ACC

The Pitt Football RR’s (Relentless Recruiters) Are All Over the Country

One issue that arose with Pitt fans the past three years was the extent of the recruiting.

We know of innumerable recruiting twitters from the current Pitt coaches, generally Rob Harley, Tim Salem, Andre Powell, Tom Sims, and Renaldo Hill, from Texas, California, New York, and several other states, within a very short time frame.

So, here is the state-by-state breakdown of still uncommitted recruits that have received 2016 offers from Pitt, based on ESPN recruit listings:

There are two five-star players listed, one from New Jersey and one from Louisiana.

There are 31 four-star players still listed:

Pennsylvania-5          New Jersey-4          Maryland-2           Virginia-1

North Carolina-1         Tennessee-1            Georgia-1              Florida-7

District of Columbia-1  Ohio-1                     Indiana-2               Michigan-2

Texas-1                        California-1             Utah-1  (Yes-Utah!)

There are 22 three-star rated players still listed:

Pennsylvania-4           New Jersey-3          Maryland-3          Virginia-2

Tennessee-1                Florida-4                  Connecticut-1      Ohio-1

New York-1                  Illinois-1                   California-1

There are 41 yet non-committed players that are not yet rated on the ESPN list:

Pennsylvania-6            New Jersey-3           Maryland-2        Virginia-5

Florida-7                      Connecticut-2           Ohio-5                Texas-1

North Carolina-2           Illinois-2                    Georgia-2          Michigan-2

Massachusetts-1          District of Columbia-1

This list is, of course, subject to change as the Relentless Recruiters add more offers.

Here is the point to the statistics above:

In the past, there were questions about recruiting being spread to other states.

That obviously is happening.

With the diverse group of assistant coaches that Coach Pat Narduzzi has assembled, all together their experience covers a wide range of states, including ACC states, which shows up in the offers.

In the past, there were questions about recruiting more players from Florida.

That obviously is happening, and likely with some networking through Coaches Josh Conklin and Rob Harley, who were at Florida International last season.

There is also still a presence in Pennsylvania.

These new coaches are being asked to put together a sustainable recruiting program at warp speed, which they are doing, and so they are being referred to here as the Relentless Recruiters.

Pitt Expectations

The ideal purpose of recruiting, of course, is to match a recruit’s ideas about and vision for himself with a school and coaching staff that can help him get a solid academic background, graduate, and mature, as well as to become the best football player possible.

That is also a way to minimize transfers through solid matches of player, coach, and school.

Reportedly, Michigan State has relied on developing 3-star players, on players that want to play in their system. Recently recruited, current Pitt players seem to fit that same mold. There has been discussion among Pitt fans the last three years about the meaning of player ratings. With Pitt’s record the last three seasons, it would still probably not be realistic to expect many five and four star players at this point to want to enroll at Pitt.

If you check the number of five-star players available and the top football schools, even many of those schools may only obtain one or two five-star players a year.

Point is, before Pitt accumulates four and five star players, they are most likely going to need to: WIN.

And the Catch 22 is that recruits come in with different ideas. Some players, like the type that have frequented Michigan State, are willing to put team ahead of self. If you win, and you get more future four and five star rated interested players, then you need to sort out:

who is interested in Pitt because they want to give their all for the team, and who is seeing wins at a school as the main incentive. We have seen recruits in the past drift elsewhere for a winning team, whereas they could have been on the first or second team at PItt.

Regardless, there has been progress in Pitt recruiting. The numbers may not show it to this point, but the excitement of the recruits at getting Pitt offers and their positive statements about the coaches in their interviews and twitter feeds show that everything is moving in the right direction. As mentioned before, also, most of Coach Paul Chryst’s recruits became interested/committed during summer camps.

The other positive is that Coach Narduzzi has apparently discovered past recruiting issues and is listening and addressing them.

There may be a temporary lull, but at some point the Pat Signal should blaze brightly on the twitter sky for all Pitt family and fans to see.

H2P!!

The Pitt Football Spring Game: Plusses and Minuses

Video footage from the Pitt spring football game should prove to be a valuable tool for Coach Pat Narduzzi and his staff to evaluate his new team.

There were many positives about the game, some minuses, but overall a solid performance by both Blue and Gold sides.

The main plus was the defense. There was definite improvement. Except for an early run by running back James Conner and a few runs later by Quadree Ollison, redshirt freshman from Buffalo, the run was basically stuffed. Some defensive backs were moved up towards the line, as promised, and the result was strong stops on the run.

Coach Narduzzi was apparently pleased with the defensive effort, including praise for interior lineman Tyrique Jarrett, who played football at  Allderdice prior to attending Milford Academy in New York state.

A minus that popped up was on both sides in the battle between receivers and defenders on deep patterns. Wide receivers were getting open behind the defense. Since defensive backs played up closer, they were more susceptible to deep passes, similar to hockey players moving in deeper toward the opponent’s goal. In general, speedwise, receivers can run faster (Avonte Maddox being an exception) and so defenders let receivers run to them.

Another plus that appeared was defensive pressure on the quarterback. For the first time since probably the middle Dave Wannstedt era, there was consistent pressure on the quarterback. To protect the quarterbacks, no tackles were allowed on sacks, but it was extremely refreshing to see consistent pressure, and from several players.

While receivers did get open fairly often on deep routes, a minus that occurred on the deep receivers’ side more than once was drops on passes. Tyler Boyd was generally solid on catches, including some unbelievable catches, as well as Zach Challingsworth.   Dontez Ford did show some elusiveness after catches.  Jester Weah got free deep at least twice, but, as last season, had issues catching the ball. No doubt receivers coach Kevin Sherman will be working with him, and once he perfects catching the deep pass, he is going to be difficult to tackle because of his size and power.  J.P. Holtz also showed he can catch the ball on deep routes.

Chad Voytik showed substantial improvement on arm strength from last season from the beginning of the game, and Adam Bertke proved he has a powerful arm and could stretch the field over fifty yards.

Both were accurate earlier in the game. Less accuracy later on could be improved, however, it is possible this was due to defenses putting increased pressure on the quarterbacks or receivers being switched to get a look at them.

The short passing game was solid, including passes to James Conner (a wrinkle promised by the coaching staff for the upcoming season) and Chris James. In fact, the pass to Conner allowed him to cut more ways after the catch than his standard run. James and Rachid Ibrahim exhibited their speed on run plays.

On special teams, there were two blocked field goals; both appeared to be defensive stops as opposed to offensive timing. Ryan Winslow’s punts were solid, and, after settling down on his first kick, Nick Goldsmith showed that he can punt inside the ten yard line

Most punts were fair caught.  Some were run back until the player was tagged by a defender (no tackling on punts),  and if it had not been for those rules, Avonte Maddox would probably have run for a touchdown on one of the punt returns.

Defensive back Lafayette Pitts showed prowess as an offensive receiver.

In short, the defense and special teams prevailed, but much of the starting team offensive line was on the opposite side from the starting backfield and receivers, so the offense should look different when the starting players are reunited.

And also, in short, the players showed a lot of talent and potential.

Head coach Pat Narduzzi had a ringside seat look as he stood about ten to fifteen yards behind the line on most plays. (On a few plays, Lesean McCoy’s infant son got a piggyback ride view with Coach Narduzzi.)

All-in-all, it looks like it should be an exciting season for Pitt football in the ACC.

Coach Pat Narduzzi Is Hiring Offensive Coordinator Jim Chaney for Pitt Football

http://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2015/1/11/7530225/bob-bostad-wisconsin-badgers-paul-chrysthttp://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2015/1/11/7530225/bob-bostad-wisconsin-badgers-paul-chryst More news on Pitt Assistant Coaches:
According to multiple sources, Coach Pat Narduzzi is hiring Coach Jim Chaney as the next offensive coordinator for Pitt football.
This appears to be another great hire for Coach Narduzzi and makes Pitt even more competitive in the ACC.
Coach Chaney has been the offensive coordinator for the rejuvenated Arkansas Razorbacks. Here is a summary of his credentials:
http://www.arkansasrazorbacks.com/sport/m-footbl/2014/roster/53bf04d0e4b0a4c99fcb2903

Here is a fascinating article on Coach Jim Chaney’s offensive system knowledge at the time he first went to Arkansas. Note, the author concludes that he expected him to basically use the Bobby Petrino offense, i.e., the Louisville offensive system, which would seem to be a good fit at Pitt:

http://www.fayettevillains.com/2013/08/23/jim-chaney-history-and-philosophy/#.VLOYQ3vPIZY

After examining a lot of positive and negative comments regarding Jim Chaney’s coaching at Arkansas, I have reached these conclusions:

1. Some leap of faith is needed. This comes from Coach Pat Narduzzi’s approach and his knowledge of the game, from the faith that Coach Narduzzi does have a clear vision of his Pitt program, and that he has discussed coaching philosophies with Coach Chaney.
Coach Narduzzi is not only hiring coaches that have fresh novel approaches, but also that he personally feels are going to be successful in the Pitt program he envisions.
2. Coach Chaney was criticized by Arkansas bloggers for switching during games to completely passing the ball when the running game was originally working and a more balanced attack might be called for. Pitt fans would likely be interested in finding out what run/pass approach Coaches Chaney and Narduzzi have agreed upon, based on the information emanating from Arkansas also that Coaches Chaney and Bielema had different views of that run/pass ratio.

Here is the known list of assistant coaches to this point:

Offense: Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks: Jim Chaney (Arkansas)
Special teams coordinator, running backs: Andre Powell (Maryland)

Defense: Defensive coordinator: Josh Conklin (Florida International)
(Likely: Linebackers: Rob Harley, Florida International)

Strength and conditioning: Dave Andrews (Notre Dame)

Football operations:
Ben Mathers (Michigan State), to work under Chris Lasala

Note the wide geographic range, which should help with recruiting.

Wisconsin chatter:

According to a Wisconsin source, Coach Matt House will not be going to Wisconsin and Coach John Settle is questionable.
However, they say that Coaches Inoke Breckterfield and Chris Haering will be going to Wisconsin.
See: http://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2015/1/10/7524223/wisconsin-badgers-news-paul-chryst-matt-house-john-settle-jay-norvell

Here is what Badger fans are looking at (sound familiar, Pitt fans?):

Coach Paul Chryst is hoping to finalize his staff by the end of the week.
Coach Rudolph may wind up being the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach.
See in http://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2015/1/11/7530225/bob-bostad-wisconsin-badgers-paul-chryst

Monday Evening January 12, New Pitt Football Head Coach Pat Narduzzi to Appear Nationally

New Pitt football coach Pat Narduzzi will appear on ESPN’s Film Room during the Playoff Championship Game Monday evening, January 12, starting at 8:30 PM eastern time. The Film Room is expected to air on ESPN2.
Here is the information from ESPN:
http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2015/01/espn-cfp-megacast-more-than-12-ways-to-follow-national-championship-across-espn-platforms/
Coach Paul Chryst appeared last year. So this is also the second year in a row that the ACC will be represented in the film Room by Pitt coaches.
The amazing coincidence is that Coach Narduzzi will appear with Coach Dan Mullen of Mississippi State, who also has Pittsburgh connections and may have been considered for the Pitt job, and Mike Riley, whose departure from Oregon State to Nebraska opened the way for Gary Andersen to take the Oregon State job, Paul Chryst to wind up at Wisconsin, and for himself to wind up at Pitt.
Based on everything we have heard regarding his public speaking ability, this should be a tremendous opportunity for the new Pitt mentor to gain notice from recruits and their families nationally, and for Pitt to gain national publicity.

On the assistant coaching news front, Rich Walsh of KDKA has said that the final full staff may not be announced until Tuesday or Wednesday.

H2P!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pitt Football – The Pat Narduzzi Era Begins

For fellow ACC fans who are not so familiar with Pitt, for the last twenty-some years, being a Pitt football fan is like riding a big boat on the ocean. You come across storms, tall waves, calm seas, oasis islands that could be mirages, sometimes a mixture of those at the same time, and at times you land on shore somewhere and stay awhile.
The days of Tony Dorsett, of Johnny Majors, of Hugh Green, of Jock Sutherland, of Marshall Goldberg are somewhere in the distance, but you are always hopeful they will reappear on the horizon.
For Pitt fans, welcome to shore!
The Pat Narduzzi era is about to begin!
So pack the Pitt wagon with Pitt gear and hopes and, okay, concerns, and let’s go along for the ride!

Despite some negative comments, Coach Paul Chryst did stabilize the program before he left for Wisconsin.
One reality coach Narduzzi brought to light is that the musical coaching chairs (Mike Riley leaving Oregon State left the window for Gary Andersen to leave Wisconsin) opened up the opportunity for Coach Chryst to return home to Wisconsin. IF that window had not occurred, Coach Narduzzi would not be at Pitt. Athletic director Steve Pederson would still be the Pitt athletic director.
Chances are Coach Chryst would have done better in his fourth season because of the sheer talent of the recruits. However,
as with physics, Pitt football is subject to quantity and rate – the quantity of better team and record, and the rate at which it progresses. And, while the quantity of betterment has gradually increased, the rate should, theoretically increase dramatically under Coach Narduzzi.
In some ways, the two coaches are polar opposites:
Coach Chryst, offense
Coach Narduzzi, defense

Coach Chryst, more reserved
Coach Narduzzi, more outgoing

In some ways, they are similar:

Priority of family, players first. Straightforward with the players. Wanting to help better the players beyond the edge of the field.

Here is what happened at Pitt for the last three years, in a nutshell:

Recruits have been brought in by Coach Chryst and his assistants, many three star, who are solid representatives of themselves and the university.
There were complaints that not enough 4 and 5 star recruits were being brought in.
Considering coach Chryst inherited a program in shambles, IMHO that was not realistic to expect.
And when you look at the high school videos of these players, for instance Chris James or Shane Roy, just to name two, you realize how skilled they are.
Another expressed concern was the lesser number of defensive recruits being brought in.
Several offensive players were brought in. Players brought in by Coach Chryst are not only big, but tall. All-star offensive linemen have been sitting on the bench this season. So have speedy wide receivers. So is an impressive tight end who was a basketball star in high school.
Just a few years ago, we were down to two to three running backs. Now we have a full complement of running backs, and at a much higher skill level.
Of the defensive players who have been recruited, there are defensive linemen and linebackers who bench sat. There is a defensive lineman who was a star wrestler in high school and one who was an agile linebacker at about 280 or more pounds, who bench sat. Despite the concern regarding defensive recruit numbers, there were many two-way players and some listed as athletes who could have been moved over from the offense, but, if so, we as fans were never privy to that information.
Since Coach Chryst wanted his results to show on the field, we knew where he was ultimately wanting to head, but we just did not know how he intended to get there until after each step happened.
With Coach Narduzzi, we are getting a clearer picture of the map he is using beforehand to get to where he wants to be.

So now Coach Narduzzi’s current main priorities are:
1. Fulfill obligations to the Michigan State players, coach the bowl game against Baylor.
2. Secure committed recruits and current players.
3. Hire a coaching staff.
According to the introductory press conference, he has assistant coaches lined up for each position, 3 or 4 at some positions, and he is considering current staff members.

Let’s look at the most likely possible outcomes from the hire:

1. Coach Narduzzi succeeds at moving Pitt into the top 25 this season.
2. Coach Narduzzi succeeds at moving Pitt into the top 25 in 2-3 years.
3. Coach Narduzzi succeeds in moving Pitt into the top 25 in 4-5 years.
4. Coach Narduzzi is unable to advance Pitt.
5. Coach Narduzzi leaves at the end of the year.
6. Coach Narduzzi leaves at the end of 2-5 years.
7. Coach Narduzzi advances Pitt and stays till his retirement.

We all would probably like to see outcome #7 happen, but
based on the boat ride we as Pitt fans have experienced, it would probably be prudent to
consider how to prepare as a fan for each of these scenarios.

Things look better now, let’s supply the fun of conjecture but give the opportunity to see what will occur to improve the coaching staff and class of recruits.
Good luck, Coach Narduzzi, welcome aboard the USS Pitt with its hopeful fans/alumni!

Critical Time for Pitt Football – Pat Narduzzi Assistants

Tomorrow will start the most critical time for Pitt football, the short space of time during which assistants will be moved in place by new head coach Pat Narduzzi.

Now that Coach Narduzzi has officially signed a contract and will be introduced tomorrow, Pitt fans are waiting anxiously to find out who the assistant coaches will be.

Coach Paul Chryst did well keeping the program stable, but there were questions about defensive priorities and questions about results from some assistants, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
We know that as of tomorrow Pitt’s defensive philosophy will change for the better.
What we don’t know yet is who will lead that philosophy on the field under Coach Narduzzi, and who the helping coaches will be.
There has been talk in the media that either Harlon Barnett, a defensive backfield coach, or Mike Tressel, linebackers coach, or even both, may leave Michigan State to work under Coach Narduzzi.

Now there is appearing a report that quarterbacks coach Brad Salem may become the offensive coordinator at Pitt. It was reported that Salem had previous experience as a head coach at Augustana College.

And especially for the players, they will find out shortly who their new position coach will be.

Per reports, one thing is certain. This is the type of head coaching job Coach Narduzzi has wanted, with a power 5 team.

Pitt had two glaring weaknesses this past season. Coach Chryst had improved the overall talent on the team to where there is an excellent group of underclassmen, but he never could overcome the weaknesses: on field play calling and the defense.
As of tomorrow, one of those two weaknesses will be resolved. If Coach Narduzzi can make solid calls as to who he rehires from the current staff and who he brings in, and if he turns out to be a sound on-field play caller, Pitt may romp in the coastal division of the ACC this season.

Pitt Football Looking for Upgrade: Calling All Coaches!!!!

Yes, it’s apparently happening. Coach Paul Chryst has left Pitt football for Wisconsin.

While there are improvements needed beyond his coaching, he did do what he most likely was asked to do:

namely, clean up and stabilize the program.

On the plus side, players who messed up were disciplined and trained into responsibility.
While there were imperfections, the program has basically been stabilized through its entry into the ACC and is at a point where another coach taking over has a highly skilled and talented group of freshmen and sophomores to mold (the majority of the team). Prospective assistant coaches and recruits nationally should see a showcase of Pitt potential in the bowl game January 2, including outstanding players James Conner and Tyler Boyd, as offensive coordinator Joe Rudolph, whom the players revere, will be leading them that day.

On the flip side, Pitt has some major decisions to make to upgrade the level of the program:

1. Hire a head coach with Coach Chryst’s overall knowledge of football and character, and, in addition,
a. find someone who is at ease with the media
b. find a coach solid at snap on-field decisions and adjustments
c. find someone who has been outside the area to live and recruit, but has Pittsburgh ties that would interest him in staying
d. raise the assistant coach pay in order to keep the best assistant coaches and entice solid candidates at other assistant positions.

2. Hire an athletic director who will advance the program.

The Screening

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has announced that Pitt will be screening 5 to 7 candidates and is aiming for a hire between Christmas and New Years (so the hire would be in place before the bowl game).
One of my two favorites to this point from watching television games he coached and noting his recruiting skills with players Pitt had interest in, Pat Narduzzi, Michigan State defensive coordinator, has reportedly been interviewed, and reports are that he is the frontrunner. His father coached at Youngstown, and Narduzzi played for his father his freshman year.
In addition, the Michigan State style of play resembles the one Coach Chryst has instituted at Pitt, and he recruited in mainly the same regions as Pitt.

Doc Holliday, Marshall head coach, is among the candidates. He has recruited Florida heavily in the past, and Marshall crushed the Akron team that beat Pitt.

Offensive coordinator Joe Rudolph is most likely one of the other candidates.

That leaves two to four other candidate names (possibly including Luke Fickell of Ohio State, per one source), that should come out publicly as the process evolves.

Here is some additional information regarding Pat Narduzzi:
He has turned down other head coach positions in the past, but this season he is interviewing with Colorado State and Pitt.
While Pitt is interviewing 5 to 7 candidates and he is the current top contender, Colorado State is screening nine or more candidates, and Alabama assistant coach Mike Bobo appears to be the favorite.
A Colorado State blogger pointed out that the major conferences now control football rules. Since Colorado State is not in those conferences, this could be another reason to interest Narduzzi in coming to Pitt, as well as the fact that Pitt could be a shorter route to higher ratings and to the playoffs.
Reports also suggested that if Pitt really wants him, they should act before Colorado State does.

Back to Optimism

Despite the fact that the team has encountered occasional stumbling points, this blog has been pro-optimism, as the name pittsportsoptimist implies.

1. There are those who worry that Narduzzi does not have head coaching experience and equate him with Coach Chryst coming in.
Yes, he has assistant head coaching experience but not actual head coaching experience. Yes, it did take three to four years for the defense to gel at Michigan State after he came in with Mark Dantonio. However, he and Coach Chryst are two different individuals and should be treated as such in assumptions about what might happen; why only consider the worst possible scenario? Why not consider the possibility that he could have a more dynamic persona with faster decisions?
And if by “going big” Pitt means that they will spend more for assistants, why wouldn’t it be possible to get an excellent offensive coordinator to partner with him?

2. There are those that feel coach Joe Rudolph would do better if he went to Wisconsin as offensive coordinator for Coach Chryst, and that it would be better for the team.
In a recent Trib article, three players presented a request to the search committee to move him up to full term head coach, and, according to the article, he himself has expressed a strong interest in that, too. Some commenters have dismissed this as the players liking a coach.
As already pointed out, Coach Rudolph knows Coach Chryst’s offensive system inside and out. His persona and demeanor also shine, and he is very adept at talking to the media. The fact that he is now expressing interest himself is important to the coaching search. He believes that this offense can be outstanding. He has shown solid leadership skills with the players. He is from Belle Vernon and, if offered the right package, would likely stay.
Having met him personally at the Fanfest, I firmly believe that he could be the right person for the job, that this goes beyond being a players’ request.
Again, as with Coach Narduzzi, I believe if he were to become head coach, he would be his own person and it should not be assumed he would do things exactly the way Coach Chryst did, that he undoubtedly would be asked by the search committee about how he would handle the defense and other aspects of the program and the search committee could make a determination of how that would fit what they are looking
for at that time.
If he is chosen as head coach, then, as with Coach Narduzzi, the assistant salary levels need raised and a solid defensive coordinator and staff need brought in with the help and approval of the search committee.

3. The best possible alternative would be if the administration/steering committee could structure the head coaching and assistant head coaching positions so that there would be room for both Rudolph and Narduzzi. That would be THE best outcome for the future of the team and the players.

However, regardless of the outcome, #1. the appointed search committee of four has lined up some solid prospective candidates, has been apparently working at a break-neck pace to make the best hire, and has been letting timely information out publicly, and #2. regardless of who they believe should be head coach, the true Pitt fans who are commenting have a genuine interest for the players and program at heart.

Let’s hope for the best possible outcome. Pitt could be on the edge of breakout years with this decision.

H2P!

Pitt Football’s Two Secret Weapons in 2014

This post’s trivia question:
What is ESPN’s Mark May’s hometown, and who was the head coach at Pitt his sophomore season? (Answers in next blog post) ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————– No doubt Pitt should surprise in 2014. One secret weapon is not the special team organization, or the offense or defense. It is not the huge offensive linemen or the skill players. It is not the other intrinsic factors that comprise this team. It is the ratings and the forecasts. Once again, Pitt is under the radar!

But this time they have a coaching staff more experienced in working with each other, with tweaking during the off-season that has plugged up weaknesses. They have players coming in on the same page, veteran players that know and respect each other on and off the field, and sophomore and freshman players that have an abundance of talent.

There are around eleven seniors and around the same number of juniors. When the current seniors graduate, the 2015 recruits will step in. Because of the limited number of seniors leaving, there is a limited number of scholarships available for 2015. Presently, there are 12 players committed for the 2015 class, which leaves likely four or five more that could be put on scholarship. Perhaps a quarterback, two linebackers, and two other defenders or two two-way athletes are in the works.

The 2016 class will have a limited number of scholarships available, since the number of players graduating will be about the same. In 2017, the number of scholarships will widen, with about 27 seniors at that time. And in 2018, there will be about 23 seniors. But there is optimism despite the numbers for the next two years.

Coach Paul Chryst and the coaching staff have deftly redshirted several players. The talent pool is widening. Regardless of the numbers, with the increase in talent and the flexibility of two-way athletes, depth should be fine. At some point after the two-year “hump,” the higher numbers that could be accepted will help extend the overall talent pool for seasons to come.

Pitt is rated to finish sixth in their division. They are under-the-radar nationally. Again, that is Secret Weapon number one. The iron is hot if they can surprise teams. Other teams will see the ratings and forecasts. They will recognize that Pitt is rebuilding, and they could underestimate them.

The Georgia Tech game will tell how far Pitt has advanced from last season. Pitt almost won the 2013 game, yet they were weak up the middle and around the ends on defense in clutch situations. A special teams gaffe and a wild throw for a sensational play by Georgia Tech sealed the game. Despite their shortcomings, they were that close. This year, Pitt has advantages. The game is in Pittsburgh. The coaches and veteran players will be familiar with the Georgia Tech systems.

This year, also, Pitt has an advantage in the conference over last year, in that they likely are more confident of their position in the ACC. Last year was an ACC learning year for Pitt. Every game was like a season in itself, every game was different, every game was a struggle to learn, to adjust, to try to stay in the game. In that way, Pitt did prove that they belonged.

This year, the coaches and players want to go beyond that. They want to excel. They are more satisfied with their strength and conditioning programs going into the season, and they are more familiar with each other’s expectations. Loose ends on the defense and special teams have been tightened.

Last year, the players were anxious for the season to start, to see how they would fare against ACC teams. This year, the players have Secret Weapon number two, a somber, determined resolve to show what Pitt can do. The attitude of each player, and the team attitude, is not only that they want to compete, but that they want to win. This attitude has been embellished by the sophomores and freshmen who have come from winning high school football programs.

This is an attitude that cannot be quantified in rankings, ratings, and forecasts. It has waxed and waned during the season in recent years. It is ingrained in the coaches and the players of this year’s Pitt team. That is why, for Pitt Football 2014, attitude, commitment, and desire should trump forecasts and ratings. Pitt should surprise.
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Answer to last post’s trivia question: The Pitt coach with the highest won-lost percentage all-time was Phil Bennett, with a record of 1-0 in 2010.