look lethargic and uninterested.

Not sure I have the same optimism. Our defense stinks, our best runningback is gone and we have no proven quarterback. Not to mention a new offensive coordinator.

Justinian, no doubt after Henderson fumbled and lost ten previous series, then Aston slips and Conner fails to get in, it changes the attitude.

Then NP makes a bad decision/throw and you start wondering if anything is going to go right. Especially when you have a defense known to give up large numbers of points.

Then Conner goes down, you take the lead and Peterman goes down.

It just wasn’t our day. But I agree that that one play started the downward spiral. Aston has been steady all year and usually won’t be denied.

A goal line stand like that gives a team a lot of confidence.

Goalie44 – I’m right there with you – next year looks bleak as far as Pitt FB wins.

I’m usually optimistic, but not feeling that way right now – hoping it passes…

I’m gonna try some fireball and see if that helps.

I hope the OC has been identified and brought on board ASAP, with ènough of a reputation to bring some top recruits with him!

It will be SOP – hire cheap or someone already on staff…for cheap

These fuckers never learn.

And it doesnt help that our AD is leaving. No accountability, no focus, nobody gives a fucking shit.

But thats Pitt for you. Pitt = SHIT

Jagoff > Pitt Shitt

Whoever the new OC is better have a ridiculous buy-out clause

Reading posts here is interesting. Seems to me some really have great insights and others just can’t get out from under their own black cloud personalities to see the light Pitt has shining going forward. I will not mention names but I think there is a need for medication for several here including anti-depressants, mania, and certainly anti-anxiety. Me, I’m sticking with the light stuff in the variety of forms of EtOH.

It will be a long off-season which I hope is punctuated by several encouraging tweets from HCPN. I am not feeling confident the basketball team will give us much to cling to over the next three months, but THAT would be my elixer of choice if we make the Big Dance.

Hope everyone keeps up the posting, it is entertaining if nothing else in its diversity.

H2P!!! and let’s all wish for a little happier and healthy 2017 ahead.

Well Tvax…..I think we’ve all been wishing for quite some time…..like 3 decades.

It’s a credit to those of us who have stayed on this Ship of Fools…so long.

Er……wait……..

Mich/FSU played a great game…These “meaningless” games are highly entertaining when both teams care about winning

Jimbo Fisher: “You’re keeping score, you’re playing”. That in response to a question about what you are playing for in this bowl game.

ACC coaches and players need to steal a page from the SEC post game playbook. That being to always mention the ACC and ACC football in your post game comments.

Max Browne we need u right now. Peterman is broken and Gone. Phil Steele rated Max Browne the #1 QB coming out of High School when he came out of HS

Wow, TX Panther must be going through some hormonal changes… Poor guy/gal.

And our OL should be very good next year, no concerns there. The bigger question to me is, assuming Browne starts, will we be wise and get the young guy (presumingly McV) some experience along the way…

All I can say is WOW!

Narduzzi wins 8 games two years in a row, beats Clemson and PSU, in a very tough season.

For the maybe the first time is beaten by a team we should have beat, with lots of individual miscues, and head trauma, and the rats are ready to jump ship

Some of you guys need to hoist your big boy panties.

But I hear comments like, no more donations from me, I’m selling my season tickets, we need to leave the ACC because they don’t love us, next year is going to be terrible. The coach didn’t have them ready, they didn’t look like they wanted to be there. The media is mean to us. Are you guys mind readers? And ladies why do a bunch of football fans spend so much time talking about uniforms, when most your wives buy your clothes for you? But let’s talk some more about how an OCS is going to save Pitt Football.

How bout we grow a pare.

This game was a minor blip in the shitstorm that has been Pitt football for thirty years.

Pitt Fans are their own worst enemies, terrible attendance after we beat Clemson, and constant criticism, of our teams. Sometimes justified, but more often than not just bellyaching and sour grapes.

Help me out Dr. Tom!

Do you have confidence that the right decision will be made on the AD hire. If it goes anything like the basketball hire, Pitt is in trouble.

What leads any of us to believe that Pitt has changed its ways. It has always been cheap. It always uses these damn search firms. Right now Gallaghers talk of a front porch is just talk.

And its great for many of us fools (wont name names) to still be optimistic after 30 years of this crap. I for one see it for what it is. Anyone really think the football and basketball team records will be better next year. You’re judged by wins and losses.

Other schools make progress much faster than Pitt by making better hiring decisions, investing in facility upgrades, outraising its competitors, and really being serious about their front porch. Our Pitt brand stinks right now. What does it really stand for? Embarrassing bowl losses. Choking come Big Dance time? Bottom of Directors Cup? Small time university still without a track?

Pitts mindset needs to be set on excellence and not mediocre. Sustained excellence.

I dont set the bar low. I’ve been accustomed to Pitt’s admin doing that for me.

Tvax.. shouldnt be too long of an off season … lots of things on the plate to hold our attention and keep the BS flowing… new OC and AD hires… filling out this recruiting class… LOI day.. then before you know it – spring ball …lots of up and coming Newbys ready to step up and make their statement at Pitt…My glass has gone from half empty to half full … that’s what happens when one gets to hang out with Dr Tom ( retired dentist and currently practicing “PITT sports fan psychologist) for a couple of games

Expectations change throughout the year. I would have been happy with 8 wins before the season started. Now I see we should have had 10. 9 wins would have been significant but Pitt didnt show up for this game. Lack of focus, over-confidence?

If Pitt wanted to build upon a good year, they should have won their bowl game. I think we have a right to be disappointed but to also put it in perspective.

Do I see the football program building something that may pay off in 2-3 years with a BCS appearance…maybe. Do I see the basketball program succeeding in the ACC…not really. Just opinions based on observations.

The only thing that doesnt surprise me is Pitt’s ineptitude throughout the years. Pitt has been its own worst enemy setting it back. The thing that constantly surprises me is how many Charlie Browns there are as Pitt fans. We keep coming back to kick that damn ball but Lucy keeps pulling it away. Pitt does have some of the most dedicated fans there are. I’m about to kick Lucy in the head.

It is not about being optimistic, it is about realistic. I am confident that no matter who Pitt picks for AD he/she will be loudly criticized before given any chance of success. Look at Stallings hate and name calling from the get go. The guy inherited a couple really good guys and a lot of marginal players.

I will be at the Pete today with the real Pitt Fans, students still on break, the ACC opener. The Pete will be half filled. How do you recruit great players without fan support?

Pitt is unique because it is a city school and has lost most of it’s home town recruiting area. Coaches are adapting and recruiting in NJ, Ohio and FL. Not easy when the fans don’t show up. Do you think a recruit reading a Pitt Blog is encouraged or discouraged?

We will never be Alabama or tOSU in football or Kentucky or Duke in basketball. If that is what you are hoping for you picked the wrong team to root for.

There’s only ONE reason anyone should be worried about Narduzzi at this point.

The reason is the fact that Narduzzi came in touted as a Defensive GURU. If you were to place odds at the time, the one sure thing with his hire is that Pitt would finally play GREAT Defense.

Obviously, that’s NOT been the case.

Step back for a moment and imagine what the reaction might have been had Paul Chryst come in with his reputation as an Offensive Guru and got similar results with his Offense?

Contrary to what we’ve witnessed with Narduzzi, Chryst IMMEDIATELY impacted Pitt’s Offense… not the least of which involved the dramatic transformation of Tino Sunseri.

To date, Narduzzi has yet to raise the performance of Pitt’s Defense to the level you would expect at the hands of someone as highly touted.

This continued this week when the Head Coach and the Offensive Coordinator for Northwestern absolutely SCHOOLED Narduzzi on how NOT to play Run Defense.

On second thought… there might be one other reason for worry.

Next year, Narduzzi is going to have to win close Games without the luxury of relying on Pitt’s ALL-TIME BEST Kicker.

That is certain to raise the bar.

If I was a recruit or parent, I’d know I’m not being bullshitted by reading these boards and blogs. If a recruit chooses Pitt after reader Blather, he truly does bleed Blue and Gold. Its about setting expectations. And I dont know of anyone on this site that criticizes a recruit or player. We are all civil and grounded most of the time. You want to be hometown hero? Come to Pitt. Want a good education? Come to Pitt. Want a high energy and fun city? Come to Pitt. Want to play in front of some dedicated fans but plenty of yellow seats? Come to Pitt. Want a chance to play southern schools? Come to Pitt. You want playing time in a big time conference? Come to Pitt. The positives far outweigh the negatives. Pitt should be able to in time sell itself but our brand isnt there yet.

You make good points PoD. But the cupboard was not bare for Chryst, he had Clemmings and Rotherham. He had Bennett, Street and Holtz, and brought in Boyd, Conner, and Savage.

House’s recruiting left Narduzzi with very little talent. Defense is a lot harder to quick fix. Whitehead is the only young guy that has made a difference on defense.

I will agree with you even more if the D does not improve next year, but it still might take another year for his young guys to grow up.

But as a head coach, Chryst won 6 games each year, and Narduzzi has won 8. Chryst had a number of bad losses. While we should have beaten NW, they weren’t Youngstown or Akron.

TX, good points but the allure of the 100,000 screaming fans is still powerful to elite prima donnas. Sorry but there is plenty of criticism of individual players. Young and Artis take their fair share of abuse. Tino is the poster child for abuse, as are our recent cornerbacks.

I agree. I myself was harsh on Tino.

Good luck pitt basketball. Beat the Domers.

As I’ve said in the past, Chryst’s weakness was letting loyalty cloud his decisions.

We saw this with his promotion of House which really turned out to be a MAJOR detriment to what he was trying to build at Pitt.

We also saw it in how he handled his Quarterbacks refusing to sit his chosen Starters… even for a series or two… no matter how bad they struggled.

With the main exception being Peterman, the Pitt Team we witnessed this year was really Chryst’s Team. And had Chryst and his Staff stayed, it was ultimately going to be the one that they would have been judged on.

I think this Team was easily a 7 or 8 Win Team… and MAYBE a 9 or even 10 Win Team.

That said, I think Narduzzi got out of it pretty much what it was and no more… with the outlier being the UPSET of a Clemson Team that obviously did NOT take Pitt seriously and saw everything go Pitt’s way on that particular SPECIAL Saturday.

Next year, truly marks the beginning of the Narduzzi era.

GTech playing inspired FB against a mid-level SEC team.

Losing is not an option in this bowl match-up for the Rambling Wreck…

Mentally Pitt was not strong enough to withstand some bad luck, bad breaks, bad calls and bad injuries. I’m talking players and coaches alike.

Louisville and its Heisman winning qb just shit the bed against LSU.