Whether it’s a midseason review:

Defensive MVP: MLB Scott McKillop. The senior has already won Big East defensive player of the week honors three times and ranks second nationally in solo tackles (7.4 per game). He’s accomplished this despite playing with two newcomers at the outside linebacker spots. He’s not just the defensive MVP of the team but of the league as a whole in the first half.

Or talking about underrated guys, nationally.

Matt Hayes: I love the unsungs.

Spencer Hall: McKillop’s a nice place to start.

Matt Hayes: He’s bad man. Tackling machine. He’s the perfect player for Pitt: a tough kid, works his ass off, wants to win, hates to lose. No better ambassador for the steel city.

Yep. Half-season All-American list.

Leads Big East with 52 tackles. Ranks second in nation in solo tackles per game (7.4). Also has nine for loss.

That last number was a surprise. 9 TFLs out of 52 overall. There seems to be a perception — maybe based on last year — that McKillop is getting the tackles late. Especially at the end of runs. Reality suggests something else.