This week, as the team gets ready for Navy, the defense has talked of being more aggressive and physical against Navy this year. What we haven’t heard, is how the offense is preparing. Are they going to keep to a similar offensive approach that they had with USF and even against Syracuse? Are they going to keep things mixed up and take shots over the middle and deep? Will Greg Cross see the field?
I don’t know. I do know that if you went to the Zeise chat, it wasn’t reassuring.
JoePa_Fears_Pitt: What’s the over/under for touchdowns scored by Greg Cross this Saturday?
Paul Zeise: 1/2 —- and I am taking the under. I just don’t think coaches are going to use him that much in situations where he can score a touchdown. I am telling you they are very nervous about this game and generally that means — sort of like going into the Bowling Green game — we’re going to see a relatively conservative game plan. I hope I am wrong, but I fear I am not.
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Pitt_Script: It seems that the Pitt coaching staff opens up the playbook and doesn’t play conservative when they are underdogs. However, when they are favored, they go in shell and back to their conservative ways. Why is that?
Paul Zeise: That is a great observation and question. I have no idea. I think it is a problem though that when you play teams you should blow out, you leave them in the game because you are so afraid to make mistakes. That’s what happened against Bowling Green, let’s hope there is not a repeat performance.
I hate doing predictions. All I will say is that if Pitt keeps Navy under 30, then Pitt will win. Pitt’s scored 30 or more only once this season. so while there are plenty of weapons on the offense to score it goes against the natural order.
I say Pitt 42 Navy 30
It will certainly be interesting to see how this team comes out after a big win and over 2 weeks off. You just get that feeling they will be flat.
i don’t it’ll play out that way. pitt has too many horses for navy.
pitt 41, navy 21
at Michigan State East Lansing, L, 17-14
vs. Connecticut Heinz Field L, 34-14
at Virginia Charlottesville, L, 44-14
vs. Navy Heinz Field L, 48-45
It bodes well for us that our offense in 2008 is ahead of where we were going into the 2007 match as we are averaging 25 ppg. However, as Chas wrote in quoting Zeise – how the coaching staff decides to approach this apparent mis-match is the key.
I too hope that our results of play so far this season has instilled a sense of confidence and trust in DW, and will allow him to put the kids in position to make the offensive plays early on.
The first quarter will be the bellwether for this I think – if we see PITT playing field position strategy against Navy then we may be in for a long day.
