I'm really getting this weird feeling that that guy is going to make Pitt into a power REALLY soon. I mean REALLY soon. I know we like to get on him for not being able to coach, and Pitt had some bad losses (like the Virginia and Connecticut games), but when it comes to a really big game that guy seems to have some bizarre mojo. Beat #23 Cincinnati, beat #2 West Virginia on the road, almost beat Michigan State on the road. Once he gets a few more players in there I think he'll win. He might not win a championship, reminds me to much of Frank Beamer in that regard, but he also reminds me of Beamer in the respect that he will have so much talent that Pitt will be a Top 25 power. West Virginia spit the bit last night, but that guy had one hell of a defensive scheme.

CatsClaw Wrote:I'm really getting this weird feeling that that guy is going to make Pitt into a power REALLY soon. I mean REALLY soon. I know we like to get on him for not being able to coach, and Pitt had some bad losses (like the Virginia and Connecticut games), but when it comes to a really big game that guy seems to have some bizarre mojo. Beat #23 Cincinnati, beat #2 West Virginia on the road, almost beat Michigan State on the road. Once he gets a few more players in there I think he'll win. He might not win a championship, reminds me to much of Frank Beamer in that regard, but he also reminds me of Beamer in the respect that he will have so much talent that Pitt will be a Top 25 power. West Virginia spit the bit last night, but that guy had one hell of a defensive scheme.

Claw, WEST VIRGINIA CHOKED.

West Virginia blew that game but it's ridiculous to just throw it away as a choke job.   Some of the defensive schemes that Pitt used as were very strong.  Blitzing at the right time, covering the corners, very strong.  And Pitt DOMINATED West Virginia's offensive line, even when Pat White was in there.  Every play they were in the back field all over White and Slaton.  Pitt also has an amazing amount of speed and utilized it very well.  I mean it's ridiculous to just throw the game away as a choke.  In order to choke the other guy has to be able to execute. Look, Wannstedt isn't the world's greatest coach, but he is a decent coach and a great recruiter. This isn't the last we've heard from him.

WacoBearcat Wrote:Claw, WEST VIRGINIA CHOKED.

No, Pitt outplayed them. Our DL schooled their OL unlike the last 2 years. Just like we outplayed Cincy this year. We played a lot of first year players this year and they grew up last night. WVU humiliated us in 05 & 06 and payback is a female dog. Wanny is an alum as is RichRod. They both played the game and understand what the Brawl is all about.

Wanny has done an outstanding job keeping the playing hard all season long when injuries have decimated our offense. We played hard against everyone we played all season long. Quitting in the face of adversity like last minute losses to Mich St, UL, and Rutgers would have been easy to understand, but to the coaches credit they played hard and finally the effort paid off in spades.

Blocking schemes are something that take a lot of concentration and teamwork. Pitt threw a big wrinkle in there with their game plan and if you compare the blocking between the Pitt game and the UConn game the WVU O line never got anything going. Against Uconn the offensive line was awesome.

Did Pitt's D underachieve in a few games this year? They played well against two of the best teams on their schedule but poorly in others. How do they get pounded by Navy but beat Cinci and hold WVU to 7? Or was the problem they let a few games go because of the struggles of their offense?

CatsClaw Wrote:West Virginia blew that game but it's ridiculous to just throw it away as a choke job.   Some of the defensive schemes that Pitt used as were very strong.  Blitzing at the right time, covering the corners, very strong.  And Pitt DOMINATED West Virginia's offensive line, even when Pat White was in there.  Every play they were in the back field all over White and Slaton.  Pitt also has an amazing amount of speed and utilized it very well.  I mean it's ridiculous to just throw the game away as a choke.  In order to choke the other guy has to be able to execute. Look, Wannstedt isn't the world's greatest coach, but he is a decent coach and a great recruiter. This isn't the last we've heard from him.

Pitts offense is not so great right now, but their defense is ranked either top 10 or top 15, I cant remember which. This team seemed to improve in almost every game. Their last 6 or 7 games could have gone either way as they were very close. They will have a say in the BE picture next year.

Wannstedt was celebrating his contract extension by beating WVU.

Looks like Pitt ended up #7 and WVU #4 in total yards allowed per game.

Wanny did do some great coaching on the sideline; he was into it (like UofL fans saw with Petrino but not with Krag )

I also agree the contract extension gave him some new juice for that game.

Wanny deserves alot of credit for this game. No question Pitt outplayed WVU.

But regardless, it WAS a choke by WVU.

wvucrazed Wrote:Wanny deserves alot of credit for this game. No question Pitt outplayed WVU.

But regardless, it WAS a choke by WVU.

BOTH of these statements are correct.

Two words . . . Rod Smith!

And I'll just leave it at that.

People always seem to forget that Dave Wannstedt was always known as an incredible defensive mind under Jimmy Johnson many years ago. I do not think all that schematic knowledge simply disappeared over the last decade. Pitt has played great defense at times this season, and not so much at other points, but anyone looking closely can tell that he is assembling too much talent there to not start winning some big games eventually. Unfortunately for West Virginia and the Big East, however, eventually started on Saturday rather than next year. The Panthers will be a major factor in this conference in 2008.

Krocker Krapp Wrote:People always seem to forget that Dave Wannstedt was always known as an incredible defensive mind under Jimmy Johnson many years ago. I do not think all that schematic knowledge simply disappeared over the last decade. Pitt has played great defense at times this season, and not so much at other points, but anyone looking closely can tell that he is assembling too much talent there to not start winning some big games eventually. Unfortunately for West Virginia and the Big East, however, eventually started on Saturday rather than next year. The Panthers will be a major factor in this conference in 2008.

I agree they should be very good next year.