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Brian Batko's Pitt football chat: 11.21.18
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Brian Batko
2:00
Salutations, friends. Pitt and Saint Louis are coming down the stretch in Brooklyn, and I'm watching that while chatting. Got a half hour for you here on this Thanksgiving eve, so fire away.
Retire 21
2:00
So trying to figure out how it took six years to finally play Wake. Is it they play each division member, the ‘Cuse as the historic rivals and then only one other division game.? There was talk of adding  another division game. See Pitt finally plays BC next year. Are you for adding another conference game?
Brian Batko
2:03
You've got it exactly right. The division format in the ACC makes matchups with Atlantic teams not named Syracuse few and far between. Hope you got the chance to go to the Clemson game two years ago, because that ain't happening again for a long time.

I wouldn't mind seeing the ACC add another conference game, but I don't feel strongly about it either way. Really limits what you can do with non-con opponents, but if Penn State doesn't want to continue the series anyway, then whatever.
Scotty
2:03
Who will be replacing Morrissey on the line? Any concern there?
Brian Batko
2:04
Hello, Scotty. Connor Dintino will slide over from left guard and be the direct replacement for Morrissey. Bryce Hargrove will come off the bench and replace Dintino at that spot. I wrote about this at length yesterday http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/Pitt/2018/11/20/connor-dintino-bryc...
JR
2:05
Brian: enjoy your chats! Impact of losing Jimmy Morrissey? Do you have a point of view on the recent commit? Seems strange that this kid had just two offer. Then again so did Aaron Donald.
Brian Batko
2:08
Thank you, JR. At least someone does. To your question and Scotty's, I think it's certainly a concern. Morrissey is the quarterback of the O-line, as any center is, but he's pretty special in terms of that factor. He and Kenny Pickett have a great relationship, and Pickett told us today it will be an adjustment to communicating with Dintino the same way. He also mentioned that the ball spins differently off Dintino's hand than Morrissey's on shotgun snaps, which I thought was interesting.

As for Pitt's new commit Nate Temple, I mean, his film looks good. He plays for a really successful program in South Carolina. Maybe doesn't have the typical ACC measureables, but Pitt has done pretty well with some of those guys. I assume Pat Narduzzi and his staff saw him as a "best available" type given their depth with edge-rushers.
Arthur
2:09
Why play a basketball game at noon on a Wednesday at the Barclays Center on ACC Network Extra?
Brian Batko
2:10
I won't claim to know the inner workings of these TV deals and how that stuff all comes to be. But obviously Pitt wanted to get a "marquee game" of sorts in New York City, and it actually is a pretty good matchup. I agree, though, pretty silly to do it in Brooklyn as just a one-off neutral site game.
Wedz4heizman
2:12
Shameless Stevenson looked like he was going to a fixture in the Pitt Panthers lineup after his freshman season but doesn't seem to have a role with Coach Capel. Pitt football can't seem to solve there tight end problem. Should PN be sitting on the end of the basketball bench a few games this year whispering sweet nothings into his ear?
Brian Batko
2:14
2:15
But wow, that's a really nice win for Pitt over A-10 favorite Saint Louis in Brooklyn. Impossible not to look at that result and say the rebuild under Jeff Capel is ahead of schedule. Dudes are 6-0 going into Thanksgiving.
How are you feeling about the Miami game?
Great! (42.9% | 9 votes)
 
OK (47.6% | 10 votes)
 
Terrible, Brian (9.5% | 2 votes)
 
Total Votes: 21
Wanny
2:17
How are is Pitt looking for the local West PA Recruits Fab 22 had no Pitt Commits
Brian Batko
2:19
The real Wanny would not stand for this. Unless that really is you, Dave. In which case, you would not stand for this. But really, it's weird to have a Post-Gazette Fab 22 come out and there not be any (current) Pitt commits included. But Pitt doesn't have any commits from the WPIAL, at least not yet. The only one they've really missed on is Pine-Richland lineman Andrew Kristofic, and probably his teammate Mike Katic, but Pitt came in somewhat late on that one.
2:20
Oh, and Joey Porter Jr. Forgot about him. He's headed to Penn State.
Johnny michelosen
2:20
Enjoying your column all year. Seem to remember lots of skepticism about the O-line, the defense, and the prospects for this year.  Remember?  Are you happily surprised?
Brian Batko
2:22
Thanks much, Johnny. Can't say I'm "happily surprised" given that it really doesn't matter to me whether Pitt wins or loses, but fans should be. I remember the skepticism of which you speak, and I don't think it was misplaced. Stefano Millin was a transfer from the MAC stepping in at left tackle, the two guards were seniors who had never won consistent starting jobs. And I think the defense is finally starting to resemble what it should be with nine returners starters in Year 4 under a former Broyles Award winning defensive coordinator. Given the schedule, if someone told you Pitt would go 8-4, you'd have to be jumping for joy.
Doug in Erie
2:24
My memory is a little foggy, but didn't Ditino have a lot of bad snaps when he played center before or was that someone else?
Brian Batko
2:25
Hey there, Doug. I don't recall that. He has never played center in meaningful action, as far as I can remember. Oddly enough, left tackle Stefano Millin actually started his career at Kent State playing center.
demosthenes98
2:25
Would it be fair to say that Pitt's season has been a success regardless of the outcome of their last three games?
Brian Batko
2:26
Yeah, I really think so. The goal was for this to be the team that not only competes for the ACC Coastal title until the very end, but actually wins it. That seemed unlikely coming into the year given the talent of Miami and Virginia Tech, but guess what? Those two teams proved to be disappointing, and Pitt took advantage, so credit to them. They found a consistency that eluded them under Pat Narduzzi until this year, and there's something to be said for that, even if their division did turn out to be pretty mediocre.
paullochrane
2:27
do you agre penn states best win this year was pitt?  although penn state really sucks
Brian Batko
2:27
Yes I agree with your question. Not just because Pitt is PSU's only current Top 25 win, but also because of how the Nittany Lions dominated that night at Heinz Field. I thought they might be a Playoff team. Obviously, I was very wrong.
Retire 21
2:28
Clemson smart to be done and have a bye week?
Brian Batko
2:28
No bye week for Clemson. They face South Carolina, a rival trying to play catch-up big-time to the big boy in their state.
Scott
2:28
Hey Brian, what are the chances Pitt lands the Aliquippa kids Devonshire and Gipson?
Brian Batko
2:29
I'll say 25 percent
Arthur
2:29
Not a question, just want to wish you a happy thanksgiving
Brian Batko
2:29
Why thank you, Arthur. Same to you and yours.
2:30
Speaking of that, I still have a bunch of stuff to finish up so that I can relax the next couple days before heading to Miami. Sorry to make it a shorter chat than usual, but ...
Doug in Erie
2:30
Does the Pitt train keep on rollin at the U?
Phil
2:30
What’s your prediction for this Saturday’s game?
Brian Batko
2:30
I'm gonna agree with Vegas here and pick the Canes. Just feel like they might play inspired on senior day and with a chance to pay back Pitt from last year. I'll say Miami 32, Pitt 29.
2:31
Thanks for joining, as always. Hope you all have the best Thanksgiving you've ever had. That is my plan.
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