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February 7, 2013

Yes, we all know that the class rankings after you get out of the top 15 or so become very nebulous and subject to wild swings based on whatever formula a recruiting site uses. Scout.com — for example — places a higher emphasis on quantity than most sites. Something that hurt Pitt in their rankings last year, but gives Pitt a huge boost this year. That said we, like to know where Pitt is considered to be compared. Especially within the conference.

I have to say that it was and is taking some getting used to seeing Pitt listed as an ACC team. I understand it since Pitt will be playing there in the fall. It’s just having Pitt still playing and competing in the Big East in basketball. Not to mention that the official joining doesn’t take place until July (and a reminder to Pitt: don’t do any stupid videos about joining like Texas A&M did for the SEC).

So how did the four major recruiting sites view the Pitt class as a whole? And how did it compare to others in the ACC?

Scout.com — They loved the volume, volume, volume. So Pitt came in with the 22d ranked class. So compared to the rest of the ACC, it’s the 3d best class behind Clemson (#12), FSU (#16) and ahead of Miami (#28), UNC (#30), VT (#35), Virginia (#41) and Maryland (#49).

ESPN.com — Not so much. The Panthers landed outside the top-40 at #41 and about 7th in the ACC. They ranked FSU (#9), Clemson (#13), VT (#19), UNC (#20), Miami (#21) and Virginia (#34) ahead of Pitt. Maryland was #45.

Top prospect: OT Dorian Johnson. Pitt needed to bulk up within the trenches and did so by landing Johnson, the No. 2 OT, who has dominating run strength and overall physical tools to develop into a valuable lineman.

Breakdown: Paul Chryst did well in western Pennsylvania and upgraded his team’s talent in the trenches, as his first full recruiting class at Pittsburgh is filled with linemen. Johnson headlines the class, but three more three-star prospects are committed along the offensive line, including Alexander Officer, a real mauler at offensive guard. Three-star QB-DT Tra’von Chapman, a top-20 player at his position, and ESPN 300 athlete Tyler Boyd are playmakers who will make a big impact no matter where they line up on the field.

Rivals.com — Is somewhere in the middle. They put Pitt at #33. Florida State (#9), Clemson (#14), VT (#22), Virginia (#26) and  Maryland (#30) were ahead of Pitt. UNC (#39) and Miami (#44) were behind.

247Sports.com — Also found the middle with Pitt at #32. Florida (#8), Clemson (#13), Miami (#17), VT (#20), UNC (#28) and Virginia (#29) finished ranked ahead of Pitt. Maryland was behind Pitt at #34.

 





a few notes: ESPN.com had PSU #24 despite they signed 11 to LOIs yesterday (they did have 7 early enrollies.) Their pricipal rating is based on how many of their Top 300 commits that each school gas.

WVU signed 7 JUCOs.

While Pitt signed 14 of the top 50 PA players, it was a down year for the WPIAL which only had 18 sign with D1 schools. There was quality (Foster, Kugler, Boyd, Johnson) but not quantity. However, scouts are saying next year will be a banner year for WPIAL talent, many of which were at Pitt’s junior day last week. Chryst seems to be making some inroads here so it seems to bode well for next year.

Comment by wbb 02.07.13 @ 8:11 am

Rankings mean little in this Pitt class. What trumps EVERYTHING else regarding this class is that Chryst recruited FIVE offensive linemen, all of whom are huge, and of course Dorian Johnson was the highest rated recruit in the entire class. END OF STORY.

Comment by Dr. Tom 02.07.13 @ 8:26 am

Next year is huge. Pitt has a good chance to make a significant leap. I agree with the DOC. Offensive line depth was a huge need. And Pitt got another QB and what looks like some playmakers on D. Boyd was a huge pickup as well.

Comment by TX Panther 02.07.13 @ 8:35 am

I’m a huge fan of this class. The rankings would have been drastically different if Foster didn’t have the last second change of heart. What I like is Chryst was brought in as an X&Os guy that can develop talent, so if this is how he can recruit after a down first year, I’m excited for what he can pull in after improving the product on the field.

Gotta be patient though. This class isn’t going to turn Pitt into a perennial 10 win team in a year. I don’t think 4 years of this class will either. This has to be the jumping off point..so more hope than confidence right now.

Comment by Nabil 02.07.13 @ 9:08 am

I think this, Paul Chryst’s first full year recruiting, was a very big deal for Pitt. They addressed areas of need and got alot bigger on the offensive line. Even though many will play until 2014 at the earliest, I expect there will be a few who make an immediate impact. Paul Chryst commented this morning on 93.7 the FAN, Not to sell these players short, because they don’t have 3 or 4 stars. They are good football players and he believes they will surprise people.

Comment by Justinian 02.07.13 @ 9:16 am

PITT & PC now appear to have a solid base to build upon. PC is recruiting from the inside out & the line is where games are won. As PITT fans this has to be the best we have felt in 2-3yrs. Stability,recruiting w/a purpose,ACC & the SCRIPT? HTP!

Comment by DC33 02.07.13 @ 9:20 am

WVU has 7 JUCOs, isn’t that a sign of desperation? I’d rather have a class with potential than a class filled with JUCOs.

When I talk about stars and recruits, I’m not trying to sell the lesser recruits short, because I’m sure some of them will turn out to be really good football players.

Comment by Wardapalooza 02.07.13 @ 9:44 am

not sure I approve of this

link to blogs.post-gazette.com

Comment by wbb 02.07.13 @ 11:48 am

FSU on a Monday night to start the season. That would be a huge game and I doubt you can say no because exposure would be huge. But Pitt should try to avoid it. They need the Nova game to break in the new QB.

Comment by Wardapalooza 02.07.13 @ 12:06 pm

Nova-Schmova…Take the big game on national TV. If you want to run with the big dogs, you have to leave the porch! Who knows, the way our schedule goes, it might be our only game that does not kick off at noon!

Comment by HbgFrank 02.07.13 @ 12:25 pm

How much would Nova prepare us for this anyway. Take the money.

Comment by gc 02.07.13 @ 12:48 pm

Tremendous opportunity – this is why we moved to the ACC so we can play games like this. Great national exposure can only help us going forward.

Comment by rayhpgh 02.07.13 @ 12:49 pm

FYI – new FSU DLIne coach is Sal Sunseri

Comment by wbb 02.07.13 @ 12:51 pm

If you’re gonna play FSU, I would rather play them early. They too will be starting a new QB. A new QB on the road can be difficult.

Comment by gdodson 02.07.13 @ 12:51 pm

Chryst on The Fan 970 (I Heart Radio)at 1PM.
Nap time?

Comment by Dan 72 02.07.13 @ 1:00 pm

@rayhpgh, absolutely!!!!!!!!!

I’m sure some jockeying going on to make this happen, the big reason the ACC schedules have not been released yet (as they usually are by now), Syracuse and Duke still trying to fill one spot a piece on their respective schedules.

Everyone else has 12, those two still finalizing, will be released from ACC as soon as those games are finalized!

Comment by Dan 02.07.13 @ 1:06 pm

Lets not shy away from early ACC games. FL State at the beginning of our schedule might be just what Pitt needs to grow up fast. I’m sure the ‘Noles are looking at this game as a walk in the park opener. Something like our Villanova game. Lets suprise the ‘Noles. H2P!

Comment by MariettaMike 02.07.13 @ 1:13 pm

If they could pull off a big win on a national televised high profile game, it would be terrific. If they play well and lose it’s still a plus, because no one will expect Pitt to win. If you going to lose a high profile game it’s better to do it early. However Pitt has to play well in any event.

Comment by Justinian 02.07.13 @ 1:55 pm

Thanks wbb for the perspective on next year that TX P seconded. Lot of good vibes on their position there and Dr. Tom boiled it down to what matters next year… Big and physical.

yeah, the vibe out of WVU you just have to wonder about… as other said here well… travel 800+ miles every time to small stadiums in ‘dust bowl’ parts of the country… that play great offense. Another year of Football and BB butt kicking in those places is going to make it tough to get any kid excited about that…

… well, at least the coach is an understanding guy.. o0ps, well, when your not catching spittle in your face from him flipping out on the sidelines…

… although at least they are in the dynamic city of Morgantown… opps, well… great hiking and backpacking… and the couch burning parties are a blast…

Comment by PittScript 02.07.13 @ 2:01 pm

Yes, Neither the Holgerson hire or the move to the Big 12 look very good right now. Oh well, it couldn’t happen to a better bunch.

Comment by Justinian 02.07.13 @ 2:14 pm

We can go to the ACC just as long as Tino is our QB.

I hate change.

Comment by steve1 02.07.13 @ 2:14 pm

TO ALL FELLOW BLATHERITES OR BLATHERERS:

Wanted to pass along these two websites to you. I usually do this once a year.

They are absolutely fantastic, especially for the college football junkie and they have a little NFL on them too.

The first one link to fbschedules.com is a college football scheduling site.

Absolutely fantastic. Puts up several little blurb articles a day dealing with schedules.

The blurb (for lack of a better word???) is actually about the Pitt-FSU game.

Also has future schedules, and if you click on the 2013 schedules, gives you a nice schedule with the opposing teams helmets. All of them are up, except the ACC.

For example, has the 4 helmets of Pitt’s OOC games up, still waiting for the others.

I will post the other one on my next post.

**I would not suggest a site, unless I really thought you guys would really enjoy them**

Comment by Dan 02.07.13 @ 2:18 pm

@Justinian: I read ‘couch’ instead of ‘bunch’ the first time I saw that comment. I dunno why…

Comment by Shawn 02.07.13 @ 2:21 pm

I have couple of thoughts about oppening against Florida State on Labor Day weekend. I remember a big Florida State upset win, over a great Dan Marino led Pitt team. It was in a driving rain storm and the upset helped Bobby Bowden and his FSU teams move into national prominance. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to repay the favor, on a prime time nationally televised game.

Comment by Justinian 02.07.13 @ 2:24 pm

All in for kicking off the season with FSU. There is only up side to this. If we get our asses handed to us, well that’s what everyone will expect; if we pull off the upset, its a huge win on national TV, positive exposure for the program. And I would expect a good crowd which also looks good on TV. Beats the hell out of losing to YSU before 22,000 to kickoff the season.

Comment by Iron Duke 02.07.13 @ 2:25 pm

***2ND WEBSITE BLATHERITES WOULD ENJOY***

By the way, I have no vested interest in these and they do not cost anything. Purely to pass along a little enjoyment to my Panther brothers.

link to nationalchamps.net This one, has schedules and future schedules. Also does some top 25 things, some articles.

Also has a very cool thing, called the “Helmet Project”.

I don’t know how the guy did it, but he has pictures of every teams helmet, including the NFL, Div II, DivIII, NAIA, Canadian League, and including all of their past helmets.

Had to be a passion and a labor of love.

Warning, Pitt script fans, if you go to the Pitt page for helmets, you’ll boil to as why we ever change when you see those things of beauty. He even has the face guard color changes.

Anyhow, I think if you popped on these sites, you probably couldn’t get away from them.

Lots of archives too.

Comment by Dan 02.07.13 @ 2:25 pm

Shawn, Shame on you. I’m sure you realize it is now illegal to burn couches in Morgantown after Mountaineer wins.

Comment by Justinian 02.07.13 @ 2:31 pm

@ PittScript, those Hoopies raise some of the best looking sheep in the country though, so that got that going for them!

Comment by Dr. Tom 02.07.13 @ 3:01 pm

Couldn’t agree more with Iron Duke. I’d much prefer a good ass kicking at the hands of Florida State rather than the humiliation of being pecked to death by a bunch of bully penquins on our home turf like what happened last year in our opening loss last season.

One thing for sure, though, it would definitely give this team a very focused goal to strive towards in Spring ball and fall camp knowing that FSU was coming in for a nationally televised game to kick off the season.

Comment by Dr. Tom 02.07.13 @ 3:22 pm

FRANKCAN
Just saw a thread today that says the DC is between Elko and Coyer. Could be total garbage. Saw it on a Scout board.

Comment by JJ 02.07.13 @ 3:27 pm

Elko has been my pick since the beginning. Hopefully, Chryst is listening to a Panther in Texas.

And, take the risk on Labor Day against FSU. The upside is enormous. Risk and return baby.

Comment by TX Panther 02.07.13 @ 3:34 pm

I remember winning the monsoon game against FSU!!

Guess my memory is shot!!

Comment by Dan 02.07.13 @ 3:36 pm

Which Coyer are we talking for DC? I hope it’s not the 70 yr old Larry Coyer?

Comment by Why me 02.07.13 @ 3:48 pm

Coyer has to be over 70 but has a ton of college and NFL experience including former Pitt DC about 10-12 years ago.

Elko is about half his age but impressive resume for someone so young

link to bgsufalcons.com

Comment by wbb 02.07.13 @ 4:08 pm

70 year old Larry Coyer was the best defensive coordinator we’ve had at Pitt since Foge. He’s the only reason Walt Harris had a good defense, and then he left for the Broncos. I think getting him from the Colts would be awesome!

Comment by KeyboardKev 02.07.13 @ 4:10 pm

actually the best DC we may have had was only for 2 years in the late 80s but the Steelers hired him away from us. John Fox

Comment by wbb 02.07.13 @ 4:23 pm

Coyer was fired by the colts. Didn’t work last year. I guess he didn’t like his retirement.

Comment by Why me 02.07.13 @ 4:44 pm

If Chryst wanted to hire Coyer, there was no need to wait this long .. but who knows. If he is hired, the average age of the defensive coordinators at the southside practice comples would be 73.

Comment by wbb 02.07.13 @ 4:49 pm

nice scoop on possible DC candidates… both sound interesting..

Comment by PittScript 02.07.13 @ 4:49 pm

@ Dr. Tom… LOL…

Comment by PittScript 02.07.13 @ 4:49 pm

missed this article… really good on on Tomsula who just seems to be an intriguing option… but probably would not stay at college level long?

link to triblive.com

Comment by PittScript 02.07.13 @ 5:08 pm

Dr. Tom, the only flightless waterfowl Pitt should ever lose to are the Pgh Pens, in a pick up dek hockey game!

I too remember the FSU monsoon game. One of my earliest memories of Pitt fandom angst. I could be wrong but was there an insect issue after the rain?

Comment by Iron Duke 02.07.13 @ 6:14 pm

jj mike elko or larry coyer would be great eather one and mike archer says the pitt job intrigues him
if it were offered he would think abought it
if it is any of them i would he very glad.
good experence is what they all have.

Comment by FRANKCAN 02.07.13 @ 6:25 pm

Forget Tomsula as the upset 49ers coach has been blocking teams from contacting his position coaches. The Eagles were not allowed to talk to their DB coach – blocked by Harbaugh – and it was for their D-coordinator position! Seem like a creepy move – good thing for Harbaugh he wasn;t blocked by Stanford when he took the 49ers job. At least I think that’s where he came from.

Comment by dish 02.07.13 @ 6:31 pm

what I like about Mike Elko is he becomes the DC: Read below – he’s proven and forces turnovers

What I don’t like: He looks too much like Dana Holgorsen of WVU and that freaks me out

“Mike Elko begins his fifth year as the defensive coordinator with the BGSU Falcons after holding the same position at Hofstra from 2006-08. He is entering his second year as the safeties coach.

Elko’s defense has been known for two things since arriving at BGSU, forcing turnovers and stopping teams on third down. In the past four seasons, Elko’s defense has forced 84 turnovers (1.7/game) and the opponent has converted on third downs just 36.1 percent (250 of 693) of the time.

2012 was a banner year for the BGSU defense, finishing the season ranked sixth in the country in total defense (296.6) and 10th in scoring (16.7). The Falcons held the opposition to under 100 yards rushing in nine contests as the Falcons had six different players earn All-MAC Honors, including three first-team members (Chris Jones, Gabe Martin, BooBoo Gates). Jones would go on to be named a first-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).

The 2012 defense would finish as the fourth-best third down defense in the nation, allowing a first down on just 28.1 percent of the time. Their fourth down defense was as good, finishing fifth in the country at 26.3 percent. They would end the season ranked 11th in sacks (38), 12th in rushing defense (106.5), 13th in pass defense (190.1) and fifth in first downs allowed (15.1). All of this was accomplished with just two senior starters.

In his first year with the Falcon defense he took eight first-year starters and transformed them into a unit that forced 12 turnovers in the last three regular season games in 2009. Elko’s defense was also tops in the MAC on third downs, allowing a success rate of just 36.5 percent.”

Comment by dish 02.07.13 @ 6:36 pm

A couple more links for Blatherites:

link to atlanticcoastconfidential.com

link to theacc.com

Comment by Jackagain 02.07.13 @ 6:44 pm

off topic but I believe the Penguins are going to lose tonight

Comment by wbb 02.07.13 @ 7:05 pm

TEX PANTHER AND OUTHER BROTHERS i just got the bad news this will make you sick we are fuckrd.
chryst is going to go with mat housr and chris
harring as co DC WITH MATT HOUSE CALLING THE PLAYS

you talk abought dumb moves a first year db coach a a man who was in high school as a coach 2 years ago as are DC .

this is fucked there we go chryst is showing his
inexperence now we will lose every game in the ACC AND WHEN HE RELIZES HIS MAYSTAKE WE WILL HAVE WASTED A YEAR WHAT A DUMB ASS MOVE.

Comment by FRANKCAN 02.07.13 @ 8:12 pm

Where did you hear this frank?

Comment by Why me 02.07.13 @ 8:17 pm

Once More:

Relax. Do not Panic.
link to twitter.com

“The report about #Pitt coach Paul Chryst promoting 2 current assistants to co-defensive coordinators is not true.”

Comment by Chas 02.07.13 @ 8:23 pm

thank god it isent true i hope criss knows what he talking abought,
i all most had a stroke

Comment by FRANKCAN 02.07.13 @ 8:45 pm

IF you read the wholepost from criss it says that this decision is not yet made which means it might be if he does i will have a heart attack neather man has enough ex perience for the job and we will be fucked

Comment by FRANKCAN 02.07.13 @ 9:06 pm

Ahhhh!!! My memory is not shot gentleman.

We WON the monsoon game!!!

The game that soured all of our stomachs was in 1980. We were ranked #4 and undefeated, went into Tallahasse and got upset by FSU 36-22!! It also is ranked by a FSU web site as an FSU top 5 home victory!!! “FSU dumps Marino”!!!

The monsoon game was two years later in 1982, which Pitt won, 37-17.

“Rivers were running down the aisles to an already flooded field, with small lakes scattered throughout”.

Comment by Dan 02.07.13 @ 9:51 pm

@jackagain. Great looking sites. Thanks for the info. Put em’ in my favorites for the future!!!

Comment by Dan 02.07.13 @ 10:00 pm

Who is playing the NFL Monday night game that we would be up against if this is to happens?

Comment by Tackle made by Hugh 02.08.13 @ 12:33 am

the NFL usually starts on the 1st Thursday following Labor Day

Comment by wbb 02.08.13 @ 7:41 am

@ wbb
Never give away a chance to play a big time foe on national TV with little competition.
Publicity is publicity is publicity.
Pitt v ND 1975
I am more concerned about where this class ranks 2 years from now.
We have a chance to fundamentally change the soul of this program from chronic underachiever to perpetual overachiever.
HTP

Comment by SFPitt 02.08.13 @ 10:54 am

SFPitt, note that I said I am unsure … and still debating for that matter.

You certainlt bring up some good points … believe you menat Pitt – ND ‘1976’ (31-7)

Comment by wbb 02.08.13 @ 12:02 pm

Thanks wbb.
I did mean ’76.
Take the TV exposure, pay off the refs and don’t look back.

Comment by SFPitt 02.08.13 @ 7:05 pm

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