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John McGonigal's Pitt football chat: 11.13.19
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John McGonigal
2:00
Good afternoon, folks. Short week here, but glad to see all of you still firing away questions. Just a reminder to check out all the Pitt football content we have on the website (https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pitt). College basketball szn is here, and Craig Meyer is providing some top-notch coverage already on Jeff Capel’s squad. Also be sure to check out the North Shore Drive podcast for your Steelers, Penguins, etc. talk (https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/the-north-shore-drive-sports-...). With that, let’s get the chat going.
Kent
2:03
Is Sibley going to play tomorrow night?
John McGonigal
2:05
We received no word from Narduzzi at his Monday press conference whether or not Sibley would play. I asked him if he had any injury updates to share aside from confirmation that Damar Hamlin would play. His response was, “No. Healthy.” But that doesn’t mean Sibley — who didn’t travel to Georgia Tech two weeks ago — will give it a go. My expectation is that you’ll still see plenty of AJ Davis and V’Lique Carter.
JD
2:07
Who has the breakout game Thursday?
John McGonigal
2:09
Hmm, breakout game? It’s not necessarily a “breakout” game considering the season he’s had, but I think Jaylen Twyman will get a sack or two and put Sam Howell under duress. While he’s generated pressure, JT actually has only one sack in his last four games. Pitt’s defense, as a unit, had only two sacks vs. Miami and two at Georgia Tech. I think that changes Thursday night.
BIG PAPA
2:12
What are the chances Pitt is partying down in Nashville this bowl season with an 8-4 record
John McGonigal
2:15
I think they’re pretty high. Pitt would need to win out (with a 12% chance to do so, per ESPN’s FPI) to maybe sniff the Orange Bowl. It’s looking like either the Music City Bowl in Nashville or Pinstripe Bowl in NYC. Personally, I prefer Nashville’s Broadway.
H2P man
2:18
Has the NFL ever explained why they chose to schedule the Steeler  game on the same night as the previously scheduled Pitt game?
John McGonigal
2:18
Nope.
NCAA + NFL Scheduler
2:19
At least I didn't schedule both Thursday night games at home for both the Pitt Panthers and the Pittsburgh Steelers and that's a bonus correct?
John McGonigal
2:21
I don’t know, that’d be a wild time. North Carolina might have to worry about the Steelers stealing Sam Howell, though.
King
2:23
What’d you think of the Mandalorian?
John McGonigal
2:25
No spoilers, but I was a big fan. Am interested to see how the story progresses, especially with a second season already given the green light.
JD
2:26
Insane twist at the end of The Mandalorian, huh?
John McGonigal
2:27
That twist was crazy. Who could have predicted force ghost Jar Jar popping up?
GSMP
2:29
I don't see the Music City Bowl as an option. Assuming Clemson goes to the CFP, UVa goes to the Orange, Notre Dame to the Camping World and likely Wake Forest to the Music City.
John McGonigal
2:31
Wake Forest will (probably) lose to Clemson and might slip up against either Duke or Syracuse, though. Belk Bowl, I suppose, is also an option for Pitt.
Neal
2:32
Did this bye week allow Kenny Pickett to become truly healthy? It look like he’s been playing hurt.
John McGonigal
2:34
If there was any nagging feeling from that shoulder injury, then sure the off week would help. But there has been no indication from Pickett or Narduzzi that the QB is playing hurt.
BIG PAPA
2:37
Are you surprised that Van Lynn and Warren are co-starters given the mediocrity of Ulizio?
John McGonigal
2:39
Well, it’s interesting because Gabe Houy (who started earlier in the season at RG) has filtered in and taken reps at right tackle. If Ulizio ceded his starting job to anyone, it would seemingly be Houy, not Van Lynn or Warren. But I wouldn’t be surprised if we kept seeing those rotations.
JD
2:41
The offense has been more slow and methodical recently. Why is that and do you see that changing?
John McGonigal
2:43
I actually wrote about this Tuesday (https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/Pitt/2019/11/12/Pitt-football-offe...). Narduzzi said “smart coaches” run it three times, punt it and let their defense hold onto leads late in games. That’s basically what he’s done (or tried to do) the last three games. But I’m not sure if that philosophy will work against UNC. As we saw two weeks ago at Virginia, the Tar Heels can put up points in a hurry.
KEITHC
2:45
Is it a possibility to try and filter fans from the upper sections down to the lower bowl for the game tomorrow? I feel that still wont make it look any better.
John McGonigal
2:46
That’s a creative idea, but I agree. Still not sure if that would make much of a difference visually.
JD
2:48
Can we talk croots? Who do you see of the remaining recruits picking Pitt?
John McGonigal
2:51
This isn’t a prediction or anything, but I was intrigued by the offer that went out to 2020 QB Tate Rodemaker. Mark Whipple visited the South Florida commit and gave him his first Power 5 offer over the off week. Pitt doesn’t have a QB committed in the 2020 cycle, and with the nature of the position (and its connection to the transfer portal), I always feel like it’s in your program’s best interest to have a QB in every class. Perhaps Rodemaker is the guy to fill that role.
GSMP
2:53
Are there any freshman that have yet to play that we may now see?
John McGonigal
2:53
Kyi Wright still hasn't played, which is a surprise to me. Tight ends coach Tim Salem said, "He'll have some opportunities," prior to the GA Tech game.
bb
2:55
Why can't we run the ball better ?
John McGonigal
2:58
It comes down to blocking and scheme. Guys are missing assignments, and I really don’t think these predictable heavy sets are working well. I actually like AJ Davis’ running style; he made the first man miss a few times in Atlanta. And V’Lique Carter’s toughness to run between the tackles at his size is admirable. But what’s in front of them have let them down.
2:59
That’s all the time we’ve got for today. Thanks for your questions. Look forward to catching up next week.
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