By the time you read this, I should be getting turnpike espresso around mile marker 195 of the Ohio Turnpike.
As I said last night, get that early start.
Notre Dame-Pitt at noon on ABC.
Pitt is retiring Jimbo Covert’s #75 today. Lot’s of past Pitt greats will be on hand for the event and the game. What could go wrong?
No. I’m not worried about Pitt’s seeming recent history of crapping the bed in games like this when past great alumni show up for a big game, and Pitt is trying to move to some sort of next step. Why do you ask?
It’s freaking Notre Dame. There is a long (and unfortunately, relatively one-sided) history between the two programs. This is the 70th meeting. The 4th most frequently played opponent for Pitt. For the Irish, Pitt is their 5th most frequent (behind USC, Navy, Purdue and Michigan State). ND leads the overall series 47-21-1, but the last 8 meetings have been a 4-4 split.
For Pitt to win this game, there has to be something near a sell-out to stop the run on defense. The defense has to make the Irish throw the ball.
Offense needs to see something a little more vertical. We’ve kind of beaten on the need to go downfield a little more. The coaches have acknowledged it. Now it has to happen.
When you are down 21-3, you need to score, and keep the other team off the field.
I agree about the talent level, but we were in the top 25 for a minute. I just think it is pretty obvious and documented that Chaney hates the run and doesn’t emphasize it or coach it very well. I believe in a balanced offense and criticized Chryst last year for relying on the run too much.
Just don’t like the direction I see us heading in. I do hope I am wrong, and willing to admit it when I am.
When you’re down 21-3, you’re going to have to pass more.
I wouldn’t say satisfied but I understand the talent deficit that Chyrst left this administration. I also see Pitt beating every team they’re supposed to and not quitting in games they’re losing. So yeah, I’m not up in arms over the season.
I’m all for dropping Chaney if we go to a read option offense but not if we’re going to just add another west coast pro-style guy. Pointless.
BTW … this is why Ollison gets benched.
link to twitter.com
He’s just not very good yet and part of the reason why Pitt can’t stretch the field. If you can’t block you don’t have time to throw deep.