For WVU, they don’t use dump off or outlet passes much. When the play breaks down, QB Rasheed Marshall takes off. That’s why their starting TE has only one catch for the year, and now he is doubtful for the game. Their RB Kay-Jay Harris is banged up, but seems healthy enough to go in this game. If he doesn’t touch the ball at least 20 times in the first half, I will have to assume he isn’t in great shape.
A bit of a puff piece on Tyler Palko, but a clueless dis of WR Greg Lee:
When West Virginia and Pitt play Thursday night at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, it will be Palko that worries West Virginia most. Pitt has no standout receiver anymore, although Greg Lee has 45 catches for almost 1,000 yards.
Lee is 6th in the country in receiving yards per game and is the Big East’s leading receiver, and he isn’t a standout receiver? He has 4 less catches than WVU’s Chris Henry but for 117 more yards. Right, not a standout if you mean getting unsportsmanlike penalties and suspensions. I’m sure the WVU coaches are planning to line Pac-Man Jones up against DelSardo instead. I can only hope that the Hoopies are that dumb.
Speaking of clueless, it seems another writer in West Virginia just figured out that Pitt could make it to the BCS bowl. In depth sports reporting to match the fan intelligence. Can’t give them too much info too soon.
Final useful feature. WVU’s “5 Keys to Victory”
- Running the Football
- Containing Tyler Palko
- Creating Turnovers
- Special Teams
- Field Position
Run. True enough. The Mountaineers should have at least a 3-1, run to pass on their play calling. Be it Harris running left, right, middle or QB Marshall just rolling out or running on a draw. Hoping for brainlock or a little ego in Rodriguez to show that they can still throw the ball without Henry to catch the passes.
Contain Palko. Hopefully they will try to do that with a lot of blitzes. The Pitt O-line has gotten much better at providing pass protection, and when things finally break down, Palko has gotten loose. The more dangerous thing might be if they just drop a lot of guys into coverage and have a spy waiting for Palko to run when the protection finally breaks down. That scares me more.
Turnovers. 7-2. The last two Backyard Brawls, WVU has a +5 turnover margin against Pitt. Pitt has only committed 6 interceptions and lost 5 fumbles this season. WVU has committed 7 interceptions and 9 fumbles. Conversely Pitt has recovered 6 fumbles has 13 interceptions (a +8 turnover margin). WVU has recovered 8 fumbles and also has 13 interceptions (+5 turnover margin). Pitt has to continue to be careful with the ball.
Special Teams. WVU fans, and hopefully the coaches, are spooked over what BC did on returns. Seems to be a bit of overemphasizing it this week. Pitt is not a particularly good return team. As long as Allen Richardson is returning punts, they should be happy. At this point, all Pitt wants to make sure happens is that there are turnovers when receiving a kick or punt. WVU should be more concerned with Graessle’s punting and Cummings FG kicking.
Field Position. Against ND, Pitt showed it can march right down the field, controlling and protecting the ball. Field position takes care of itself depending on everything else. A stupid “key” to victory.
