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Brian Batko's Pitt football chat: 9.5.18
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Brian Batko
2:00
Greetings, everyone. I just had a rather unfilfilling lunch of yogurt, salad and a clementine. Let's begin the chat.
Matt in Cleveland
2:01
Pitt wins Saturday night, who is the Player of the Game?
Brian Batko
2:02
If Pitt wins, it'll probably be because of a balanced effort on offense and someone making a big play or multiple big plays on defense. And so, I will say Quintin Wirginis.
Bobby Bottleservice
2:02
Is it crazy to say McSorely isn’t that good? He’s athletic sure, but most of his game is just tossing it up
Brian Batko
2:03
Hi, Bobby. It probably is a little bit crazy to say that, yes. What I don't think is all that crazy is saying Trace McSorley is overrated. That could be, and I might say it myself. He'll have a chance to prove wrong both you and me Saturday night.
Hank Poteat
2:04
Does Paris Ford get some touches on offense this week
Brian Batko
2:05
Hello, Hank Poteat. If I had to guess, I will say yes, he gets at least two.
honey boo boo
2:05
What’re the odds Narduzzi says it was just like beating Albany ?
Brian Batko
2:06
I think the odds of him saying that exact statement are pretty low. But I think the odds of him taking a shot in the aftermath of a Pitt win would be pretty high. Something like: "Well if they don't think it's a rivalry or a big game, that's fine, because we just beat 'em in our building again." I'm paraphrasing.
Jake Adonizio’s Father
2:07
What is the one area pitt has to succeed in to win the game (aside from scoring more points)
Brian Batko
2:08
Thanks for stopping by, Mr. Adonizio. I guess I shouldn't assume you share Jake's last name. Anyway, I don't think there is one area, but the one I think would go the longest way is an obvious one: quarterback play. Penn State's defense looked quite shreddable last weekend against App State, so Kenny Pickett rising to the occasion with some more shredding would be huge for Pitt.
Blawnox Panther
2:09
What are your thoughts on he tailgate restrictions?  I think it is an embarrassment!  We can't tailgate till 5 pm for an 8 pm game?  How can Pitt compete w Penn state and Ohio state and others if we can't tailgate all day and have that same type of game day atmosphere?
Brian Batko
2:11
I think it's nice Pitt fans have moved on from complaining about media complaining about restricted player access during Penn State week to complaining about restricted tailgating access.

But in all honesty, I do agree that it's ultimately kind of a bad look for Pitt football, even if it's not Pitt's fault. Your opinion on this might also depend on how much you enjoy tailgating. Me? I'm a big fan of drinking beer and listening to loud music outside, so I'm leaning your way on this.
James
2:11
What should we expect to see differently from the Pitt offense and defense this week?
Brian Batko
2:12
I think you'll see Moore Aston. Did you know that George Aston's middle name is actually "Moore"? That's wild, man. Anyway, I wrote about this topic on Sunday in case you missed it http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/Pitt/2018/09/02/pitt-penn-state-foo...
Pope
2:13
Would the city put tailgate time restrictions on Steeler fans like they are doing for the Pitt game?  I am selling my tickets and staying home.  This game might as well be played at Penn state every year.  And then they might want to keep playing us.
Brian Batko
2:14
Let me take this one point by point:
No
OK
If you say so
No
SOMD Panther
2:14
Can we talk about the Panther Greats race? A fun idea or the stuff of nightmares? Why'd they make them so life-like? Why didn't someone warn us about what was going to happen? Why oh why did they pick the likeness of 1980's Mike Ditka? Its 2020, the Athletic Department is letting the fans pick a new runner, who should it be? (Correct Answer: Tony Siragusa).
Brian Batko
2:16
I would love to, dear friend. The mascot race between the third and fourth quarter last week was great for a number of reasons. Costumes themselves were, as you allude to, hauntingly realistic! I agree that it could've been promoted better, but it also might've gotten people's minds even further off Sweet Carolina, which is great.

I think one of these weeks, they should let the P-G's Sean Gentille run as one of the Pitt Legends. Would have to be Ditka.
Ricky
2:17
What can Duzz do in the secondary to help the safeties out or at least put them in a better position to make plays?
Brian Batko
2:17
Honestly, Ricky, if I knew the answer to that I'd probably be a football coach.
Justin
2:18
When the opposin offense comes out in 3 WR sets, why does out defense give them a 10 yard cushion?
Brian Batko
2:18
Pat Narduzzi doesn't stray from his base 4-3 all that often, but when he does, it's usually third down. The corners are almost always going to play press-man coverage, and then it's up to them to make plays on the ball in front of them or over their heads.
Aspinwall Joe S
2:19
Honestly, who is a stronger opponent Albany or App State? The yinzer in me says Albany!
Brian Batko
2:19
The Yinzer in you, while admirable, is dead wrong.
Trace
2:19
Should I expect improvements from Pitt’s secondary this weekend?
Brian Batko
2:20
Narduzzi says teams always make the biggest improvement from Week 1 to Week 2, so sure. But wait, that means Penn State's offense will also make its biggest improvement from Week 1 to Week 2. Unclear here, Trace.
3 Kings Dan
2:20
Was Albany a good enough test to really assess the Panthers?
Brian Batko
2:20
Not at all, no.
SOMD Panther
2:21
Houy played well in Bookser's absence. Any chance Bookser slides back to guard when healthy?
Brian Batko
2:21
That would equate to Gabe Houy, as a redshirt freshman, passing up redshirt seniors Connor Dintino or Mike Herndon at guard. I don't necessarily think it's likely, but it could happen. If the offense, especially the run game, struggles, then maybe Narduzzi and company do some tinkering.
alex
2:22
Is there a surprise player you have in mind on having a big game this Saturday?
Brian Batko
2:23
I could see Shocky Jacques-Louis being a bigger piece of the gameplan, for sure. If you've been following coverage throughout training camp, that might not be much of a surprise, but I don't think the casual fan or Penn State fan would expect to see a true freshman making a major impact.
Pope
2:24
Any concerns about the D after giving up an average of 6 yards per play to Albany?  I am wondering if playing a div 2 opponent may have some with delusions of grandeur.
Brian Batko
2:24
FCS opponent, for the record, Pope.
Blawnox Panther
2:24
Will Duzzi have a lot of recruits on the sideline this weekend?  The stadium should be full and look good fort he recruits.  No guarantee on that the remainder of the home schedule.
Brian Batko
2:26
Narduzzi and his staff aren't known to do too much recruiting in-season, but yeah, I'd expect there to be lots of visits for this one. There were lots of prospects on the sideline for Albany, too, but this week's might be higher-priority guys.  Locally, 2020 targets Mike Carmody and Jack Salopek are supposed to be there.
3 Kings Dan
2:28
Is it true that App State was ranked HIGHER than Pitt in the preseason rankings?  Say it ain't so.  Please.
Brian Batko
2:28
According to CBSSports.com, yes. According to AthlonSports.com, no. It's safe to say Pitt's a somewhat polarizing team to the national folks this year.
Creme Brule
2:28
Hi Brian. I know we won big against Albany but they still were throwing the ball easily against us, especially in the first half. Our secondary looked awful. Should Pitt be worried moving forward?
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