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Brian Batko's Pitt football chat: 9.12.18
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RxPanther
2:37
Can we expect much shake up on the offensive line? I noticed Pickett didn’t have much time against a PSU D-line that wasn’t as experienced as in previous years.
Brian Batko
2:38
Yeah, as I said, I think Bryce Hargrove might be first in line for a real or extended audition of sorts, given his experience and versatility. Obviously Gabe Houy returned to backup duty with Alex Bookser healthy, but he got some good reviews after the opener (I know, vs. Albany). It's probably too early to see a huge shake-up, though.
Steve
2:39
Clear you are frustrated with Narduzzi as you are starting to take little shots at him. Can you try to be more professional?
Brian Batko
2:39
Not sure what you mean by that, but part of my professional job is to evaluate him and his team.
DougieFresh
2:40
Hi! I was at the game on Sat. night. I was very disappointed. But I watched the replay last night and was actually shocked to see Pitt match PSU for 3.5 quarters. It really came down to our punter laying a HUGE egg and theirs didn't. PSU had no converted 3rd downs until late 3rd qtr. Pitt at the very least should have been tied or leading into 3rd qtr. I am not as soured now. Am I wrong?
Brian Batko
2:41
Hello, Dougie. Well, I'm not sure I agree that Pitt necessarily matched Penn State, especially for that long. But they did hang tough, and, a lot like last year, I can see the game going much differently if not for some of those early blunders. I do think the more talented team won in the end though, proving that Pitt's margin for error against the Lions - for the second year in a row - was pretty slim.
Woof
2:42
Could you imagine if Pitt played in the Big 10 East?
Brian Batko
2:43
A lot of people probably wish Pitt was in the Big Ten East, actually. But that's a wormhole for another day. Maybe someday soon. At the very least, I'm confident that Pitt would be the least scandalous team in that division these days.
Steve
2:43
Evaluate yes but taking personal shots is not called for. But you cowardly take little shots in tweets
Brian Batko
2:44
Again, gonna need you to back up your theory with some evidence here.
SVPanther
2:44
Pitt’s recruiting over the past years has been anemic.  Is this fixable? Or is it structural? Ie, quantity of 5, 4, 3 stars from WPIAL has greatly diminished since the early 80’s. If fixable, how?
Brian Batko
2:45
You can still recruit those types of players and develop them. It's not THAT bad. It's more mediocre than anemic, if you're going by the star rankings. Of course, it's also the classic chicken-egg deal. If Pitt is better, they'll recruit better. But you have to recruit better to get better. Such is the challenge of coaching. "That's why they call us coach," as Pat Narduzzi might say. Hope that wasn't a "shot"
H2P
2:46
Taysir Mack wasn’t even targeted much and why throw a deep ball to Tipton?
Brian Batko
2:46
Great question. Probably wasn't a very good decision by Kenny Pickett on that pick, but I'm not sure that going up to get that ball is Tre Tipton's game, either. Especially when he hasn't played in so long.
Optimist
2:47
Why are people making a big deal about Tim Salem drinking flat Mountain Dew? It tastes just as bad as regular Mountain Dew.
Brian Batko
2:47
Well that's just nuts. Regular Mountain Dew is fine. Flat pop/soda/whatever is awful.
Gus from Moon
2:48
How bad will PSU beat Pitt next year? The talent disparity will be even worse.
Brian Batko
2:49
Yeah, that's a scary thought Gus, and one that I think is one of the biggest takeaways/reasons that game was so concerning. Then again, Trace McSorley will be gone, so that's more than likely a downgrade at the most important position. We'll see how Pitt develops as this year goes on, but then again, lots of seniors will be gone on their side, too.
DougieFresh
2:49
Just looking at halftime stats and game stats alone, you would not expect a 51-6 score. The OKST game last year, they got boat raced and didn't belong on the same field. The PSU was so much different in my opinion.Too many penalties and unforced errors. After watching the replay, Pitt LOST that game. PSU didn't WIN it. I do not say this lightly as I bust on Pittt when they deserve it. They have a lot to do to get better, but I think these are correctable problems.
Brian Batko
2:49
Your point is well taken. This was a demolition in a different way than the OK State game was. That was over before it ever really began.
H2P
2:50
What did the media think of James Franklin running it up?
Brian Batko
2:51
I haven't seen anyone rip him for it. It's not like the time he iced the kicker from Georgia State with Penn State up by a million. That was lame. This was against an ACC team, an in-state rival, a team that hates you. And thus, that team has to stop you, lest they take their medicine.
H2P
2:52
Where is this vaunted defensive line Narduzzi and Partridge were bragging about?
Brian Batko
2:53
It's absolutely been a letdown against power-five opponents, both last year and so far through one opportunity this year. Rashad Weaver is still pretty disruptive. Shane Roy, Keyshon Camp and Amir Watts strike me as decent tackles. But I still think another end needs to emerge, whether it's Dewayne Hendrix or someone else. I feel like all those guys have had their moments, but obviously the defense needs more than that.
Gopitt
2:54
I thought this tight end that transferred in was a good receiver, we don’t even throw to the tight end!
Brian Batko
2:55
Not really sure what's up with that, yeah. Saw more of Will Gragg vs. Penn State than Albany, but perhaps they're still figuring out how to work him into the offense and how they want to use him, if at all.
Matt
2:55
4th and 3 going in for a score, and Pitt calls a jumbo formation base lead play. Did anyone ask about the thought behind that call?
H2P
2:55
What did you think of the 4th and 3 call. You burn a timeout for that?
Brian Batko
2:57
No one asked about the formation specifically, but it was a topic after the game and again on Monday that Narduzzi addressed. The jumbo set had been having some success, but yeah, some think it should've been a more imaginative playcall. I don't necessarily blame Narduzzi for it, given the way Pitt had been pounding the rock. Maybe the timeout was even a setup to make Penn State think it'd be a more creative effort? Problem was, Pitt just didn't hit them in the mouth and get the push they needed for that to work. Hindsight n'at.
Tim
2:58
How bad will attendance be on Sat?  Under 30k?
Brian Batko
2:58
No, I don't think it will be that low. But you never know. We'll see how the weather turns out.
Panther
2:58
Did Pitt show any interest in Matt Canada after LSU sent him packing?
Brian Batko
2:58
Don't think so, no.
Pitt is lit
2:58
Maybe Pitt needs to schedule like PSU play winnable non conference games at home and occasionally go on the road! 6 road games is crazy and the non conference is to tough.
Brian Batko
2:59
Eh, there's certainly an argument for that. Personally, I think games against good teams are good for everyone.  Notre Dame on the road this year is out of Pitt's hands.
Panther
2:59
Pitt 34- ga tech 31, ironically on a field goal to win it!
Brian Batko
3:00
Would not surprise me. I actually do think Pitt might win this one, given how Georgia Tech played last week. Will it be high-scoring? You'd think so, but who knows what to expect with these teams anymore. I'll say Pitt wins 34-27.
Thanks as always for stopping through. That's all the time we've got to chat today. See you next week, same place same time.
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