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John McGonigal's Pitt football chat: 10.16.19
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John McGonigal
2:00
Good afternoon folks, and welcome to the weekly Pitt football chat. Fire away with your questions.
SaltyRon
2:03
With Paris Ford out for the first half of the Syracuse game, who is slated to fill the void at safety?  Do you think it will have any impact on the defensive calls until Paris returns?   He is obviously the best member of the secondary.
John McGonigal
2:04
Jazzee Stocker and Bricen Garner will fill in for Paris Ford in the first half. I’m not sure how much the defensive calls may change. Paris has done well closer to the line of scrimmage and coming up to make stops, but Syracuse throws the ball quite a bit and can’t run the ball. Pitt is likely going to be in nickel (five DBs) with or without Ford.
Andrew
2:05
Hi John - it seems that there is an overall lack of respect for Pitt from national analysts. If Pitt can win at Syracuse then follow that up with a win at home against Miami, do you think that will be enough for them to be ranked?
John McGonigal
2:07
Remember, the first set of CFP rankings come out on Nov. 5, and that’s ultimately what matters. But I understand wanting to see Pitt show up in any poll. Beat Syracuse convincingly and take down Miami (#30 overall in S&P rankings), and Pitt would be 6-2, riding a five-game winning streak. Depending on what happens around them, that ought to be enough to squeeze into the AP top 25.
GSMP
2:10
Why does Pitt seem reluctant to use Todd Sibley? He seems to me to have done a decent job when he's had the chance. Does he not practice well?
John McGonigal
2:12
I’d say it’s his lacking ability in the passing game. He’s a better north-south runner than V’Lique Carter, but Carter provides Pitt a slick passing option out of the backfield, especially in shotgun sets, which Pitt primarily operates out of. Sibley has done fine in short-yardage, under-center situations. If A.J. Davis is back, though, I’d expect him and Carter to get the bulk of the work.
SDWC
2:13
The Duke comeback was a bit disturbing.  Why in the world would Narduzzi allow a player (Ford) to talk him into letting him return his first punt at the 5 yard line?
John McGonigal
2:15
“Disturbing” is probably an apt adjective for that game. The Ford decision was a bad one, and the offense really sputtered without a consistent rushing attack. Have a feeling a few more of these games are going to be wild finishes. Pitt is 4-1 in games decided by 10 points or fewer, but that’s a dangerous way to play.
MakirBlede
2:17
Bigger fraud this year in college football....Minnesota or Wake Forrest?
John McGonigal
2:18
I’ll take Wake Forest (how do you allow 62 points to Louisville at home?) That being said, neither team will finish the regular season better than 9-3.
Eddie
2:20
I was happy with Patti's performance when he was in but what's up with Jeff George?
John McGonigal
2:23
Not sure if anything is necessarily “up” with Jeff George Jr. Patti is just the option with more upside, and if his play is on-par (or better than George), it makes sense to go with him.
Chris T,.
2:24
Where has Chris Pine been. He seemed like a great recruit a couple of years ago but he has only been on the field a couple of times it seems
John McGonigal
2:27
Chase Pine did well and started at middle linebacker against Ohio. But he’s been on the shelf with an undisclosed injury for the last two games. Narduzzi said postgame at Duke that he hoped Pine and Elias Reynolds would be available vs. Syracuse, so we’ll see.
SaltyRon
2:28
Can Jaylen Twyman just grab a #91 black and gold jersey and suit up for the remaining Sunday afternoons?
John McGonigal
2:29
That would be convenient, wouldn’t it?
Palko4heisman
2:30
What matchups are the panthers looking to exploit on Friday against the Orange?
John McGonigal
2:33
Funny you ask. Bill Brink, filling in while I’m on the short-term injury list, wrote about Syracuse’s offensive line and secondary woes: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/Pitt/2019/10/15/maurice-ffrench-ta...  That’s what I’d go with, too. Have a feeling Patrick Jones, Twyman, Haba Baldonado and those guys are going to have a day.
WillieSchoore
2:37
If Pitt wins out to go 10-2 and VA wins out, but then loses in ACC title game to go 10-3....who goes to the Orange Bowl?
John McGonigal
2:40
So, if an ACC team (Clemson) wins the conference and gets into the CFP, the Orange Bowl is obligated to take the next highest-ranked ACC team. UVA at 10-3 vs. Pitt at 10-2 is tough. The committee might give the nod to UVA for winning the Coastal. But Pitt would be on a nine-game tear. In this scenario, if the Cavaliers are blown out by Clemson, gimme Pitt in the Orange. If it’s close, think it’s UVA. (For the record,  I don’t think Pitt finishes the regular season at 10-2)
Palko4heisman
2:41
Do you like pitt at -3.5?
John McGonigal
2:42
I’m no betting expert … but I do like Pitt -3.5.
RhamEtin
2:44
Time to admit Ulizio is a bust?
John McGonigal
2:46
Oof, bust is strong word. Facing fronts like Penn State, Virginia and UCF is less than ideal for a new OL’s opening four weeks. But Ulizio has left a bit to be desired.
Exiled in the south
2:47
Watching Narduzzi's snoozefest press conferences, the guy is even less transparent than Belichick. At least Belichick has earned the right to say nothing. Why doesn't the media challenge Narduzzi more on things like injuries?
John McGonigal
2:49
Narduzzi doesn’t get into specifics on injuries that are not season-ending. But those on the beat make a conscious effort to ask about injuries every week/availability we have with him regardless. Part of our job.
paullochrane@yahoo.com
2:50
after some very poor coaching decisions  by narduzzi, how long is it before he gets replaced? this team could be undefeated if it wasn't for his terrible game day decisions !!! please don't tell me about the young o line, they still could be undefeated
John McGonigal
2:50
Pitt is 4-2 when its season over/under win total was 6. Don’t think he’s getting replaced any time soon.
Jim Boeheim
2:51
Can I stand on the sidelines of the Carrier Dome on Friday night and scream at the refs until I'm red in the face?
John McGonigal
2:51
Go for it, Jim.
LouG
2:52
Related to Andrew's question, how is Iowa with 2 losses ranked with no victories over top 25 teams while Pitt isn't?  Both lost to Penn State. Big 10 media bias?
John McGonigal
2:53
Think that’s more a product of preseason expectations. Iowa was ranked 20th in the preseason AP poll, Pitt was considered a fringe bowl team. The CFP committee rankings ought to offer more of an accurate look at the CFB landscape.
Dudley
2:54
On paper Pitt should win this game easily.  Is this a trap game with Miami up next?
John McGonigal
2:55
Personally, I don’t subscribe to the trap game theory. Especially for a road conference game on national TV.
Baba Ganoush
2:56
What do you think are the healthiest rivalries in college football, meaning most mutual respect? Pitt's rivalries with PSU and WVU seemed to be marred by brutish behavior. I guess Army-Navy would be be one...any others??
John McGonigal
2:57
I like Army-Navy. But tough to think of others not fueled by distaste, honestly.
Duzzy of a Coach's Decision
2:57
I saw yesterday that Sports Illustrated predicts Pitt makes the Orange Bowl.  With Pitt's rich history of winning all the games we should (snicker), think it's safe to buy my airline ticket to Miami?
John McGonigal
2:58
Wouldn’t book that flight just yet. But Miami (and Orlando for the Camping World Bowl, New York for the Pinstripe and Nashville for the Music City) is in play.
Foolback
2:59
John, do you see better things for the O-Line in the future?   It seems as thought we could only recruit them under Chryst's system in recent memory.
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