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Johnny McGonigal's Pitt football chat: 09.09.21
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Johnny McGonigal
11:01
Good morning all, and welcome to this week's Pitt live chat. Big game this weekend. Let's get it going.
Zeldas Greenmansion
11:02
Johnny, I was unimpressed with the win last week.  The score looked good but the execution was flawed.  Do you think Pitt will be able to move the ball on the ground against a much better defense?  I have a feeling Pitt will have to depend on Pickett to scramble for his life, not make any mistakes, and deal with a lot of 3rd and long situations.
Johnny McGonigal
11:05
I can understand that. One thing I’ll mention is, it was Week 1. You’re never going to look perfect on opening day regardless of who you’re playing. But the run game is still a concern for me. There were a few longer runs (AJ Davis touchdown, for example) that would have been stopped shorter by a defense with speed that knew how to take an angle. This weekend will be a test.
Doug in Erie
11:06
Just my opinion, but I thought Camp and Battle played under my expectations. Petrishen and Kansey played above my expectations. What our your thoughts on that and similarily on the offense?
Johnny McGonigal
11:09
Narduzzi admitted on Monday that Rashad Battle played “OK” at safety. It was his first time playing the position in a real game after working at corner all last year, so growing pains were expected. As long as Camp stays healthy, I think he’ll be fine. Petrishen looked good. And Kancey, sheesh. UMass’ offensive line was bad. But he was throwing guys around for fun.
Ryan
11:11
Johnny liked the way petrishen looked on Saturday hopefully he keeps it up this week and did Tipton play on Saturday
Johnny McGonigal
11:12
Petrishen is a good story, too, dealing with multiple surgeries, changing positions, etc. Tre Tipton did play, more on special teams.
Guest
11:13
Is Petrishen your favorite player because he's another guy who has rebranded from John to Johnny?
Johnny McGonigal
11:13
Ha. I wonder if Petrishen was also always a Johnny but went to “John” because it sounds more professional. Might have to ask him one of these days.
Peters pubcrawl
11:14
JM, the defense looks solid across the board(it was UMass though).  Can Pitt secure a few turnovers and get some points off them this week?  I think this will be the deciding factor in this game.
Johnny McGonigal
11:16
I don’t disagree with you there. We saw Pitt pick off Central Florida’s Dillon Gabriel twice in 2019. He threw for 300+ yards, but was constantly harassed. Pitt needs to make Joe Milton feel the same way and force him into a bad throw or two. I don’t think Pitt wins without at least one turnover.
9NC
11:17
How do you see the Pitt's OL going up against the Vols DL? How many yds do you  think we will need on the ground to win?
Johnny McGonigal
11:19
Dave Borbely sounded impressed with Tennessee’s front. Coming off the UMass game, it’s hard to say for sure whether or not this OL is ready. They’re experienced, but that doesn’t always translate to production. And I don’t think it’s a matter of yards needed to win. I’ll say this: I think Pitt needs to have at least 3 runs of 10+ yards in order to keep Tennessee’s defense honest.
Ole Yinzer
11:21
When an ACC team visits an SEC team whose officials work the game? It's always dicey when the home team get to use their refs.
Johnny McGonigal
11:22
In terms of officiating non-conference games, it’s common practice for away teams to have their conference represented. If that’s followed, it’ll be ACC refs in Knoxville.
Buzzard Bill
11:23
Hi John,  This Pitt/Tennessee game has me particularly worried after watching the UMass game.  The Pitt secondary seemed slow and confused against a pretty weak offensive team.  And now we hear that Tennessee has some big play capability to throw the long ball.  Can this team come back from a couple of quick Tennessee scores early with a huge crowd watching?
Johnny McGonigal
11:27
I don’t think Pitt can afford to be down two scores early. In that environment, that’s a lot of pressure. A fast start is critical, especially against a quick-strike system like Josh Heupel’s. Remember: UCF’s opening 5 drives in 2019 went: three-and-out, interception, three-and-out, interception, three-and-out. Pitt had a 21-0 lead (and still almost lost).
Mutha
11:28
Do you put any thought into your Top 25? Or do you just throw darts at a board with all the ncaa football teams listed?
Johnny McGonigal
11:28
Interestingly enough, I’m awful at darts.
Magneto
11:28
I would like to purchase the Pittsburgh Steelers
Johnny McGonigal
11:28
If you paid TJ Watt, I bet some Steeler fans would be OK with that, Magneto.
Replace the Sod
11:29
With the Temperature in the mid 80's for a 12 noon game, how will PN try to rotate the defense against the Uptempo Vols Offense?  Will it be each series with a few players(mainly the front 4).  Hoping they get a few quick stops early to keep the 1st team from getting worn down.
Johnny McGonigal
11:32
Defensive coordinator Randy Bates said his job this weekend is to get three-and-outs. It’s not only a rotation/keeping guys fresh thing. You don’t want that offensive tempo to get rolling. But I think they have plenty of depth in the front-seven to rotate, rotate, rotate. The secondary is a little more concerning, in my opinion.
Tim
11:34
Who or what on Tennessee will cause problems for the Panthers this week?
Johnny McGonigal
11:36
Someone that stood out to me on film (and evidently OL coach Dave Borbely, too) was Tennessee defensive end Matthew Butler. Borbely said he “can wreck the game very quickly by himself.” Keep an eye on how Pitt handles #94.
Guest
11:37
Is it worth it for me to drive 6.5 hours and get hotel rooms for the Clemson game....( meaning will it at least be a competitive game)....or like Oklahoma State, last Penn State home game, last year's Clemson and ND games....will we be destroyed and embarrassed?
Johnny McGonigal
11:40
Judging off what I saw last week in Clemson-Georgia, I don’t think it would be a total waste of time coming to Pittsburgh for that game. I’m not saying Pitt will beat Clemson; not by any stretch. But I think it will be more competitive than last year’s Notre Dame game, let’s put it that way. That game is still a ways away and a lot can happen between now and then. But I get you have to plan ahead. Without telling you how to spend your money, I think seeing Clemson’s first-ever game in Pittsburgh should be a cool experience.
Gregorio Demetrivich
11:40
What if...the Hulk was young?
Johnny McGonigal
11:40
Then we’d be another step closer to a Young Avengers show.
Jonathan
11:41
What is the one bet you’re taking for Pitt-Tenn, whether it be spread or o/u?
Johnny McGonigal
11:43
This is a tough game to get a feel for, but I’d say the under is a decent play. On DraftKings, it’s set at 57. Both offenses have their issues, and Pitt’s front-seven could really get after it. I think it’ll be an exciting, but cagey game.
Ernest Hemingways
11:43
Everyone is talking about how close the point spread is for this game.  I keep looking at the O/U in the mid 50's and trying to figure out if either team can score more that 20 points.  What does Vegas know?
Johnny McGonigal
11:46
It’s funny. I was asked for my game prediction earlier in the week by a Tennessee outlet, and I said Pitt 30-27. Didn’t even know at the time that the o/u was 57 and the spread was 3.5. It’ll be tight.
The O’s Fries
11:47
Will Tennessee run it down our throats? That team looked legit last week. I am also concerned about our running game? If this where we are starting off against UMass will be able to do anything long term on the ground?
Johnny McGonigal
11:50
Tennessee’s run game did look good. But just as Pitt played UMass, the Vols played Bowling Green, projected to be a MAC bottom-dweller this year. I think the Panthers’ front-seven, especially linebackers Cam Bright, SirVocea Dennis and Phil Campbell, will be up to the task.
Third eye
11:50
What are your keys to the game?
And GOOOOOO ED FROM CONSHOHOCKEN IN THE CHALLENGE!!!!
Johnny McGonigal
11:52
Keys to the game: Make life difficult for Joe Milton, take care of the ball, don’t falter in the red zone. And I haven’t watched last night’s episode of The Challenge, but I love Ed’s energy. And hearing him say “wooder” so enthusiastically is awesome.
Guest
11:52
Why is Pat Narduzzi so mean to you guys when you ask about injuries?
Johnny McGonigal
11:53
Because he’s a college football coach. It’s just one of those things that he doesn’t want to talk about. Sometimes he won’t say anything; sometimes he will. Worth asking despite the occasional saltiness.
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