Pittsburgh Scouting Report: Which Pitt Shows Up?
By WFP
As I’ve covered this game for a few years now, you begin to catch on to certain trends that lie across several program. One, no matter which team you come across, any team that racks up injuries along the line and at the interior of either the defense or offense, will experience severe turmoil during point of that season. Another trend you’ll find is with any team, whose core is based around the talent and experience of youth will result in a team with volatile results. Pittsburgh, fits the bill of a team that suffers from both of those trends.
I have a difficult time trying to figure out which Pitt team will show up on Saturday.
This year, Pittsburgh who is led by a large core of talented freshmen and sophomores has put up performances that should lift them into the Top 25 (dominant win over Boston College, imposed will on Virginia Tech on both sides of the ball). However volatility because of that youth has shown us a Pitt team that can lose to any given team on any given Saturday (losses to Akron, 5 first quarter fumbles lost against Georgia Tech). Pitt has been one of the biggest mysteries that I’ve covered in 2014. I have a difficult time trying to figure out which Pitt team will show up on Saturday. What I do know is Carolina’s defense will need to set the tone against this punishing 4 headed ground attack early and often.
Nov 1, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers running back James Conner (24) takes a hand-off from quarterback Chad Voytik (16) during the fourth quarter against at Heinz Field. The Blue Devils won 51-48 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh’s Starting O
QB 1 Chad Voytik (#16)
RBs James Conner (#24)
WRs Tyler Boyd (#23), Manasseh Garner (#82)
TE JP Holtz (#86)
H Back Jaymar Parrish (#31)
LT Adam Biscnowaty (#69)
LG Dorian Johnson (#53)
C Alex Officer (#63)
RG Matt Rotheram (#74)
RT TJ Clemmings (#68)
Key Reserves: Kevin Weatherspoon (#88) – WR, Issac Bennett (#34)- RB, Chris James (#3) – RB, Rachid Ibrahim (#29) RB, Ronald Jones (#10) – WR
Pittsburgh Offense is fairly simple. Their offense isn’t one that’s gonna air it out and try to beat you over the top. Their offense isn’t also one that’s gonna dink and dunk 5 or 6 yards here and there. Pitt’s offense through mauling offensive line is one that grind away at your front seven and then breaks a big play when your defense is on their heels. Through the combo of James Connor and Chad Voytik, this run games beats the livin’ hell out of your defense. James Connor, in my opinion, is one of the top 3 players in the ACC. He’s racked up close to 1400 yards and found the endzone 17 times both tops in the ACC, and the TD figure by a long shot. Connor is deserving of ACC Player of the Year honors and as only a sophomore, we’re lucky to have the opportunity to watch this kid play for at least another year.
With every successful offense there is a successful offensive line.
Voytik, a former 4 star recruit with offers everywhere, is a tough as nails quarterback who always seems to get better as the game goes on. He’s a baller with an underrated arm and has deceiving speed. It will be key for this defense to keep tabs on him when he scrambles out of the pocket. When Head Coach Paul Chryst decides to air it out, roughly 80% of the targets and reception yards find Pittsburgh’s superstar receiver Tyler Boyd. Tyler Boyd, just like last year has been lighting up secondaries once again as the ACC’s second leading receiver. Boyd, a former 5 star local prospect has lived up to his hype. Like Connor and Voytik, Carolina will need to keep an eye out for Boyd .
Nov 16, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers running back Isaac Bennett (34) celebrates scoring a touchdown with receivers Tyler Boyd (left) and Kevin Weatherspoon (88) against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Tar Heels won 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
With every successful offense there is a successful offensive line. This Pittsburgh squad, despite having injuries leave this young line very thin, has been dominant at times. Like Paul Chryst’s offensive line at Wisconsin, this line is big, physical and ultra talented (all 4 and 5 stars). Chryst quietly has been building another strong offensive line program and I expect this line to give our defense fits. Our front seven needs to grow up and get mean in the next 5 days to combat this front that we’ll see Saturday.
Pittsburgh’s Starting D
DEs David Durham (#44), Shakir Soto (#52)
DTs Darryl Render (#91) 3 tech, Khaymin Mosley-Smith (#95) Nose Tackle
Sam Backer Anthony Gonzales (#28)
Middle Backer Matt Galambos (#47)
Will Backer Todd Thomas (#8)
CBs Reggie Mitchell (#15), Lafayette Pitts (#6)
Safeties Terrish Webb (#2) Strong Safety, Ray Vinopal (#9) Free Safety
Key Rotation Players: Rori Blaie (#92) DL, Bam Bradley (#4) LB, Nicholas Grigsby (#3) LB, Pat Amara (#25) DB,
Nov 1, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Duke Blue Devils running back Shaquille Powell (28) runs after a pass reception against Pittsburgh Panthers defensive back Reggie Mitchell (15) during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Defense has to start with their front seven, which is one of the more underrated front sevens in the country. All 7 seven starters have experience from earlier years and unfortunately a shaky secondary has resulted in some less than ideal defensive stats for the team. I do believe that if Carolina can get their offense clicking’ the way it was, we shouldn’t have a problem moving the ball against this front or picking apart the rear. One thing I’ve noticed about this defense is the leading tacklers are two LBs, a both safeties.
While Pittsburgh is very top-heavy in the talent on offense I’m convinced Carolina can win the ballgame against this opposing defense.
That tells me that offenses can get past this line. Pitt doesn’t have a pass rusher that blows me away either with David Durham leading the team with Rori Blair leading the team in sacks as a reserve. This defense likes to rotate so if Carolina can get the tempo going it’ll be tough for Pitt to keep their front seven fresh. Carolina has definitely faced a better secondary in 2014 than this bunch. Pitts and Mitchell are very talented at the wing but they still lack in technique. I’m hoping that Littrell can take advantage at what I consider a wear edge of the defense.
Getting One Win Closer to a Bowl
With Pittsburgh, Duke and NC State left on the calendar Carolina must nab any pair of these remaining ball games. Of the games left, Pittsburgh, to me is the most winnable. While Pittsburgh is very top-heavy in the talent on offense I’m convinced Carolina can win the ballgame against this opposing defense. In order to improve the attendees at Homecoming, Carolina must adhere to these three philosophies
1. Attack Pittsburgh’s Perimeter
As I’ve mentioned before, I’m not overly impressed with Pittsburgh’s secondary. For as much as Littrell and Fedora have enjoyed attacking the edge and over the top against almost every opponent, Saturday should be no different. Carolina has much more team speed and should find success by creating mismatches with Pitt’s slower secondary and linebackers. It’s time for this receiving core to break out.
2. Win the Battle In the Trenches
Against a big physical team that tries to impose their will it’s imperative that Carolina gets their own shots in. This Carolina squad needs to man up in the next 5 days and understand in order to win they most out work, out hustle and out muscle Pittsburgh.
3. Start Fast and Don’t Let Up
Against what one could consider a “low and slow” offensive minded team, Carolina must use tempo and a quick start to put this Pitt team behind them. Like Georgia Tech, a successful ground game allows a team to hang around even when down a couple scores. If Carolina wants to dictate the pace and control the game from start to finish, this team has to come out of the chute quick.
Be sure to follow me on twitter @FootbawFrat as I continue to break down Pitt while we get closer to Gameday.
– WFP