2020-2021 Pittsburgh Super Panthers Sports Thread

[NAN]

Hopefully things are "normal" and UT is allowing fans because that is the game we've had circled for a long time.

[Freddy Rumsen]

I already had hotel rooms booked for the Marshall game in Huntington last season.

Going to wait for it this time.

[NAN]

I already had hotel rooms booked for the Marshall game in Huntington last season.

Going to wait for it this time.

We were close to booking an AirBnB in Tallahassee last year before the pandemic happened. That was another trip we were looking forward too.

Tennessee and Wisconsin in a few years are the other two. I hope this one works out.

[Freddy Rumsen]

Thankfully due to Covid I received a full refund, but I am less worried of getting blocked out of Knoxville than I was Huntington.

[willeyeam]

I suppose this is a nice spin on the Narduzzi strategy for his DBs.

[Stoosh]

I suppose this is a nice spin on the Narduzzi strategy for his DBs.

I remember hearing this same sort of thing during the season, maybe it was after the ND game and I think Dorin Dickerson discussed it but I can't be 100% sure.

Either way, the discussion came up after one of the games this past year when the defense got torched. It was focused on Pitt's reliance on the corners playing one-on-one and press coverages, which ultimately runs the risk of over-exposing them given the pass-happy nature of the college game. The commentator completely agreed, but also said that this also makes those players more NFL-ready and why we'll see some of these Pitt DBs not just get drafted but ultimately stick in the NFL. I do think this is a big reason why Avante Maddox wasn't just drafted, but taken in the 4th round. I also think this helped Dane Jackson get drafted and why he'll ultimately out-produce his expectations as a 7th round pick.

The defense is supposed to work in concert - the corners play press to disrupt the QB/WR timing off the snap while the DL gets pressure on the QB. When it works as it did this past year against Syracuse, Louisville, FSU, and VT, it's beautiful to watch. When the opposition has a superior OL and/or a quality QB that can make quick reads and accurate throws, it all falls apart, especially if you can consistently get Pitt's over-aggressive safeties to bite on play-action. See ND, Clemson, NC State, and BC.

This is where I'd still like to see Narduzzi & Bates show some flexibility. While it's great that this scheme is helping get his players to the next level - something recruits will notice - the idea is still win games. Get the DBs some help when it becomes apparent that the scheme is getting picked apart, especially if the DL isn't getting to the QB. It's great that you develop a defense that features 4-5 potential NFL draft picks but when we're left wondering how the hell the team still manages to win only wins 6-8 games every year, it kind of takes the shine off of it.

(To be fair, some of that blame sits on an offense that has been nothing but one-dimensional for four straight f'ing years).

[MrKennethTKangaroo]

Don't worry nick Gordon, I will definitely say what I want about pat narduzzi

[slappybrown]

He will never be sufficiently flexible to maximize the talent on his defense. It took him, what, 4-5 years to even start to mix in dime packages at Pitt iirc. When this topic comes up, I am always reminded of this quote from his MSU D-coordinator days:

“I believe one defense can stop everything; I believe we could play an entire football game in our base defense,” Narduzzi said at the clinic. “I believe that if everyone lines up exactly right, reads their keys, and does all the fundamentals involved with the defense, it is enough to win.”

https://grantland.com/the-triangle/mich ... breakdown/

That pretty much sums it up. Its unlikely to materially change, unfortunately.

[MrKennethTKangaroo]

[slappybrown]

I have been busy celebrating my Crimson Tide's latest national championship Kenneth, but hope all is well with you and the fine gentlemen of the Pitt cliq.

[MrKennethTKangaroo]

Hopefully your crimson tide will find a way to recover from losing two wide receivers in the first 15 picks in the draft and 7 guys in the first round.

[robbiestoupe]

.

[Freddy Rumsen]

[willeyeam]

crap

[Stoosh]

poop

[NAN]

Oh man.

[MrKennethTKangaroo]

The play in the last 10 minute of the first half and the first 10 minutes of the second half against ND were truly amazing

[willeyeam]

H2P

Capel benches Johnson and at the moment he has 28 on 10/16 shooting off the bench

[NAN]

Nice win by the mighty Panthers!!!!!!!

[MrKennethTKangaroo]

I’m really surprised pitt played in an athletic competition and the outcome was different than what we expected

[willeyeam]

that actually messes with my brain. i look at an upcoming Super Panther game and think, hmph they're supposed to lose this one so they'll probably win. and then, i wonder if that means they're actually supposed to lose. and on it goes. it makes betting on them impossible

[MrKennethTKangaroo]

I'm having a tough time coming to terms with the idea that someone that actually follows pitt athletics closely would actually try and bet on pitt games.

[willeyeam]

I do not

[robbiestoupe]

Isn't the easy money to bet for them when they are underdogs and against when they are favorites?

[willeyeam]

There is no easy money. My only recommendation is just bet the money line whichever way if you're feeling dumb enough to bet a Pitt game because the spread is meaningless in Pitt sports.