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John McGonigal's Pitt football chat: 11.06.19
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John McGonigal
2:00
Good afternoon, folks. Hope the off week is treating everyone well. As Pitt prepares for UNC, let’s get to the questions.
Foolback
2:02
Hi John, my question goes with the nickname I guess?  Did Daniel Carter take snaps at fullback last week?  He's a much different player from Rashad Wheeler.
John McGonigal
2:04
Good eye. True freshman running back Daniel Carter did indeed take a couple snaps at fullback at Georgia Tech. That’s where he lined up in warmups, as well. Now, does this signal a position change for the 4-star RB? I wouldn’t think so. But he is more athletic than Wheeler. If Carter continues picking up snaps, maybe you see him run a route or two off play-action. The other thing to consider: Carter has played in 2 games now this year. Without him playing a significant role, I expect him to play 2 more games than redshirt.
Panthers412
2:06
Has the offense actually improved or do you believe it is worse than it was last year?
John McGonigal
2:09
In terms of points per game (25.6 in 2018, 20.9 in 2019) and S&P-plus efficiency ratings (71st in 2018, 115th in 2019), Pitt’s offense is worse this year under Mark Whipple than it was last year under Shawn Watson. So far. Pitt still has four, maybe five, games left. Plenty of time for Whipple, Pickett and company to right the ship.
JR
2:11
Seems like Taysir Mack has disappeared the last couple of games. What say you?
John McGonigal
2:14
There’s no denying that. Mack has 8 total catches in his last two games after having 32 over a four-week span earlier in the year (vs. PSU, UCF, Delaware and Duke). I think his diminished presence is a product of Pitt going conservative. He’s a deep-play threat, and Whipple/Narduzzi decided to go ground and pound at Georgia Tech and Syracuse. He also had a key drop downfield vs. Miami that would have been a 40+ gain. With the way UNC can move the ball vertically, Pitt will probably need to open things up and get Mack more involved next Thursday.
Heather
2:16
If the offense continues to show no signs of progress at seasons end, what are the odds Duzz makes another change at OC?
John McGonigal
2:18
I understand the frustration, but highly doubt something that drastic would happen. It’s only been 9 games. You can’t just keep cycling through offensive coordinators and expect results.
GSMP
2:20
The turnovers continue to be disconcerting. What, if anything, are the coaches doing to emphasize ball security?
John McGonigal
2:23
It really comes down to Kenny Pickett’s decision-making and catching the ball, right? Pickett can’t throw it into double coverage (or right to people). And his receivers can’t fumble the ball, before or after the catch. Some of these drive-killing drops are as bad as turnovers. As much as coaches can — as Narduzzi would say — “coach them up,” it’s up to the players to not make mistakes.
Referee412
2:25
Why has the officiating been so poor for Pitt this year?
John McGonigal
2:26
ACC officials are just bad in general. Don’t think it’s specific to Pitt. Remember Syracuse’s two-point conversion that was taken off the board?
Kyi Wright
2:28
How have the coaches not put me on the field yet? Or given a handoff to Daniel Carter? With their output you think they'd be giving anything a shot at this point.
John McGonigal
2:30
Hello, true freshman tight end Kyi Wright. I’d be surprised not to see you on the field over the final four games.
King
2:32
What’s your go to order at PJ whelihans
John McGonigal
2:33
Looks like a Delco native has entered the chat. Can’t beat the nachos and PJs Copper Lager.
Dave
2:35
What 2-3 bowls are most likely for Pitt?
John McGonigal
2:38
At this point, it’s looking like the Pinstripe Bowl (vs. Big Ten at Yankee Stadium) and Music City Bowl (vs. SEC in Nashville) are the likely destinations. Win out, and a spot in the Camping World Bowl is still alive. But Notre Dame’s 2-loss record has the Irish positioned for that tie-in.
Panthers412
2:40
What bowl game would you like to see PITT in and who would be a good matchup for them?
John McGonigal
2:42
I think playing Mississippi State in the Music City Bowl would provide a cool storyline. If Joe Moorhead, a Pittsburgh native who started his career here as a grad assistant under Walt Harris, gets the 4-5 Bulldogs bowl eligible, that would be intriguing. I’ve also seen Pitt vs. Tennessee in Nashville projected, which I wouldn’t mind, either.
Barry J.
2:46
Which local sportswriter could make the biggest impact on the field if they needed to suit up for one game, and why?
John McGonigal
2:47
After playing basketball with him, I bet Batko would be a good scatback. Toss him a couple HB screens and let him work in space.
Jeff
2:48
Why is Pitt hesitant to use a FB in short yardage situations?  It is very frustrating in both goal line situations and trying to run out the clock.
John McGonigal
2:50
I’m guessing it’s because Pitt’s fullback is a converted defensive tackle. (For the record, I’d love to see Wheeler get a carry or two. Give the big fella a chance).
KEITHC
2:51
Good afternoon, I apologize if this has already been asked as i missed a few chats but, with Pitt playing Thursday night, and the Steelers also playing Thursday night I am afraid of what the attendance will look like on national TV. I believe the ACC comes out with their schedule first. Why would the NFL not give some consideration and book the Steelers to play on another Thursday night?
John McGonigal
2:52
Keith, I don’t think it’s going to look great. As far as who comes out with the schedule first, I don’t think it matters much. I’d find it hard to believe if the ACC and NFL schedule makers didn’t know what was going on with each other’s schedules. Just unfortunate the way it shook out.
Joe
2:54
Could next Thursday set a new low for Pitt football attendance? Whats the low attendance mark since moving to Heinz?
John McGonigal
2:56
Finding out the lowest attended game at Heinz since Pitt moved there would take some research. But I know the announced crowd for Pitt-UNC two years ago (also a night game) was 34,056. And I’d take the under on that figure.
Duzzi of a Coach's Decision
2:56
Since this Pitt team is nothing if not Cardiac Kids, that must mean that THIS is the year that we finally get over the (Chapel) Hill and beat the Tar Heels in football.  In a year when they're good again and we probably shouldn't beat them.  Right?
John McGonigal
2:57
On our preseason North Shore Drive podcast (which you can listen to here: https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/the-north-shore-drive-sports-...), I predicted Pitt would finally beat UNC this year. We’ll see how I feel after watching the Tar Heels’ last few games in prep for next Thursday.
Switzer
2:58
What will it take for Pitt to finally get one against my Tar Heels? Keys to the game? Weaknesses for them to expose?
John McGonigal
2:58
Haven’t immersed myself in UNC film yet, so check back with me next week, Ryan. But that Sam Howell kid seems pretty darn good. Pitt’s pass rush better get home.
Wildcat
2:59
They use me, score in one play, and then never come back to me. What gives?
John McGonigal
2:59
Well, Wildcat, they probably should have. Because aside from that 61-yard TD by Vincent Davis, the Panthers averaged 3.8 yards per carry (95 on 25 attempts) with their RBs vs. Georgia Tech.
David
3:00
FanDuel sports book has UNC +9 at Pitt available to bet on right now.......that seems like crazy good value to me. Thoughts?
John McGonigal
3:00
That’s…really good value.
Duzzi of a Coach's Decision
3:01
What are the chances that Pitt closes out the season 3-0, AND finally wins a bowl game under Narduzzi, for a 10-win season?
John McGonigal
3:02
ESPN’s FPI gives Pitt a 12.9% chance to win its final three games. The way the Panthers are playing, I lean toward them picking up one more loss before this thing is over.
3:03
Alrighty folks, that’s all the time we’ve got today for the live chat. Sorry if I didn’t get to any of your questions. If you want to hit me up on Twitter with anything else before next week’s chat, follow me @jmcgonigal9 . Have a good rest of the off week.
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