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Johnny McGonigal's Pitt football chat: 12.02.21
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Johnny McGonigal
11:00
Welcome back, folks. Hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving. After taking last Thursday off from the live chat, excited to get back to it with a big one this weekend. You may fire when ready.
James from Greenfield
11:00
How can Pitt stop Wake's RPO? With Pitt's emphasis on stopping the run, it seems like any fake hand off freezes the LBs enough to open up lots of routes across the middle.
Guest
11:00
To what degree do you think Pitt and Narduzzi have improved their ability to stop the dreaded RPO's that Wake Forest will run to death?
Johnny McGonigal
11:03
The big question going into this game is whether or not Pitt can stop Wake Forest’s RPOs. Pitt lost to Western Michigan exclusively because they failed miserably defending it. But improvements have been made (mixing up disguises, dropping linebackers, etc.), and the players we’ve talked to feel confident going up against it. I don’t think they stop Wake completely. That offense has hummed pretty much all year, though. Only Clemson held them to under 30 points. So expect some points and some guys running free.
Retire 21
11:04
Odds that if Pitt doesn’t win ACC title and is relegated to lesser bowl,Kenny won’t cross the Pickett Line and will sit out to protect his draft status from needless injury?
Johnny McGonigal
11:07
That’s an interesting thought and definitely something I’ll be asking Kenny after the ACC championship. I wouldn’t blame him either way. If Pitt beats Wake, that would be one hell of a way to go out. If they lose and end up in a non-NY6, I really wouldn’t blame him. But something tells me skipping out on a bowl game isn’t Pickett’s style. We’ll see.
Danny Mac
11:09
What's the word on Izzy. - is he going to play against Wake and if so should he get the lion's share of the carries rather than the running back by committee they've been doing?  He's obviously is their best back.
Johnny McGonigal
11:12
Narduzzi told us after the Syracuse game that they “hope” to have him back. Reporters haven’t had access to practice like we have in previous weeks, so tough to say. But that’s something I’ll be asking Narduzzi this afternoon when he meets with media members. If he plays, Izzy could be in for a big day. Wake Forest’s run defense is garbage, and he’s a guy who gets better as he gets into the rhythm of the game.
Chris
11:14
Hi john- how can Pitt use this season as a springboard into 2022 and to longer term sustained success for the program?
Johnny McGonigal
11:17
Recruiting, recruiting, recruiting. If we’re talking big picture springboard beyond 2021, that’s where it has to start. You win an ACC title, you have that ring walking into living rooms. It goes a long way to say, “We’re the first non-Clemson team to win the ACC in 7 years.” Virginia Tech can’t say that. North Carolina can’t say that. Miami can’t say that. Even if they don’t win, the national attention Kenny Pickett and Jordan Addison’s accolades have brought to the program are invaluable. For 2022 specifically, it’ll depend on who succeeds Pickett and how well he performs. That’s a massive variable, so it’s impossible to say right now how that’ll all shake out.
Retire 21
11:18
Could Pitt lose Addison to the portal if a top school with a top QB returning is looking for a WR?
Johnny McGonigal
11:21
I don’t see that happening. Though he was recruited by former receivers coach Chris Beatty, Addison’s relationship with Brennan Marion is strong. Plus, Addison, even without Pickett is the focal point of a pass-happy offense that he knows inside and out. I get where the thought is coming from given the constant movement in college football. But starting over somewhere new for one season before going to the NFL doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.
pitt oanther 10
11:21
John - whats the chances we see some of the injured players this week - specifically Kradel and Mack - also, whats the condition of Drexel?
Philip Banks
11:21
Will Stovall, Barden, or Mack be playing? We need them
Johnny McGonigal
11:24
No word on wide receivers Taysir Mack, Jaylon Barden or Melquise Stovall — and I doubt Narduzzi will offer that information up today. Jake Kradel’s injury looked serious. Doubt he plays. Starting center Owen Drexel, though, should play. He traveled last week and was available in an emergency if needed.
Jake
11:24
I'm making the trip down to Charlotte this weekend. I've seen you and your PG brethren post  frequently about Cook Out as a must visit. What's the go-to order so I make the most of a rare opportunity?
Johnny McGonigal
11:27
Oh man, I can’t wait for Cookout. It’s fast food, so don’t have grand illusions of grade A quality. But it’s delicious. My go-to is a burger and fries, side of hushpuppies and a mint Oreo milkshake. Gotta get a milkshake and make sure you leave with a spoon. It’s basically ice cream in a cup.
Tom
11:27
I realize mist bowl games already have "tie-ins" with football conferences, but wouldn't a Pitt vs Penn State game drawn tremendous interest from PA football fans. And I think those fans travel well. Everybody would love it except Coach Franklin!
Johnny McGonigal
11:30
Pitt-Penn State in a bowl game isn’t happening this year. If Pitt wins, it’s either in the Peach Bowl or Fiesta Bowl against a ranked at-large opponent. If the Panthers lose, looks like they’ll play in either the Holiday Bowl (vs. Pac-12) or the Cheez-It Bowl (vs. Big 12).
11:31
And I understand why Pitt-Penn State would be of interest to a lot of people. If it was the Pinstripe Bowl, sure. Might as well make a cold game interesting. But Pitt isn't in that position right now.
Chip Cache
11:31
Also, why did the one guy from SI project Pitt to the Military Bowl in Annapolis?  I think maybe that was some bad copy and paste from 2019...
Johnny McGonigal
11:33
I don't know to be honest with you. Richard Johnson does great work, and he's super insightful on the Split Zone Duo podcast. But that was puzzling.
JR
11:34
Pls ask Duzz and or Lyke why we dont end the season by playing WVU. Pitt misses national exposure and heightened fan interest by not participating in Rivalry Week
Johnny McGonigal
11:34
Pitt’s playing West Virginia the next four years, so that ought to be fun. Never been to/covered a Backyard Brawl football game. But agreed, it would be cool to have them consistently play on rivalry week.
Dan
11:34
With such a stellar year for Pitt, why hasn't recruiting picked up. In fact, it looks like it has taken a slide. (knowing they only have so many scholarships to give in 2022)
Johnny McGonigal
11:38
Couple things here. One you mentioned with the scholarship limitations/roster questions. Super senior conversations still need to be had, which I think is affecting things. The other aspect is, as much as winning a conference title and having this kind of season helps in recruiting, it’s not always immediate. A lot of these high school seniors have already picked where they’re going and are set. Not to compare, but when I covered Penn State and they won the Big Ten in 2016, that recruiting class was ranked 20th nationally. In 2017, it was 15th, In 2018, it was 6th. Success is often felt on the recruiting trail a year or two later with more exposure.
Guest
11:38
What's your confidence level in the d-line causing enough disruption at the mesh to get a few (or more) stops?
Johnny McGonigal
11:41
Relatively high. When you have Calijah Kancey working the interior, you always have a shot. And it’s not just the DL. Wake gave up 7 sacks against Clemson two weeks ago, and a lot of them were induced by linebacker blitzes. Expect Pitt DC to be wary of the RPOs, but also be aggressive in sending pressure.
Carl Winslow
11:42
Will Duzz trout out the same base defense or should we expect new defensive looks to defend Wake’s RPO?
Johnny McGonigal
11:42
Narduzzi’s not going to change his base defense. But I expect to see more of their delta package (3 DL, extra DB).
Guest
11:42
Any chance if Pitt loses they could still end up somewhere east of the Mississippi for a bowl game?
Johnny McGonigal
11:43
Maybe the Cheez-It Bowl in Orlando. But a couple reports indicate that the ACCCG loser will go to the Holiday Bowl in San Diego. That's a pricey plane ticket.
Ryan
11:43
What matchup would you like to see in a NY6 bowl if Pitt wins the ACC? And do they have to win to make it to one?
Johnny McGonigal
11:45
Where they’re currently at in the CFP rankings (and where they’d be if they lost) would indicate that, yes, they have to win to make a NY6 bowl. But as I’ve been saying for the last couple months on my Friday appearances with Ron Cook and Joe Starkey on The Fan, give me Pitt-Ole Miss. Kenny Pickett vs. Matt Corral would be an absolute blast.
Chip Cache
11:46
What's a good Pitt-friendly local spot to watch the game at on Saturday?  Preferably south or east or North Shore? Not the casino.
Johnny McGonigal
11:47
I’ve never been at a bar for a Pitt game, so not really sure. But I know William Penn Tavern has IC Light deals during Pitt games, so maybe that’s the move. Can’t beat their wings, either.
Ghostof'76
11:47
Johnny: any injury update on Izzy and Kradel? It's all hands on deck against Wake. Very pleased to see that Jared Wayne has emerged as one of Kenny's go-to guys, particularly inside the 20. Big frame that's difficult to defend. Obligatory Delco dining observation: Was in Philly a couple of weeks ago and we went to Brick & Brew in Media. WOW! Food and drink selection off the charts. Stayed at Motto in Rittenhouse Square and enjoyed the rooftop bar, El Techo. Incredible views of the Philly skyline. Get there!
Johnny McGonigal
11:49
Jared Wayne over the middle has been one of the most reliable parts of Pitt’s offense this year. Good to see after he dealt with a lot of COVID contact tracing absences last year. And yes, Brick&Brew is an awesome spot. Great beer selection, good vibe (especially in the winter). Never been to El Techo, though. Will have to check it out.
V. Fontaine
11:49
Comment not a question. I watched some of the Wake - BC and while the Wake receivers are very good they seem to be very aggressive with their hands prior to the catch. It will be interesting to see how the officials call the game. If I were Narduzzi, I would be planting this in the officials head during the pregame chat.
Johnny McGonigal
11:49
Good point. I don’t have the numbers in front of me, but it doesn’t feel like Pitt’s corners have been called for that many DPIs this year. They’ll hope that aggressive press coverage is fair play.
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