ADVERTISEMENT

Game 7 Microscope: Pitt Panthers

GTJT622

GTJT622

Well-Known Member
Mar 23, 2014
5,929
701
113
The Jackets have closed the all-time series lead by Pitt to 5-4 with 2 straight wins over the last 2 years since the Panthers joined the ACC. And 2 very different wins. Two years ago on Grant Field, Tech won a lower scoring battle, 21-10. Then, at Heinz Field last year, many of us were awarded a wonderful afternoon of Pitt turnovers (5 on their first 5 possessions) that led to a Tech win, 56-28. That game of course featured what was perhaps the one turn around play of the season that potentially changed everything for Tech's great season-ending run when DJ White hustled down field and caused a James Connor fumble near the goal line.

That game is now in the Tech record books in certain areas. Pitt's 6 fumbles lost, for instance, ties for the most ever recovered by Tech with Furman in '95 and Tulsa in '03 (actually Jan. 4, 2004, Boise Bowl). Tech's 56 pts scored tied for 3rd in most pts scored on the road in a game. Tops is 70 at Navy ('01) followed by 68 at UNC ('12). Tech also scored 56 at Vandy in '09 and last year for the second time in a season at NC State. The 612 yards of total offense at Pitt also registers as the 6th most in school history in a game.

With a win on Grant Field this fall, Tech can even the series with Pitt. If Tech can accomplish this, it would only leave Florida State (9-14-1) and Va Tech (4-8) as the 2 ACC schools who Tech has an all-time series losing record against. Note, I conveniently refuse to include Notre Dame since they aren't a football member of the ACC. ;)

Pitt returns ACC POTY, James Connor, along with highly talented WR, Tyler Boyd. Both are potential 1st round picks in next spring's 2016 NFL Draft. In fact, this mock drafter has Boyd going 9th overall (to the Falcons) next spring and Connor going 39th (early 2nd round) to *MY* Redskins... http://walterfootball.com/draft2016charlie.php

Pitt of course has a new HC and I think that is to their advantage. I was not impressed at all with outgoing HC Paul Chryst. New HC Pat Narduzzi comes in with the defensive guru label from his impressive days at Michigan State as their DC for the past 8 seasons. This is his first HC job and I think he will be a great one for Pitt to return them to better days. Pitt has the resources and infrastructure to be a contender in the ACC Coastal annually. With the bevy of recruiting opportunities right in their backyard with the talent-rich Pennsylvania High School Football system, there are few excuses for Pitt to be anything less.

Here's last year's game to watch (Tech fans will love the 1st quarter :D)...


If you don't want to watch the full game, try watching what Coach Paul Johnson labeled as the best effort play he has witnessed in his 36 years of coaching...this never gets old...


Let's take a trip back to the 1956 Gator Bowl which 4th ranked Tech defeated 13th ranked Pitt, 21-14...


And, of course, Pitt's Bobby Grier was the first black player to play in the Sugar Bowl after lots of protests on Tech's campus that involved the Governor of Georgia even...my, how far we've come thank goodness...7th ranked Tech defeats 11th ranked Pitt 7-0 by the way...


Great history. Two very proud programs. Georgia Tech recognizes 4 national titles, though has been voted tops by various polls a total of 6 times. Pitt has been recognized as national champs a total of 11 times...most recently in 1981, 1980, and 1976. Most would consider the 1976 Tony Dorsett team to be the consensus national champ that would be identified with. 3rd ranked at the time Pitt and Dorsett ran all over Tech on Grant Field in 1976 to a final score of 42-14. Just one of several Heisman Trophy winners Tech has faced over the years.

This game 7 is a potential letdown (dare I say "trap") game for Tech as it is sandwiched between the roadie at Clemson and hosting FSU on homecoming. Tech had better bring its A game because Pitt can easily knock the Good Guys off if we don't. October is very difficult for Tech.
 
GTJT622 said:
This game 7 is a potential letdown (dare I say "trap") game for Tech as it is sandwiched between the roadie at Clemson and hosting FSU on homecoming. Tech had better bring its A game because Pitt can easily knock the Good Guys off if we don't. October is very difficult for Tech.
Click to expand...

Pitt is good on offense. They lack speed on defense, which is not a good thing against CPJ's spread offense. GT averaged over 8 yards per play against them last year and totaled over 600 yards despite short fields from so many turnovers.

They certainly have better defensive coaching this year and may be able to limit the explosive plays.
 
I'm hopeful the Tech defense can slow the run game down. Connor had the 74 yd run last year before fumbling, but still averaged over 5 ypc in his other 9 rushing attempts. Of course, when you get down 28-0 at the end of the 1Q, it likely changes your game plan some. I can see Narduzzi and his offensive staff giving the ball to Connor 25+ times and hoping to shorten the game and grind it out. At least, that would be my strategy given the lack of team speed you mentioned. I'm sure that is what Chryst wanted to do as well but things got out of hand pretty quickly. I think there is little chance we will see those bountiful turnover gifts from Pitt or any opponent for that matter for a long time.

2 years ago Tech was involved in a low scoring affair (by our standards...both potent offensively and porous defensively) and last year was odd with all the gifts given to us. What will 2015 bring? Glad we have 'em at home. Hopefully, when we travel to Heinz again in '16 both Connor and Boyd are gone. And, I mean that as a compliment to each.
 
wonder what style the new coaches will favor for their offense. I am sure they'll run the ball, but what formations, tempo, etc. they could be a fun team to watch this season.
 
I bet the interviews before this game will be about ball control and winning the time of possession.

Pitt didn't seem to have the best plan last season. It'll be interesting to see what the new coaches have for GT in week 7
 
Yep. Unless their plan was to fumble to us 6 times, which in that case it was brilliantly executed. :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: BornAJacket
The way our O was clicking that day, I think we would've still scored at will and potentially put up 700+ yards of total offense without the turnovers.

Pitt of course lost fumbles on their first 5 possessions.

1st (Pitt) possession: Nealy recovers at Pitt's 38. Tech scores.

2nd possession: White forces fumble on "the play" at Tech's goal line. Tech takes it at the 20 and drives to score.

3rd possession: Nealy recovers at Pitt's 14. Tech scores on next play.

4th possession: I. Johnson recovers at Pitt's 42 and returns to Pitt's 35. Tech scores 2 plays later.

5th possession: D. Smith recovers at Tech's 30. Tech does not score as we miss on 4th and 2 and the Pitt 21. (perhaps the highlight of the day for the Pitt D)
 
  • Like
Reactions: BornAJacket
Pitt HC finding time to prep for Tech's funky offense during training camp... http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/...n-passing-game-this-year/stories/201507260101

Defending the option

Pitt doesn’t play Georgia Tech until Oct. 17, but preparations for the Yellow Jackets will begin in August.

Narduzzi said the Panthers will take some time during training camp to at least begin installing defensive packages for Georgia Tech’s unique triple option offense. Previous Pitt coaches, including Chryst, have done the same.

The difference this year is that the Georgia Tech game is sandwiched between two other Saturday games against Virginia and Syracuse. Last year, Pitt had a long week to prepare for the Yellow Jackets after playing Thursday night.
 
Oct. 5, 2015
THE FLATS - The Atlantic Coast Conference announced Monday that Georgia Tech's game versus Pitt on Saturday, Oct. 17 at Bobby Dodd Stadium will kick off at 12:30 p.m. ET and be televised on the ACC Network.

That game occurs on Tech's annual Hall of Fame weekend.
 
At 2-4 for the season, Tech's preseason goals are all but gone. Even a bowl game seems almost unfathomable at this point. With a Pittsburgh team looming next week that suddenly looks like a much improved group, it's hard to see any game on the schedule that's a sure-win for the Jackets. If they play like they did on Saturday, it could be another long weekend in Atlanta.

http://georgiatech.blog.ajc.com/2015/10/11/3-georgia-tech-starters-injured-vs-clemson/

On Oct. 13, 2015, GT is celebrating a birthday party after being founded 130 years earlier. They are giving a cupcake to each student who wants to stop by. Not that Pitt. is a cupcake, however this possibly could be the last chance for victory even though they defeated UVA this past weekend. Va. in Charlottesville is difficult when we are playing well and Tenuta will blitz our confused OL to death. The Hokie Birds played like winners against the Pack last Friday night. Found a QB, offensive production. Possibly they steal our T, and the e, c, h. Half the season is over
at GTech and we might be hard pressed to finish better than 2-10. The season that wasn't!
 
9nationalchampionships said:
What section are the visitors located in?

Hoping for a great game!

H2P
Click to expand...

stadium2003.gif


The visitors are in the yellow/gold colored sections in the diagram above. The band and those who buy tickets thru Pitt will be in the southeast corner (Section 130) beside the Panthers band in Section 131. Tickets are plentiful via the online brokers and pretty cheap. For instance... http://www.vividseats.com/ncaaf/georgia-tech-yellow-jackets-tickets/georgia-tech-10-17-1756238.html

I expect this will be a good game indeed. Tech is a small favorite implying the teams are pretty equal and the game could go either way. I highly doubt Pitt is going to hand deliver 5 turnovers to Tech on its first 5 possessions like it did in Heinz last year (that was a great trip, btw...can't wait to go back in '16). Early game likely means an abundance of available tickets and a two-thirds full stadium. Tech students are in fall recess today and tomorrow so hopefully some of them will show this upcoming weekend.
 
I have always liked Pitt , but I would like to see us win this one. And play a good game
 
stech81 said:
I have always liked Pitt , but I would like to see us win this one. And play a good game
Click to expand...

Some things to like about Pitt...

1. Their school colors are excellent.

2. Heinz Field has a casino down the street (and my son and I thoroughly enjoyed taking some money out of it last year and intend to do again in '16).

3. They were very giving last year helping us at a time when we needed it coming off a 2-game losing streak to the Research Triangle handing us 5 turnovers by early 2nd quarter. Thanks, Pitt!

4. Mike Ditka is an alum. Is there anything else that needs to be said? :)

5. They haven't had any coaches showering with young boys or their head coaches and athletics administration look the other way...well, at least, I don't think they have. ;)
 
as for number 3 I hope they are as giving this year

and I did not know about Mike Ditka

Remember GTJT if you make it to Atlanta this year let me know I still have one extra ticket if you need it. But you buy the beer.:):)
 
Hence my frustration with the 6-day option to be utilized by ESPN for the FSU game.

:mad:
 
Hope BAJ is only on hiatus, with good reasoning taken! Looking for you on the other board too!!

My bullet points for the Panther game:
-offense must drive block back to basics...since Joe and Burden missed Monday practice, might need a o give the new guys a shot like Will(hear he goes 100% in a direction, great football genes, works hard in weight room, smart dude). Pitt. defense needs to be controlled, worn down or more of the same could occur.
-special teams need the "head doctor" this week, especially Tobin if we can let him snap for EPts. and/or FG's....no more punt hikes for him. Butker kicks long and away from #23.
-defense needs a pass rush, same old story from previous times...makes the secondary look pschitzophrenic, which they might be right now, excepting AJ Gray.
-we need to control both lines of scrimmage for a change, eat clock on offense with drives, limit turnovers, stay ahead, throw less than 5 times(need to be surprises, not a staple). Coaches need to play to our strengths of what we do well. OC must call a good game, limit QB dives unless Jordan on goal line/red zone keepers going forward. DC must disguise blitzes, play man, force turnovers like last year, come with pressure. More ramblin' gamblin'. Nothing to lose, we gave up a lot of points to them after the big lead, granted some of those scores were with the backups playing.
 
Last edited:
Giving up less than the other team is not working. This week - as painful as it may be for me because I don't like offenses - perhaps we should try scoring more than the other team as our strategy.

I normally yield to stech81 on complicated scheme-strategy kind of stuff like this. After all, he's Pre-Med.
 
The defense could help. To my knowledge they are allowed also score. Just an idea if you talk to CTR this week.;)
 
Hey, our defense had as many TD's as our offense this past Saturday with 9 minutes left in the game. I wonder if we should enter 2 punters. One about 15 yards back and another about 7 yards behind him in case it flies over the first punter's head. Speaking of, we used to call that position the Maytag Repairman position. Now, that position needs to speak to the union about being overworked. Plus, the job is rather adventurous and dangerous these days having to run back and grab an oversnapped air mail job while getting clobbered in the process.

I see where Tobin, our normal starting snapper, is hitting the bench this week. Let's hope the backup snapper is good. We all know CPJ just doesn't focus enough on long snapping and placekick holding in recruiting ya know.
 
I like the idea of the guy 15 yards back, as long as the up-punter doesn't get nailed in the arse from a punt. Everybody is getting shoved backwards, as the opponents are feasting like a jail break with pink cupcakes at stake with doily panties hanging from the barbed wire in the courtyard.
 
I liked the looks of that screen play we almost connected on. There is no way an opposing d-lineman is going to sniff out a screen against us because the screen release technique is essentially identical to our attempts at normal pass protection.
 
Take the three Panther friend. I shouldn't be giving advice after my prediction with UNCheat-GT.

Listen to what is said directly below me by GTJT. That was a sorry team that came back from 21-0. Your team is better than that mess! Look at your defense compared to the Heels. Matter of fact, compare it to GT. Your offense and special teams are going in a different direction than our own.
 
Last edited:
Agree completely. Tech is in complete disarray. When your head coach is saying things about having to go back to basics at the midway point to the season, then you don't like the chances at all. If Pitt punches Tech in the mouth early (and I bet they will), it will be interesting to see how Tech reacts. Even if Tech gets ahead 21-0 early, we've proven that isn't a guarantee to win either.
 
Any coach who is "simplifying" or "going back to basics" midseason is a coach who has lost his team. That's always a bet against.
 
Last edited:
GTJT and I have been trying to tell you all the most important player the the back-up long sapper.

Or maybe it was the back-up holder.
 
I have been busy with work the past few weeks. so that's one thing...

but I have been pretty pissed with the game results as well....

The injuries are really hurting a young team. I can't imagine any team in the US losing 7 RBs/ Slot receivers and not having a hard time. But I guess most everyone is willing to forget that and still expect wins against the hardest schedule in D1A.

That said, GT has still had chances to win. But the special teams misques and poor oline play are taking those chances away. I also believe the opposing coaches should be given credit for confusing some of GT's reads on the o-line. It appears to me that the d-lines have been mixing up their play a lot more than in past years. Is that something the Notre Dame consultant was able to discover from his specific attention and focus? who knows. but I know that since that game the o-line has been confused at times. If you know the pre-reads, you can do things to confuse the calls, but that takes dedication to film study that most coaches don't have time to make happen.

I hope GT has better luck against Pitt. Pitt seems to be beat up some too, I am glad this game is in Atlanta. It should be a great day for a game.
 
Another item to take into consideration - though it is by no means any type of "excuse" because I think we look like crap. And "look" is correlated to W's and L's, but putting W's and L's aside, we just "look" like crap so far.

But, FWIW...

Alcorn State: D1AA team...hasn't lost since we ripped them, what a difference in 5-6 weeks...but, weak opponent for us

Tulane: 2-3/1-1...not a good team

Notre Dame: 5-1...ranked #14

Duke: 5-1/2-0...ranked #25

UNC: 4-1/1-0...with Wake and the French at home over next 2 Saturdays they should be 6-1/3-0 soon

Clemson: 5-0/2-0...ranked #5

Pitt: 4-1/2-0...a W at Tech followed by roadie at Cuse and home vs UNC could see the Panthers get to 7-1 and ranked by end of the month

FSU: 5-0/3-0...ranked #11

So, this is a helluva stretch in terms of competition we are playing. When you are out of sync, injured, playing a bunch of freshmen and walkons, etc., there is very little room for error. Hopefully getting back home will help us. Continuing for giggles...

France: 1-4/0-1...will London be fired by time we get to Scott Sisson Stadium on Halloween?

Open Date: we might even lose to them this year if we don't start playing better

Va Tech: 3-3/1-1

Miami: 3-2/0-1...will Golden be fired by time we head to south Florida?

Cesspool: 4-2/2-2...please Dear Buddha?...this is Tech's season most likely
 
look at the ranks of the defenses we have played, I think you will see the past 4 are top 15-20.

tough on this team this year.

One thing is certain, Coach Johnson will be chiding the ACC news media next summer about their ability to pick the top teams in the Coastal. They just cannot do it.
 
Missed your optimism, and of course the reality in your thoughts.

The injuries have hurt, maybe with Snoddy in addition to Summers from last week, some speed could help us. Interesting how smart guys who have been in the system for years can't tell the different fronts apart. They think too much, play a little slower making the effort look tame and lame. Naturally from the stands, we see the FOS belly flopping and the opponent(s) parading around in our backfield. To me, the defense feeds off of the GT offense more than at other schools. Still not an excuse for that unit to crumble up, especially the pass rush. Not enough push to even move the pocket and make the QB uncomfortable. Hopefully, Tobin watching Wilson this week will help the long snapping game. Butker needs deep kickoffs since coverage can be like the "Norman Bates 11". Ken S. said this has been JT5's best week of practice this season.
 
I am not so sure that it is a mis reading of the alignment of the defense as much as it is doing different things out of the same defensive formation. AND varying this as the game goes along.

For instance Notre Dame knows that Johnson watches for weaknesses and certain reactions in the first few series of plays. I think they deliberately played different techniques as the game moved along to prevent him for finding those weaknesses. Then when GT made mistakes, they capitalized on them.

Something different is happening because I don't buy the line of conversation that says the players from last year can't execute this year. That doesn't happen. Sometimes they are physically getting beat on the plays, but others I think the confusion is being caused by the defense doing something different than expected.

The young players may not be executing properly, but that's to be expected when you must play them before they are really ready.

Losing Andrews really hurt more than expected. He was a good blocker and a consistent runner.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Kelly Quinlan

GTWB: Tech Opens ACC Tournament Against Pitt on Wednesday

Replies
6
Views
653
The Buzz - Members Only
LOJacket
LOJacket
Kelly Quinlan

GTWB: Morgan, Dunn Tabbed All-ACC Second Team

Replies
1
Views
129
The Buzz - Members Only
GTDSP
G
Kelly Quinlan

GTSB: Jackets Ranked No. 25 in Softball America Poll

Replies
0
Views
295
The Buzz - Members Only
Kelly Quinlan
Kelly Quinlan
Kelly Quinlan

HOOPS UNC’s RJ Davis Leads ACC Men’s Basketball 2023-24 Season Honors

Replies
12
Views
579
The Buzz - Members Only
jwe37
J
Russell Johnson

BASEBALL Tuesday’s Game at KSU Postponed

Replies
0
Views
379
The Buzz - Members Only
Russell Johnson
Russell Johnson
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest posts

ADVERTISEMENT
Top Bottom
Back