12-07-2018, 09:47 PM
I was curious to learn more about Pitt so I watched what I could -- team highlights, and a collection of game highlights on ESPN. Trying to understand their record, their close game to Notre Dame, etc.
I can see why JJAW would want to play in that game so badly. I think Stanford scores a lot of points this game. It strikes me as the most fundamentally unsound defense Stanford will face this year. Out of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and Honorable Mention All-ACC Teams, no member of the Pitt front 7 was mentioned. Two people in the secondary were I think third team all ACC or Honorable Mention. ANd the matchup, oh!
The D Linemen look undersized, the linebackers look undersized and undistinguished. In the Clemson game, a big physical receiver went up for a jump ball in the end zone and snatched it with ease. Sound familiar? Game highlights show other teams with a powerful line getting a good push. Clemson highlights show how a RB with elite speed can break it outside and take it to the House over and over again.
Unless the team takes their foot off the gas or has way too conservative an offensive game plan, I expect to see Stanford score 49+ points this game.
What is most terrifying to me about Pitt is watching their run game. Among all the All-ACC teams, they have 2 running backs and **ALL 5** interior linemen recognized, and deservedly so. No team stops them from scoring 10-20ish. No matter what, it's hard to imagine Pitt not getting 130+ running yards -- I just hope it's not 300+. The run game is a beast on tape. They blow lines back, they have athletic linemen getting hands on people at the second level, their running backs wait for the blocks to open up, they get good creases, then they zigzag through defenses with patience, balance, power and speed for big gains. I don't think Stanford has played a run game game this good all year, and I can't think of something comparable in recent years. It looks familiar -- like a 2016 Stanford line with 2 Love-like running backs (with less breakaway speed) plus a 230-lb full back (and Stanford has shied from tackling big runners lately).
If Okereke and Barton are as healthy as they (miraculously) were able to stay for the Cal game, then I could see Stanford winning 49-24 if Pitt stays fairly one-dimensional and pays when they try to pass.
If Stanford's super-thin defense gets some injuries, depending on how ready those true frosh linebackers are, watch out -- with a couple of turnovers, I could see Pitt winning a defenseless shootout something like 42-38.
The second terrifying thing is thinking about Keller Chryst's injury at the Sun Bowl two years ago. Man, this last year has been so tough for injuries. Please, no more.
I can see why JJAW would want to play in that game so badly. I think Stanford scores a lot of points this game. It strikes me as the most fundamentally unsound defense Stanford will face this year. Out of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and Honorable Mention All-ACC Teams, no member of the Pitt front 7 was mentioned. Two people in the secondary were I think third team all ACC or Honorable Mention. ANd the matchup, oh!
The D Linemen look undersized, the linebackers look undersized and undistinguished. In the Clemson game, a big physical receiver went up for a jump ball in the end zone and snatched it with ease. Sound familiar? Game highlights show other teams with a powerful line getting a good push. Clemson highlights show how a RB with elite speed can break it outside and take it to the House over and over again.
Unless the team takes their foot off the gas or has way too conservative an offensive game plan, I expect to see Stanford score 49+ points this game.
What is most terrifying to me about Pitt is watching their run game. Among all the All-ACC teams, they have 2 running backs and **ALL 5** interior linemen recognized, and deservedly so. No team stops them from scoring 10-20ish. No matter what, it's hard to imagine Pitt not getting 130+ running yards -- I just hope it's not 300+. The run game is a beast on tape. They blow lines back, they have athletic linemen getting hands on people at the second level, their running backs wait for the blocks to open up, they get good creases, then they zigzag through defenses with patience, balance, power and speed for big gains. I don't think Stanford has played a run game game this good all year, and I can't think of something comparable in recent years. It looks familiar -- like a 2016 Stanford line with 2 Love-like running backs (with less breakaway speed) plus a 230-lb full back (and Stanford has shied from tackling big runners lately).
If Okereke and Barton are as healthy as they (miraculously) were able to stay for the Cal game, then I could see Stanford winning 49-24 if Pitt stays fairly one-dimensional and pays when they try to pass.
If Stanford's super-thin defense gets some injuries, depending on how ready those true frosh linebackers are, watch out -- with a couple of turnovers, I could see Pitt winning a defenseless shootout something like 42-38.
The second terrifying thing is thinking about Keller Chryst's injury at the Sun Bowl two years ago. Man, this last year has been so tough for injuries. Please, no more.