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Brian Batko's Pitt football chat: 9.26.18
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Brian Batko
2:01
What's up, chat cats? I've got a little bit of time today to talk Pitt football and whatever else, as we always do on Wednesday afternoons. Fire away.
Optimist
2:01
Why are people freaking out about losing to UNC? It's not like we've ever beaten them before in conference.
Brian Batko
2:03
Well, my dear Optimist, I suppose one answer here is that those who repeat history are doomed to repeat it. Wait, that's not right. But seriously, it's hard not to have flashbacks to previous seasons that were at least somewhat disappointing, all of which included those UNC losses. And this year in particular, it's tough to ignore that this was one of Pitt's most winnable games, at least on paper. The Panthers are still 2-2, and 1-1 in conference, but that loss was more about what it portends for the rest of the year with this brutal schedule.
Adam
2:04
Ok, gotta ask. Does Pitt have any chance to get Kelly Bryant? What type of school do you think he’ll end up at?
Brian Batko
2:05
In case y'all missed it this morning, Clemson's starting QB from last year is transferring now that he's lost his job to freshman hot shot Trevor Lawrence. Gut feel is that no, definitely not, this marriage will not happen. But then again, Pat Narduzzi LOVES going after grad transfers, at that position especially. From everything I've seen and read, Bryant will end up at another power five school, but my guess is it won't be in the ACC. That'd be pretty darn awkward.
2:06
Do you feel like Pitt is playing the reigning national champion this weekend?
Yes (23.5% | 4 votes)
 
Stop (76.5% | 13 votes)
 
Total Votes: 17
Jawn
2:06
Do you think it's too early for them bail on "Lock The Gates?" They're still including it in tweets, and it looks dumber by the second.
Brian Batko
2:08
No way, Jawn. You can always lock the gates. Even if you're 1-10 and heading down to Miami, you can still lock the gates. Although at this point, it's probably more about holding the gates. Pitt's defense isn't locking up much of anything these days.
J.D.
2:09
Brian, I realize there is a fair amount of blame towards player execution, but last week's formation penalties, timeout management, and the overall inability to adjust in every second half this season is absolutely on the coaching staff. Is anyone's seat on this staff even getting lukewarm?
Brian Batko
2:11
Tough to say, J.D. I don't think Narduzzi is there yet, but he needs to start helping himself, both on and off the field. I'm not really sure he's saying the right things lately either (don't compare your team to potty-training a dog, for one).

As for his assistants, well, I think we've seen in recent years that anyone can go at any time, whether that's by Narduzzi's doing or their own choice. I would think Charlie Partridge is pretty safe given his offseason promotion to assistant head coach, but other than that, it's anyone's guess what kind of changes might result from another uneven or just plain awful season.
Pal
2:12
is the football program in better shape than 4 years ago? If so, how?
Brian Batko
2:13
Not really, Pal. Not in my estimation, at least. On one hand, you have more stability than at any point since the Dave Wannstedt days, but what good is stability if you aren't winning? To me, the recruiting hasn't gotten noticeably better, regardless of the rankings, and they've yet to get over that hump of winning the Coastal. Doesn't look like this is the year, either, but there's a lot of time left.
Brian Chatko
2:14
Why did Narduzzi put all that pressure on Pickett ahead of the season? Does he secretly hate him? I think he may.
Brian Batko
2:16
Hello, Brian. Is that last name Slovakian? Anyway, that's something I've been thinking about lately. I remember, I think it was the day after beating Miami, Narduzzi went on ESPN and pretty much called Pickett the guy to bring this program back. In fact, his exact words were, "I think we found a quarterback in Kenny Pickett, and the future is bright for Pitt football."

I'm quite confident he doesn't secretly hate Pickett, but there might be some regret about how high he set that bar this offseason, and I think he's even said as much. Then again, when the national media types don't really pay much attention to your program (rightfully so, perhaps) maybe it behooves you to pump your own tires a bit.
AndQ
2:17
Hey coach. Any more wins this season (realistically)?
Brian Batko
2:19
Thanks for calling me coach, coach. Pitt has eight games left. Realistically, they probably CAN win six of them (I'm at the point where I'm writing off UCF and Notre Dame). They need to win five to get to my preseason prediction, which I think I settled on at 7-5. Not feeling too confident in that now, but I WILL go out on a limb and say there will be another win this year. Multiple, even.
Maximus
2:19
Is there a chance we’ll though to the TE this week/year ?
Brian Batko
2:20
I assume you meant to write "through" my friend Maximus. There's a chance, but I'm not counting on it. Still not sure what the deal is with Arkansas grad transfer Will Gragg, which is seeming like a more curious decision to bring him in over the summer with every passing game they don't use him much.
GStar
2:20
Mr. Batko, how likely is the chance that Pitt could lose out? You have to think they will be underdogs in at least 6 of their final 8 games. Maybe they will pull a Pitt Mens Hoop team from 2017 - Hoping they won't but not seeing any improvement and when the media praised this defense at the start of the season - only to see them as soft as they are - anything is possible. Again, I hope I am wrong since most fans/media saw this team in the 6-8 win range---can't see that happening now.
Brian Batko
2:21
Like I said, while I think the majority of the games are ones that Pitt CAN win if all goes right, on the flip side of that, I don't see any layups left. Before the season, I figured Virginia might be close to that, and banked on Pitt beating Duke, as usual. Not so fast, my friend.
TJ
2:21
I can't believe that PN is on the hot seat with HL ... an extension after a poor season and lots of unknowns going into this season.  She had to see that it is going to be a few more years before consistent success on the field, and she believes that PN is the guy for the long-term.  Agreed ?
Brian Batko
2:23
I'm sort of with you, TJ, at least not this soon after she hitched her wagon to him. She's been over-the-top in her praise of him from Day 1 here, which is maybe to be expected given where the program was at the time of Lyke's arrival (coming off 8-5, wins over PSU and Clemson, etc.)

I'm sure she hears the fan complaints building, but I don't think she's in any rush to start thinking about that, and I'm also not sure she should be.
Brian takes a seat: Brian Sat-ko
2:23
Its early, but what are your expectations for basketball this year? O/U 2 ACC wins
Hamburger
2:24
Are there any players on the Steelers who played for a future Pitt opponent, that Pitt can actually beat, allowing James Connor to make someone else wear Pitt gear.
Brian Batko
2:25
I'll get back to hoops in a second, but first this before I forget: Pat Narduzzi said today on the ACC Coaches teleconference that he'd rather play the likes of Notre Dame and UCF than Bloomsburg and Edinboro. Well, Steelers starting right tackle Matt Feiler, where did he go? Bloomsburg. Conner should strike something up with him.
2:26
As for the men's basketball team, I think that's a fair over/under, and I'll take the over by a hair. After seeing them practice yesterday, they appear to be better than last year's outfit, which to me looked like something resembling a Division II squad when I first saw them this time a year ago given their youth and lack of size.

I'll say they win three, and put together a slew of competitive games without getting in the win column.
J.D.
2:27
Brian, in regards to Narduzzi and Lyke, it's important to remember she did not hire him.  She did hire Capel who, at least to this point, is a proven recruiter, more mellow, less emotional guy.  Granted basketball isn't football, but you can't help but see the differences between the two and wonder if Narduzzi is her ideal HC. I don't think she's leading the Narduzzi campaign like some people imply.
Brian Batko
2:28
This is a fair point. In fact, Narduzzi actually helped hire Lyke, playing a part in the selection committee. It's funny how fast the tables can turn. When Lyke was hired in March of last year, it was clear that Narduzzi was the most important person in this athletic department. Now, she's helped herself enough with the Jeff Capel move that suddenly, eyes are on her to see how she's approaching the current football struggles.
TJ
2:28
Certain of the fan blog sites mention that PN has burned bridges with local (and other) high school coaches ... what are the details surrounding this observation ?
Brian Batko
2:29
None that I can really point to, specifically. In his position, Narduzzi has to make a lot of decisions about which players to offer, which to keep an eye on, etc. etc. That's not easy, and it's not gonna make everyone happy year in and year out. I'm certain there are some WPIAL coaches out there who thought they've had guys worthy of a Pitt offer, but it never came, or came late. That's part of the business, and they can disagree with Narduzzi and staff's evaluation, but should also respect it.
J.D.
2:30
Brian, with UCF, Syracuse and Notre Dame upcoming I can't help but think it's going to ugly.  Tell me I'm wrong. Convince me I'm wrong.
Optimist
2:31
What is the cb
Brian Batko
2:32
Crystal ball? J.D., it could get ugly. I'm not gonna convince you that it definitely won't. But I guess this is a good time to give a Pitt-UCF prediction before I go eat cookies in the office. I'll do it here in the chat, rather than on Twitter, as I'm 3-0 this year on chat predictions and 0-1 outside of it.

I'll say the Knights put up at least 30, as usual, and win 36-27. Pitt somehow covers.
Thanks for stopping in, chat freaks. Let's do it again next week.
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