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Brian Batko's Pitt football chat: 9.5.18
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Brian Batko
2:29
Probably, yeah, and not just because of last week. How can you not be worried about Pitt's secondary after the way things have played out the past few years? Yes, it improved toward the end of last season, but then Jordan Whitehead and Avonte Maddox left for the NFL.
Matt in Cleveland
2:30
Will there be one RB who becomes a workhorse or will it be RB by committee all year?
Brian Batko
2:30
I'm thinking committee, Matt. But it'd probably be a good thing for Pitt if one, ahem, runs away with the gig.
erniehitman
2:30
if pitt wins this weekend, any hope this moves the university to SERIOUSLY considering building an on-campus football stadium?
Brian Batko
2:31
I don't think there's any correlation there, no.
Ryan Sanders
2:31
I thought all 3 RBs looked great last week but AJ Davis looked the best in my opinion. Do you think at any point this season he emerges as the number one and takes the majority of touches over Hall and Ollison?
Brian Batko
2:32
One thing about Pitt going mostly committee in the backfield, I think maybe there could be weeks that AJ Davis gets the most carries. If he gets the hot hand, so to speak, you never know. I don't see him finishing the season with more carries than those two, but he'll get his chances if he keeps running like he did Saturday.
Matt
2:32
Did Pitt go vanilla on offense last week to save it for PSU this week?
Brian Batko
2:33
A little bit. They probably opened it up more than they had to, but then again, we don't know how much different stuff Shawn Watson will try to incorporate in Year 2.
Jim
2:33
Hey Brian, good job on the chats, btw. Do you get the sense that the players are truly confident heading into this game? I know access is limited but just your gut feeling?
Brian Batko
2:34
Thank you, Jim. And yes, I do. But I also think they're confident heading into every game. They're ACC athletes, so I think for most, there's a baseline level of confidence. Maybe sometimes too much, but you never know.
jake
2:34
I know his sample size is a lot smaller, but id rather have Pickett over McSorley, am I crazy??
Brian Batko
2:34
Yeah, probably. For this season, at least. If Pickett ends up having a better career, I see great things in Pitt's future.
Chuck
2:36
What's your over/under for rushing yards for Trace McSorley on Saturday? Him running the ball out of the pocket worries me.
Brian Batko
2:36
I'll say 41.5, Chuck
erniehitman
2:37
weird but serious question - who wins in a true street fight - naduzzi or franklin?
Brian Batko
2:39
Franklin is taller and younger, but Narduzzi is probably stronger given that he was a linebacker in college. Narduzzi would probably care more, so I'll give him the edge.
Doug in Erie
2:39
I found last weeks 2nd half troubling, both from a mental letdown and terrible decision making by Pickett. Should I worry?
Brian Batko
2:39
I wouldn't. Pitt had a huge lead and it's human nature to let up a bit. Also, they still didn't give up any points.
tm
2:40
Is there more to the Bookser story, or is it truly an injury??!
Brian Batko
2:40
Truly an injury, as far as I can tell. I think it's been lingering for a while, which could be a bad thing or good thing, depending on your perspective.
Big Ben
2:41
Will he defensive line put pressure on PSU? Obviously it’ll be a bigger challenge than Albany but have they improved enough?
Brian Batko
2:41
Hard to say, Ben. Obviously they looked pretty ferocious at times against Albany, but that's Albany. I'm still waiting for someone to step up at DE opposite Rashad Weaver. Dewayne Hendrix, James Folston, somebody.
Lionel
2:42
Why haven't u answered my question??
Brian Batko
2:42
There are a lot of questions, Lionel.
Jim
2:42
I really liked what I saw from Pickett last week. Smart, accurate, shows command of the offense and makes good decisions. Also a better athlete than he's given credit for. He looks like an absolute difference maker. Thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:43
I heard a sound bite from James Franklin saying Kenny Pickett is "bigger than you think." Wha...huh...how is that even possible? A human being is as big as he is. That's it.
Domer Geoff
2:43
With Miami getting throttled against LSU and VT imminently beatable by Pitt....does this open things up to make a Coastal run?
Brian Batko
2:45
It's a new year, Geoff. I wouldn't say VT is always beatable. Sure, Pitt has had some measure of success against the Hokies, both historically and since Narduzzi arrived, but Justin Fuente has them rolling. Your point is well taken, though.
Lionel
2:45
In my opinion Narduzzi has not lived up to expectations nor deserved an extension. His recruiting has been subpar. Do you think this guy deserved an extension and when will recruiting pick up? We need more than maybe 1 or 2 four star guys a season.
Brian Batko
2:47
I think stability is crucial and an underrated thing in sports, let alone college football. We haven't seen what Pitt can be without a revolving door of head coaches since Dave Wannstedt, and that era aged pretty well when you look back on it.
Nick
2:47
Dane Jackson playing this week?
Brian Batko
2:47
My guess would be yes, I must profess
Bob in VA
2:48
Hi Brian, The secondary seemed very porous against Albany and Testaverde. McSorley is arguably a Heisman candidate. Do you think the secondary is capable to step it up on Saturday night?
Brian Batko
2:49
It's capable. I thought Damarri Mathis played well, Paris Ford looked the part and getting Dane Jackson back - not to mention Jason Pinnock - should help a lot. So much of playing cornerback and even safety in Narduzzi's defense is just making the play when it comes your way. You might only get a few shots at it each game, but it could determine the outcome.
Frank from Bethel
2:49
Why do you say McSorely is overrated? He has a big10 championship and two Major bowl appearances.
Brian Batko
2:50
He's had a great career, but let's be honest, he hasn't done it all by himself. He had one of the best college football running backs in recent memory alongside him, as well as a second-round draft pick at tight end and a slew of solid receivers.
Jeff
2:50
If Pitt goes 5-7 again this year or 6-6, does coach Narduzzi start getting on the hot seat, even with that new extension signed last year?
Brian Batko
2:51
If Pitt goes 5-7, maybe a little bit. I think the administration and, to an extent, fans realize the difficulty of the schedule this year. I don't think the seat is particularly warm, but then again, I'm not in Heather Lyke's head.
Batko’s yogurt
2:51
Any word yet on the availability of Dane Jackson and Jason Pinnock? I worry not having those two for this game. Bookser?
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