My take on the Pitt/PSU game...

[HailToPitt725]

With another Keystone Classic upon us, I figured I'd stop by again. I've had some good, civil discussions on here in the past and expect this one to be no less. My thoughts on the game and our team in general...

- Expect a similar offense to the one we ran last year even with the new coordinator. Obviously we held stuff back against YSU, similar to what we did against Nova, But featured some of the same stuff we saw last year. However, the one thing I expect to be different is a bit more conservative play-calling. Saw a lot more runs on third&med and <10 yard routes than what we normally ran last year. TE's also didn't get involved as much; little disappointed in this.

EDIT: One more thing to add here is that there shouldn't be as much involvement from the FB position. Aston went down with an injury in camp and is out for the year. His replacements didn't impress me. Expect to occasionally see one of Ollision, Hall, or Moss to be lined up here if they're not in at RB. All big, strong backs.

- Our secondary has improved, but the front seven is significantly weaker. Those guys kept us in a lot of games last year and the youth and inexperience showed in the first game. Two players to keep an eye on is Keyshawn Camp (DL) and Saleem Brightwell (LB).

- I think the difference in this game will be how much your defense has improved. I expect your offensive production to be around the same as last year; we'll get some stops, Barkley will get some gains, McSorley will make some plays. Probably will end up around the same amount of points you scored last year, give or take. However, we can't rely on our offense getting 40+ points a game this year, which will be the case for all our games. If you can get some more stops and turn that into points, that could be a game changer.

- The other game changer will be how our QB, Max Browne, plays. Wasn't that impressed with him after Saturday. Took a lot of gambles throwing it into double and triple overages and sooner or later those will be turnovers. He liked to stare down the receivers a lot and stayed in the pocket too long occasionally. The thing that concerned me the most was how little he looked for All-American Quadree Henderson or our leading receiver, Jester Weah. Need to get them involved more if we want to compete in our next two games.

- Overall, I see these next two weeks as a great opportunity for our program. Like I said on our home board, there's a chance that we go 0-2 against yinz and OK State, but there's also the chance that we win both. How many times will you get to play against two Top 10 (Okie still in there?) programs this early in the season. I'd love to see us win one or both and Narduzzi earn another signature victory. Regardless, it's going to be good to see where we are as a program, with the youth we have, going up against two great opponents. Will tell a lot about where we're headed in the future.

As always, hoping for a good game and no injuries to either side.

 

[Lion84]

You ran the ball down our throats last year - it won't happen this year since we are a lot healthier at linebacker. We have a full year under the offense so I think that will aslo be better. I do think no matter what Pitt tries to do on defense we should have an answer for. You might want to watch out for Tommy Steven when he comes in the game - just saying.

 

[LafayetteBear]

Not easy for any team to replace a guy like James Conner, and Pitt is no Alabama. I am expecting a drop off in the Panthers' running game.

 

[Grant Green]

I'm not going to even bother trying to break this game down. I say this without any kind of anti-Pitt bias. I think the only question is whether PSU covers the spread, and I think there is a good chance that happens. PSU has a nothing game after this and has had this game circled for a year.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

I'm not going to even bother trying to break this game down. I say this without any kind of anti-Pitt bias. I think the only question is whether PSU covers the spread, and I think there is a good chance that happens. PSU has a nothing game after this and has had this game circled for a year.

Everything looks like a nail when you're a hammer.

 

[GregInPitt]

Thanks for stopping by. I watched the last part of the pitt game, after the conclusion of the PSU/Akron game, and also didn't understand why Henderson didn't get the ball more.

You didn't bring up the fact that the PSU OL, now loaded with top talent but still somewhat young, is much more experienced and physically mature than last year. That should allow a more conservative play calling scheme if the staff so chooses to play the game conservatively on offense.

Last year PSU didn't have it's starting LB core in tact for the game, and together with a very young DL and 1 DT starter suspended allowed pitt to run at will early in the game. The interior of the PSU DL is now very strong and our LB's are a strength as well. Although our DE starters are new, PSU should get plenty of pressure on the pitt QB, Browne, and from what I saw of him he is not too adept at avoiding the rush.

As I see it, to make a game of it pitt will need at least 1 special team TD, must win the turnover battle,and Henderson and Weah will need to have big games. But I see our D coaches scheming to stop Henderson, with our pass rush not allowing Browne enough time to make many long throws.

I look or pitt to load up the box to stop the run as well as to try and put pressure on McSorely to prevent him from getting enough time to make the mid and longer throws he likes to make. Loading the box will also be a try to stop McSorely from making nice gains running.

Should be interesting to see what Duzzy can do to stop the PSU offense.

 

[AldenT]

Don't see how Pitt covers here.

They have talent but not enough. This isn't last year. Next year and beyond will be worse.

You'll always have that keychain.

 

[Jakey_John]

Pitt has to keep PSU's offense off the field. They're going to have to win with sustained drives so that their counterpart can't start clicking. If a pure #2 receiver emerges, Henderson not withstanding, then Pitt has a chance. However if McSorely and co. Have the opportunity to pick them apart they're in for a long afternoon.

 

[ValentinoRossi]

I think Stevens will be in there for only a few plays a game. Think of it like a team that uses the wildcat for 4-5 plays a game. Probably done as much to get the opposing team to devote valuable practice time to it as it's done with the expectation that it will be wildly successful. It may not produce a true "splash" play but the defense will need to disproportionately practice for the package to cover all the possibilities it presents.

 

[LafayetteBear]

Interesting. You expect Penn St to go with 2 QB's throughout the season or just in certain packages/garbage time?

Hail: Your secondary is gonna have to play out of its collective gourd, given that your front seven is gonna have to focus on stopping Barkley. It is a tall order.

I am not familiar with Ollison, Hall or Davis. Are they inside guys (i.e., fullback types) or outside guys (smaller and faster)? Also, do you expect the Panthers to pass a lot more than they run, or about the same?

 

[Little J]

Such optimism from some of the Pitt faithful. Nice to see such support of your team.

Let's get down to brass tacks on this one. PSU was a young team last year who was decimated at linebacker. The sanctions were impactful and do not think for a moment that they were not. No one on the Pitt side wants to even acknowledge that they even existed. Think of Narduzzi with 20 less scholarships - yikes and double yikes.

So PSU goes up against a good veteran Pitt team and gets pounded at the start only to finds their legs in the second half, coming very close to an upset. Yes, it would have been an upset as Pitt was favored and rightfully so. On that day Pitt was the better team. I have no problem saying that. The funny thing is that as the season progressed Penn State found itself and well you know the story - BIG 10 Champs, Rose Bowl and an exciting 10-3 season. The better team at the end of the year was PSU hands down.

Now PSU is another year older, brimming with confidence, and frankly loaded with talent. Believe what you want about Franklin and PSU coaching but don't the results of last years overachieving speak for themselves? The Pitt loss stings and I doubt they forget it. They are hungry for respect as a program and after the snub they took in the playoff last year. They will not overlook Pitt. The fans will not overlook Pitt so expect a very raucus Beaver Stadium. The college game can swing on emotion and heart, but do you really see Pitt having more that this hungry PSU team? At best this intangible is a draw. Talent, experience, coaching, momenum? Clear edge to PSU. Home field PSU.

Bottom line - game PSU. Show some smarts and take PSU and give Pitt the points. Easy money, even if your heart wants it to go the other way.

 

[Lion84]

Interesting. You expect Penn St to go with 2 QB's throughout the season or just in certain packages/garbage time?

No - it's just a wrinkle to give other teams something to think about - Steven is too talented to have on the bench all game. It's all about keeping the other team guessing and off balance.

 

[Cosmos]

I think Stevens will be in there for only a few plays a game. Think of it like a team that uses the wildcat for 4-5 plays a game. Probably done as much to get the opposing team to devote valuable practice time to it as it's done with the expectation that it will be wildly successful. It may not produce a true "splash" play but the defense will need to disproportionately practice for the package to cover all the possibilities it presents.

I agree but eventually Stevens is going to toss that ball! You watch.

 

[Bob_Anderson]

With another Keystone Classic upon us, I figured I'd stop by again. I've had some good, civil discussions on here in the past and expect this one to be no less. My thoughts on the game and our team in general...

- Expect a similar offense to the one we ran last year even with the new coordinator. Obviously we held stuff back against YSU, similar to what we did against Nova, But featured some of the same stuff we saw last year. However, the one thing I expect to be different is a bit more conservative play-calling. Saw a lot more runs on third&med and <10 yard routes than what we normally ran last year. TE's also didn't get involved as much; little disappointed in this.

EDIT: One more thing to add here is that there shouldn't be as much involvement from the FB position. Aston went down with an injury in camp and is out for the year. His replacements didn't impress me. Expect to occasionally see one of Ollision, Hall, or Moss to be lined up here if they're not in at RB. All big, strong backs.

- Our secondary has improved, but the front seven is significantly weaker. Those guys kept us in a lot of games last year and the youth and inexperience showed in the first game. Two players to keep an eye on is Keyshawn Camp (DL) and Saleem Brightwell (LB).

- I think the difference in this game will be how much your defense has improved. I expect your offensive production to be around the same as last year; we'll get some stops, Barkley will get some gains, McSorley will make some plays. Probably will end up around the same amount of points you scored last year, give or take. However, we can't rely on our offense getting 40+ points a game this year, which will be the case for all our games. If you can get some more stops and turn that into points, that could be a game changer.

- The other game changer will be how our QB, Max Browne, plays. Wasn't that impressed with him after Saturday. Took a lot of gambles throwing it into double and triple overages and sooner or later those will be turnovers. He liked to stare down the receivers a lot and stayed in the pocket too long occasionally. The thing that concerned me the most was how little he looked for All-American Quadree Henderson or our leading receiver, Jester Weah. Need to get them involved more if we want to compete in our next two games.

- Overall, I see these next two weeks as a great opportunity for our program. Like I said on our home board, there's a chance that we go 0-2 against yinz and OK State, but there's also the chance that we win both. How many times will you get to play against two Top 10 (Okie still in there?) programs this early in the season. I'd love to see us win one or both and Narduzzi earn another signature victory. Regardless, it's going to be good to see where we are as a program, with the youth we have, going up against two great opponents. Will tell a lot about where we're headed in the future.

As always, hoping for a good game and no injuries to either side.

what are your thoughts on the Pitt defense clapping to simulate the PSU snap? should we expect to see anything like that again?

 

[Lion84]

I wouldn't expect anything less from Beaver Stadium. Big time in-state rivalry game that's on ABC? Going to be a lot of emotions leading to game time.

I will agree with what you said about experience. Tables are turned this year- PSU brings a lot back, Pitt not as much. And you know I can't take PSU... which is why I'm not a betting man

If you are up for the game I hope you enjoy the experience - some of the people on your board have some unusual descriptors of State College and the atmosphere - Pitt fans will be treated fine. We were good to the Rutgers fans even after their horrible treatment of PSU fans in NJ when we played them so take the Liar comments with a grain or full shaker of salt.

 

[Cosmos]

Such optimism from some of the Pitt faithful. Nice to see such support of your team.

Let's get down to brass tacks on this one. PSU was a young team last year who was decimated at linebacker. The sanctions were impactful and do not think for a moment that they were not. No one on the Pitt side wants to even acknowledge that they even existed. Think of Narduzzi with 20 less scholarships - yikes and double yikes.

So PSU goes up against a good veteran Pitt team and gets pounded at the start only to finds their legs in the second half, coming very close to an upset. Yes, it would have been an upset as Pitt was favored and rightfully so. On that day Pitt was the better team. I have no problem saying that. The funny thing is that as the season progressed Penn State found itself and well you know the story - BIG 10 Champs, Rose Bowl and an exciting 10-3 season. The better team at the end of the year was PSU hands down.

Now PSU is another year older, brimming with confidence, and frankly loaded with talent. Believe what you want about Franklin and PSU coaching but don't the results of last years overachieving speak for themselves? The Pitt loss stings and I doubt they forget it. They are hungry for respect as a program and after the snub they took in the playoff last year. They will not overlook Pitt. The fans will not overlook Pitt so expect a very raucus Beaver Stadium. The college game can swing on emotion and heart, but do you really see Pitt having more that this hungry PSU team? At best this intangible is a draw. Talent, experience, coaching, momenum? Clear edge to PSU. Home field PSU.

Bottom line - game PSU. Show some smarts and take PSU and give Pitt the points. Easy money, even if your heart wants it to go the other way.

I agree with Paragraph 2.

I see your Paragraph 3 and raise ya. Let's not forget Pitt beat Clemson at Clemson.

Last I checked the spread was 18.5. That might be a tad low but not by too much... perhaps by as much as a field goal.

 

[marshall23]

With another Keystone Classic upon us, I figured I'd stop by again. I've had some good, civil discussions on here in the past and expect this one to be no less. My thoughts on the game and our team in general...

- Expect a similar offense to the one we ran last year even with the new coordinator. Obviously we held stuff back against YSU, similar to what we did against Nova, But featured some of the same stuff we saw last year. However, the one thing I expect to be different is a bit more conservative play-calling. Saw a lot more runs on third&med and <10 yard routes than what we normally ran last year. TE's also didn't get involved as much; little disappointed in this.

EDIT: One more thing to add here is that there shouldn't be as much involvement from the FB position. Aston went down with an injury in camp and is out for the year. His replacements didn't impress me. Expect to occasionally see one of Ollision, Hall, or Moss to be lined up here if they're not in at RB. All big, strong backs.

- Our secondary has improved, but the front seven is significantly weaker. Those guys kept us in a lot of games last year and the youth and inexperience showed in the first game. Two players to keep an eye on is Keyshawn Camp (DL) and Saleem Brightwell (LB).

- I think the difference in this game will be how much your defense has improved. I expect your offensive production to be around the same as last year; we'll get some stops, Barkley will get some gains, McSorley will make some plays. Probably will end up around the same amount of points you scored last year, give or take. However, we can't rely on our offense getting 40+ points a game this year, which will be the case for all our games. If you can get some more stops and turn that into points, that could be a game changer.

- The other game changer will be how our QB, Max Browne, plays. Wasn't that impressed with him after Saturday. Took a lot of gambles throwing it into double and triple overages and sooner or later those will be turnovers. He liked to stare down the receivers a lot and stayed in the pocket too long occasionally. The thing that concerned me the most was how little he looked for All-American Quadree Henderson or our leading receiver, Jester Weah. Need to get them involved more if we want to compete in our next two games.

- Overall, I see these next two weeks as a great opportunity for our program. Like I said on our home board, there's a chance that we go 0-2 against yinz and OK State, but there's also the chance that we win both. How many times will you get to play against two Top 10 (Okie still in there?) programs this early in the season. I'd love to see us win one or both and Narduzzi earn another signature victory. Regardless, it's going to be good to see where we are as a program, with the youth we have, going up against two great opponents. Will tell a lot about where we're headed in the future.

As always, hoping for a good game and no injuries to either side.

Nice post, but you have virtually no chance of winning your next 3 games.

 

[anon_is9z1n0h3zblb]

With another Keystone Classic upon us, I figured I'd stop by again. I've had some good, civil discussions on here in the past and expect this one to be no less. My thoughts on the game and our team in general...

- Expect a similar offense to the one we ran last year even with the new coordinator. Obviously we held stuff back against YSU, similar to what we did against Nova, But featured some of the same stuff we saw last year. However, the one thing I expect to be different is a bit more conservative play-calling. Saw a lot more runs on third&med and <10 yard routes than what we normally ran last year. TE's also didn't get involved as much; little disappointed in this.

EDIT: One more thing to add here is that there shouldn't be as much involvement from the FB position. Aston went down with an injury in camp and is out for the year. His replacements didn't impress me. Expect to occasionally see one of Ollision, Hall, or Moss to be lined up here if they're not in at RB. All big, strong backs.

- Our secondary has improved, but the front seven is significantly weaker. Those guys kept us in a lot of games last year and the youth and inexperience showed in the first game. Two players to keep an eye on is Keyshawn Camp (DL) and Saleem Brightwell (LB).

- I think the difference in this game will be how much your defense has improved. I expect your offensive production to be around the same as last year; we'll get some stops, Barkley will get some gains, McSorley will make some plays. Probably will end up around the same amount of points you scored last year, give or take. However, we can't rely on our offense getting 40+ points a game this year, which will be the case for all our games. If you can get some more stops and turn that into points, that could be a game changer.

- The other game changer will be how our QB, Max Browne, plays. Wasn't that impressed with him after Saturday. Took a lot of gambles throwing it into double and triple overages and sooner or later those will be turnovers. He liked to stare down the receivers a lot and stayed in the pocket too long occasionally. The thing that concerned me the most was how little he looked for All-American Quadree Henderson or our leading receiver, Jester Weah. Need to get them involved more if we want to compete in our next two games.

- Overall, I see these next two weeks as a great opportunity for our program. Like I said on our home board, there's a chance that we go 0-2 against yinz and OK State, but there's also the chance that we win both. How many times will you get to play against two Top 10 (Okie still in there?) programs this early in the season. I'd love to see us win one or both and Narduzzi earn another signature victory. Regardless, it's going to be good to see where we are as a program, with the youth we have, going up against two great opponents. Will tell a lot about where we're headed in the future.

As always, hoping for a good game and no injuries to either side.

I'm curious as to why you think the secondary has improved? Maddox is still there and Whitehead and Hamlin are out. YSU had over 300 passing yards and though I didn't see the game that can't bode well. I honestly don't see much of an improvement over last year, but I'm hardly an expert on the Pitt depth chart.

 

[AldenT]

Nope- currently living out in KC and won't be back in time for the game. We're from Johnstown and have friends who went there. I obviously have my own opinions on Penn State, as does everyone else toward Pitt, but the campus and area is nice, along with a good portion of the people. My thought process about entering enemy territory has always been that if you don't start something, no one will start anything with you. Never have had a problem at any stadium.

That's been my experience at over 30 stadiums with 2 exceptions: Pitt and Rutgers. Vile, disgusting human trash.

Kudos for coming here to humanize your mongrel board and equivocate your OT win last week over a IAA school. You're going to get pounded. Next year will be worse. Maybe your coach should learn to recruit and not just act like a petulant child on the sidelines or give up 50 points a game.

 

[Eurotrash1]

The way to beat us is to have a great front seven on defense. Pitt doesn't have it. This game could get ugly.

 

[Obliviax]

With another Keystone Classic upon us, I figured I'd stop by again. I've had some good, civil discussions on here in the past and expect this one to be no less. My thoughts on the game and our team in general...

- Expect a similar offense to the one we ran last year even with the new coordinator. Obviously we held stuff back against YSU, similar to what we did against Nova, But featured some of the same stuff we saw last year. However, the one thing I expect to be different is a bit more conservative play-calling. Saw a lot more runs on third&med and <10 yard routes than what we normally ran last year. TE's also didn't get involved as much; little disappointed in this.

EDIT: One more thing to add here is that there shouldn't be as much involvement from the FB position. Aston went down with an injury in camp and is out for the year. His replacements didn't impress me. Expect to occasionally see one of Ollision, Hall, or Moss to be lined up here if they're not in at RB. All big, strong backs.

- Our secondary has improved, but the front seven is significantly weaker. Those guys kept us in a lot of games last year and the youth and inexperience showed in the first game. Two players to keep an eye on is Keyshawn Camp (DL) and Saleem Brightwell (LB).

- I think the difference in this game will be how much your defense has improved. I expect your offensive production to be around the same as last year; we'll get some stops, Barkley will get some gains, McSorley will make some plays. Probably will end up around the same amount of points you scored last year, give or take. However, we can't rely on our offense getting 40+ points a game this year, which will be the case for all our games. If you can get some more stops and turn that into points, that could be a game changer.

- The other game changer will be how our QB, Max Browne, plays. Wasn't that impressed with him after Saturday. Took a lot of gambles throwing it into double and triple overages and sooner or later those will be turnovers. He liked to stare down the receivers a lot and stayed in the pocket too long occasionally. The thing that concerned me the most was how little he looked for All-American Quadree Henderson or our leading receiver, Jester Weah. Need to get them involved more if we want to compete in our next two games.

- Overall, I see these next two weeks as a great opportunity for our program. Like I said on our home board, there's a chance that we go 0-2 against yinz and OK State, but there's also the chance that we win both. How many times will you get to play against two Top 10 (Okie still in there?) programs this early in the season. I'd love to see us win one or both and Narduzzi earn another signature victory. Regardless, it's going to be good to see where we are as a program, with the youth we have, going up against two great opponents. Will tell a lot about where we're headed in the future.

As always, hoping for a good game and no injuries to either side.

Thanks for your civil and thoughtful post.

The only area I differ on is our offense. We hadn't found ourselves when we played you last year. As a result, our first half was bad. In fact, our first quarter was horrendous. We did the same against Wisconsin and USC but had a better O to overcome it. So I expect the offense we had against USC with two differences 1) we pay a full game and 2) another year of experience. So I expect us to score a lot of points.

 

[LafayetteBear]

That's been my experience at over 30 stadiums with 2 exceptions: Pitt and Rutgers. Vile, disgusting human trash.

Kudos for coming here to humanize your mongrel board and equivocate your OT win last week over a IAA school. You're going to get pounded. Next year will be worse. Maybe your coach should learn to recruit and not just act like a petulant child on the sidelines or give up 50 points a game.

LOL, Alden. Tell him what you really think. Quit holding back.

 

[gregoryj95]

Interesting. You expect Penn St to go with 2 QB's throughout the season or just in certain packages/garbage time?

First off, thanks for coming to talk football. You are very much welcome here.

Yes, there is a good chance you will see that formation throughout the season, but as another poster mentioned just a handful of times per game, most likely. Here are some reasons I can think of:
1. Gets a great athlete in Tommy Stevens on the field. He is athletic enough to be successful at several positions at this level (but make no mistake - he is VERY much a QB), and you always want to get guys like that on the field.
2. Stevens is a RS Sophomore, but barring injury is going to have to wait through this season and next before he becomes the man behind center. By all accounts he loves PSU and his role on the team, but by getting him involved in the game it gives reps to a good kid who has earned them. Why not keep him fed and happy while making the offense more dangerous?
3. When his time finally comes he is going to have a lot of plays under his belt and won't be like a first time starter at all. Great development for Stevens.
4. With our athletes, the formation is incredibly flexible given that both McSorley and Stevens are talented runners and passers. They can: a) run base offense with Stevens as a WR or RB, b) have McSorley run a read option with Stevens as the back, c) have McSorley run RPO with a full complement of WRs downfield PLUS Stevens as a receiver out of the backfield, and if the ball is handed to Stevens he can d) run with it, e) triple option to a receiver or TE on the outside, f) do an RPO read like on the 26-yard completion to DaeSean Hamilton, g) flip back to McSorley for a pass downfield, or h) whatever I haven't covered. You'll see more and different wrinkles on this formation.
5. Maybe this is 4a. How the hell does a d-coordinator prep for this, and how is a defense supposed to consistently and correctly read a double read option / double RPO post-snap? As some smarter people than me have said, teams are going to have to prepare for all of these possibilities on top of preparing for PSU's base offense. Showing this in Week 1 was a brilliant and designed "tell" on the part of Franklin and Morehead.

This is what you can do with two talented dual-threat QBs that have 3-4 years in the system. Maybe it's the flavor of the week, but I think there's a chance that this is a significant innovation for the 2017 and 2018 Nittany Lions and maybe it's more than that. Time will tell, but I love it.

 

[AWS1022]

With another Keystone Classic upon us, I figured I'd stop by again. I've had some good, civil discussions on here in the past and expect this one to be no less. My thoughts on the game and our team in general...

- Expect a similar offense to the one we ran last year even with the new coordinator. Obviously we held stuff back against YSU, similar to what we did against Nova, But featured some of the same stuff we saw last year. However, the one thing I expect to be different is a bit more conservative play-calling. Saw a lot more runs on third&med and <10 yard routes than what we normally ran last year. TE's also didn't get involved as much; little disappointed in this.

EDIT: One more thing to add here is that there shouldn't be as much involvement from the FB position. Aston went down with an injury in camp and is out for the year. His replacements didn't impress me. Expect to occasionally see one of Ollision, Hall, or Moss to be lined up here if they're not in at RB. All big, strong backs.

- Our secondary has improved, but the front seven is significantly weaker. Those guys kept us in a lot of games last year and the youth and inexperience showed in the first game. Two players to keep an eye on is Keyshawn Camp (DL) and Saleem Brightwell (LB).

- I think the difference in this game will be how much your defense has improved. I expect your offensive production to be around the same as last year; we'll get some stops, Barkley will get some gains, McSorley will make some plays. Probably will end up around the same amount of points you scored last year, give or take. However, we can't rely on our offense getting 40+ points a game this year, which will be the case for all our games. If you can get some more stops and turn that into points, that could be a game changer.

- The other game changer will be how our QB, Max Browne, plays. Wasn't that impressed with him after Saturday. Took a lot of gambles throwing it into double and triple overages and sooner or later those will be turnovers. He liked to stare down the receivers a lot and stayed in the pocket too long occasionally. The thing that concerned me the most was how little he looked for All-American Quadree Henderson or our leading receiver, Jester Weah. Need to get them involved more if we want to compete in our next two games.

- Overall, I see these next two weeks as a great opportunity for our program. Like I said on our home board, there's a chance that we go 0-2 against yinz and OK State, but there's also the chance that we win both. How many times will you get to play against two Top 10 (Okie still in there?) programs this early in the season. I'd love to see us win one or both and Narduzzi earn another signature victory. Regardless, it's going to be good to see where we are as a program, with the youth we have, going up against two great opponents. Will tell a lot about where we're headed in the future.

As always, hoping for a good game and no injuries to either side.

Remember, we scored most of our points last year in the second half. This year we will likely score the whole game, so thinking we will score about the same amount of points is wishful thinking at best. I'm not sure Pitt's defense is much better than Akron's and PSU hung 52 on them without trying to run it up. Be sure Franklin will run it up if he can.

 

[AldenT]

LOL, Alden. Tell him what you really think. Quit holding back.

They're a troll program. They don't care if they win or lose they just troll on in fantasyland. One guy comes here with a (still ridiculously biased) respectful post and suddenly we are grand old rivals on equal footing? "Keystone Classic?" Give me a break.

I'd be far more game pre-Sandusky, something me and my football team had NOTHING to do with, yet these vile pieces of yinzer trash who've never left Pittsburgh endlessly cite and take joy in. They take joy in children being harmed because it happened at PSU and they have license to attack their big brother. For shame.

This game means everything to that keychain program. We don't need it, they do. See their pathetic season ticket sales YoY for just the most recent example. F them. Come take your medicine and on to a real schedule. This ain't 1980 anymore.

 

[pandaczar12]

That's been my experience at over 30 stadiums with 2 exceptions: Pitt and Rutgers. Vile, disgusting human trash.

Kudos for coming here to humanize your mongrel board and equivocate your OT win last week over a IAA school. You're going to get pounded. Next year will be worse. Maybe your coach should learn to recruit and not just act like a petulant child on the sidelines or give up 50 points a game.

He's not going to be their coach for long. I think he will move on ASAP, his window to move to greener pastures is rapidly closing. The only way he's around for any extended period of time will be because Pitt is stuck with him. By they time they realize he's a used car salesman, it will be too late.

They're a troll program. They don't care if they win or lose they just troll on in fantasyland. One guy comes here with a (still ridiculously biased) respectful post and suddenly we are grand old rivals on equal footing? "Keystone Classic?" Give me a break.

I'd be far more game pre-Sandusky, something me and my football team had NOTHING to do with, yet these vile pieces of yinzer trash who've never left Pittsburgh endlessly cite and take joy in. They take joy in children being harmed because it happened at PSU and they have license to attack their big brother. For shame.

This game means everything to that keychain program. We don't need it, they do. See their pathetic season ticket sales YoY for just the most recent example. F them. Come take your medicine and on to a real schedule. This ain't 1980 anymore.

Very well said!

 

[cvilleelkscoach]

I don't make it a habit of predicting games. But in this case I expect this game to look like last years MSU game. With James Franklin , paybacks are a bitch.

 

[AWS1022]

I don't make it a habit of predicting games. But in this case I expect this game to look like last years MSU game. With James Franklin , paybacks are a bitch.

Yeah, he seems to hold grudges...bad news for Pitt. But then the Pitters will be crying what a classless guy he is.

 

[jrd23psu]

That's been my experience at over 30 stadiums with 2 exceptions: Pitt and Rutgers. Vile, disgusting human trash.

Kudos for coming here to humanize your mongrel board and equivocate your OT win last week over a IAA school. You're going to get pounded. Next year will be worse. Maybe your coach should learn to recruit and not just act like a petulant child on the sidelines or give up 50 points a game.

While this guy seems like a solid dude there is nothing he can do to humanize the sick degenerates that inhabit the Lair.

 

[PSUQBKeeper]

all I have to say is that I think Jester Weah is a cool ass name......Jester Swen Weah....that's cool

 

[Player2BNamedL8r]

Pitt is fielding 2-3 star athletes with the occasional 4 star guy smattered in. PSU is fielding 3-4 star athletes with almost exclusively 4-5 star guys waiting in the wings. Legit question to the OP - how on earth can you even imagine pitt holding its own with PSU both now and certainly in the future? Shouldn't you be ecstatic that this series ends in 2 years?

 

[AWS1022]

Pitt is fielding 2-3 star athletes with the occasional 4 star guy smattered in. PSU is fielding 3-4 star athletes with almost exclusively 4-5 star guys waiting in the wings. Legit question to the OP - how on earth can you even imagine pitt holding its own with PSU both now and certainly in the future? Shouldn't you be ecstatic that this series ends in 2 years?

Don't let them fool you, every Pitt fan wishes the series would have ended last year so they would have bragging rights for years like they did before. Now they won't have 42-39 to throw in our face for years.

 

[Nittany1997]

OP seems like a good guy, but I am on team Alden on this one. I hope this is an epic beat down and Pitt fans are the reason why.

 

[83wuzme]

For those younger fans who have now become acquainted with the miscreants of Rutgers and Pitt, wait til you experience what WVU has to offer. In person.

 

[AWS1022]

I wish that this game would be played every year on Thanksgiving Day, as it should be. This game has been rooted in our family dating back to my grandfather's generation and I still consider it to be one of our biggest games of the year, although it doesn't mean as much nowadays.

I think Pitt can hold its own with Penn State any year they play. I expect the game to be good any year. I still remember some of those late 90's games where we were a 2/3-win team and we'd only lose by a few points. We also seem to play above our talent level... usually win a few games we're not supposed to and play most Top 25 teams pretty close. Can only recall a few times where we got blown out by one in recent years, FSU in 2013 and Miami in 2010.

Have to remember, though, that nowadays our goal isn't to hold our own next to PSU or WVU or ND. It's the ACC Coastal now, and I think we're doing a good job of staying competitive in it. Could see us making a trip to the ACC Championship in the coming years. Just have to try not to fall too far behind Miami and VT because they've doing very good lately and are on the rise as well.

Did you forget Navy two years ago? Ass whipping.

 

[wbcincy]

Nice post, but you have virtually no chance of winning your next 3 games.

Next you'll tell me Fresno State isn't beating Alabama and Washington the next 2 weeks.

 

[canuckhal]

Thanks for stopping by. I watched the last part of the pitt game, after the conclusion of the PSU/Akron game, and also didn't understand why Henderson didn't get the ball more.

You didn't bring up the fact that the PSU OL, now loaded with top talent but still somewhat young, is much more experienced and physically mature than last year. That should allow a more conservative play calling scheme if the staff so chooses to play the game conservatively on offense.

Last year PSU didn't have it's starting LB core in tact for the game, and together with a very young DL and 1 DT starter suspended allowed pitt to run at will early in the game. The interior of the PSU DL is now very strong and our LB's are a strength as well. Although our DE starters are new, PSU should get plenty of pressure on the pitt QB, Browne, and from what I saw of him he is not too adept at avoiding the rush.

As I see it, to make a game of it pitt will need at least 1 special team TD, must win the turnover battle,and Henderson and Weah will need to have big games. But I see our D coaches scheming to stop Henderson, with our pass rush not allowing Browne enough time to make many long throws.

I look or pitt to load up the box to stop the run as well as to try and put pressure on McSorely to prevent him from getting enough time to make the mid and longer throws he likes to make. Loading the box will also be a try to stop McSorely from making nice gains running.

Should be interesting to see what Duzzy can do to stop the PSU offense.

I look for Pitt defenders to hold on every play like they did against V-tech. And if Pitt loads the box, McSorely will throw deep just like V-tech.

 

[KCLion]

Hail: Your secondary is gonna have to play out of its collective gourd, given that your front seven is gonna have to focus on stopping Barkley. It is a tall order.

I am not familiar with Ollison, Hall or Davis. Are they inside guys (i.e., fullback types) or outside guys (smaller and faster)? Also, do you expect the Panthers to pass a lot more than they run, or about the same?

Ollison has talent and was recruited by PSU. He went to the same high school as John Urschel. He was down to PSU and Pitt and likely would have chosen PSU - except for the chaos between BOB and Franklin. Because PSU was in between coaches, he committed to Pitt and held that commitment.

Trust me when I say this is true as I heard it from a source in the know while I was laying next to Ollison in the surgery recovery at UPMC after his hand surgery before last season.

 

[KCLion]

Nope- currently living out in KC and won't be back in time for the game. We're from Johnstown and have friends who went there. I obviously have my own opinions on Penn State, as does everyone else toward Pitt, but the campus and area is nice, along with a good portion of the people. My thought process about entering enemy territory has always been that if you don't start something, no one will start anything with you. Never have had a problem at any stadium.

Where in KC?

 

[KCLion]

On the Missouri side in the Northland. Entering our fourth year here. How about you?

Most of the time on the Lake of the Ozarks, but own in JOCO,KS (Prairie Village) as well. Been here approx 27 years with a couple of short 2-year transfers back and forth to CA.