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Brian Batko's Pitt football chat: 8.30.17
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Brian Batko
2:01
Welcome, everyone. Thanks for finding the chat after moving days and times from our previous 11 a.m. Tuesday slot. We'll be at 2 p.m. on Wednesdays now, though, so let's get to it.
BigPitt
2:01
3 years into Narduzzi regime, is there a sense that the talent level is higher?  Things seem cautiously optimistic, but experts say they will be large underdog to PSU.
Brian Batko
2:04
What's up, BP? No doubt, that's the sentiment coming out of Pitt this preseason. Pat Narduzzi and his staff have a lot of "their guys" now, especially on defense, and they believe they've recruited well - fast, strong, athletic, etc. That said, how much of that higher "talent level" will be put to good use?

Think about this: Arguably your top 3 recruits of the last 3 classes were all four-star, local defensive backs. But I wouldn't bet on seeing any of Jordan Whitehead, Damar Hamlin or Paris Ford on the field for the first three games this year.
Moto
2:04
There's scuttlebutt of Pitt/Penn St talking about more future games.
Brian Batko
2:05
False start, No. Moto, 5-yard loss...
Moto
2:05
There's scuttlebutt about Pitt/Penn St  talking about adding more future games. I think that ship has sailed save a 'keystone classic' game here or there. Your thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:05
Ah, that's better.
2:07
I don't necessarily think that ship has sailed, my friend. Heather Lyke was on 93.7 The Fan yesterday with Andrew Filiponi and he asked about that. She acknowledged what we already knew, that the next opening on both teams' schedules looks to be 2026, and she and PSU AD Sandy Barbour "have exchanged messages." Then again, Lyke stopped short of saying she and Barbour have had any "specific dialog," adding that she and her mentor/dear friend in the business will have those conversations at the appropriate time.
Mace
2:09
Very concerned about ysu.  Hope we are not looking past them.  Can our de apply pressure w/o blitzing?  Give me a reason we should win comfortably?  Better players period IMO.
Brian Batko
2:11
Good afternoon, Mace. Are you the same Mace who used to play basketball with me on the weekends? I hope so. Concern about YSU is understandable, given that it's one of the best FCS programs and has a coach in Bo Pelini who's gotten the job done in the Big Ten. But I do believe Pitt has better players almost across the board - bigger, stronger, faster. I'm sure Pelini's Penguins will do all they can to make sure Pitt isn't "comfortable" but I do think it'll be somewhere around a two-score win.
Guest
2:11
We've heard a lot about the true frosh CBs, but nothing about the new LBs. I expected all to be reshirted, but would be interested to hear how they looked in camp, particularly Cam Bright. Any insight?
Brian Batko
2:13
Guest - always a frequent contributor to not just my chats, but all of the Post-Gazette chats. Haven't heard too much about those freshman LBs, but backers coach Rob Harley did specifically mention Florida product Albert Tucker yesterday as someone you might see on special teams. But then again, if veterans like Elijah Zeise, Saleem Brightwell, Sean Idowu and (eventually) Quintin Wirginis are so locked in/so far ahead, why burn a true freshman's redshirt?
Matt
2:13
Do you think that if the D doesn't improve this year that Conklin is gone?  I have convinced myself that Duzz brought in Partridge as his DC in waiting....
Brian Batko
2:15
I hate to speculate on a guy's job security, but sure, I'd think Conklin would be the first to tell you that his unit needs to improve. So would Pat Narduzzi. Partridge has been praised a ton since getting here, and his bona fides would make you think he could be in line for a bigger role at some point. Linebackers coach Rob Harley is probably a future DC, as well, whether it's here or elsewhere.
Ken
2:15
What is the nature of Hendrix' injury? It seems to linger on...
Brian Batko
2:17
Hi, Ken. Hendrix's injury from last season was certainly lower-body, foot or an ankle maybe. But I'm under the impression that's NOT what hampered him a bit in training camp. Whatever happened earlier this month, I think, was minor and the coaches were being cautious. Sounds as if Hendrix is fully healthy now.
Josh
2:17
Should Nard be concerned about Hamlin lingering injury history?
Brian Batko
2:19
Sluggo
2:20
Do you think we will ever see Jordan Whitehead and Paris Ford on the field together this season?
Brian Batko
2:20
Yes. They might even stand next to each other on the sideline, for all we know (I keep my interpretations air-tight on the tough questions)
Gary77
2:20
I think the Youngstown game will be close and possibly an upset.  What are YSU's strengths?
Brian Batko
2:22
Experience, in some ways, Gary. Talent, in others. Hunter Wells is a returning starter at quarterback and a senior. Three offensive linemen are returning starters. But there's a lot more new faces for the Pens on D.

That's sort of where the talent factor comes in. Narduzzi mentioned that safety Jalyn Powell is a Michigan State transfer, so Pitt's coach knows him well. There are some other FBS transfers here and there, and probably a few guys who could've gone to a higher level out of high school but didn't, for whatever reason.

As far as positional go, I think YSU's QB and receivers could give Pitt some headaches.
Tom
2:23
What position does D. Hamlin play, CB or S?  What is the nature of his injury and will he be redshirted?  It may be the best thing for him.
Brian Batko
2:23
Last we heard, he's working more with the safeties. Narduzzi stopped just short of saying the nature of his injury is, or at least was, "serious."
JoeScaz
2:24
Will the fans show up?  We need them to to help with recruiting.  Has Pitt considered a yellow out?  Hand out yellow t-shirts for the nationally televised games and it will help conceal any empty yellow seats.
Brian Batko
2:25
Hey, JoeScaz. Not sure what attendance will be like Saturday; probably not great. Coming off a pretty fun year, yes, but no James Conner return for this season opener. Then again, might Max Browne's debut bring some more casual observers out of the woodwork? Perhaps the Penguins - the other Penguins, the hockey Penguins - have a bunch of those yellow shirts that you speak of left over from the Cup run.
Roman
2:25
With Hendrix still banged up, no Whitehead for 3 games, little depth at LB, and 2 freshman possibly seeing a lot of time at corner, do you have confidence the defense can take a step forward this year? Will need a much improved pass rush IMHO to have a shot.
Brian Batko
2:26
I have confidence that they'll take a step forward, but probably not a big one. You pointed out plenty of reasons for why that is. Now, if Dewayne Hendrix and some of those other unproven defensive linemen live up to the hype? Maybe that could be a game-changer, Linebackers have a chance to be solid, too. But otherwise, questions abound throughout the unit.
PittMeister
2:27
What is your prediction for Pitt?  I am going to say 7-5.  However, if we get upset by YSU, then I think the season snowballs and 5-7.
Brian Batko
2:27
I'll stick with my 7-5 prediction from last week, but sure, if they look awful in this game, it would be time to rethink.
Slim Charles
2:27
Sounds to me that freshman running back A.J. Davis has been fairly impressive thus far.   So, a good chance to see the field this year, right?
Brian Batko
2:28
Good name, Slim. I think the RB spot is Qadree Ollison's corner right now, with Darrin Hall right behind him, but it does seem like Davis is impressing. That would certainly line up with his four-star billing as a recruit. I do think you'll see him get some carries, just as Hall and last year Chawntez Moss did as true freshmen.
Tim
2:29
How much do you think Canada's success last season was Narduzzi giving him free reign of the offense and do you think Watson will be given similar control this season?
Brian Batko
2:30
I don't think his success was due to that as much as it was having some really good offensive players, from the line to the RB to the QB. But Narduzzi doesn't strike me as particularly meddlesome with his OCs. I do think he'll want Watson to try to do some of the same things Canada did, just because it made the offense so successful, but Watson will have "free reign" for the most part, as well, I'd think.
John E.
2:30
your breakout player prediction for Pitt O and D
Brian Batko
2:32
O - Aaron Mathews: just a hunch he'll be the guy who steps up as that No. 3 receiver

D - Damarri Mathis: I'm buying what Narduzzi and the coaches are selling about him breaking out as a true freshman, and I think he'll lock down a starting spot with no "OR" designation eventually
Jimmy
2:32
Can you please remind people to not call for Watson's head when Pitt comes out ultra-vanilla on Saturday?  They went extremely vanilla versus Nova last year (to not tip their hand to PSU) and everyone went crazy.  I expect them to do the same this year.
Brian Batko
2:32
Hey, people, don't call for Watson's head when Pitt comes out ultra-vanilla on Saturday.
Pope
2:33
Do you think the "changes" Pitt is making for game day experience will really help?  I am not happy about moving the time for Sweet Caroline!!!!
Brian Batko
2:34
Don't think they'll help the team on the field. Do think they could help the atmosphere. My opinion doesn't matter, especially on these kind of things, but I actually think Heather Lyke and the athletic department did a smart thing with their handling of Sweet Caroline.
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