That’s the theme facing Pitt on Homecoming weekend.
Utah has an exceptional attacking defense that will pressure Pitt’s offensive line, but the Utes have had quarterback issues and their offense is a work in progress.
Sound like a team Pitt knows?
It sounds a lot like Rutgers, which defeated the Panthers, 34-10, Saturday.
Let’s face it, for any opposing defense, Rutgers laid out the best approach to stopping Pitt. The O-line is shaky. So is the QB. Attacking makes the most sense. Coach Todd Graham acknowledged as much.
Todd Graham said Utah (2-3) doesn’t blitz nearly as much as Rutgers, but he expects the Utes will change their defensive strategy against the Panthers.
“I look for them to (blitz) early and often,” he said. “They are going to game-plan and I think that is what you’ll see.”
The O-line will see some changes as Mark Rotheram is going to see action over Juantez Hollins.
Quick link hits after the jump.
Lucas Nix may be available, but realistically the best thing is to let him rest another game. As important as this (any) game is, it is still a non-con game. Todd Thomas is also a day-to-day/gametime decision.
I do think Pitt will be more prepared to face Utah than they were Rutgers. Hard to believe they could be less prepared.
The coaching staff took the deserved blame for not getting the players to focus and take Rutgers seriously, doing something about it may require some more shake-ups on the 2-deep.
We will see if the team really does take ownership for their play. More importantly, what they actually do about it on the field.
The offense remains the big, unstable question mark. If the mocking cry of Year 1 in the Wannstedt era was “get faster,” then for Graham it could be “more octane.”
And as always, the questions really begin and end with how Tino Sunseri will play.
Also, I’m taking my girlfriend to her first “big time” college football game. Her only experience with college football is… wait for it, wait for it…. Edinboro!
Allthough, some have said, and I agree, if we have to stay, we can use those 2 years to get ready. Don’t get me wrong, I wanna get going yesterday.
The other thing, is if they get them, we would have some new teams to play for a year or two anyhow.
Most likely though, if they get to twelve, they won’t want anything to do with Pitt or Syracuse.
The sooner the better!!
Previously I have stated I hope WVU ends up ok, in the Big 12. After reading a lot of their posts and blogs, I realize, there are quite a few A.H.’s down there, that even though they are adult by age, they act like little kids, and spew the hatred, even if you try to have a civil dialogue with them.
This is petty, and childish, but, it is where my mind is at right now. I hope Missouri stays put, the Big 12 decides to stay at 10, and WVU ends up getting stuck in the new Big Least!!!
Seriously, if Pitt gets crushed or beat by more incompetence at QB and coaching, they will lose what is left of the crowd. I predict 41,000 paid and about 33,000 actual. Until Pitt gets it’s own stadium in Panther Hollow, the disappointing crowds will continue.
McCallum 12 yo here on the rocks…you?
BTW, Boise will never join the BE. They are grasping at air now.
When the crew returned, Arledge called Bryant. ESPN analyst Beano Cook, then the ABC publicist for college football, happened to be in Arledge’s office as he spoke to Bryant. Cooke recalled the conversation as follows:
“Coach,” Arledge said, “we’re not going to be able to do the night game because the candlepower of the lights is not strong enough. Do you think you could do something about it?”
“Don’t worry about it,” Bryant replied. “I’ll talk to the mayor. If he won’t do it, he won’t be re-elected.”
“Bryant talked to somebody,” Cook said. “We sent somebody to check the lights again. They were good enough. We did the game.”
For the record, Birmingham returned Mayor George C. Siebels Jr. to office in 1971
Bad enough that they are stuck in big east WV cant get a brake.
Only a junior, he can bulk up a little, but, to me, not only does he look fast, looks like a “football” player.
First thing I noticed, runs “standing” up like Eric Dickerson used too. No, not comparing him to him or anything like that. Just reminded me of Dickersons style with the “heads up” style.
Shell vs. Foster.
It looked like two men playing amongst boys out there.
We’ve got Shell this year, we need Robert Foster next year!!!
I liked Fosters speed, and did you see that KO return for 77 yards?!? Bad news on him is he got hurt TWICE in that game. First the elbow, and then whatever finally knocked him out from the KO return….
It makes me feel good that Shell can put up such crazy numbers on a horrid team with 0 passing ability…even if Tino sucks at least the opposing team can’t bring 9 every play. Look for Shell to put on some muscle, get a little faster and light it up for Pitt in the coming years!! HTP!!
Shell’s already 210. He’ll be a beast if he starts lifting more!
BTW Tre Law is not directly related to Ty Law but he does have some pedigree. I believe he is Essex Laws son. Probably the best running back ever in WPIAL.
I agree with you. WVU -Obnoxious fans, underwhelming academics, fans from opposing teams have to fear for their well-being in Morgantown…I don’t care if Pitt continues the series or not..never liked the fact the Big East made the hoop series two games every year.
occupyherbstreit.tumblr.com/
Check this out, you’ll love it.
Photo Gallery
Pro-style quarterback
Cleveland (OH) St. Ignatius
Ht: 6-foot-4
Wt: 220 lbs
Class: 2010 (High School)
Rivals.com Rating: 5.8 (About)
Position Ranking: 11
Rivals.com Rivals250 2010
QB Rankings 2010: Strongest arm (4)
Rivals.com pro-style quarterbacks 2010 (11)Prospect Ranking
QB Rankings 2010: Strongest arm | Rivals.com Football Recruiting | last sorted on 12/1/2009
2010 Rank Pos Ht/Wt Schools
1 Robert Bolden
Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary’s QB 6-4/195 Penn State
This dual-threat quarterback had former NFL QB Rob Johnson coveting his arm strength during the EA Sports Elite 11 this summer.
2 Devin Gardner
Detroit (MI) Inkster QB 6-4/195 Michigan
Gardner is ranked slightly ahead of Bolden as a prospect, but his arm strength trails Bolden by a bit.
3 Phillip Sims
Chesapeake (VA) Oscar Smith QB 6-2/209 Alabama
Sims is No. 2 in our pro-style quarterback rankings, and his strong arm is one reason he ranks so high.
4 Mark Myers
Cleveland (OH) St. Ignatius QB 6-4/220 Pittsburgh
This southpaw and first-year starter displayed a rocket arm versus traditional Ohio power Cincinnati (Ohio) St. Xavier.
This is what Rivals rated Myers – 4 stars same as Schell and Voylic. Athletic played basketball (much more athletecism regarded then football) and ran 310 hurdles. These are the facts. Redshirted by DW rightfully to help work on his mechnics. Simply because he is proper size of my successful college QB’s he must be slow footed (Rothensburger)or slow release – I do not know about his mechanics but realse has a lot to do with height and strength Tiny and Tino have to wind-up to throw the ball beyond 15 yards and it still is a floating duck (safties collapse immediately). As for a running game strecing the field horizontally without the threet of streaching it vertically is worthless. Like basketball the sidelines are your double team and trap. So why Graham can not run is not the OL it is because the opposition knows Tino and Tiny can not throw beyond twenty yards so they play man coverage with the corners bring their safties in as linebackers (9 man front) and punish the RB and QBs. Tino and Tiny because of their physical limitations can not prevent this in any system – at least in a proset Graham has a fullback to get him to the second level. If you think because of his rankings Voylcick is the answer read Myer’s rakings or continue to assume that because Dodge QB coach with no college experience and Graham the men who gave us a marginal high school QB (TA) are objective and competent evaluators of talent than keep raping Myers. I only know what I read and see on the field and Myers was DW QB of the future.
We make the Utes look like a BCS contender.
I may just start my scotch tonight and avoid the pain later Saturday.