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Johnny McGonigal's Pitt football chat: 10.21.21
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Johnny McGonigal
11:01
Folks, welcome to the Clemson week chat. Drop your questions. We’ve got an hour.
dazzleox
11:03
Is there a reason bowl projections have Pitt in the Peach as opposed to the Fiesta bowl? Is there a picking order by the bowls or is just that the CFP committee is unlikely to send an ACC team, especially with a smaller fan base, out west?
Johnny McGonigal
11:07
Most of the bowl projections I saw this week were to the Cheez-It, Duke’s Mayo or Holiday. But the Peach Bowl talk amplified a bit yesterday with a story from our own Adam Bittner, who talked to the Peach Bowl CEO and said a Pitt-Penn State matchup would be “tremendous.” From a ticket sales perspective, sure. But I have my opinions on that from Pitt’s perspective.
Anyway, I don’t think there’s a picking order between the Peach and Fiesta. They’re both at-large bowls. But it would make sense for the ACC to slot in Atlanta instead of Arizona because of that travel factor (especially with Wake Forest, N.C. State and Clemson all within reasonable driving distance). If Pitt reached a NY6 bowl, it’s a flight either way.
Deandre Hopkins
11:09
Is the offense going to look more like the 2019/2020 offense Saturday? I can’t imagine they’ll have much success running the ball so idk how much they’ll even try
Johnny McGonigal
11:14
Ultimately, I think so. The improvements in the running game at Virginia Tech were encouraging. But I couldn’t help but think when Izzy Abanikanda kept getting to the outside that runs like that wouldn’t work against Clemson. This game will come down to Kenny Pickett and the passing game.
maplewood man
11:14
What's your guess on attendance for Saturday?
Andrew
11:14
Johnny - first off, love the pod w/ you and Craig! Obviously, at Pitt the topic of attendance is regularly brought up. What are your realistic expectations for attendance on Saturday? And if they win, your expectations for the rest of the home games this season?
Johnny McGonigal
11:17
Much appreciated, Andrew. We have a lot of fun with those. As expected, attendance is a hot topic this week. Looking at the ticket seating map online, there’s still a good number of seats in the upper deck available. So while a sellout might not happen, I think Saturday will top 50,000 — which hasn’t happened since the 2018 Penn State game.
Dan
11:18
What have been the biggest changes in Pitt’s defense since the Western Michigan debacle? The linebackers improvement has been 1 point that I noticed
Johnny McGonigal
11:21
The linebackers have been more disciplined. The blitzes haven’t been as weird / haven’t taken as long to develop and get home. I noticed on Brandon Hill’s PBU against an RPO slant at Virginia Tech he was playing zone, which is wise of Pitt to mix in more. What killed Pitt against Western Michigan is that the slants were all 1) over the linebackers head and 2) directly in front of the safety. There was no chance of Pitt to stop it. They’ve since made some adjustments, though, and they’re paying off.
Sunner in Orlando
11:21
Since Clemson runs a similar offense to Western Michigan but much better, how do the Panthers avoid the same result with our DB's getting torched all day with slants?
Johnny McGonigal
11:24
I think the biggest thing is disguising blitzes well, but being quick about getting home. Historically, Clemson runs the RPO really well. But for the last three years, it’s been Trevor Lawrence making those decisions — and making good decisions. DJ Uiagalelei hasn’t had the season anyone expected, and a part of the reason is he’s clearly not comfortable in the system. If Pitt can affect the mesh point and hit him early, he might get flustered.
BizzeeB
11:24
Who is the honorary captain this week and when will Craig Meyer receive that honor?
Johnny McGonigal
11:25
No word on that yet. But Craig should be firmly in the running.
LTURK
11:25
Odds Pitt beats Clemson and loses to Miami?  That would be the most Pitt thing ever.
Johnny McGonigal
11:28
I remember when Craig picked Pitt to beat Tennessee but lose to Western Michigan before the season, his primary reason was, “That would be the most Pitt thing ever.” So I see what you’re saying. But Miami is bad without D’Eriq King. Like, really, really bad. After three straight losses to Miami, I think Pickett will cap his career against the Hurricanes the way it started.
maplewood man
11:28
Any rumors on Narduzzi being pursued for any of these bigger school coaching openings?
Johnny McGonigal
11:31
No real rumors out there right now. It’s early, so things can change. The one potential opening I could see Narduzzi being a factor for would be Michigan State (again). Spartans coach Mel Tucker is reportedly loved by some at LSU. If he leaves for Baton Rouge, maybe Narduzzi gets tempted to return to East Lansing. Craig and I also talked about the possibility of Cincinnati if/when Luke Fickell leaves and if things sour at Pitt. Narduzzi was the defensive coordinator there, he’s an Ohio guy, and the Bearcats are moving to the Big 12. But those are just a couple speculative thoughts. Nothing concrete, and ultimately, I don’t see him going anywhere.
FriesforLunch
11:31
Does Pitt's coaching come into question if they don't win this weekend
Johnny McGonigal
11:33
If Pitt is trailing by 7 and kick a field goal at Clemson’s 1-yard line with less than 5 minutes to go — and lose — then yeah. But otherwise, Pitt would be 5-2 still with a winnable schedule and still in the driver’s seat in the Coastal.
Brett D
11:33
Johnny, what are your top 3 Pixar films of all time?
Johnny McGonigal
11:35
This one's easy.
11:36
1) Toy Story 
2) Toy Story 3 
3) Toy Story 2

Shouts to Luca, Monsters Inc. and Finding Nemo. But I grew up on the Toy Story movies.
PittBiscuit
11:36
I don’t think Vincent Davis has broken off a run longer than 10 yards this year.  Why is he getting more opportunities compared to our other backup RBs?  Have they ever used him as a kick returner?  I question his speed as an playmaker.
Johnny McGonigal
11:39
Vincent Davis has 4 rushes of 10-plus yards, but you’re right in that he hasn’t been all that explosive. It’s weird, I don’t think he’s particularly fast through the hole. But when he gets in open space, he’s uniquely shifty and nimble. I still like Davis as a complementary guy. But I don’t understand why him and Izzy Abanikanda have to rotate series. Just alternate reps within each series if you want to spell Izzy and get Vincent some run.
Tom
11:40
any thoughts on Clemson’s OL.  Seems they’ve struggled rushing and protecting the QB— are they young, experiencing some injuries, just not very good?  Curious if you have insight.
Johnny McGonigal
11:43
It’s a combination of everything you mentioned. They’re not that talented. Their starting center, Hunter Rayburn, is injured. And they’ve used 4 combinations in 6 games — partly because of Rayburn and partly because they’re desperate to find something that works. I always thought Clemson’s OL was the team weakness even when they were reaching national title games. But now that you don't have Lawrence, Etienne, etc., it's become even more obvious.
DJ
11:44
What is the Clemson RB situation?  Thought I heard some rumblings about one of their starters returning this week?
Johnny McGonigal
11:46
I saw from Clemson reporters that five-star freshman Will Shipley will be a game-time decision this weekend. He was the Tigers’ top back before getting injured a few weeks ago. Lyn-J Dixon entered the transfer portal, but third-stringer Kobe Pace has been solid (5.7 yards per carry on 52 attempts). If Shipley can play, would expect those two to platoon.
Mark
11:46
Narduzzi isn't going anywhere - for better or for worse. He runs a clean program and keeps it out of the basement. And for all of his warts - if he pulls an ACC championship out of his hat, that's basically a lifetime contract.
Johnny McGonigal
11:47
I don’t disagree, especially with the ACC title part.
Mortimer Lucas Joseph
11:47
Planning on watching any movies or TV this weekend?
Johnny McGonigal
11:47
Football.
kevin in Punxsy
11:47
I think that Pat Narduzzi is the kind of person/head coach who is nice to reporters, etc., when he is winning or has won, but is short with the same reporters, etc., when he is losing, or has lost. Pat N. is a very poor loser.  Your thoughts?
Johnny McGonigal
11:49
You’re right in that Narduzzi is nice when he wins, short when he loses. But I gotta say, most coaches I’ve experienced are similar. Don’t think it’s that uncommon. Just part of the job.
The Junkyard Dog
11:50
Give me the three best road game meals you've had while on the Pitt beat - and your favorite fast food spot to hit on the run too
Johnny McGonigal
11:52
My favorite fast food spot I’ve hit in ACC country is by far Cookout. The milkshakes are basically cups of ice cream, which is amazing. As far as non-fast food … 

Mert’s Heart and Soul in Charlotte was awesome. Had that while covering ACC media days this past summer. Torched Hop Brewery in Atlanta had top-notch buffalo chicken. And Myrtle’s Chicken was solid in Knoxville. Unfortunately, I haven’t been to UNC, UVA, the Florida schools, etc. because COVID flipped Pitt’s schedule around last year. If anyone has recommendations there for next season, let me know. And I have yet to have Dinosaur BBQ in Syracuse, but that’ll change next month.
Whonney Coolor
11:53
Rank every star wars movie, go
Johnny McGonigal
11:53
We don't have time for that today. Maybe next week.
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