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Johnny McGonigal's Pitt football chat: 10.28.21
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Johnny McGonigal
11:48
Personally, I’d love to spend New Year’s Eve in Phoenix. And at this rate, I think it’s more likely that this team plays in the Fiesta Bowl or Peach Bowl than the Pinstripe Bowl, let’s put it that way.
Anthony Gargano
11:49
Yo Bo!!  That’s a big win last week brother!!  I had a Primo to celebrate.  I may do a Meat Locker Special with Baldy watching film of Pitt’s O line…why do you think the Pitt o line has improved their run blocking?  Thanks bro!!  Choonis….play the song!!!!
Johnny McGonigal
11:51
"Hat on a hat" is the explanation we get from the linemen every week. They’ve improved their physicality and been better with assignments. It’s also a veteran group. Something that stuck out to me this week was left guard Marcus Minor saying that experience helps in between drives when the linemen are sitting together talking through what’s happening on the field. Can't put a price on experience.
Also … PLAY THE FREAKING SONG
Doug in Erie
11:51
Van Dyke looks very polished for a freshman. I think a good rush and our secondary might feast. Thoughts on their QB?
Johnny McGonigal
11:52
I thought he looked really poised against N.C. State, a defense that he correctly called out in the days leading up to the game. The difference between NC State and Pitt, though, is the former uses a 3-down look and the latter uses a four-man front. I think Pitt will create a lot more pressure than the Wolfpack did.
Ben Stiller
11:52
What’s the most underrated movie you’ve ever seen? I directed one called The Cable Guy that tends to fly under the radar, tbh
Johnny McGonigal
11:53
I have a few. The Other Guys is fantastic, and it doesn’t get the same attention that Will Ferrell’s other comedies get. Batman Begins gets slept on. I think it’s better than Dark Knight Rises, mostly because I’m mad they never did anything with Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s Robin. And of course, I’m going to take this opportunity to talk about a galaxy far, far away. Revenge of the Sith is a top 3 Star Wars movie. Tell me I'm wrong.
Nate S
11:53
Pitt is now getting into the teeth of their schedule. ESPN FPI likes the canes, heels, and cavs this year (all 3 are top 30 teams). The narrative so far this year has been that despite their good record, pitt has played an easy schedule. Can the narrative change on this? Them making the playoff (not to get way ahead of myself) almost certainly depends on it. By seaons end, pitt will have played 5 (maybe 6 counting an acc champ game) top 30 FPI teams which has to compare pretty favorably to just about anyone. Your thoughts?
Johnny McGonigal
11:56
At this point, I don’t know how much that narrative will really matter. If the Panthers end up 12-1 and in playoff contention, them getting in would be contingent on teams above them tripping up. And if they do, the committee will look at a Power Five champion that ran the table in its conference and hasn’t lost since September.
JoeBingo
11:56
which team does the potential cold rain effect more?
SDWC
11:56
Do you think the weather could be a factor Saturday, rain predicted all day Friday and into Saturday?
Johnny McGonigal
11:56
I think it would affect Miami more, and that’s not a lazy “oh they’re accustomed to warm weather” take. Even without Izzy Abanikanda, Pitt is better conditioned to win with a tight ground game than Miami. That’s especially true with the way Pitt’s offensive line is playing and how the Panthers’ defense is designed to stop the run and pressure the quarterback.
Michael Ciggins
11:56
There have been rumors of other schools interviewing Heather Lyke.  When you look at her overall performance it seems as if she has elevated the quality of our athletic department.  Would Pitt extend her or does her contract have a few years remaining?
Johnny McGonigal
11:57
Heather Lyke signed a 6-year extension back in April 2018, which runs through at least 2024. If Pitt can extend (and more than anything, if she wants to extend her contract beyond that), I don’t think that’s a bad idea at all. Especially with the Victory Heights facilities project that’s still in its early stages.
Blitzer
11:57
Pitt hasn’t played a game yet this year where the backup QB didn’t have to take snaps right?
Johnny McGonigal
11:59
I know that was the case against Tennessee (Hendon Hooker was better), Georgia Tech (briefly) and Clemson (they both were bad). Can’t remember if it happened in any of the other games.
Pitt fan
11:59
I guess I never realized how much fans of top schools have to spend. If Pitt makes the accc along with a New Years six bowl that is a lot of money. If the playoff is expanded I think you have to play the first round at home for that reason alone. Thoughts?
Johnny McGonigal
11:59
I’m in favor of a 12-team playoff first round being played at campus/local sites, and not only from a monetary perspective. The college game is great because of the atmospheres. And while big games are played in big stadiums, give me Death Valley or Tuscaloosa or Ann Arbor over Lucas Oil Stadium any day.
Dave Rhodes
12:00
Which character from Succession would be the best choice to succeed Pat Narduzzi?
Johnny McGonigal
12:00
Cousin Greg, all day. He can do it all.
Gregor Parles
12:00
What color is the best Gatorade
Johnny McGonigal
12:00
Of the regular flavors, yellow. No question. But best flavors of all-time, I have two off the board ones: the “rain berry” flavor and the X-Factor strawberry lemon lime, both of which I believe they’d discontinued. If they haven’t (or if anyone has a Gatorade guy who could hook me up) my DMs are open.
Felix
12:00
Pitt has played well in the last 3 games, can they maintain it versus a Miami team that has issues but can be explosive on offense?
Mhm
12:00
Extremely concerned against U especially if wr and rb out... alot hype on pitt could be detrimental..  does senior leadership help focus and pick up W?  Miami scares me.
Ike Reese
12:00
VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!  How do you see us matching up against Miami?
Johnny McGonigal
12:01
I’ve got Pitt winning, 38-24. Should be a fun one.
That’s all the time we have for today. But a reminder that we do these every Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon (and the chat room opens around 10 a.m.) so get your questions in early. Enjoy your weekend, folks.
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