You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Brian Batko's Pitt football chat: 11.28.18
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat
Brian Batko
2:39
I'm down for that. Would be living in a house divided.
JR
2:39
Any insight into the next recruiting class i.e. beyond the current commits? Enjoy reading your work.
Brian Batko
2:40
Going by Pat Narduzzi's history, he'll have some tricks and/or flips up his sleeve as we move closer to the second signing period in February. I think it'll be at least somewhat quiet until the first signing day, but you never know. They definitely pulled in the bulk of their class in the summer again, and as long as stuff doesn't fall apart, probably feel pretty good.
Nick
2:41
Is there a realistic chance that we get left out of a Tier 1 bowl and are shipped to Detroit?  I'd be more convinced of the red-headed step child theory if that happens
Brian Batko
2:44
I suppose that could happen, Nick. Let's say Syracuse gets picked for Camping World. That leaves four "Tier 1" spots left for the ACC, in theory. Could NC State, Boston College and three of VT/GT/Miami get picked over Pitt? You never know.
Guest
2:44
Hey Brian
Brian Batko
2:44
Hey, man. Or woman.
Skip
2:45
Real important question: Throwback unis for the game?
Brian Batko
2:45
Believe so, Skip. Clemson wore orange last year, white the year before, orange the year before that. So the ACC Coastal representative should be the "home" team in Charlotte, and for Pitt, I assume that will mean home retros. Biggest game of the year, can't hold back now.
Average Dude-Man
2:46
Is it 100% set in stone that Pitt gets into a NY6 if they win Saturday? I’m all for Pitt accomplishing such but it seems rather unbelievable
Brian Batko
2:47
Correct, power-five conference champs are guaranteed a NY6 spot. Pat Narduzzi actually mentioned a New Year's Six bowl being one of his team's annual goals today, which I don't recall him ever saying before in those terms.
Katie Andrews
2:47
could you shout out my little brother Alex he’s a huge fan of your work and it would make his day. also what impact do you think v’lique has in this game, his big play ability would really fire up the crowd in what is essentially a home game for the tigers
Brian Batko
2:49
I am a sucker for flattery. Big shouts to you, Alex. I hope you're at least under the age of 30.

Anyway, V'Lique Carter's Duke game has, to this point, been a flash in the pan, but yeah, if you can get a guy with his athleticism in space and try to use that against a Clemson team that gave up 35 points to South Carolina this past weekend, could be huge. I also think Pat Narduzzi is gonna go all out in this one, so you could see some craziness. Trick plays on offense, trickery on special teams, secret weapon Jake Zilinskas, perhaps.
Jim
2:49
Miami really gave Pitt a preview of what to expect regarding a dominant d-line. There's no way Watson and Pitt go in with the same game plan against Clemson do they? I know it's what they do best but still. That's suicide.
Brian Batko
2:50
Can't imagine they would, Jim, but as Pat Narduzzi told us today, you can draw up whatever plays and schemes you want pregame. Once it starts, you have to be able to block, throw, catch and run. For Pitt fans, just tell yourself that the offensive game plan at Miami was purposely vanilla...
Jerry McCoullough's Dunks
2:50
Any staff changes coming in the off season?
Mike
2:50
What staff changes, if any, could you see happening after this season?
Brian Batko
2:51
Really don't like to speculate on people's jobs, but it has been a patten under Narduzzi to have at least one change, be that mutual or otherwise. Folks in this here chat room were calling for Shawn Watson's head not too long ago, but do you still make a chance at OC considering it's a season in which you won your division?
Pot Stirrer
2:51
Does Pitt plan to play any SEC teams in their OOC schedule?  I know they have Tennessee soon, is there talk of other match ups in the future.  The SEC is such a great conference
Brian Batko
2:52
Not that I've heard, Pot. But from what I've read, that Alabama program is pretty solid.
Kudos Templeton
2:52
With the Victory Heights Plan, does Heather Lyke plan on adding renovations to the football complex?
Brian Batko
2:53
They're always renovating that place. Seems like several times a year when we're there for interviews, something's getting fixed up or enhanced or replaced. The Victory Heights project is an on-campus deal, where Pitt has a lot of facilities to improve.
Chip Cache
2:53
Any chance of Pitt covering the -25?
Brian Batko
2:54
As my dear friend and former high schools beat partner Mike White would say (and often does in his own chat): No, Chip. There's no chance. They should just not even show up.

Of course there's a chance. Doesn't mean that they will or even that I'll predict them to, but how can you be a fan of Pitt football who's lived through 13-9 and 43-42 against this same program two years ago and not think there's a chance?
Amelia Prezkop
2:55
Does Clemson have WRs like they did in 2016 in mike williams and deon cain, or is hunter renfrow their go to guy now? Is it encouraging that USC was able to drop so many points last week?
Brian Batko
2:55
Tee Higgins is their main dude. Mike Williams was a savage, and Deon Cain was pretty solid too, but of course Renfrow is still there, as well. I'm not sure if that's encouraging for Pitt, or if it'll just make that defense angry about stuff.
Blake Bortles
2:56
Are there any freshman that if they played in the Title game, would lose their redshirt? And if so, do you think Narduzzi would hesitate to play them?
Brian Batko
2:58
Good question, Blake. I'm sorry you got benched for Cody Kessler, who once beat out Max Browne for a starting job, too. But yes, there are a few. Wendell Davis, Mychale Salahuddin and Marquis Williams have played in three. Devin Danielson has played in two, so he's safe.
Jay Greco
2:58
Thanks for hosting again this week Brian.  Can you shed any light on why Paris Ford has seen limited time this season?  He was such a great high school player, I just don't understand.
Brian Batko
2:59
Just don't think he played very well in his most meaningful action, down at UNC. I still think he could be an excellent safety, but it's a bit of a head-scratcher.
Pink Rabbit
2:59
I can't wait for this Saturday night.  Go Pitt and shock the world..
Brian Batko
3:00
I admire your optimism, Mr. or Mrs. Rabbit. I'm afraid I don't share it, though. My prediction is that Clemson wins and covers, something like 49-20. Thanks again to everyone for stopping by the chat today. Maybe we'll do it next week to sift through what went down in Charlotte, but if not, bowl week for sure. Have a great evening.
Connecting…