Matchups in Blacksburg

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Heading into this bye weekend, I'm contemplating how to use the extra 5 hrs of time between pre-game coverage, the game itself and the postgame. I suppose that in a loss its more like 5.5 hours since there are more things to read. Thank goodness for golf.

But I am definitely watching the Domers face the Hokies tomorrow night. Should be a good opportunity to see if VT is as good as the team that beat the Tar Heels on Labor Day weekend, or more like the team that squeaked by the Richmond Spiders.

I have no idea what I want to see.... a big, emotional win for the Hokies or a loss. I lean towards a close Hokie win in a low scoring battle...which is possible because neither team is an offensive juggernaut. The Irish are ranked 94th in NCAA Offense and like Pitt, the passing game is their strength. But its ranked 30th, which means their rushing offense has been putrid. And ranked at 123rd, I think that is a fair assessment.

One thing we know about VT is that they have a good defense, particularly against the pass. Its not the same story on offense, where they are near the bottom of the ACC in many categories (see table below).

BTW - down here in Hokie Land, the media is none too happy with Comcast and ESPN for the impasse in adding the ACC Network. ESPN has placed this game on ACCN, much to the ire of the Comcast-subscribing local fathful. 

Many of you can feel their pain I am sure. 

The editorial in the photo is behind a paywall, but I think one gets the point just looking at the headline. 

In short this should be a great game for the Pitt team - and us - to watch from non-Comcast sources as it should shed some clues as to how the Panthers might want to attack the Hokies next weekend. 

While thinking about this weekend's game in Blacksburg, I started to wonder how Pitt will match up with the Hokies next weekend. I pulled ACC stats to take an unscientific peek:

My eyes tell me that we may have a bit lower scoring than our last two games as well as versus last years matchup.  Feels like we will see how well Kenny makes his reads and which of our receivers can get into open space. And a good time to have two decent TE's as well. 

With Hendon Hooker having left for Knxville, the Hokies don't seem to have a huge running threat at QB, and with the loss of experienced OL (Darrishaw went in the first round of the NFL draft in April), perhaps the Panthers will continue to get to the QB. The matchup certainly favors our stop the run mindset.

As much as I don't like bye weekends, the timing of this one may come at a good time for Pitt - at least it feels that way right now. Two straight weeks of being unstoppable.. Pitt has not shown a core competence of managing success... and we all still think about the WMU debacle. So, a good time for the team to catch its breath, and refocus after the GT win. 

Keeping the kids mindset in check appears to be at the forefront of Coach Narduzzi's thinking based on his remarks during the "Packer & Durham" show earlier this week. "Consistency" and handling success were two key points made. When I hear some of the kids, I think he has his hands a bit full, but fortunately there are a lot of seniors on this team to provide leadership.

What are your thoughts about the VT-ND game? Do we want the Hokies to win or lose and why?

How do you see the matchup next weekend?

Would love to know your thoughts...








 


 


Comments

  1. gcOctober 9, 2021 at 6:55 AM

    I almost always root against the Irish so not a problem for me.
    I do want to see a tough physical game that wears out the Hokies.
    This is a big game for them with lots of adrenalin to be spent.
    Since we crushed the Hokies last year I expect them to be looking for revenge.
    Big concern for Pitt is Narduzzi's record after bye weeks, and Pitt's overall record in Blacksburg.
    If the Hokies win tomorrow, expect a large loud crowd.
    Also a concern that Pitt is overconfident after GT. Coaches really need to stress, especially to the defense that every ACC contest will only be won if Pitt plays its best game.
    The defense must force those turnovers and give the offense great field position.

    ReplyDelete
  2. gcOctober 9, 2021 at 6:56 AM

    Are robots not smart enough to check boxes or too honest to lie.
    Asking for a friend.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Pitt-cocks FanOctober 9, 2021 at 9:55 AM

    JoeL - enjoyed the read. I am still debating on who I want to win and how. Like GC, I always root against ND. The VT-ND game has no effect on the ACC race. Right now, I am leaning towards a VT winning a low scoring game, hopefully on a hotly contested late fluke turnover.

    ReplyDelete
  4. JoeLOctober 9, 2021 at 10:55 PM

    VT pass defense having a big night tonight, although ND hasn’t impressed at the QB position. In fact, ND is clearly an overrated team - once again.

    Pitt will need to run the ball consistently against Hokies to have a chance to win in Blacksburg. ND has had success running which was not a strength before tonight.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoeLOctober 9, 2021 at 10:57 PM

      Have to wonder if Burmeister will be able to go next week with the shoulder injury. His backup, while able to run, has not impressed.

      Delete
  5. gcOctober 10, 2021 at 8:30 AM

    I was wondering the same thing about Burmeister, he took a beating.
    Also wondering how the tough, emotional loss would affect VT next week.
    They are obviously a pretty good team.
    I am figuring on a pretty high scoring game, but I am usually wrong.
    Hopefully our well rested guys can take it to their physically and mentally beat up bunch.

    ReplyDelete
  6. ikeOctober 11, 2021 at 6:25 PM

    Man JoeL, you sure are prolific!

    You won't hear much from me until after the VT game. If PITT loses, there will me lots of poop spilled on the POV, win, Then they will have to win the following week for any kudos from the amateur pundits.

    PITT has proven to me that they are a good team, now we wait to see how good?

    ReplyDelete

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