No one, including the players and coaches, thinks Rice is much beyond a bad team. That still doesn’t change how much Pitt needed that game. They needed an easy win, and they got it. They didn’t turn it into a needless struggle or a painful slog. They had a nice, laid-back blowout.
Max Browne was returned to starting QB, and looked like a different player. With some actual protection and a non-top-10 opponent, he looked something the former 5-star QB grad transfer Pitt fans were hoping to see.
Only a couple bad throws, and more incompletions came on drops by the receivers then because he missed them. Able to look downfield.
The only true concern on the offensive side from the game is the offensive line and running game. The inability of the O-line to get any sort of push or run blocking against Rice was unnerving to say the least. It’s been a problem all season. I don’t understand how the line has regressed so badly. Even with Bisnowaty and Johnson gone. There’s depth. Experience.
And they don’t look anything like they had the previous two seasons under John Peterson. I feel like I have been writing the same thing in this regard after every game.
With the exception of Damar Hamlin misreading/playing the one pass that ended up going for a 69-yard TD, the defense had a solid game. Really, outside the misery that was Oklahoma State, the defense hasn’t been horrid this season. I think the expectation was that it would be better then this.
The secondary looks improved, especially with Jordan Whitehead back there. I still would not be surprised to see Paris Ford get a shot in the next couple of games.
It’s that D-line that still doesn’t seem to get enough pressure without extra help from the linebackers that remains concerning. Against teams that spread it or use a run-pass-option, that exposes a lot of space over the middle for slot receivers and tight ends.
Was Pitt’s defense horrid last season? Pitt finished 2016 ranked #100 in total defense. Pitt is currently ranked #104 in total defense. Pitt finished 2016 ranked #106 in scoring defense. Pitt is currently #101 in scoring defense. Hard to see improvement through quantifiable evidence and the OSU game alone doesn’t account for that.
Pitt is currently #107 in passing defense and #85 in rushing defense. Seems like they have better balance at poor defense than in 2016.
My expectations have changed for 2017. Forget competing for the Coastal. I just want to see measurable improvement.
htp
Dungey will use short passes against our LBs and will score a lot of points. I don’t think we can keep up. Same when we see most other teams in the coastal improving, we are still trying to catch up.
Vuk from the PittsburghNow site broke it down and compared …
Dantonio after 2 years: 16-10
Narduzzi after 2 years: 16-10
Dantonio Year Three: 6-7
Narduzzi Year Three: ??
Dantonio next 6 years: 65-16
Read the entire article. It’s pretty good … link to pittsburghsportsnow.com
Is Pitt Dreamer and PoD one and the same? Serious question.
Please do not compare Narduzzi to Dantonio and think the same thing is going to happen here. Hell folks , we almost lost to Youngstown state.
These are entirely two different situations.
We have no proven QB next year (far from poor coaching and planning), Running backs??? (I quess they are being coached by “far from poor coaches”. A disorganized offensive line ( could this be poor coaching )???. The only track Pitt is on is the one going south.
I also read the article and folks its a delusion here. Where is all the talent at, show me then I will become a believer. Beating Rice was like playing Duquesne people , get real.
Even if this year really tanks, nothing will happen to Narduzzi. The athletic administration does not have the stomach to go through another coaching search, they would not know where to even begin looking for someone who wants to come here. Now, at the end of next year and still poor football, that’s another story. Then the whole mess starts again.
Unproven offensive line, a lot of new faces.
No experienced QB, Di Nucci maybe but this was the year he should have been playing. look for a transfer or two again.
Running Backs, we may have numbers but no quality, present offensive line may be the problem.
Wide receivers, below average play.
It all starts with the offensive line, it needs to be good in order to run any type of offense. Good pass protection, good blocking for the runners, need to push the defense back. This does not exist today and with a new group next year how do you expect this to be better.
You can compare Duzz to Dantoni. That’s his mentor and they’ve had the same arc so far. In year 3 at MSU, MSU’s pass defense was 110/115.
Please stop comparing MSU to Pitt programs etc.
It is not like comparing apples to apples at all.
I hope they win but I am also being real here and I wish everyone else would. As far as not watching thru “the lens of professional football fan”, neither do the other 40,000 plus who don’t buy tickets and go to the game.
I’m not sure what you mean by everyone not being real. It’s just a collection of people who enjoy Pitt and like talking about the team. I’m not sure what anyone said here that was so outrageous. I haven’t heard anyone mention national championships, or playoffs or even the coastal division. Hell, when was the last time someone even mentioned a bowl game?
It’s fine if you don’t like Narduzzi and if you don’t think he’s the guy. You’ll still have to be patient though. Whether you like it or not he’s here for a bit longer.
The only ones who are not being real are the people who expect Pitt to be Alabama in year 3 … or have the money of Alabama football in year 3 … or have the boosters of Alabama in year 3 … or have the fan base of Alabama in year 3 …
Btw, look a little more closely at MSU’s history … it’s a program very much like Pitt. In fact, before Dantoni, one of the most similar programs to Pitt. In the shadow of Michigan. A historically mediocre football program who peaked decades ago and that was just there. A non-threatening program in the middle of the Big 10 … Not as bad as Indiana or NW but not as good as Michigan or OSU. Duzz mimicking Dantoni’s blueprint sounds just about right to me.
Some of us just enjoy being fans of Pitt and have fond memories of our time at the school. I couldn’t care less about who doesn’t show up to games. I do and I’m 4 hours away. And I have a good time every time I go. The only thing that will fix attendance is winning and winning for a long time. And the only way that happens if we keep a coach more than 5 years at a time. That’s being real.
I understand why some people are bitter but nostalgia, for me, wins every time.
I want Pitt to be better, but I’m not impatient. I expect the process to take time. I don’t need instant gratification. Those type of deals are usually short-lived anyways. I’d rather have something built to stand for a while. I hope Duzz is the guy. I’d rather not start over again. That’s being real too.
We’ll find out starting next season what we have. In year 4, a program usually starts turning the corner with the team peaking in years 5 and 6. If Pitt’s not turning a corner next season, I’ll start to be more concerned. I won’t stop rooting for Pitt … Or going to games … Or let it give it me any ill will towards my school.
Pitt Dreamer/JoeD….One and the same?? For God’s sake. Take a deep breath and enjoy some football.
I want them to do well and win on Saturday and if they do I will take back some, not all of my comments and become more positive for sure.
“Take it”
However after forty years of following Pitt Football I’ve become accustomed to losing, although I don’t like it. That being said, hoping that winning happens instead, isn’t being addicted to the Koolaid, rather it’s just a fan being optimistic & rooting for the appropriate outcome for their team.
This game against the Orange is a toss up. Pitt matches up well against Syracuse. If we catch a break or two, there’s no reason Pitt can easily be 3-3 by Saturday evening.
Not a Koolaid drinker, just an optimistic Pitt fan. H2P!
Like I said though, I’m a little more forgiving when it comes to Pitt.
My experiences at Pitt are defined by more than sports but if we don’t see improvement the next two season I’ll start to grumble a little more.
The Kool-aid comment is very dismissive of why people care for Pitt.
Last year’s complete surprise at Clemson sure was fun to experience live in person, especially since I expected the Tigers to tear us a new one when we visited their house for the first time. Little did I know what the day had in store for the Panther Faithful in Death Valley.
The Orange ain’t nothing special, time to tally win #3, just wait & see.
Pitt’s athletic program is just another important facet of the University’s quest for excellence. Are we Alabama, Clemson, FSU or Penn State? Do we want to be Baylor, Penn State or any other program that puts the welfare of the players and coaches ahead of the welfare of people who come into contact with the program?? Hell no. I read the comments by Dr Tom, TT, Clancy, Barvo. These guys are not Kool Aid drinkers. When I encounter a guy in this blog who has NOTHING good to say about the team (coaches and players). Am I going to call him out? Hell Yes…..Take It.
Dreamer – relax. it’s a small class which hurts Pitt’s rankings. When the final rankings come out, sort on stars and you’ll have a better idea of where Pitt finished. Pitt gets penalized for having less than 20 kids. They have a few players due for bumps so it will improve a little, especially if they add Raines.
When this bum goes 4-8 and his recruiting is atrocious keep praising him.
Thanks.
Alcoa – two years to arrests and passed up by 5 foot 10 white receiver
Upitt earned his rep … years and years worth of posts. He relishes it like a good WWF villain.
Pitt dreaming – we don’t get annoyed so much by the negativity. It’s when the same people continue to repeat the same crap without offering anything new to the conversation. We get it, you don’t like Duzz. You don’t like the AD. You don’t like the BoT. You don’t like the stadium. You didn’t like Chryst. You didn’t like graham. You didn’t like wanny. You didn’t like Walt. You didn’t like Dixon. You don’t like Stallings (hey – we agree).
It never ends tho. Just rinse, repeat, rinse. Offer real conversation on what Pitt should do.
I like the stadium always have.
Did not say I don’t like the AD, may be a great administrator, will not be able to pick good coaches in either football or basketball, who does she know in either of those sports?
I liked Chryst, knew how to coach and make changes during a game.
Who the hell did like Graham?
Wanny, had to spend more time with local police to find out what his players did. Had no control of his team off the playing field.
I liked Walt, he was the long term solution, again a guy who had to fight the athletic administration for everything.
Long story short, you can be critical and complain but please don’t complain just for the sake of complaining. Trust me when I say this, we already get it. We’re Pitt fans after all.
I hated Chryst and was very critical. I also can’t stand Stallings and will be critical. I won’t harp on it though. I won’t repeat myself unless it’s responding to someone else.
Pickup in 5th round.
Max Browne showed with time he can be a solid accurate QB. Bottom line is he was definitely overrated coming out of high school and he needs help. Weah needs to build on Rice game, and Matthews needs to continue to help.
But what Browne really needs is the line and RB’s to get their shit together. Can AJ Davis still redshirt? If not, give him a chance. Going forward without a running game and pass protection you’re not going to see Browne be nearly as effective as he was on Saturday.
Chas, I agree we may see Ford soon too. He was dressed Saturday and very engaged in the game, he was the first guy to mob Dane Jackson after his pick.