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November 3, 2014

Ugly October

Filed under: Chryst,Football — Justin @ 1:28 pm

Fans are panicking. Questions are flying. Four wins and five losses. An ugly October killed any hope of a successful third season. Is the coach anything more than a great offensive coordinator who can’t handle running the show himself? A few good wins have been countered with ugly losses. Does this team have a QB that can win next season? The defense is in shambles and has looked like one of the worst in the country. All the hope and promise of a 7 win season last year is gone. Should the coach be fired and let the program start all over again after recent turmoil? With a little luck in the remaining three games perhaps the season can be salvaged, but two tough opponents make that unlikely.

The above cluster of random, flustered sentences looks like it’s about Pitt and Paul Chryst. That or it could be about WVU exactly one year ago today. One year ago, although coming off a win over TCU, WVU was 4-5 with an awful defense, questions at QB, and a lot of people who wanted to fire the head coach. From talking to some WVU fans before the season, most were expecting four or five wins and for Hologorsen to be fired before December. Fast forward one year and WVU is 6-3 and all three losses are to top 10 teams. There’s a lot of hope in Morgantown and they just hosted ESPN’s game day last weekend, and heartbreaking loss be damned, the game was worth the hype.

I don’t bring this up to say “be jealous of WVU, they turned it around.” I don’t bring this up to be optimistic and say next year will be better. I bring it up to ask what can Pitt do to turn it around like WVU did? I notice a few key things WVU did this offseason that Pitt can do. Will it work? If I could answer that I’d be working for Pitt, not writing about them.

1) Bring in experienced help on the defensive coaching staff

WVU’s defense was worse last season than Pitt is this season by a large margin. WVU gave up 30+ points in seven of their final nine games. While the past two weeks have been ugly, Pitt has only given up more than 25 twice. What did WVU do? They brought in former PSU coordinator Tom Bradley to help with the defense. The results have been astounding. While the defense isn’t statistically great, they’ve been opportunistic and have enabled WVU to compete against the upper echelon of college football.

I’ve seen several people connected to the program say Matt House probably won’t be fired. But, there are several assistants who could be shown the door and that will create ample opportunities for improvement. The key difference for WVU has been the approach. With the pass heavy Big 12, WVU played soft coverage and didn’t get much pass rush. Sound familiar? This year the Mountaineers have gone attack-heavy and it has made a huge difference.

2) Trust a second year starter at QB

WVU cycled through three QBs last year and the results left a lot to be desired. They combined for 16 touchdowns, 16 interceptions, 54.1% completion, and only 6.78 yards per attempt. For a pass heavy offense that’s terrible. To compare, Voytik is at 11 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, 61.3% completion, and 7.21 yards per attempt.

In year two for Trickett, his completion percentage has gone up 14.3%, his yards per attempt 1.59 yards, and he has 18 touchdowns as opposed to 7 and their season still has four more games. If Voytik can get up to even 65% completion and 8 yards per attempt, the offense will be dramatically better. Heck, if the offense plays close to what we saw against Duke we’ll be in good shape. If that offense shows up against Iowa, Akron, and UVA Pitt is 7-2 right now.

3) Don’t play true freshmen

Obviously Pitt hasn’t had much of a choice here, but the amount of inexperienced players is a hindrance. On WVU’s current depth chart according to Ourlads, WVU has one true freshman on the two deep, Dravon Henry. Pitt has four on defense (Maddox, Amara, Blair, and Wirginis). Three of those four play extensively. I don’t say that to in any way denigrate their play, but I think everyone will agree the sophomore versions of those players will be better than the freshman. Amara, Blair, and Wirginis have a very high chance of starting next year (Wirginis was supposed to redshirt but played his way onto the two deep in camp), so their experience now will help in 2015.

Next year, the only true freshman who appears likely to play is Jordan Whitehead. Whitehead, like Henry for WVU, is a top tier recruit so that isn’t necessarily bad. Thankfully with the return of Titus Howard from suspension and a now experienced Avonte Maddox, Whitehead will have to earn a starting job. Pitt only has to replace six senior starters, three on each side of the ball, and each position has backups currently seeing the field consistently.

Will these three things mean a WVU like jump in Chryst’s third year? Who knows. The key is obviously adding coaching talent to the defensive side of the ball. Who or how that will be, I don’t know. I just know that Matt House will likely still be DC in 2015 much to my chagrin, but with some help, maybe they can turn it around. Matt House’s defense looked good two weeks ago. Maybe a little help could go a long way.

 





I say we go get ed ogeron.

Comment by 18 melba 11.03.14 @ 5:26 pm

@pittisit37, I actually can appreciate your perspective and point of view.

Simply for me, if the ride is no longer fun, there is no real joy for me to enjoying the ride.

I believe most of us have been doing that or trying to do that for 30 some odd years.

Not pouting at all. I just know this is the first time our household has ever discussed not renewing our season tickets at the end of the year.

That’s no threat to anyone. Like you say, I doubt anyone at Pitt is reading this. Even if they do, some guy saying he’s not renewing his season tickets doesn’t even come on their radar.

People like to win. When you don’t win, it’s not as much fun.

As the kids and nieces and nephews have gotten older, they are finding other things to do. Asking if we can leave right after the game, to get home quickly.

Having other things to do on Saturdays.

When your team is not part of the scene, then it becomes much less attractive to go an participate.

We’ve always put aside a little money, and time for Pitt.

We’ve just got to the point, “is this really worth it?”.

Too many other things to do with our time and money.

If the university isn’t gonna commit to us, why should we commit to them???

Again, you make a good point. My rants aren’t of the immature nature, just the truth.

I’m not gonna scare anyone at Pitt with me giving them 6 more yellow seats next year.

They won’t even notice.

Comment by Dan 11.03.14 @ 5:32 pm

By the way, I’ll still cheer for Pitt and watch them on the tube.

When ND and PSU come, I’m sure we’ll go on
Stub Hub and grab a couple seats.

Just the full time commitment for 6 or 7 Saturdays in the fall, and usually 1 road trip, I believe we’re done with.

The excellent question actually, would be,

wtf took us so long?????????

LMAO!!!

Comment by Dan 11.03.14 @ 5:36 pm

And one more.

If just in case anyone at Pitt should happen to look on here,

you shouldn’t criticize any of the
couple of hundred?? posters on here or be mad at us.

We’re the die hards, of the die hards.

Pitt ought to thank their lucky stars that some of us give such a damn.

Comment by Dan 11.03.14 @ 5:42 pm

If a new head coach is in on the horizon, they should look long and hard at Mike Munchak.

Comment by Bill Mickere 11.03.14 @ 6:19 pm

Dan, I am frustrated with you believe me. I debated on not going to the unc game but knew if I didn’t I would regret it. I’ve waited for pitt to come to the acc for that reason. What I would give to be able to see pitt in person every weekend instead of watching either on my computer at work or on tv. Guess I’m a sucker for blue balls. I thoroughly enjoyed the dokish article and thought he had amazing points and ideas. I wish someone at pitt would hear the cries of the fans, but so far things fall on deaf ears. I can’t even enjoy the reincarnation of the script because it was done so poorly.

Comment by pittisit37 11.03.14 @ 6:22 pm

Daughter’s Birthday Boss or no doubt I’d be with Ya’ll! Then we could go to the Pit for barbacue! You NC’s know how to use that vinegar and Mustard sauce!!!

Comment by Upittbaseball 11.03.14 @ 3:48 pm

UPitt – Like a lot of things your wrong. Mustard based sauce is a South Carolina way to make supposedly pork barbecue edible.

Give me a brisket any day.

Most pork barbecue is at the most smoked for a half hour & finished in a oven. The sauce ruins what little smoke flavor that half hour provides.

But I will take the mustard based sauce for the NC vinegar or tomato based.

Comment by PITT-cocks fan 11.03.14 @ 6:30 pm

It was PAINFUL to watch Conner and the other Players being forced to stand there and answer questions from the Press after the Game.

Not a smart decision by Borghetti.

Comment by PittofDreams 11.03.14 @ 6:44 pm

The defense. Why has WV been playing better? Because they recruited speed. They understood that the big12/10 is pass happy. So what they do is play 5 defensive backs in order to negate the opponents speed advantage. They then play down hill with the front six in run blitzing formations to create havoc and turnovers. But the main difference is heart. I have yet to see a wv db run away from a blocker or runner or receiver. They run to the ball like a wild pack, which makes it easier to bring someone down. Pitt DB’s run away from contact. Heart and passion. Either you have it or you don’t.

I am still trying to figure out who the best three defenders are on our team. We have one and that is the oft injured Todd Thomas. Gonzo is good, but not a star. Noone else is even close. I said this months ago. When it is 4th and two, there is only one player that you think of that may make a play and that is Thomas. Sorry guys, that’s it.

I am not a believer in sitting freshman. If they are your best players, they play. If marginal improvement over what you have, they sit unless it is an emergency. It is not a bad thing to think that one offensive true freshman and one defensive true freshman should play if you are recruiting well. Especially, when they start school early and begin practice in the spring. Pitt is not good enough yet to sit talent. No quality depth, yet. It’s like James. He is a real good talent, but he hasn’t learned patience. He will. Why wait for a second year starter in the Pitt offense. IT is not complicated. Snap, turn, hand off. We are not an intricate offense and I don’t see our 3rd year guy making audibles, so that is silly. That is why I go for Bertke before this. We are not complicated. Football is not complicated.

Like, almost 10% of you thought we should have run the ball to the middle to kick a field goal. Point is, not a complicated game. It is a game of passion and figuring out and then attacking your opponent’s weakness. That is not complicated. That is study!

Comment by dhuffdaddy 11.03.14 @ 6:47 pm

Pat Narduzzi like Wolford, the Pellinis and the Stoops are Youngstown area natives. Not a bad candidate at all.

I also like Doc Holliday … think he may be the best candidate in fact if he was interested. Not only is he a good recruiter, he has Florida ties

Comment by wbb 11.03.14 @ 6:58 pm

. Does anyone know if there are if any top defensive recruits still open to coming to Pitt? Unless they improve at lb and de it won’t matter who they hire or fire Is there anyone they could . switch from offense ? Conner is not an option.

Comment by Fred filopek 11.03.14 @ 7:07 pm

Wolford was highly regarded at South Carolina. Most fans wondered why he left to take a job at YSU.

Real family (Not Todd Graham type of family) & home means a lot to some. Pittsburgh is not that far from Youngstown.

He would be a good hire.

Comment by PITT-cocks fan 11.03.14 @ 7:13 pm

Mullin will never go to UF. They pissed him off and his wife when they passed him over twice.

Doc is going to UF per those in the know. He owns Florida and is a stud recruiter/closer.

Comment by Upittbaseball 11.03.14 @ 7:27 pm

Dan

I’m with you…I’m done renewing my tix..but will probly go to ND and PSU thru stub hub

Comment by Keith 11.03.14 @ 7:31 pm

fred, Salem Brightwell OLB, Shareef Miller DE, Jazzee Stocky S, John Petrishen S all have Pitt on their final list. All are consensus 3-stars except Petrishen who is mostly 2-stars but with a handful of Power 5 offers

Comment by wbb 11.03.14 @ 8:00 pm

27 and 12 in three years that’s a failure according to smug steve. Potato Paul ain’t doing so hot year three and I see no upside. We were respectable now were a laughter!!!

Comment by zach 11.03.14 @ 8:04 pm

Also, more power to the players.

Couldn’t feel worse for them.

Looked like Voytik had tears in his eyes, did you see the way the beast Conner walked to the bench after his amazing touchdown, like he was possessed!!

I think most of them are giving everything they have.

Most of those guys wanted it bad, and have my utmost respect.

Hail to Pitt to the players!!!

Comment by Dan 11.03.14 @ 8:11 pm

Pitt Cocks Fan – Are you serious? You are trying to prove a point between 2 states next to each other. I have had both sauces mustard based and vinegar based in NC. Yes, when I”m in Columbia I get Maurice’s. So save me the shit there Julia Child’s.

Comment by Upittbaseball 11.03.14 @ 9:57 pm

Upitt – Yes, I am serious. I live 8 miles from the NC state line. The local BBQ joints in SC here do not even serve a mustard based sauce as an alternative on the table or at the counter.

I travel extensively in western NC (west of I-77) & have been laughed at for asking if they have a mustard based sauce.

Next time you are in Columbia try Hudson’s on Hwy 321.

Comment by PITT-cocks fan 11.04.14 @ 8:08 am

Eric Wolford is the exact opposite of Chryst, whereas he will gamble on players that were ineligible at P5 schools, mainly Florida kids. He also is married to his OC, Shane Montgomery, and PITT would be switching to a no huddle spread offense. He’s now 31-23 at YSU, with 3 wins every year coming against terrible FCS programs. He has never made the playoffs at YSU, despite 24 teams getting in, and he is notorious for blowing leads late in games, and crumbling down the stretch of a season. He also has verbally assaulted athletic trainers and water boys/girls, to the point where the AD has forced him to apologize. He is likely not someone we as PITT fans should want as coach. He is from Youngstown and would likely be able to recruit Ohio, but PITT can do much better.

Comment by QB Recruiting Guru 11.04.14 @ 9:25 am

Pederson screwed up this program…wether u like it or not we have to stick with Chryst for a couole more years. Firing the Stache maybe wasnt the best decison when u look back. They do need to throw more money out their for the program, and they really do need an expereienced D cordinator.

Comment by tsingtao44 11.10.14 @ 11:53 pm

Wow all the WVU hate has fizzled. LOL Not nearly as much fun. Seriously the Backyard Brawl is now down to “our AD is better than your AD!”

BTW attended the WVU-Ok State game in Stillwater and highly recommend the trip when they roll up on your schedule. Won’t disappoint.

Comment by A-wild 11.11.14 @ 9:43 pm

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