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Johnny McGonigal's Pitt football chat: 11.18.21
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Johnny McGonigal
11:01
Folks, welcome to this week's live chat. Big game on Saturday will Pitt able to clinch the ACC Coastal vs. Virginia. Let's get this thing going.
Where is My Clark Bar?
11:03
Johnny, living here in Charlotte, should I go ahead and reserve my ACC Championship tickets? H2P!
Johnny McGonigal
11:03
I’d wait to spend your money until Saturday night. The difference can't be that big, can it? But I think you’re on the right track.
SDWC
11:04
ESPN says Armstrong definitely playing, but I have not seen that anywhere else, are they correct?
LW22
11:04
Chances Armstrong plays?
Jock Sutherland
11:04
Is Armstrong expected not play for Virginia?  Considering Pitt is favorite by 14.5 points I gotta figure  it wouldn’t be so high if Armstrong is playing.
Johnny McGonigal
11:07
Let’s get this one out of the way early. I haven’t seen any reports, from ESPN or otherwise, that's saying Brennan Armstrong will or won’t play. Rib injuries are finicky. It all depends on where the injury is and how serious the crack/break is. We don’t know any of that information. Now, I will say that the spread opening in the double-digits makes me think Vegas knows something that we all don’t about Armstrong. But I don’t think we’re going to get any official word on Armstrong’s status until Saturday. That’s not info Bronco Mendenhall would give away freely.
SDWC
11:07
Mack & Barden both out again this weekend?
SDWC
11:07
It seems to me the offense really misses Mark to help share the load.  Wayne has been good but I don't think Addisson has been able to get as free as often.  Do you agree, and are there any adjustments Pitt can or should make?
Johnny McGonigal
11:10
Nothing official from Pitt, but I would be surprised if either Taysir Mack or Jaylon Barden played these next couple (or few) weeks. Even with his drop issues, Mack has been a productive member of this heavy passing game. So removing him from the equation is obviously going to disrupt the fluidity and effectiveness. But I like what Jared Wayne brings over the middle. And in terms of keeping defenses honest, I like what they’ve done with Gavin Bartholomew. He’s been a more pronounced threat in recent weeks, and I’d expect that to continue.
Kendall R
11:11
If you had to assemble a coaching staff using only current Pitt players, who would you take?
Johnny McGonigal
11:15
Good question. After all their playing careers are over, here’s how a few players would slot in … 

Head coach: Tre Tipton
OC: Kenny Pickett
DC: Johnny Petrishen
ST: Cal Adomitis
QB: Nick Patti
WR: Taysir Mack
DL: John Morgan
LB: Phil Campbell
DB: Marquis Williams
Recruiting coordinator: Brandon Hill
runthewildcat
11:16
JM, 2 questions: Is there any chance Pickett has a shot at the Heisman?  He clearly is the best QB in the country and we all know the heisman is a qb award anymore. #2 Over/under 55k for sat?
Keith
11:16
What are your sources telling you in regards to attendance for Saturdays game?
Johnny McGonigal
11:19
The Heisman is definitely a QB award, but right now there are three QBs ahead of Kenny Pickett according to bookmakers: Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s CJ Stroud and Ole Miss’ Matt Corral. You also have Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker in there for good measure. Ultimately, I think Pickett does enough to get an invite to New York for the Heisman ceremony. But I also think, at this point, Pitt not being in the playoff conversation will prevent him from winning it.
As far as attendance is concerned, I’d be surprised if it hits 60k like the Clemson game. But low 50s sounds about right.
SDWC
11:20
Potential issues with the field on Saturday, or are they doing the full resodding this week?
Johnny McGonigal
11:20
Not sure what they’re doing with the field, if anything.
Matt from LA
11:20
DO yo think that this is Whipple's last year as offensive coordinator?
Johnny McGonigal
11:24
You know what, I don’t know what to think about that right now. Coming into the year, I thought it would make sense for Mark Whipple to retire. Leave with Kenny Pickett, enjoy life living in Arizona with family. And he still might do that. But now you’re a Broyles Award nominee and have one of the top offenses in college football. I think it would be a hell of a way to go out. But he might want more. Fascinating situation.
Matt from LA
11:26
Considering that this is Picket's last year, do you think that they will try to bring in another quarterback (either a graduate transfer or an experienced transfer) or stick with what they have on the roster now (Patti, Yellen, etc.)?
Johnny McGonigal
11:29
This is also something I’ve kicked around throughout the season. I think it partially depends on what Whipple decides to do (or if it’s even a decision at all). Wouldn’t be surprised if Pitt picks up a transfer. I’m sure guys would want to come play with Jordan Addison and in one of the highest-scoring offenses in the country. But Whipple also trusts Patti, a guy who has bided his time.
Mr. Max
11:30
Hi Johnny, if Pitt wins out, including the ACC Championship, are they pretty much guaranteed a New Year's Six Bowl as ACC champion?
Johnny McGonigal
11:33
Yep. Officially, there isn’t an ACC tie-in to the NY6 bowls due to the Orange Bowl being a national semifinal. But it’s understood that the ACC champion will be selected for either the Peach Bowl or the Fiesta Bowl.
Chip Cache
11:34
I need closure from Cincinnati in 2009.  We all do. This week could bring closure with a win.
Johnny McGonigal
11:34
I’m sure you’re not alone in that, Chip.
Chip Cache
11:34
Kansas won an Orange Bowl in 2008.  Anything is possible.
Johnny McGonigal
11:35
I still remember watching that 2007 Kansas-Missouri matchup in the Border War. #2 vs. #3. Todd Reesing vs. Chase Daniel. Electric.
Tom in Punta Gorda
11:36
Any word on the injury to Jake Kradel?
Johnny McGonigal
11:39
Nothing official from Pitt. But judging by how Jake Kradel had to be helped off the field and never returned against North Carolina, I’m operating under the idea that he won’t play. That would leave the right side of Pitt’s OL with two realistic options: Gabe Houy/Matt Goncalves or Blake Zubovic/Gabe Houy at RG/RT.
Doug in Erie
11:39
With Roberts transferring, it seems that indicates good depth still for next year at linebacker?
Johnny McGonigal
11:42
Pitt’s linebacker room is interesting. Cam Bright can come back for another year if he wants. SirVocea Dennis will be the mainstay in the middle with Brandon George behind him. And it looks like, judging on snaps, Bangally Kamara will be a starter on the outside. But super seniors Phil Campbell, Johnny Petrishen and Chase Pine will be gone, and AJ Roberts is the second LB to enter the portal after Wendell Davis did it a couple weeks back. Ryan Manalac will have a harder job next year than he did this year, that's for sure.
Nat Parduzzi
11:42
How does Pitt match up against Wake Forest if it would come to that in a couple weeks?
Johnny McGonigal
11:45
Points, points, points. But I think Pitt has a better defense than Wake Forest. Look only at what Sam Howell did to the Demon Deacons a few weeks ago. I actually think Wake Forest, despite its standing in the CFP rankings, would be a better matchup for Pitt in the ACC title game than Clemson. The Tigers had a few big missed opportunities back in October. And giving Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables a second chance to plan for Pickett and Pitt’s offense.
Exiled in Atlanta
11:45
In the 16 seasons 2005-2020 (sorry, but I don’t have access to stats earlier than ’05), Pitt had at least one rushing play of 45 or ,ore yards every year. In all but one of those seasons (2013), the Paneers had at east one run of 50 or more yards. In 14 of those years, they had a run of 60 or more yards and a run of 70 or more yards in 10 of those years. This year, the longest run is for just 28 yards. So, sir: The running backs, the o-line, the scheme, Whipple, or all of the above. Hard to believe a team could be 8-2 without a single rush of at least 30 yards, isn’t it?
Johnny McGonigal
11:48
That’s a great stat. What I’ll add to that is Pitt’s 8 rushes of 20-plus yards ranks dead last in the ACC. But … Pitt also averages the second-most yards and fourth-most points per game nationally. Whatever they’re doing for the most part is working. It is wild, though, that they haven't broken a gain of 30+ yet. Maybe that changes this weekend.
kevin in Punxsy
11:48
Johnny, in your opinion, if Pitt played Penn State, at a neutral site, say, next weekend, who would win?
Johnny McGonigal
11:48
Pitt
Russ
11:49
Thoughts on KP’s football smarts and dedication. I imagine NFL scouts love his interview answers.
Johnny McGonigal
11:49
NFL scouts, executives and coaches are going to love him in the interview process. Spending three years with an NFL mind like Mark Whipple will do wonders for him.
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