Pitt - Penn State Sept 10, 2016

[KirkHerbstreit]

This board is so dead we need a topic to generate some traffic.

We are now a short 5 months from the Pitt Penn State game. Spring practice is halfway through. This will be a good place to discuss the upcoming game and share thoughts. What are everyone's current thoughts on the game.

I feel like this will be a make or break game for both teams seasons. If Penn State loses, the Franklin can't coach narrative will continue and it will severely hurt recruiting. If Pitt loses it's Super Bowl, I expect them to have a very long season. There will be a lot of unknowns and questions going into this game for both teams.

Strength's for Pitt
-Experienced offensive line
-Returning QB (although I question how good)
- Safety position
- Depth at Running back

Strength's for Penn State
- Saquan Barkley and RB position
- WR depth and skill
- Linebackers (if healthy)
- Secondary experience and talent

Weaknesses for Pitt:
- WR talent..many unknowns. Loss of Boyd hurts
- DT depth and talent
- LB Depth and Talent
- DB may need to rely on a true freshman opposite of Maddox in game 2.

Weaknesses for PSU
- Oline. Until proven otherwise this is a question mark despite spring progress and more talent
- DT. Lost 2 players who will be drafted early. Who knows how this plays out but former Pitt commit Kevin Givens has received rave reviews in Spring. Cothren and White received valuable playing time last year.
- QB. I have a feeling QB play will be better this year than the last 2, but not in the second game of the season.

Matchups I like for Penn State
Barkley vs. Pitt defense
Penn State Wr's vs Pitt small and inexperienced secondary
Penn State DB vs Pitt WR's

Matchups I like for Pitt
Pitt Oline vs Penn State Dline.
Pitt's pass rush vs. the PSU Offensive tackles
Pitt kicking game


In the end, I think Barkley and the Penn State WR's are too much for Pitt and Pitt is forced to play from behind. Penn State 31 Pitt 20. Franklin finally sees some of his recruited talent hit the field this season.

[Crimson's Ghost]

I think Pitt's two defensive ends put up some good sack and hurry numbers. Ejuan Price had a strong year last year, and Tennessee transfer DeWayne Hendrix is very talented and he's been getting rave reviews since he stepped on campus. And we know Penn State's offensive line has been very suspect for a long time now.

So I'll add, Pitt's pass rush vs. the PSU Offensive tackles is a matchup I like.

[KirkHerbstreit]

I agree. I meant to put that as a factor. I think Penn State will try to use the way those guys get up field to their advantage by running a lot of read option and slowing their first step.

In addition, I don't expect the ball to be in the QB's hands very long in this new offense.

That said, the second game under a new offense with a new qb could lead to a game changing turnover...something like a quick slant being jumped by a linebacker for a pick 6.

[Crimson's Ghost]

Not hopeful on this one, but if Pitt could somehow get Chris Clark eligible....that would be huge. The kid is a freak talent at tight end, and really could give them a big-time receiving threat. I like Pitt's starting tight end Scott Orndoff. He has 8 career touchdowns being JP Holtz's backup, and he probably could have started for a few schools if he wasn't stuck behind Holtz. But Clark was the #1 tight end prospect in the country 2 years ago, he would make an impact in this game and in Pitt's season.

[KirkHerbstreit]

Also like Pitt's punting and kicking much better than Penn State's right now. Penn State has lost a lot of close games the past 2 years because of it. They are bringing in 2 Freshman this year, but it's an freshman kickers are always a ? mark

[Crimson's Ghost]

Blewitt is a solid college kicker, nothing outstanding but better than average. The Georgia Tech game winner was beyond impressive.

[KirkHerbstreit]

Not hopeful on this one, but if Pitt could somehow get Chris Clark eligible....that would be huge. The kid is a freak talent at tight end, and really could give them a big-time receiving threat. I like Pitt's starting tight end Scott Orndoff. He has 8 career touchdowns being JP Holtz's backup, and he probably could have started for a few schools if he wasn't stuck behind Holtz. But Clark was the #1 tight end prospect in the country 2 years ago, he would make an impact in this game and in Pitt's season.

I don't see how he could become eligible unless the NCAA wants to open up a can of worms with kids transferring and not sitting out. Orndoff is a nice player. I think Holtz may be missed.

[Crimson's Ghost]

Holtz was a very good college player, and was probably underused in the passing game. Pitt will certainly miss him.

Chris Clark only appeared in one game and could play the "moving closer to home" card.

I don't expect him to be eligible, but the NCAA always tends to be selective case to case.