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October 16, 2013

Know Your Enemy: Old Dominion

Filed under: Football,Opponent(s) — Justin @ 10:20 am

BEHEAD THE MONARCHS!!! Thanks to the commenter who posted that. I told you I’d steal it. The Old Dominion Monarchs are coming to town and they’re bringing a lot more talent than you’d expect a FCS team transitioning to FBS would. There’s no doubt Pitt is a better team, but if they rest their laurels on that alone it will not be fun on Saturday night.

It may sound crazy, but ODU’s QB, Taylor Heinicke, may be the best QB in the state of Virginia right now. Yes, that includes Logan Thomas. Heinicke’s stats would be tough to match in a video game. In 2012, Heinicke had 44 passing touchdowns, 11 rushing touchdowns, 5,075 yards passing and 470 yards rushing. For perspective, Johnny Manziel had 430 fewer total yards and 8 fewer touchdowns. Heinicke’s efforts resulted in the Walter Payton Award, the FCS equivalent of the Heisman.

I could go on and on about Heinicke, he’s an impressive QB. Google him if you have a chance and read up on his superlatives. ODU’s plan is to spread you out and hit short, quick passes. With the field spread out horizontally, there’s a lot of open space. If a defender misses a tackle a WR will have a lot of space to do some damage. Tackling will be critical.

Most catches will be fewer than 10 yards in distance. The second the defense takes a break, a WR will shake loose or Heinicke will beat you deep.  Heinicke has a trio of WRs who have combined for 93 receptions, 1241 yards, and 11 touchdowns. That doesn’t mean you can sleep on everyone else though, three other WRs have at least 10 receptions and a combined 4 touchdowns.

The Monarchs will run the ball too. Their top two RBs have combined for over 500 yards and 11 touchdowns. This is a passing team, but they aren’t afraid to run the ball. Their stats are skewed because they run a very fast offense. Including sacks, they’ve run the ball nearly 37 times per game. Their run pass:ratio is 55:45. Do the math and that’s 79 plays per game. Pitt runs about 60 plays on average.

The key to stopping Heinicke and company will be forcing 3rd and long. In the first half against Maryland, ODU did not convert a 3rd down longer than 4 yards. By the end of the half, Maryland was up 31-3 because Maryland’s offense pretty much had their way with ODU’s defense. When your offense is predicated on short, quick hits that gain a few yards, it becomes very difficult to convert 3rd and 8 type plays. If ODU ends up there, Aaron Donald will have a field day against an athletically mismatched OL.

ODU will scheme around Donald as much as possible and the key will be quick plays. If Heinicke gets the ball off in under 2.5 seconds each snap on screens, slants, hitches and such, Donald will be hindered because the ball will be gone before he can get there. When it’s 3rd and long, you can’t get rid of the ball as quickly because you need time for a play to develop. If ODU throws short, quick passes on 3rd and long, it bodes very well for Pitt’s defense.

If ODU’s offense starts moving the ball and the defense plays like they did against Duke, ODU could drop 40 points on the Heinz ketchup scoreboard (Chas, can we get product placement revenue? I will sell out for $$). If the defense plays like Maryland (whose defense doesn’t look quite as good after the FSU shellacking) and forces turnovers and long 3rd downs, we should be able to relax and enjoy the Chad Voytik show in the 4th quarter.

ODU’s defense is a work in progress. They’ve done well the past two weeks, but it was against Liberty and Albany, two low end FCS schools. Against FBS opponents (East Carolina and Maryland) they’ve given up nearly 50 points per game. It would be higher, but Maryland attempted one pass in three drives in the 4th quarter and that was with a backup who threw an interception.

Statistically, it’s pretty ugly for them. They’ve given up an average of 470 yards and 33.8 points per game. They have only five interceptions in six games and the only one against an FBS team was Maryland’s backup. These numbers are down after the past two weeks, but I believe it’s more a product of inferior competition. The really ugly stat is over 200 rushing yards per game allowed. If the offense wants to get the running game going, they should be able to at will.

If the offense doesn’t put up 30+ points against ODU, the offense is screwed for the rest of the year. I would say 40+, but if they’re up 31-0 in the 3rd quarter and go to the backups, I’m not concerned. Essentially, the offense needs to look like they did against New Mexico and Duke. If the results are not comparable, panic is an acceptable reaction.

Overall, the main concern with ODU is Taylor Heinicke. If he has anything less than a spectacular day, I don’t see a scenario in which the Monarchs win this game. The problem is he does have the ability to be spectacular. The defense has to play disciplined and prevent ODU’s offense from getting into a groove. ODU will come out to try and prove the Maryland loss was not who they are as a team.

Their coach has called each game against an FBS opponent this season a bowl game. Pitt is their third bowl game and they’re 0-2 thus far. This team cannot underestimate ODU, especially the Monarchs’ offense. They’re coming off a bye week as well, so they’re going to be prepared.

The betting line made Pitt an 18.5 point favorite. The only reason ODU should cover the spread is points in junk time. On a sidenote, it’s my birthday this upcoming Monday. Thankfully we don’t play Rutgers on or close to my birthday anymore. Rutgers ruined my 21st birthday in 2006. Needless to say, I am taking a lot of satisfaction watching Greg Schiano fail in the NFL. My prediction? Pitt wins 41-21 in a game not as close as the score would indicate.





We have actually beaten Rutgers 3 of the last 4 times we played them

Given their QB’s talents, it’s good that this isn’t the opener …. since thus far in a very small sampling, PC’s teams begin the season with a defense that is totally unprepared

Comment by wbb 10.16.13 @ 10:34 am

He’s the 2nd best QB we’ve played all season. He’s better than Logan Thomas and Brandon Connette. The problem is his supporting cast is vastly inferior. His WRs are making plays more due to the system and QB. They do seem sure handed though. A QB doesn’t complete 74.5% of his passes if they ahve the dropsies.

I have a feeling the DL is going to tear them a new one.

Comment by Justin 10.16.13 @ 10:58 am

This is the type of game that we make a habit of underperforming in. I just hope we don’t lose and embarrass ourselves. I think it is very likely that our team looks over confident and flat. This is one of the few chances our opponents will have to gain recognition, so they won’t roll over and go fetal just because we put our uniforms on. I am all most certain that our kids will take them for granted and allow them to stay way closer than they should. I wish it weren’t true but I have been watching for too long to expect anything else.

Comment by spiritofsection 22 10.16.13 @ 11:25 am

After Youngstown State, I am really uncomfortable playing a FCS team!

Hail to Pitt and all…but I will not be shocked to see this one ends up with the exact same score as the Duke game.

Comment by DD 10.16.13 @ 11:25 am

Reading this description of ODUs offense, all I can say is, Oh boy…

This is exactly the type of team that typically gives Pitt fits. I will not be taking ODU lightly, but I’m not suiting up. This is a good test for the Pitt coaching staff and team leaders to ensure Pitt is ready to play.

It wouldn’t surprised me if ODU scores at least 5 times. Pitt D needs to hold them to FGs and hope the offense figures it out against an inferior defense.

Anybody know Conner’s status?

Comment by Iron Duke 10.16.13 @ 11:38 am

I would be a lot more worried about Pitt overlooking ODU if they won handily last week. I don’t see how this team (especially offense) can feel overconfident in any game this year. The dismal display against VT should give them something to prove in this game.

Comment by Pendlum 10.16.13 @ 11:51 am

Pendlum, I agree. I just don’t hope it ends up to be a Duke game where we have to outscore them.

Comment by wbb 10.16.13 @ 12:02 pm

In a weird way, this game is also kind of a yardstick about where we stand as a program.

I don’t think anybody expected us to hang with Florida State, and I don’t expect anybody *really* expected us to win against VT (though I’m sure we all thought we had a shot if we played a perfect game).

That being said, a solid program always wins the game it is supposed to win. This is a game we are supposed to win. We’d better go out and win it.

Comment by Atlanta Panther 10.16.13 @ 12:28 pm

Thanks again Justin for excellent blog coverage. This blog has allowed me to abandon newspapers.
Seems like the ticket to win for Pitt is twofold.
(1) offense uses run game to keep the ODU QB off the field and hopefully give Pitt an early lead, and (2) good LB/DB play making sure short passes don’t become long gains.
I think Donald will have a field day, but only if Pitt’s DEs keep contain so this QB doesn’t run wild. Given the DEs performance so far, clearly not a given so can see how this could become a scorefest and Pitt could lose if it does.
I also think Ibrahim could have a big day against a weak ODU defense as there should be holes so his lack of vision should not be an issue.
If possible, would love to see Savage/PD for the FIRST TIME ALL YEAR finally figure out how to work the TEs into the offense. This is another way to move the chains, eat clock and leave ODU’s offense on the sidelines.

Comment by Taxing Matters 10.16.13 @ 12:34 pm

Sorry, meant to type “Savage/PC” not “PD”.

Comment by Taxing Matters 10.16.13 @ 12:36 pm

If the OL has a good game, we beat VT. We lost by 10 in a game our QB was sacked 8x, hit numerous other times, and had no visible running game. That’s not to take away credit from VT’s defense, but if the OL wins instead of loses, that’s a different game.

A good game by the OL wins it. FSU? Outclassed, no doubt about it. I do agree this is sort of a yardstick the next 2 weeks. Pitt does have a habit of “WTF losses.” YSU in 2012, UConn in 2010, Bowling Green 2008, etc.

Pitt is better than ODU and Navy. Gotta show it on the field.

Comment by Justin 10.16.13 @ 12:42 pm

For those of you itching to get the hoop season started, ACC Media Day has Chas posting on the hoop side. Before I head over there I think we would be wise to run the ball this week. Unless we start to move the ball on the ground and play D we aren’t going to beat anyone who matters anyway. We might as well spend this week doing what we have to get good at. The passing game will take care of itself if we can run the ball effectively.

Comment by spiritofsection 22 10.16.13 @ 12:50 pm

“Essentially, the offense needs to look like they did against New Mexico and Duke. If the results are not comparable, panic is an acceptable reaction.”

lmao ….good line Justin !

Comment by EMel 10.16.13 @ 1:28 pm

This will be the first really good passing team with a really good QB we will have faced since FSU. FBS or not.

It will be interesting if House plays ‘soft’ or comes after Heinicke. I’m hoping he comes after him if the front 5 can’t provide enough pressure on the Monarchs QB. Our corners should be able to play in press coverage against FBS WR’s.

Defensively, Old Dominion looks to be the tonic to cure PITT’s offensive woes. Can’t stop the run, can’t stop the pass.

As Justin mentioned above, PITT needs to get their MOJO back on Offense and put up 50 points plus on the little old monarchs.

Comment by EMel 10.16.13 @ 1:35 pm

meant FCS WR’s obviously **

Comment by EMel 10.16.13 @ 1:36 pm

Think I’ll just stick to using D2, since I used the wrong one in my first sentence too. 🙂

Comment by EMel 10.16.13 @ 1:44 pm

It’s going to change again anyway I believe when the Playoff system starts in D1. Oy Vey !

Comment by EMel 10.16.13 @ 1:45 pm

I don’t think 50 is necessary, especially if the defense shuts them down. Like I said in the column, if it’s 31-0 midway through the 3rd and the offense has one punt and 5 scoring drives, if they take the foot off of the gas, I’m fine with that.

The point is the starting offense has to pretty much march up and down the field.

Comment by Justin 10.16.13 @ 1:48 pm

lol it might not be necessary for them, but it is for me.

Seriously, if we put up 50 on New Mexico and Duke, 50 shouldn’t be a problem against ODU, who actually have a worse defense than the aforementioned two.

Also I’m talking for the offense to regain their MOJO, 50 is necessary imo and 60 would be nice.

Comment by EMel 10.16.13 @ 2:00 pm

Now, why I feel apprehensive about this game. Heinicke, as Justin eluded to, IS THE REAL DEAL! This fact cannot be over emphasized! I fear for Pitt’s defense in this one for this main following reason. I suspect that House will be expecting the DL to be able to put enough pressure on Heinicke with just the front four, that he will be content to play his secondary soft on OD’s receivers and just assume that our superior talent level will prevail. If this comes to be the defensive game plan for the Panthers, then we could be in trouble with this one, if playing with such a mindset.

Why, because this Heinicke kid is a Maestro with a football and his ability elevates the level of play of his entire team when he finds success. If Pitt is not aggressive on defense, he is going to play our secondary like a violin and hang a big number on us!

Now, throw in a couple Pitt miscues, a fumble or INT or two and all of a sudden we’re starting to feel nervous about a game that we should win going away. This is not the team that you want to win in a shoot out. After the VT loss, that will only further sap the confidence of this team if that happens, even if we pull out a win in such a scenario. Plus it will look horrible on paper, because this is a team that we should DESTROY!

This is Pitt’s trap game for this reason. OD has only been playing football for five frickin years, PERIOD! The only FBS teams that they have played, East Carolina and Maryland were losses, and Maryland blew them out. So what’s to worry about? US!! We have met the enemy and they are US!

This game CAN be lost, no doubt about it. If Heinicke is permitted to ply is skills at will, he will dink and dunk all day until he picks us apart. Then WE do something stupid like miss a tackle to permit a TD or Savage throws a pick six and these guys are allowed to hang around, the momentuem shifts, they all want it more than we do and all of a sudden we have another YSU debacle to lament over for another year!

The way we should scheme for this team on defense is the way VT played us. Be super aggressive on defense! Dare the opponent to run the ball and be confident enough in your secondary to accept man to man coverage on their receivers. Bring up the LBs and safeties in various formations and pressure the hell out of the QB! Multiple Blitzes! And when you do get to him, make him remember that fact by laying some leather on him, time, after time, after time.

In so doing, you’re going to have to accept the fact that probably somebody in Pitt’s secondary is going to end up with some egg on his face by missing a tackle or getting burnt for a TD if his guy gets behind him in single coverage. Just accept that and live with it, because if we’re busy pounding Heinicke into the ground at the other end of the field, that kind of miscue will soon be forgotten when Heinicke starts flinching everytime the ball is snapped to him.

The way to assure that we beat these guys soundly is to soundly beat Heinicke.

Comment by Dr. Tom 10.16.13 @ 2:00 pm

Monarchs is kind of a strange nickname for any team in America.

Since we don’t believe in Royalty, as in kings, queens, barons, duke’s, dutchess’s and all that other garbage.

This might require some research as to why these pinheads are called monarchs.

Comment by EMel 10.16.13 @ 2:03 pm

Concur Doc,

Our defense needs to beat them into the ground like VT’s D beat us in the ground.

When you physically can overmatch someone, why not use that again and again to blow up their offense.

Just like Bud Foster did to us.

Hopefully House learned something from watching Foster continually coming after Savage.

Comment by EMel 10.16.13 @ 2:11 pm

Free 1 year Blather subscription to anyone who brings an anti-royalty sign for the game.

Comment by Justin 10.16.13 @ 2:11 pm

With the name Monarchs, I was thinking maybe their mascot would be a butterfly.

Comment by dinosaur 71 10.16.13 @ 2:22 pm

Hey, Justin. You are welcome to steal/borrow/use my “Behead the Monarchs.” And, quite appropriate since today in 1793 is when Marie Antoinette had her date with the guillotine—October 16, 1793, Place de la Concorde, Paris, France.

H2P

Comment by pmdH2P 10.16.13 @ 2:29 pm

@dionsaur

It is a “Blue Lion.” Lame.

H2P

Comment by pmdH2P 10.16.13 @ 2:30 pm

Not to alarm anyone but … USF began playing football in ’97 and became a D1A team in 01 — and beat us in 01.

UComm became full-fledged D1A team in 02, and beat us in 04.

But like I said, don’t want to alarm anyone

Comment by wbb 10.16.13 @ 2:34 pm

Pure Marie, didn’t know what she was getting into when she moved from the House of Hapsburg (Austria) to the House of Bourbon (France).

You would call that a …..bad move.

Comment by EMel 10.16.13 @ 2:39 pm

Emel, from wikipedia …

Old Dominion University derives its name from one of Virginia’s state nicknames, “The Old Dominion”, given to the state by King Charles II of England for remaining loyal to the crown during the English Civil War.

Comment by wbb 10.16.13 @ 2:40 pm

wow, think I need some mid-afternoon coffee. lol
** Poor Marie,

Comment by EMel 10.16.13 @ 2:41 pm

Oh yes the English Civil War.

The Roundheads vs the Cavaliers. One of my old fav movies….Richard Harrison as Oliver Cromwell.

Comment by EMel 10.16.13 @ 2:49 pm

@ Justin, oh contray, I’m playing up the royalty theme before the game, Royal Crown shots all around at the afternoon tailgate!

@ dinosaur71, I thought the same thing, hopefully we can scramble Heinicke’s faculties enough that his passes begin fluttering just like Monarch butterflies as the game progresses.

@ EMel, USF and UCONN both came to my mind as well when I was composing my previous post, oh yeah, and let us not forget the mighty Ohio University beat down of Pitt as well, EXACTLY!

@ pmdh2p, be careful about dissin on mascots, yeah, Heinicke plays for the Blue Lions, but Flacco played for the Fighting BLUE Hens for crying out loud! Hope we don’t see the second coming of Joe on Saturday night at Heinz Field.

Although I hate to admit it, but I’m looking forward to seeing this QB from ODU perform. He has made quite a name for himself down in this neck of the woods in Virginia.

Comment by Dr. Tom 10.16.13 @ 3:02 pm

@Dr Tom

I do not mean to diss the “Blue Lion.” I was trying to say that, for the Monarchs, I would have expected something more along the lines of the “King” as done by Burger King. Would be way cool.

And, Royal Crown shots or Crown Royal shots—or both?

H2P

Comment by pmdH2P 10.16.13 @ 3:14 pm

@@@@@

Every game is an adventure when you
are a fan of the Panthers. Respect your
opponent and win the game. Losing
would be disastrous which goes without
saying.

Comment by JR 10.16.13 @ 3:22 pm

ESPN insider rates ACC recruiting classes. We’re 12. Ugly. link to espn.go.com

Comment by TonyinHouston 10.16.13 @ 3:28 pm

This: “We have met the enemy and they are US!”

In a game like this, our coaches are responsible for impressing upon our players that ODU can beat us. Remember last week when VT was telling their DL that Pitt had the best line in the country next to Bama?

HCPC and House need to make sure they have our boys fired up and ready to go.

Comment by PittHW 10.16.13 @ 3:36 pm

How we also know why our snobby pals down in Charlottesville are call the ‘Cavaliers’.

“Virginia Cavaliers were royalist supporters in the royal colony of Virginia at various times during the colonial period of the United States.”

Comment by EMel 10.16.13 @ 3:38 pm

Yea I think I’ll take the Crown Royal shots.

Royal Crown cola shots aren’t really my thing. lol

Comment by EMel 10.16.13 @ 3:40 pm

LOL pmdH2P, yes Crown Royal, the soft drink, Royal Crown doesn’t quite have the same kick as Crown Royal does it, although RC Cola is a good mixer!

Comment by Dr. Tom 10.16.13 @ 3:41 pm

They still sell RC cola down here and when I drink that slop it’s better than Coke or Pepsi slop.

Of course it all taste’s better with 100 proof Smirnoff in it. 🙂

Comment by EMel 10.16.13 @ 3:44 pm

@Emel

You are on a roll man. How about the “Demon Deacons” and the “Blue Devils”? In the heart of the Bible belt?

Plus, while we are all learning about our fellow ACC schools, check out how the Reynolds family essentially bought Wake Forest University and moved it from Wake Forest (a little town near Raleigh) to Winston-Salem. It would be like Pitt being bought by Milton Hershey and moved to Hershey PA—and still being called “Pitt.” I mean really, what is that all about?

H2P

Comment by pmdH2P 10.16.13 @ 3:51 pm

@Emel I always pictured cavaliers being French leaning types and was surprised at your assessment. With the feathered hats and puffy sleeves they might soon be being called out for a logo change by our friends in the gay community. You didn’t think the logo police would stop at the redskins did you?

Comment by spiritofsection 22 10.16.13 @ 4:21 pm

As a professional statistician statistics are mearly numbers interpretation is paramount. Like Believing Fields was a good guard based on his assist to turnover ratio. His assist ratio was skewed because he had an All-American forward Sam Young who did not need to be set up he just needed a pass a with his pump fake his man took a step back and he shot over 40% from the 3 pt. or go to him and his quick first step and strength would beat his man to the hoop.
As for turnover’s opposing coaches never pressure him because they wanted him to dominate the ball, as he did to keep it out of Youngs and Blairs hands
This kid might having glaring stats (Myers is averaging over 300 yrds per game at John Carroll and most thought he was a bum) but to say his is in Logan’s league who did not impress me/no rush is a major stretch.

Comment by misshome 10.16.13 @ 4:24 pm

Levance Fields led us to a FG short of the Final 4, losing to a team that shot 21 for 22 from the foul line, a team that also beat Duke by 22 two nights previously

Comment by wbb 10.16.13 @ 5:57 pm

And he did it with a team that only had three players.

Comment by gc 10.16.13 @ 6:07 pm

misshome, Fields is one of the most enjoyable players ever at Pitt. He had heart, style, and game. I am sure you know way more than I about statistical interpretation but please leave disrespecting Levance out of future analysis as most of us love the guy. I have a newspaper photo of Blair with his arm around Fields after the Duke win. I keep it in my Bible. I don’t think there are any statistics that could change how I feel.

Comment by spiritofsection 22 10.16.13 @ 6:26 pm

Wikeapedia lists this stat in Fields resume. The highest percentage of 3pt. field goals in the final 2 minutes to tie or win games in NCAA history. He could play misshome, by any reasonable assessment he could play.

Comment by spiritofsection 22 10.16.13 @ 6:53 pm

if we lose this game we wont be 6 and 6 if we win it we will be at least 6 and 6 maybe 7 and 5.
but if we lose it then the season is over.
this is a important game .

Comment by FRANKCAN 10.16.13 @ 6:59 pm

@ Frankcan, The fact that you consider a game against ODU “important” makes us sound pretty pathetic. I think you are right though.

Comment by spiritofsection 22 10.16.13 @ 7:18 pm

Wow, got a large history lesson today, what with Cavaliers, Monarchs, English Civil War, the Roundheads, etc.

@pmdH2P yea I always wondered about that Wake Forest thing when I saw the town of WF on the map close to Raleigh and indeed Raleigh is in Wake County. But the college(WF) is in Winston-Salem.
The county is named after the wife of colonial Governor William Tryon (Margaret Wake). And Charlotte’s main street is call Tryon street.

Anyway if anyone has any questions about the English Civil War, Cromwell, King Charles 1rst (who was beheaded like Marie Antoinette), Cavaliers or Roundheads, let em fly. haha

Comment by EMel 10.16.13 @ 7:55 pm

@ sos22

“Virginia Cavaliers were royalist supporters in the royal colony of Virginia at various times during the colonial period of the United States.”

That definition of Cavaliers is why UVA uses the nickname according to Wikipedia.

I think you’re thinking of Musketeers. (they were Frenchies)

However I think it would be quite easy to confuse a Cavalier and a Musketeer. Hats, feathers, puffy sleeves, etc.

Comment by EMel 10.16.13 @ 8:02 pm

Both of which can definitely not be confused with a

……. Mountaineer. 🙂

Comment by EMel 10.16.13 @ 8:05 pm

If anyone has a parking pass in 5A available, I’m willing to pay.

Comment by Justin 10.16.13 @ 8:19 pm

Pitt’s defense is getting better due to a couple of things, imo.

David Durham isn’t playing as much (good thing)

EJuan Price is stepping up his game.

2nd leading tackler against VT. Had 8 total tackles.. 2nd only to TT at 12 tackles. I look for EP to get some sacks this week against the royalty crew from ODU.

Bryan Murphy is also playing a little better with 1 tackle for loss against VT and 1 sack against the Gobblers.

You wouldn’t have known this from watching the game since ESPN never talked about anyone on PITT’s defense but Aaron Donald. When we were on offense, all they did was harp of VT’s defense and when we were on defense, they barely even mentioned who made the frickin tackle for PITT.
And our defense played pretty good.

Which is probably why most of us didn’t have a clue EJuan Price made 8 tackles. They hardly mentioned Todd Thomas at all as well and he had 12 tackles and Gonzo had 8 tackles as well.

Ezell and Vinopal had 6 tackles each and Hendricks and (true freshman) Matt Galambos had 5 tackles each.

I really hate the way ESPN covers these games anymore. Really wish some other network would make a serious bid to against them.

Comment by EMel 10.16.13 @ 10:47 pm

Or the radio broadcast from PITT was synchronized with the TV broadcast. That would be the optimum.
Cause Billy Hillgrove is one of the best play by play announcers around.

A Central Catholic grad.

Comment by EMel 10.16.13 @ 10:53 pm

Finally for tonite what is it with these frickin players either named Nicolas, or related to Nicklaus.

First it was the TE from FSU who had a career game against us related to Jack the golfer.

Then it was some dork named Daddi who had a career game against us last week.

One can only take so much ! Thank god for…..

Comment by EMel 10.16.13 @ 10:58 pm

[…] Atlanta Panther had an intruiging comment about ODU as a measuring stick for the program yesterday in my Know Your Enemy column: […]


Prior to VaTech… the writing was on the wall as to the “nearly impossible” challenge Pitt faced due to how the Hokies strengths matched up against Pitt’s weaknesses.

This week, it’s not a “nearly impossible” challenge but a “nearly possible” letdown.

Pitt’s offense should regain some traction. The temptation is there for Chryst to stick with Savage and look at it as an opportunity for Savage to work on the short and intermediate passing game in hopes some transformation can take place.

Still believe Chryst should look at the chance to play a weaker defense as the ideal opportunity to mix in Voytik with some snaps. In my opnion, it would be the wise thing to do.

As for the Defense… Uh Oh! Old Dominion Quarterback Taylor Heinicke is exactly the kind of player who could make for a frustrating evening for this Pitt Defense.

Smart, athletic, confident and a REAL LEADER… Heinicke is going to be matching wits with Matt House.

That said, if this Pitt’s Defense doesn’t PLAY REAL SMART Saturday, this game could turn out to be a lot closer than I or anyone thought possible when Villanova was scrathed off the schedule.

Comment by PittofDreams 10.17.13 @ 7:17 am

@ SofS22, your quote, “The fact that you consider a game against ODU “important” makes us sound pretty pathetic”, if the prevailing attitude of the team this week parallels your comment, then we might just get schooled by a lesser opponent come Saturday night.

When you fail to respect your opponent or discount the reality that you have to go out and earn every win on the field, then that is exactly the time that you become your own worst enemy. The Panthers have a long recent history of playing down to their competition. No one on this team has earned the privledge to look down their noses at any opponent on our schedule.

This is a game that Pitt should dominate on both sides of the ball. Chad Voytik and the second stringers SHOULD be out there getting meaningful reps in the second half if things go our way. But things don’t go our way unless you prepare just as well for teams like ODU, as you would against the FSUs and Miamis on the schedule.

When you fail to respect the guy across the line of scrimmage from you even before the game begins, is the day that you get embarrassed by the underdog that has been preparing for this game like it is their post season bowl game! They want it more, they are willing to earn it and then we’re left wondering why we ever thought that we could mail in a win in the first place. Come on, The YSU game taught us nothing?

You want to talk about PATHETIC, come to the game and watch the Panthers show up unprepared to play on Saturday and you can witness it in person by their uninspired play.

Never disrespect an opponent or underestimate their potential to beat you, that is exactly the minset that gets you beat.

Comment by Dr. Tom 10.17.13 @ 7:45 am

Dr Tom, You are absolutely right and one need only consider our game last year against Youngstown State for proof. I will be surprised if ODU doesn’t give us all we can handle in fact possibly beat us outright for the very reasons you describe. That is the pathetic side of our program that needs to change. My level of respect for ODU isn’t relevant, but anyone looking at this game would expect Pitt to prevail. That means we will be lucky to get by and that is pathetic.

Comment by spiritofsection 22 10.17.13 @ 8:19 am

@ SofS22, The flip side of that issue of which you speak above, is that every game that Pitt plays can therefore be entertaining to watch, since were still that Forest Gump box of chocolates! I’m sure that we both hope to be pleasantly surprised by a dominant Panther victory. But after all, this college game of football is supposed to be fun and enteraining for both the participants as well as the loyal fan bases that follow their teams. I think that this game will fit that bill. Many will be surprised at the performance the ODU QB provides for those of us who show up to watch the game.

I’d love to see Pitt just take care of business however in the manner in which an up and coming ball club should. Just make ODU look out classed and give our depth chart players a chance to get valuable game time experience, especially Chad Voytik.

But as I always say, that is why they play the games.

Comment by Dr. Tom 10.17.13 @ 9:43 am

Doctor T, I love your take on things but I am more of an angry realist. Todays players are huge hotdogs and highly susceptible to being upset because they lack humility and character. They strut around Oakland thinking they are hot sxxx and will get knocked off by anybody that calls their bluff with a work ethic and guts. That has described our team for a long time and the new coaching staff will be hard pressed to change it.

Comment by spiritofsection 22 10.17.13 @ 9:55 am

You guys keep pointing at YSU as an example but I’ll still content that was a ‘perfect storm” situation for a bad loss.

Yes, they beat us but a new HC, new offense & defense and six suspensions two hours before the game had an awful lot to do with it.

Had those suspensions happened in the middle of DW’s time here it would’nt have had any of the impact it did with a new (3rd in 3 years) HC.

We did play like sh*t against YSU though. We won’t lose this ODU game but I don’t think we’ll beat them by 45 points either.

Comment by Reed 10.17.13 @ 1:59 pm

Spirit, I’ll give you that, in past teams. I think that Chryst is diligently trying to change the composition of this team away from that type of player and mindset, examples already witnessed, Shell for one and Todd Thomas’ drama earlier this season before being allowed to return.

We should roll against the Monarchs, if Chryst is doing his job.

Comment by Dr. Tom 10.17.13 @ 2:07 pm

Dr. Tom, Sounds good to me and I concur,HTP.

Comment by spiritofsection 22 10.17.13 @ 2:35 pm

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