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Brian Batko's Pitt football chat: 10.31.18
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Brian Batko
2:01
Happy Halloween, everyone. I hope this chat is more king-size chocolate bar than popcorn ball. Let's go trick or treating...
Robert B. Bottleservice
2:01
With V’Lique doubtful what’re the chances Duzz gives us a peak at Paris? His hs tape makes us drool.
Brian Batko
2:03
V'Lique Carter isn't officially doubtful, but Pat Narduzzi kind of went out of his way on his radio show last night to sort of cast more doubt on his status for this week. In case you missed it: http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/Pitt/2018/10/31/vlique-carter-injur...

As for Paris Ford maybe getting some of those jet sweeps, lining up out wide, etc., I don't know. All I can really tell you is that I didn't see Ford working with the offense like Carter was Tuesday morning for the half hour we got to watch. He's done that previously this season and in training camp.
Joe
2:04
Why isn’t Paris Ford playing?
Brian Batko
2:05
Another Paris Ford question. Joe, I'm not sure there's any deeper answer or reason here other than Pat Narduzzi and his defensive staff don't think he's a better option right now than the defensive backs they are using. As far as I know, he's still at cornerback, where Dane Jackson and Phillipie Motley are starting, and Jason Pinnock and Damarri Mathis are clearly ahead of him. Maybe it's still the mental aspect of learning the defense, maybe it's focus - Narduzzi has used that word a ton lately - or maybe he's still just not as technically sound as the other guys who have been playing that spot for a whike.
2:06
As for why he's not playing at safety, either, Narduzzi's explanation earlier this year was that it's a really involved role from a knowledge standpoint. But if you ask me, that's where Ford should be given a shot.
Pete
2:07
Brian, does UVA running a 3-4 mean more “between the tackles” runs for Pitt this week? How did Carrigan look as a blocker against Duke?
Brian Batko
2:08
Possibly. But Pitt already runs between the tackles plenty. That's the best strength of this offense, even considering how effective the jet sweeps were a week ago. Grant Carrigan seems to be doing his job from what I see, and I think he and backup offensive tackle Carson Van Lynn are pretty interchangeable right now as those big blocking tight ends. If you're looking for one to get involved in the passing game, I think it'll be Will Gragg or even George Aston playing more of an H-back role on the edge.
Douglas Reigner
2:09
Brian, do you think we match up favorably with Virginia.  Looking at both teams schedules (Pitt's is insanely difficult) there seems as if there is not much difference with the two teams.  Any thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:10
I don't think it's that lopsided on paper, no. You could certainly argue that Pitt is better than their record, and might even have the same as Virginia or better if they played that schedule. But let's not underestimate the Hoos. Virginia has some dudes on both sides of the ball, and it seems like individual talent is finally adding up to the sum of the parts this year for Bronco Mendenhall, who I think is a pretty sharp coach.
Goodman
2:11
Hi Brian, if Pitt is able to pull out 6 wins is there a chance they can to to the Military or Pinstripe Bowl?
Brian Batko
2:12
Pinstripe is probably out given that Pitt was just there a couple years ago. Military Bowl seems like a legitimate possibility. Florida State went 6-6 last year and got stuck with the ACC's spot in the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana. Duke was 6-6 and ended up in the Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit, the day after Christmas. Let's all hope against hope that doesn't happen again.
All Academic All the Time
2:13
Brian, given the wins against Syracuse and Duke do you think the Pitt program is heading in the right direction again?
Brian Batko
2:15
That's a rather narrow premise for a broad question. But I must say, it seemed like things were gonna really go sideways on this season and, by extension, Pat Narduzzi's tenure before those games when this team was sitting at 2-3. Admittedly I picked Pitt to lose both, and the fact that they found a way to squeak those out obviously is encouraging, but it doesn't completely mask some of the same issues (passing game, defensive inconsistency) holding back this program.
Jay
2:16
if they go to Shreveport I know a great and I mean great Italian restaurant a little south of Shreveport.
Brian Batko
2:16
Let's keep this in mind
George Costanza
2:16
Would you purposely sit out V'Lique Carter for a couple weeks to keep his redshirt, or would you play him until you are out of contention?
Ryan Sanders
2:16
How is Narduzzi handling the red shirting in your opinion? Personally, if you have a freshman that can help you win NOW, I think he should be playing consistently. Not saving him so he's on the team 5 years instead of 4. Thanks!
Brian Batko
2:18
Two similar questions, so I'll fold them into one. I absolutely understand where Narduzzi is coming from on this, because why lose a whole season for a guy if you don't have to - take advantage of the rule and make it work for you, right? - but you don't wanna be too clever by half. If a guy can help you win right now, right now is always the most important. I generally lean toward not worrying about that fifth year down the road, because even if it can result in some pretty fine players - Quintin Wirginis, Alex Bookser, etc. - so much can change between now and then.
2:19
So, to answer: Yes, I'd keep playing V'Lique Carter and burn his redshirt. MAYBE I do it until I hit the four game mark and there's not much of significance to play for, or it's clear he's not ready for a consistent share of touches, etc.
K-Moose
2:20
If played this Saturday, would Pitt get smoked by PSU again?
Brian Batko
2:20
It would probably be closer now that Pitt has switched holders
Walt Harris
2:21
If Pitt wins out, could they make a New Year's Day Bowl?
Brian Batko
2:22
I suppose, Walt, if they finish 9-4 with a win over Clemson in the ACC title game, yes, they would backdoor their way into that. Actually, they'd be charging through the front door, because they'll have reeled off six consecutive wins, probably at least half of which would be against ranked teams.
SOMD Panther
2:24
What would be the most "Pitt" ending to this season? Convincing win on Friday, then lose out?
Brian Batko
2:24
Hmmmm. Yeah, I guess so. Or, lose the next three, then beat Miami again in the final game? Tough to say.
Q
2:25
I think we all assume Devin Danielson will one of the "mystery freshman" who will make their debut of Friday? Any prediction on the other?
Brian Batko
2:25
I'm not so sure there will be a second. Pat Narduzzi didn't sound as confident about that on his show Wednesday night, and I don't think any obvious names really come to mind.
Sibb's Off
2:26
What happened with Ricky Town, he came in with big credentials.  I am quite surprised he has been relegated to 3rd string.
Brian Batko
2:27
To quote Bill Lumbergh, I'm gonna have to go ahead and disagree with you there. Town came in as a guy who spent time at three other colleges and never became the outright starter at any of them, even a JUCO. It was pretty clear from the outside that bringing in Jeff George when they did was a bad sign for Town's progress.
SDWC
2:28
Is Todd Sibley still on the team? As I recall he was a 4-star recruit but I have never heard his name mentioned in any capacity.
Brian Batko
2:28
Yes, he's actually been getting some reps on special teams, but hasn't been in the backfield mix, which is rather crowded and top-heavy these days.
Keith
2:28
Good afternoon! So how in the last camp scrimmage can Carter look so good that it catches our offensive line coaches eye, but it takes game 8 for our Head Coach to use him in a game?
Brian Batko
2:29
Hello, Keith. That's exactly why I think if they're really being honest, Pitt's coaches couldn't have seen this coming. Sure, they thought Carter was ready to get his feet wet in a game, see what he's got, but if they knew he could go off for 137 yards on seven carries, he would've been playing sooner. He'd be doing a lot more things sooner. Believe me, Pat Narduzzi wants to win games.
Donnie from Oakland
2:30
I was just at the O and heard that Pitt is building an on campus stadium in 2021
Brian Batko
2:30
Oh nice. Make sure there's a roof on it. Retractable roof, actually.
Joe
2:30
I think coach was talk talking about Motley being hurt and not playing. He said he’s not sure yet about Carter
Brian Batko
2:31
Uhhh, when? Last night on his show he was clearly asked about Carter and clearly replied that he has "a little something something" that's hurting his chances of playing. This is the first I'm hearing of a potential injury to Phillipie Motley.
JW
2:31
Do you have a sense of how much Pitt's defensive calls are made by the sideline versus reads by the players? Combo of both? It was frustrating seeing Pitt's middle LBs repeatedly smash into the Duke O-line, then have passes completed across the middle. Was wondering how much of that is based on players' pre-snap reads, or straight coach's playcalling.
Brian Batko
2:34
Definitely a combination of both, and that's why you always hear Narduzzi talking about how necessary the cerebral part of playing in this defense is. He called Mike Caprara and Matt Galambos "genius" guys as his linebackers. The Amir Watts interception against Syracuse, when he dropped off the line of scrimmage, that was a check made by Elias Reynolds. So it's all gotta be working in harmony.
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