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John McGonigal's Pitt football chat: 10.30.19
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John McGonigal
2:00
Good afternoon, folks. Another week, another Pitt football chat. Let’s get it going.
Eddie
2:02
new Georgia tech coach and offense.  Are they as good as their win vs Miami or as bad as the citadel game?
John McGonigal
2:04
I’d lean toward the latter. What had to happen for Georgia Tech to beat Miami —  three field goals missed by the Canes from 35 yards and in, and a Yellow Jackets fake punt touchdown — was pretty remarkable. It was a pretty fluky win. They’ve improved gradually in their first year in the spread offense, but this is still a bad team.
Noah
2:06
Hey Josh, I really enjoy the chat. What do you feel as a realistic bowl game for Pitt?
John McGonigal
2:08
Thanks Nate, I appreciate it. At this point, it looks like either the Music City Bowl or Pinstripe Bowl. Maybe the Military Bowl. If the Panthers win out, the Orange Bowl isn’t totally out of the question, but it isn’t likely. And with Notre Dame losing, the Fighting Irish look like a Camping World Bowl candidate.
GSMP
2:10
How does Whipple go from calling the creative "Pitt Special" against UCF to running up the middle on 3rd and 2 with the smallest running back on the team with 4 minutes to go and desperately needing a first down to kill more clock? That play call  Saturday was mystifying to say the least.
John McGonigal
2:13
Frankly, I agree with you. That was a mismanagement of the four-minute offense. I delved into it a bit more here (https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/Pitt/2019/10/26/Pitt-Miami-observa...), but even the formation Pitt lined up in on that third down — going heavy set when needing five yards for a first down — is too conservative. At least give Miami something to think about. As far as trick plays, though, Whipple’s stayed aggressive. The touchdown at Syracuse is an example of that, and the Panthers tried some trickery vs. the Canes, too. They just snuffed it out.
Retire21
2:15
What significant players could apply to jump to pro football next year?
John McGonigal
2:17
As far as underclassmen, you’d have to look at Paris Ford and Jaylen Twyman first. Do they leave early? Based on gut feeling alone, I think they stay. Both are first-year starters and scouts will likely want to see more. Now, most underclassmen will submit their names for a scouting grade, which they’ll receive after the season. No harm, no foul in submitting for one of those. It’s a useful tool to give players a good sense of where they might land in the upcoming draft.
JR
2:19
John: Pitt has in my opinion several obvious needs such tight end, running back, and receiver. What say you??? Enjoy your chats!
John McGonigal
2:22
Thanks, JR. If we’re talking this year in a vacuum, I think Pitt is fine at receiver. The drops are concerning, but Mack and Ffrench’s production can’t be ignored. And now that Shocky Jacques-Louis is fully healthy, he could emerge as a fine No. 3 target. Remember, too, that the Panthers lost Tre Tipton, who was coming into his own a bit. At tight end, Nakia Griffin-Stewart has certainly underwhelmed, and Will Gragg’s blocking has been suspect at best. Don’t be surprised if true freshman Kyi Wright gets some run toward the end of the season here. And at RB, I actually like AJ Davis’ aggression and appreciate what V’Lique Carter brings to the table as a pass-catcher. Just don’t think they’re being utilized properly on a consistent basis. The OL struggles haven’t helped, either.
SaltyRon
2:23
Seemed like the Pitt offense was more effective on Saturday running the ball on sweeps as opposed to between the tackles, which was surprising given Miami's team speed.  Why then run up the middle on 3rd and goal from the one and 3rd and 5 on the last possession?
John McGonigal
2:26
Pitt’s unbalanced offensive lines were part of that (moderate) success running the ball outside the tackles. When the Panthers got into tempo, they semi-frequently had two tackles lined up next to each other — Carter Warren and Nolan Ulizio on the right side, for example — and they’d run it to the right while Miami was getting lined up. Pitt has used six linemen before and have that heavy set package, but the frequency with which they used this wrinkle was noteworthy. Why run inside on 3rd and 5 in the four-minute offense? I don’t know.
B
2:28
The Miami coach made a QB change late in the game that put them over the top.  Why does Narduzzi refuse to relieve a struggling quarterback?
John McGonigal
2:31
The two situations are drastically different. Jarren Williams won Miami’s starting quarterback competition in August and played decent against Florida. So bringing him in for a struggling N’Kosi Perry isn’t the same as displacing your established starter with a redshirt freshman backup. I understand Pickett’s play left a lot to be desired vs. Miami. But at this point, Pitt’s chances of winning are better with him than they are with any other QB on the roster.
Prince
2:32
Is Kenny Pickett the answer at quarterback John? I don't think he is. He can't throw the ball downfield well past 15 yards. He has a noodle arm, you can see that. Plus it wasn't all his fault but he is a big reason why we lost to Miami. Is this guy the best Pitt can do?
John McGonigal
2:36
Pickett’s picks were, as Narduzzi called them, “fatal” mistakes vs. Miami. No denying that. But his receivers aren’t helping him. He would’ve had a 40-yard completion to Taysir Mack if the WR didn’t let it ricochet off his helmet and then his hands. Pickett has room to improve, but so does the offense as a whole in its first year under Whipple.
Duzzi of a Coach's Decision
2:36
I realize all teams have drops, but I don't recall seeing many P5 programs with as many drive-killer drops as Pitt is experiencing.  Pickett's numbers would look a LOT better if guys were catching the easy balls that hit them right in the numbers, never mind the tough ones.  What gives?  Looks like QBKP is throwing a nice spiral, not too much velocity.
John McGonigal
2:38
Drops are never timely, but you’re right, they all seem to be killing drives or negating would-be big plays. Griffin-Stewart’s third-down drop at Syracuse in the second half still sticks out to me. It’s a mental thing these receivers/tight ends have to get over, and it isn’t easy.
9NC
2:39
John,  Pitt has given up many yards to GT in recent past but also done well by winning most of the contests. Do you see Pitt shutting the triple option down on Saturday?
John McGonigal
2:40
Thankfully for the linebackers’ knees, Georgia Tech no longer runs the triple-option offense. The Yellow Jackets are implementing a spread system now.
Bobby
2:42
Hey John after 5 years of Narduzzi I have seen enough. His offense recruiting has been terrible, his in-game decisions have been terrible, and he always gets defensive when you criticize him. If this becomes another 7-5 season will Heather get rid of him? It's obvious to many Pitt fans this guy isn't the answer so why do we have to keep suffering and watch him coach?
John McGonigal
2:44
The in-game decision-making (specifically the FG choice at Penn State) has been questionable at best. No doubt. But parting ways after a 7-5 season in which Pitt’s Vegas over/under win total was 6? A 7-5 record would be extremely disappointing after a 5-2 start. That isn’t going to be enough to see him get the boot, though.
412panthers
2:46
Why has Kenny Pickett not kept the ball on the rpo seems like Miami knew every time he was giving it to the RB. He had success last year keeping is it due to injury?
John McGonigal
2:49
Whipple said last week that he’d like to get Pickett running more as the season comes to a close. Pickett’s looked fine injury wise, but the risk of re-injuring that throwing shoulder has to be a constant concern.
Exiled in the south
2:50
Let's say Pitt gets extremely lucky and some school is dumb enough to want to hire Narduzzi. How hard would Pitt try to keep him and do you have any sense about the size of the buyout?
John McGonigal
2:52
A potential buyout figure isn’t made available by the university. But Heather Lyke signed him to a 7-year extension after a 5-7 season…so, just speculating here, you’d think Pitt would try to keep him.
Duzzi of a Coach's Decision
2:54
I'm still scuffling along after Pitt's demoralizing loss on Saturday.  Please say something encouraging about Pitt's football future to talk me back from the ledge.
John McGonigal
2:56
Defensively, Georgia Tech and North Carolina have allowed a combined 48 sacks this year. Pitt’s defensive line should keep up the pressure the next two games. Offensively, well, I'd stay tuned.
2:58
Alrighty folks, that’s all the time we have today. I appreciate the questions as always. Have a good rest of the week.
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