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Brian Batko's Pitt football chat: 10.10.18
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Brian Batko
2:00
Great afternoon, everyone. I just had a sad lunch, one of those meals entirely dependent on the office vending machines, so please go easy on me for the next half hour.
Pitt's toughest 2018 opponent
Penn State (33.3% | 10 votes)
 
UCF (10% | 3 votes)
 
Notre Dame (56.7% | 17 votes)
 
Other (0% | 0 votes)
 
Total Votes: 30
SOMD Panther
2:01
Has Kenny Pickett regressed? Or is it just growing pains before a breakthrough?
Brian Batko
2:03
I'm still a believer in Kenny Pickett. But then again, it took a long time for me to jump off the Ben DiNucci train last year, and the Max Browne wagon before him, so maybe I'm just an eternal optimist. But really, I don't see any reason why he would regress. If anything, he should be stronger and more mentally ready to succeed now with more experience, but it just hasn't clicked. I'm not sure a breakthrough will come this weekend, but I'll lean growing pains.
Jeem
2:03
How much of the Wildcat formation that Pitt used so effectively at the end of the game last weekend do you think we'll see against Notre Dame or the rest of the season?
Brian Batko
2:05
Might be tough to unlock that against the Irish, who have a pretty damn fearsome front four and front seven. Still, the formation really worked well last week, bringing in extra linemen, lining Pickett up out wide and letting Hall and Ollison get a head of steam. I'm sure they'll try to use it again this week, but no word on whether Darrin or Qadree ever played QB back in the day.
Shjon
2:06
After Saturday, the next time Pitt plays at South Bend is 2023. What wild predictions can you make about the football program between now and then? Think Narduzzi is still around? Are you still around? Are any of us still around?
Brian Batko
2:08
Great question, Shjon. I'll say Narduzzi is not around, simply because so much can change so quickly in this sport, and that I will have definitely been fired long before then. Nick Saban-coached Alabama will be in the midst of its eighth consecutive national championship season.
SOMD Panther
2:12
Its undeniable the talent that has left Western PA to play in South Bend. Do you think the local Pitt players will be motivated by that? To positive effect or negative?
Brian Batko
2:13
Not really. I'm not sure how much they actually pay attention to that kind of stuff that fans and media monitor. I asked Alex Bookser something to that effect yesterday, he just kind of paused to mull it over, then said he's never thought about it that way. But I do sort of believe that any college football player is probably extra motivated to play a team that's hyped up every year as much as this program is.
Phil
2:14
Does Pitt have to change their run-heavy approach against Notre Dame, or do you believe they can win sticking to their guns?
Brian Batko
2:16
Phil Jurkovec, is that you? They're certainly going to at least try to establish the ground game, but they're gonna have to get vertical and throw the ball at some point. My first question for Qadree Ollison today after practice was simply: "Are you guys ever going to pass again?" He smiled and gave a definitive yes, noting that it's 2018 and this team needs balance just like anyone else.
Jeem
2:17
Is there still any chance we may see Paris Ford on offense this year?
Brian Batko
2:19
I think so. One thing I feel pretty comfortable saying about Pat Narduzzi is that he's not afraid to try new things throughout the course of a season, such as handing off to Avonte Maddox, switching QBs left and right, etc. Ford on O is absolutely something they're repped in practice - Narduzzi himself even confirmed as much - so I'm not writing off that possibility entirely.
Doug in Erie
2:20
Since it looks like the run game is our offense moving forward, what are the chances we see Pickett with more plays designed to feature his running skills. PSU is not afraid to use McSorely that way.
Brian Batko
2:21
They've done some bootleg stuff and given Pickett some chances here and there, but I wouldn't be surprised if Narduzzi is hesitant to do too much of that given the scare against Georgia Tech. Also, still gotta make defenses respect the pass before you can open up too much of that.
Chris
2:22
So the FPI the rest of the way isn't too favorable... I'm thinking 2-4, thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:24
I'm not afraid to admit I don't really know what to make of this team at this point. Did not think there was much of a chance to beat Syracuse, and yet, Pitt did it. Wake Forest is trending in the wrong direction, so maybe that's one that looks more likely for a victory than it did a few weeks ago.
Nick
2:24
What's our most likely path to a bowl game?  Beat UVA, Duke, and who?
Brian Batko
2:24
Wake, for sure. They just got housed by 60 at home to Clemson, two weeks after getting whooped by Notre Dame, and even fired their DC midseason.
Jeem
2:25
What did you do during the rain delay last weekend?
Brian Batko
2:27
Thanks for asking, Jeem. While the team and players were trying to change out of their wet clothes for the long delay, I was just, um, wandering around the Heinz Field press box. I think I searched for coffee but found none. There might have been some decaf, but come on, honestly?
Optimist
2:27
Speaking of being an eternal optimist, Pitt is only a half game out of the ACC Coastal lead
Brian Batko
2:28
It's too early for me to look at conference standings, Oppy.
Matt
2:28
Is Pickett not passing in the middle of the field due to design, poor protection or Pickett not seeing things there?
Brian Batko
2:29
That's a major question, for sure. The other potential factor is playmakers in that spot. Does Pitt have many/any?
Imma Man! Im 40+!
2:29
No rain in the weather forecast for Saturday in South Bend ... and (unless I missed it) our holder didn't get into a fight this week.  That means we beat Notre Dame by a field goal, right?
Jon
2:29
If we beat ND what do you think the chances are that we win out?
Brian Batko
2:30
OK, I guess these are sort of setting me up for my usual chat-ending prediction. I'm gonna say Pitt covers the 21-point spread, but that this does not end up being a win that turns around the season. I'll say Notre Dame 42, Pitt 26. Thanks again for stopping by, everyone, we'll see what happens in South Bend.
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