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Johnny McGonigal's Pitt football chat: 11.11.21
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Johnny McGonigal
11:01
Folks, it's live chat time. Big game tonight to discuss as well as CFP rankings and the rest of it. We've got an hour. Let's get it going.
Buzzard Bill
11:03
Hi Johnny, who do you think is the better runner, Pickett or Howell?  Will the running game or passing game determine the winner tonight?
Johnny McGonigal
11:07
This might be cheating a little bit, but I think Pickett is the better scrambler (better pocket presence/awareness of when to escape) while Howell is the better runner in general (bounces off people, used far more as a designed runner). Both the run and pass will be important tonight, but I’ll be looking to see which QB makes a mistake first in the passing game and how both teams respond.
Curb Your E
11:07
Rain and wind is  forecasted for 2nd half.   Which QB do you think bettered suited for that type of weather?
Johnny McGonigal
11:08
If that weather holds, I’d slightly lean Howell just because he’s a bigger part of their designed running game. But I ultimately don’t think either will be affected too much by it.
Steve
11:10
The Pitt defense starts out slow and seems to get a bit better as the game goes on. It's as if they don't know what to expect from the other team and must first see it in action before coming up with their defensive plan. Do you think it is a case of the coaches not reviewing enough film and being prepared?
Johnny McGonigal
11:13
They’ve definitely started slow against Miami and Duke and had to adjust in both games. To their credit, they did adjust. It was just too late against the Hurricanes. I don’t think it’s a matter of the defensive coaches not watching enough film or being prepared. But I think when you have a scheme that hasn’t changed in years, it’s easy-ish to come out with a first-quarter game script you feel confident in. That’s why Duke drove down the field on that first drive. They were confident in what they were running. I’ll say this, though: Pitt can’t get caught out like it did against Miami. Duke was one thing. But North Carolina can run the ball exceptionally well. This isn’t an offense you can get behind on.
Billy Musquette
11:14
What are the chances of a Pitt-Penn State bowl game and how does that happen?
Johnny McGonigal
11:17
There are only two scenarios where that can happen: a NY6 at-large bowl or the Pinstripe Bowl. Considering Penn State has three losses and is currently unranked, the Nittany Lions aren’t going to the Fiesta or Peach Bowl. That leaves the Pinstripe Bowl, which is realistic for Penn State but not so much for Pitt. The Panthers would really have to collapse (lose 2 of their next 3) to find themselves playing at Yankee Stadium. And I don’t see that happening.
Ghostof'76
11:18
Well, Johnny, looks as though someone was listening to our discussion about the RB rotation situation! Great to see Izzy get the bulk of the carries against Duke. Is it now time to become concerned about Lucas Krull? He has slipped badly over the past few games. Jersey shore question: favorite spot and why? Avalon nips Stone Harbor at the post for me, but Springer's gives me pause.
Johnny McGonigal
11:21
And honestly Izzy Abanikanda should still get more than the 14 touches he got at Duke. But I guess Narduzzi’s explanation of pulling him in the 4th quarter to save him for UNC makes sense. As for Krull, there’s definitely reason for concern. He had a couple drops and zero catches at Duke — and while they perform different roles in the offense, the trust in freshman TE Gavin Bartholomew is growing. Still think Krull will be counted on to make a few catches over the middle. He just can’t afford drops in a big game like this.
11:22
As for the shore, I’m a Sea Isle guy all the way. Avalon is clean/nice/mellow and Stone Harbor is bolstered by the Marabella’s/Springers combo. But my parents have had a place in SIC for a while, so I’ve been an OD/LaCosta regular for some time now.
Nick patti’s dad
11:23
With all the hype around Kenny, what’s the future of Pitt QBs look like? How big of a drop off are we looking at?
Johnny McGonigal
11:26
That’s the big 2022 question. I’ll say this: I don’t think Nick Patti, Davis Beville, Joey Yellen or Nate Yarnell are going to throw 29 touchdowns and only 3 INTs through the first nine games of next season. The drop-off is going to be noteworthy. But that doesn’t mean one of them can’t take the the reins and play well. It seems like Mark Whipple trusts Patti, at least enough to have him entrenched as the backup. We’ll see if that trust pays off.
Mikhail
11:27
Explain to me how ND is behind Bama, OSU, Oregon, MSU and Michigan when: Bama lost to 2 loss A&M and their best W is #15 Ole Miss. OSU lost to a team that lost to 3 win Stanford and their best W is against 3 loss PSU. Oregon lost to 3 loss Stanford. MSU lost to Purdue and Michigan lost to MSU who lost to Purdue. ND has 1 L against undefeated Cincy plus 2 ranked W’s and a W against NC which just beat undefeated Wake.
Johnny McGonigal
11:28
Oh boy
So ...
Two major factors are being held against Notre Dame right now: 1) the committee doesn’t respect Cincinnati and 2) the Irish’s early-season struggles.
11:29
I don’t think Bama should be #2. Frankly, I’m not sold on anyone being worthy of the #2 spot right now. Everyone in contention for it feels like #5/6/7 teams. But 3-point wins over FSU and Toledo — coupled with a home loss to a Group of Five team that the committee doesn’t want to give enough credit to — is keeping Notre Dame at arm’s length … for now. With so much poised to happen around them, I wouldn’t be shocked if we’re talking about the Irish as a top 4 team in a couple weeks.
Dave M
11:30
The receivers seem pretty banged up, any idea who may be available tonight?
Johnny McGonigal
11:33
If a player is out for the season, Pat Narduzzi traditionally acknowledges it. He hasn’t done that for Taysir Mack or Jaylon Barden … though I would be very surprised if either played in these next three games. Melquise Stovall was a game-time decision last week after making the trip to Duke, so you’d think they’ll have him available tonight. Regardless, Jared Wayne, Shocky Jacques-Louis and Jaden Bradley will have to step up and supplement Jordan Addison like they did in Durham.
Ryan
11:34
Johnny what do you think about the play of Johnny petrishen this season i think he’s been pretty good
Johnny McGonigal
11:36
I think Johnny Petrishen has done well in the role assigned to him. In that hybrid outside linebacker spot he’s been around the ball and blitzed effectively. He also leads the team with three INTs, which I don’t think anyone, Petrishen included, would’ve expected before the year. And honestly, it’s cool to see a journey like his pay off the way it has.
kevin in Punxsy
11:38
Hi Johnny.  My opinion:  If Pitt losses this game, at HOME, which would be # 3, at HOME, Nardog should be fired.  Your thoughts on this idea?  Thanks.
Johnny McGonigal
11:39
You’d have every right to be frustrated … but firing him with a 10-win season still alive? No.
Gregor Parles
11:40
How did Palpatine return?
Johnny McGonigal
11:40
Disney’s lack of creativity.
Wolly Chooner
11:40
Any chance Sean Clifford goes in the first round?
Johnny McGonigal
11:40
Nopeeeee
Tiger Paul
11:41
Hi Johnny, Was is the coaching staff so enamored with Davis? Davis is not that good while Izzy & Hammond are much better.
Johnny McGonigal
11:44
It seems to me that Vincent Davis’ role is a seniority / trust thing with running backs coach Andre Powell. It was telling when I asked Narduzzi after the Duke game about the running back rotation and how all 3 (Davis, Hammond, Abanikanda) were performing, and he complimented Hammond and Abanikanda’s ability to get tough yards without mentioning Davis.
justsaying
11:45
Duke O-line kept rolling up the back of Pitt's D-lineman with their attempts to cut block - I am sure not intentional but a couple looked bad - any response from Pitt and what about the status of D-line hurt last week for Thurs?
Johnny McGonigal
11:48
Not something Narduzzi addressed postgame or at his Monday press conference, but I noticed that happened a few times, too. No update on Keyshon Camp from Narduzzi, but he was seen in a boot and using crutches on the sideline at Duke. Not a great sign.
Steve
11:48
Any chance Pickett's success this year gives Pitt a spark in recruiting high school QBs? No HS QB will come here if Pitt routinely uses the transfer portal.
Johnny McGonigal
11:48
It certainly can’t hurt.
Vince Patti
11:48
favorite thanksgiving side dish?
Johnny McGonigal
11:49
I’m torn between red-skin mashed potatoes and cornbread. But I’ll go with the latter.
Delanie Walker
11:50
Favorite Weezer album?
Johnny McGonigal
11:52
It’s basic, but Blue is my favorite. Make Believe got me hooked on Weezer in the first place. And low key, Everything Will Be Alright In The End slaps.
Bill Murray
11:53
Who is the next big big star actor in movies or TV?
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