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Brian Batko's Pitt football chat: 10.17.18
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Brian Batko
2:00
Happy off week, everyone. It's not a bye week, as Pitt isn't in a tournament. But the Panthers are in the great gauntlet we call the ACC Coastal DIvision, one they can still (Realistically?) win. Have at me.
Chris
2:00
Ok brian im gonna go there. We’re at five (5!) games now with no 2nd half touchdowns. How bad does the passing game have to get hypothetically for Narduzzi to reconsider Shawn Watson’s role with the program? (This will surely be your only Watson question today)
Brian Batko
2:03
Great question, Chris. Of course, it's been brutal. To me, I think there's little doubt that Pat Narduzzi is already considering Shawn Watson's future. If you or I or another reporter asked him this exact question in this exact way, he'd probably say something like everyone is being evaluated all the time, week to week. Now, could he fire Watson as OC midseason? I don't see that happening. Could he remove him as play-caller and just have him be the QB coach? I guess maybe that's slightly more possible, but still, I'd be surprised. After this year, though? Gotta figure Narduzzi takes a long, hard look at everything, especially if the offensive woes continue.
Michael
2:03
Is it the inability to throw downfield or game plan?  Are the WRs not getting open or Pickett doesn’t trust what he sees?  It’s frustrating to say the least.
Brian Batko
2:09
Probably the question I'm getting more than anything else lately. I'm not trying to dodge it when I say that I think it's partially all of that. I mean, you don't get a passing game as dreadful as Pitt's without a lot of blame to go around. As personnel goes, maybe Kenny Pickett projects as a good-but-not-great ACC quarterback for his ceiling. Maybe this team is lacking as much pass-catching talent as we suspected before training camp. No one's going to point the finger one way or another, so that's what we've got.
Moe
2:10
Could PITT beat Duke without throwing a forward pass?
Brian Batko
2:11
Do shovel passes and the little flip forward count? This isn't your daddy's Duke team, or the one that went 0-12 in 2006. Qadree Ollison and Darrin Hall would have a field day against those guys.
Curly
2:11
Any reason the staff burned AJ Davis redshirt again? They aren’t using him so a redshirt seemed to make sense.
Brian Batko
2:13
I think redshirting AJ Davis wasn't really on anyone's mind coming into the year. Whether or not you agree with that is up to you, but he was seen as the third back, for sure. Turns out, Hall-ison has been so good that Pitt hasn't needed a third ball-carrier, but Davis is still in on some special teams sets. He was technically the intended target for Jeff George Jr. on that duzzi of a fake punt, but it was Ollison who was supposed to be the pass-catcher before he slipped in front of the first-down line.
Larry
2:14
Lets say you are an oddsmaker in Vegas, what odds would you put on Pitt making a bowl game, and what side would you take on the wager?
Brian Batko
2:17
Moe, Curly and Larry, all in a row. What are the odds of that? Anyway, I'm far from an oddsmaker, and really don't even pay much attention to that stuff. But given that I'm still seeing two or three of the national bowl-projecting folks including PItt in their predictions, I'd probably go 50-50, maybe slightly less to account for the  <.500 record. Also, keep in mind teams can be 5-7 and make the postseason nowadays, too. I'd take "NO" on the wager, just because three of those are road games and none of the remaining teams are completely terrible, but hey, we all know how unpredictable Pitt can be.
Jack B
2:17
Would Pitt be better off scrapping their spread for a power run with play action offense?  Seems they do not throw more than 8 yds. anyway.
Brian Batko
2:18
They've been setting up that play-action all season now!
I'm waiting for Qadree Ollison to fire a missile downfield to Kenny Pickett one of these times out of the Wildcat. At 6-2, 230, Ollison has great size for a QB, and I'm confident in his ability to let one fly.
SOMD Panther
2:19
I understand that there are technical differences between pass and run blocking. But why do you think is at the bottom of Pitt's struggles in pass protection, and their success running the ball?
Brian Batko
2:20
The more glaring thing I see is probably personnel-based. I'm not super down on any of Pitt's O-linemen, but think it's pretty clear Alex Bookser is playing out of position at right tackle. He's a guard by trade, and might still have a shot there at the next level. But Bookser is doing what's best for the team, and he might be playing a little banged-up, too. Remember he missed the season opener but hasn't sat out a game since.
2:21
So yeah, if you've got an extra interior-type of guy, you're probably going to be better at run-blocking than pass-blocking.
JR
2:22
Has Millin met expectations?
Brian Batko
2:25
Boy, another O-line question, love it! We're really getting into the nitty gritty on the "OPEN DATE" chat. For me, personally, Kent State grad transfer Stefano Millin has met expectations. Not only is he making a big leap in competition every week, but he's playing a difficult position. I haven't noticed him getting beat too often, though there did seem to be some confusion between he and left guard Connor Dintino against ND when Pickett got sacked for big.
Uncle Mac
2:25
Hi Brian, I am playing the mega millions this week.  Do I have a better chance of winning the 900 million or seeing Pickett complete a pass to a tight end in the next few games?
Brian Batko
2:26
I'll go Pickett to the TE, Uncle Mac. Big backup offensive lineman Carson Van Lynn will be the reverse Brian O'Neill. But please keep me in mind if you win.
PittDave
2:26
I see Manny Bowen is transferring from PSU after the fall semester and will have his degree.   You think HCPN would be interested? We will need LB’s next year with experience.
Brian Batko
2:28
I don't know if Pat Narduzzi would be interested, but I would stay away if I were him. You've brought in some guys previously who have had slightly odd paths or outright strange college careers, and it hasn't really worked out for you. Just punt on this one. I think the linebacker depth is actually better than one might expect.
Volleyball Watcher
2:28
For the rest of the fall: Who gets the victory lights turned on more: Pitt football (who gets the victory lights for every win) or Pitt Volleyball (who will get the lights for significant accomplishments (Conference regular season title, conference tournament title, etc.))
Brian Batko
2:29
Volleyball! Great sport. I will be watching it (twice) this weekend on my off week up in Connecticut, where my younger sister-in-law plays for UConn. But to answer your question, Pitt volleyball. That would be in alignment with my earlier prediction of football going 2-3, at best, down the stretch.
SOMD Panther
2:30
Who has more victories this year: Pitt Football in total or Pitt Basketball in ACC play?
Brian Batko
2:30
This calendar year or academic year? Because Pitt basketball will record precisely zero wins in ACC play in 2018, I'm sure of it. But assuming you mean academic year, I'll still go football.
2:31
OK gentlemen, and SOMD Panther, thanks again for another delightful chatting experience here on Post Hyphen Gazette.com. We shall reconvene at 2 p.m. sharp in seven days.
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