Recruiting Forum Football Talk III

[Devo182]

How could he actually be this bad? All I can come up with was he was determined all the players were going to play like they were all 5*s on the nation's leading defense instead of taking into account strengths and weaknesses.

All I can remember is looking up at the TV...3rd and 7. Slot receiver is being "covered" by a LB that is about 10 yards off him. Slot receiver takes 1 step and cuts in on a slant. Catches the ball like it's backyard football, picks up 1st down.

Now repeat this about 100 times with NO adjustments. That's my memory of our 3rd down defense last year

 

[SweetasSoda]

One thing about Pitt, which some have tagged as a "must-win" or pivotal game, is how unique their defense is.

This is another reason I'm not looking at Pitt as a strong indicator for the rest of the season. They play (to a fault) almost exclusively cover 4/quarters. I remember watching Pitt games where they'd be getting beat up in the passing game...but Narduzzi never bent on his philosophy. It seems, at least over time, this has paid off for them. Climbing from mid-bottom of the ACC to #3 in scoring defense the last 2 seasons (though they lost quite a bit off last year's defense).

Point being - we aren't going to see this defense much at all the rest of the season, outside a few situational plays. They play such a unique defense, I just don't think it will be a great indicator either way of how the offense does. Similar to facing a triple-option offense.

Fwiw, Hype put up 34 vs them in 2019 and 45 in 2018. Granted, with a more well-oiled machine, but it gives confidence.

The Pittsburgh Defense: It’s Cover 4, Not Man

So how is their offense?

 

[SweetasSoda]

Ole The U style! Hated them when they did it but I also hated Larry Bird and Michael Jordan. You get old enough and you remember greatness fondly in retrospect.

I can't imagine you hating Bird and/or Jordan!

 

[ButchAintOne]

What about this 22' Leveon Moss dude?

 

[SweetasSoda]

All I can remember is looking up at the TV...3rd and 7. Slot receiver is being "covered" by a LB that is about 10 yards off him. Slot receiver takes 1 step and cuts in on a slant. Catches the ball like it's backyard football, picks up 1st down.

Now repeat this about 100 times with NO adjustments. That's my memory of our 3rd down defense last year

Trying to wipe the whole year from memory.

 

[buffaloblue]

Really like a lot of what Danny White is doing. Impression of Vols changing from national perspective imo.

 

[SweetasSoda]

-Brown

Hey @Devo182 the 2nd paragraph says the DL is going to have a new way of playing instead of holding gaps. What does that mean?

 

[peaygolf]

Ole The U style! Hated them when they did it but I also hated Larry Bird and Michael Jordan. You get old enough and you remember greatness fondly in retrospect.

Same. Also despised Jordan, Bird, and Magic.

I was a Dr. J, 'Nique, and Barkley guy.

 

[Devo182]

So how is their offense?

Schematically? No idea. Only read 1 article saying it was too complicated a scheme for the players (sound familiar?).

Statistically - 29 PPG last year. Good for 10th in the ACC out of 15 teams. Returning "super senior" QB (13 td/9 int...only 7.3 ypa and 129 qbr...very average). Seem to like RB Abanikanda. OL may be their weak point ().

Versus 4 ranked teams last season:
#24 NC State 29 pts
#18 Miami 19 pts
#3 ND 3 pts
#2 Clemson 17 pts

I'd think holding them to ~30 should be very reasonable and give us a good chance to pull it out. Just a guesstimate. We'll see how they handle Neyland rocking...

 

[butchna]

I can't imagine you hating Bird and/or Jordan!

Did! Mom loved Larry, so maybe it was rebellion but more likely repulsion by the nut huggers and translucent complexion. Now I marvel at the genius of his game. I actually loved UNC in the 80’s and Jordan in his first few seasons. I bristled at the (earned) hype and his assassin role against the Knicks. Time healed my stubbornness and Knick fandom…they gone.

 

[Devo182]

Hey @Devo182 the 2nd paragraph says the DL is going to have a new way of playing instead of holding gaps. What does that mean?

Above my paygrade, I'm sure some more technical folks could answer better. I just remember Pruitt adopted Saban's DL philosophy...hold gaps and contact with OL until you see where the play is going, then rip away and attack. I'd guess the difference is we are just attacking and not waiting to hold the gap....? Could be way off here...

@HankHill

 

[Gilbert]

Schematically? No idea. Only read 1 article saying it was too complicated a scheme for the players (sound familiar?).

Statistically - 29 PPG last year. Good for 10th in the ACC out of 15 teams. Returning "super senior" QB (13 td/9 int...only 7.3 ypa and 129 qbr...very average). Seem to like RB Abanikanda. OL may be their weak point ().

Versus 4 ranked teams last season:
#24 NC State 29 pts
#18 Miami 19 pts
#3 ND 3 pts
#2 Clemson 17 pts

I'd think holding them to ~30 should be reasonable. Just a guesstimate. We'll see how they handle Neyland rocking...

Wish that game wasn't a noon kick. Hope Neyland is at full strength.

 

[butchna]

Hey @Devo182 the 2nd paragraph says the DL is going to have a new way of playing instead of holding gaps. What does that mean?

Attack mode vs 3-4 DL mentality.

 

[Devo182]

Wish that game wasn't a noon kick. Hope Neyland is at full strength.

Just means the student section has to start drinking earlier

But yeah...noon kickoff is a major bummer. I'm sure Pitt loves that.

 

[SweetasSoda]

Did! Mom loved Larry, so maybe it was rebellion but more likely repulsion by the nut huggers and translucent complexion. Now I marvel at the genius of his game. I actually loved UNC in the 80’s and Jordan in his first few seasons. I bristled at the (earned) hype and his assassin role against the Knicks. Time healed my stubbornness and Knick fandom…they gone.

Okay, I am going with stubbornness!

 

[SweetasSoda]

Above my paygrade, I'm sure some more technical folks could answer better. I just remember Pruitt adopted Saban's DL philosophy...hold gaps and contact with OL until you see where the play is going, then rip away and attack. I'd guess the difference is we are just attacking and not waiting to hold the gap....? Could be way off here...

@HankHill

That makes sense. Thanks

 

[butchna]

Okay, I am going with stubbornness!

Age softens. Wife may disagree.

 

[SweetasSoda]

Age softens. Wife may disagree.

You remind me of my husband so much so I am sure she does.... Which is why I found it shocking you didn't love his heroes lol.

 

[peaygolf]

Very Funny

 

[Tennessee Golfer]

The field is ready boys and girls.

 

[Girth Brooks]

 

[Devo182]

Interesting tidbit from P. Brown. This jives with what either AP or Hubbs said earlier, that Milton/Hooker were more accurate so far.

Despite the lack of clear separation at the time, the buzz continues to be that Milton and Hooker are ahead of Bailey, though the competition doesn't feel all that close to being over. Bailey hasn't been bad, but the two transfers offer more upside in terms of being able to make the throws needed in this offense that wants to stretch the field vertically and sideline-to-sideline.

 

[butchna]

You remind me of my husband so much so I am sure she does.... Which is why I found it shocking you didn't love his heroes lol.

So he’s also debonair with rapist whit?

 

[Rishvol]

Interesting tidbit from P. Brown. This jives with what either AP or Hubbs said earlier, that Milton/Hooker were more accurate so far.

That reads as they have a stronger arm. Which we knew already

 

[The Dog]

Ole The U style! Hated them when they did it but I also hated Larry Bird and Michael Jordan. You get old enough and you remember greatness fondly in retrospect.

Me too. Isiah Thomas was my guy ever since he led the Hoosiers to a NC. But now, I will defend Larry, MJ and Magic until the cows come home.