Sorry about the week off. I was out of town on business and then meetings that took up way more time than anticipated. Got back late last night, and it is right back to everything else. Tonight it is Virginia Tech coming to Heinz Field for the big Thursday night ACC game.
As is tradition, the guys at The Key Play and I exchanged questions about the respective programs ahead of the game. You can find my answers to Joey’s questions here.
3. Defensively, things seem the same with Bud Foster remaining in place (though, it appears that VT has finally used up their allotment of Fuller brothers). It seems that VT is a little more susceptible to the pass this year. Is that accurate, or is it more about the nature of college football these days.
4. Winning obviously makes the change easier, but it seems that Justin Fuente has been a great fit for Virginia Tech and the fanbase. Would that be accurate? What exactly has it been?
5. Finally, your predictions for Thursday night.
I say Pitt wins 20 to 13 with at least one fullback touchdown. We could be lamenting the UNC game after a bittersweet 9 and 3 season. Look for the defense to pressure the QB and redeem themselves from earlier torching.
You “Cut to the Chase” (or Chas as it might be).
Lose… and the rest is history.
WIN… and Pitt Football just became RELEVANT for the first time in a LONG time.
Problem is, as I’ve been saying since last Thursday, VaTech’s Defense is downright SCARY… and a BAD MISMATCH for Pitt’s Canadian Offense (or Canada’s “SMOKE ‘n MIRRORS” Offense as I also like to call it).
Here’s an excerpt from from this morning’s Post Gazette and a Jenn Menendez interview with VaTech Beat Writer Andy Bitter who basically outlines the CAUSE for CONCERN.
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“… The front seven’s been much-improved against the run this year, a little bigger and more active on the line and more consistent at linebacker, where Andrew Motuapuaka has improved drastically and Tremaine Edmunds has had a breakout year.
They probably haven’t faced an offensive line as good at Pitt’s this year, however, so this will be a challenge from a physical standpoint.
As for the strength of this team, Foster’s been good when he can get opponents in must-throw situations.
If the Hokies are good on first and second down — which they have been this year — they can send the house at the quarterback.
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However, there is a Light at the end of the Tunnel for us Pitt Faithful.
The Trib’s Jerry DiPaola picks VaTech to win by the Las Vegas line 31-27.
However, it’s a VERY SMALL Light.
Besides, the possibility of Pitt pulling an upset as a Home Dog… DiPaola’s pick could also signal a VaTech BLOWOUT.
Let’s just hope Jerry has it wrong as has often been the case.
Smoke and mirrors has given us 200 yards rushing every game this season and Pitt’s current record of scoring 36+ in consecutive games is now the longest in the country … and Pitt has not played a cupcake schedule.
VT’s O-line is a little banged up. The trenches will be the difference. VT’s QB has one 300 yard game and it’s a loss. The run sets up the pass. Pitt’s strength on defense is first the run and then pressure on the QB. Hopefully the stars align. Should be a competitive game. Rain should help Pitt and further reduce the impact of the passing game.
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Terrish Webb… Upper Body… Questionable
Avonte Maddox… Elbow… Doubtful
Dontez Ford… Collarbone… Doubtful
Bam Bradley… Upper Body… Doubtful
Zach Challingsworth… Upper Body… Questionable
Mike Caprara… Lower Body… Probable
Ejuan Price… Lower Body… Probable
Quintin Wirginis… Undisclosed… Questionable
Also, for any Phoenix, AZ area readers:
Phoenix AZ Game Watch Info
The Alumni Club Game Watch information is below:
Arcadia Tavern
4801 E. Indian School Road
Phoenix, AZ 85018
4:00 pm kickoff
#H2P
Heading down soon. Hope crowd is better than I anticipate…
Playing the Pedo’s might have sold more Season Tickets, but those seats are not being filled at any of the other games.
If the fans don’t show, hopefully the team does.
Good luck men!!!
H2P!!!
The Emperor has No Clothes.
It’s working.
But would WORK a LOT BETTER if he would just put PARRISH in the Backfield as a Blocking FULLBACK for Conner.
It would be GAME OVER!
And they come out in these horrid things.
🙁
Glad we’re still in this. At least the TV’s are still on. I’m afraid that most bars have the Pens game on though.
I remember walking into a local bar to see the 13-9 game and my brother & I asked them to put the Pitt game on. They had no idea what we were even talking about…..the backyard brawl no less.
Somebody Else’s turn.
Too Little TOO Late.
How many times is Pitt gonna keep shooting itself in the foot.
Narduzzi, I like him, but he is stubborn. No adjustments.
Why did C. Moss not play?
I’ve never seen a defensive backfield be so horrendous. Never!
3 or more losses means Sh*t Bowl again. 🙁
Those back to back 3 and out offensive series in the 4th qtr were killers. On one series we ran the ball 3 times and punted???
There were lots of plays that were costly – 1st qtr fumble, INT – Pitt was fortunate vt could only convert FG’s or we would have been on the bad end of a blowout.
I got on the elevator after the game and this women said to my wife and I – “did I just witness Pitt losing to vt AND the refs?” Hmmm… did she have a point? – the 6’7″ vt WR did a lot of pushing off and never once got called for PI.
HCPN seemed to be going nuts on the sidelines all game – it is hard to tell when you are in the stadium – how did it look on TV and did the announcers chime in one way or the other?
Awe, screw it – I don’t want to know those answers – a loss is a loss and this one really stinks – our boys came out flat and it was off of a bye week.
They did not give up though, which gives me a little hope for the future – but just a little.
I need to find something else to entertain myself with…
Oh and we had a great opportunity to bring Conner in at DE in the 4th qtr. The MO was on our side – the crowd would have gone wild as the students did not leave after THE SONG. That and the loss were disappointing – not much pressure on the QB tonight.
I hate pedo state!
QB – we need to break in a new one as NP will use up his eligility this year. No other QB has received a snap in 2016 – not good for 2017.
RB – should be ok.
WR – not impressed with our 2016 core – 2017 looks similar.
TE – Orndoff and Parish graduate – Clark and Reeves replace with no Pitt snaps to show – I think Orndoff is underutilized with how weak our receivers are this year.
OL – Biz and Johnson are gone and possibly O’Niell – that’s a lot to replace.
K – Blewitt graduates – watch, we will be saying next year that we miss Chris.
DL – 3/4ths graduate – ouch!
LB – Time for a personnel turnover – the current group has proven they only occasionally make plays. I see them standing over the play more than making the play – that needs to change.
DB – I could write a book here – I hope we have a development program in the works…
I’m surrounded by hokie fans at breakfast – reminding myself it is JUST A GAME.
I hate pedo state!
It looked like he was going nuts on the sidelines all game.
How about the calls and no-calls by the refs?
Fair / Unfair / Even both ways
I think Pitt’s Canadian offense (nod to PoD for coming up with that name) will throw a few more wrinkles at the vt jokies that we (nor vt) haven’t seen this year and the Pitt D strings together 4 good qtr’s to get the W.
Also, our Oline will have to be better than the vt Dline for Pitt to win.
The Pens are at home tonight vs the NY Islanders at 7am. Do you think the ESPN announcers are equipped with that information or will the sparce crowd be emphasized?
I’ll be at Heinz cheering loud and proud!
Go PITT