Every year I pick up just about every preseason football mag. Partially out of curiosity. Partially out of boredom that comes with the June-ish dead time.
Every year, I page to Pitt’s entry first. See where they are projected in the ACC. See what is being said.
Coming off a 5-7 season, expectations have been low.
The Phil Steele preview is the biggie of course. That wonderful mix of stats, self-promotion and actual useful information tucked into the small print and vaguely comprehensible abbreviations.
He was also the harshest in projecting Pitt in their ACC finish. 6th in the ACC Coastal. Ahead of only Virginia. 4th or 5th wouldn’t have surprised me, but 6th?
It was the second last sentence in his Pitt preview, though, that struck me.
“My 9 sets of power ratings have them any where from 4-8 to 10-2.”
[Plenty of emphasis added.]
And that right there is this year’s Pitt football team.
I went on a podcast to talk about Pitt a few weeks back. Near the end of some very extensive blathering on my part, we went through the schedule. I think I ended up having Pitt finish 9-3 or something like that.
I’m surprisingly optimistic about most of this team. Yet, I can also see having a really disappointing year. And not all because of the schedule.
We believe Kenny Pickett is going to be really good at QB.
We think that the running game will be solid.
We hope that the O-line will be better after a coaching change and some help with a grad transfer.
We have no idea about the receiving corps.
That’s a lot to take on faith. And that’s just the offensive side of the ball.
I’m optimistic that the defense finally comes together. I love the depth and talent in the secondary — despite the departures of Maddox and Whitehead.
Many Pitt fans seems to think that the linebackers will be a real strength as well. That the D-line is better and that the ends are poised to finally break through (literally and figuratively).
I’m not too bent out of shape at seeing Pitt picked 5th in the ACC pre-season media poll. Duke and North Carolina getting a vote each to win the Coastal? Now that has me disturbed.
That gives Pitt 9 realistic opportunities at wins if everything bounces their way.
I’m not going to predict anything. Just leaving that out there.
Wins/Toss ups:
Albany
GT
UNC
CUSE
Duke
UVA
WF
Mild Upsets:
UCF
VT
Big Upsets:
PSU
ND
Miami
I too have this blind hope the OL will totally surprise me…since that is the principal biggest question. Then Pickett. We all were so primed for something better last year, I think we were all wearing super thick rose colored glasses when he finally did. I can see him putting it all together…or spending most of the year running for his life and getting hurt.
With this schedule, at 10-2 we should be playing for the national championship! Only 4 loses would make me very happy actually.
If he was Knute Rockne on game days, the tone might be different. But he still acts like he’s no more than asst coach in all that he does. Maybe that’s why no 4’s and 5’s.?
Vegas says 5.5
so I’ll take 6 and finally a bowl win
The D should be better
But tough to win with an inexperienced QB, suspect O-line, no stand out RB’s and few safety valves for a QB running for his life
I’m more hopeful for long term success by the basketball team because I believe Capel can recruit. The football program doesnt have the talent to consistently compete or win the division without better recruits.
I dont drink Pitt Optimism any more. Gives me bad headaches. I prefer a bottle of Realism with a side of Pessimism. Never the headache or upset stomach.
O line will be ok and Pickett isn’t inexperienced, he has game experience and has been in their offense for a year now and the RBs aren’t an issue. They are a bit over scheduled on non con but this team is far from inept and inexperienced.
Penn State ( already 14 point underdogs)
Notre Dame
UCF ( mini Miami team) speed everywhere
Miami
Most likely losses:
Georgia Tech ( Pitt cant stop their offense)
Virginia Tech
Possible wins:
North Carolina
Wake Forest
Sure wins:
Albany
Syracuse
Virginia
Duke
Keep on recruiting 3 stars and you get 3 star play.
The man is not head coach material and our AD gave him a new contract , he now makes over $3 Million a year and for what.