spudhawk
Well-Known Member
Pitt had a tumultuous off- season in several ways- firing Wannestache's replacement after 17 days, finally settling on former Tulsa coach Todd Graham and some expected and unexpected losses. Pitt has dealt with some tough off the field news with both players and first head coach Mike Heyward, who was fired after an alleged domestic disturbance. Graham brings a brand new offense and defense and will try to reinvigorate a Pitt team that was pretty mediocre under Wannestache.
Graham is bringing a Michigan/ WVU style spread offense and Tulsa led the nation in total offense in 3 of his 4 seasons as head coach. He has co-coordinators on each side of the ball- on offense Calvin Magee (Mich/WVU) and Mike Norvell (Tulsa) as well as defense in Keith Patterson (Tulsa) and Tony Gibson (Mich/WVU). Both Tulsa and Michigan were among the worst defenses in the country last season and Tulsa is looking to install an attacking 3-4 which is really similar to the 3-3-5 defense that Michigan employed under Rich-Rod and GERG.
Offense- Key losses: TB Dion Lewis, WR Jon Baldwin, TE Mike Cruz, FB Henry Hynoski, OL- Jason Pinkston and Alex Karabin
Pitt is losing 219 rushes, 1061 in rushing yards and 13 TDs from Lewis and 124 receptions, 1425 yards and 8 TDs from the skill players. The loss of Hynoski should be tempered a bit by the change in scheme ( Fullback) and Cruz has eligibility remaining but quit the team after a suspension- I haven't seen that he can't come back or where he landed. Pinkston is a big loss as he was the best lineman on the team last season and the loss of Karabin is forcing a gifted guard to shift to center where he has had little experience snapping the ball or making linecalls- and is having to learn a new offense to boot. The loss of Lewis is somewhat tempered by the return of Ray Graham who rushed for 922 yards and 8 TDs last season and is a gifted receiver out of the backfield.
Pitt returns QB Tino Sunseri who has enough mobility to be a threat in this offense and put up solid statistics. He really struggled over the last 4 games of the season and in the bowl game for the Panthers and will have to make a drastic transition in this offense, but really has no one pushing him as spring star Anthony Gonzalez is suspend indefinitely and was arrested after his suspension.
Depth is going to be the question mark for the entire Pitt offensive roster. TB Graham is very good and should suit this offense to a T but his back up is a former walk on who has not seen significant game action. Pitt did bring 4 freshman in at this position. Pitt loses first round draft choice Baldwin at WR, but return a solid tall receiver in Shanahan (43 589) who could be ideally suited for the slot position in this offense, Devin Street (25 318) who is lanky, fast and had a very good spring, and an underutilized weapon in Cam Saddler (5'7 157) who is known more for his return ability has been compared to (both athletically and role-wise) to former Tulsa WR Damaris Johnson who nearly led the Hurricane in rushing, did in receiving and totaled 13 TDs (7 rushing, 4 receiving, 1 punt and 1 kick). Saddler is a very solid returner and was actually pushed in the spring by CB buddy Jackson.
The offensive line returns three starters and another player with experience. Jacobsen is the player with the most pressure as he shifts to center, but will have help from returning starters Lucas Nix (several pre-season Big East type teams) and Jordan Gibbs who will move from left to right tackle. Senior Greg Gaskins will likely man one of the guard spots and started 4 games last season. Cory King and Kyle Turnley are good sized players battling of the other guard spot with King having the edge out of spring. TE Brock DeCiccio will likely man the TE spot and is known more for his blocking. Hubie Graham (I know how many Grahams can you have on one team?) is highly thought of as a receiver and is a bit undersized at 230 lbs.
This will be a running team or at least a balanced team. This is a tough transition as Pitt is switching from an I-based power attack to a No-huddle high tempo spread. This offense will most likely resemble the 2009 Michigan unit led by Tate Forcier as Sunseri is much more suited to pass than run. Iowa struggled with the run in that game and that will have to be the focus in this match up- Stop Ray Graham and force Sunseri into turnovers.
Defense- key losses: DEs Jabaal Sheard and Greg Romeus* S Dom DeCiccio, CB Ricky Gary
Romeus was basically replaced last season as he only played in 2 games and was limited by a back injury for the entire season. Sheard had a solid season piling up 14.5 TFLs with 9 sacks. DeCiccio will be tough to replace as he led the team in tackles and tied for the lead in interceptions with 5. Gary played in all 13 games and had an eighty yard pick 6.
Pitt's defense is again in transition and are co-coordinated by coaches coming from terrible defenses. They have a budding star in Brandon Lindsey who had 10 sacks last season replacing Romeus and can stand up or rush with his hand on the ground. Pitt will return two starters in Chas Alecxih (7.5 sacks) and Myles Caragein. I am not sure who which will play the nose and which will play a 5 tech but they are similar in weight. Iowa rushed for 140 yards last season on 34 carries (31 by Robinson only TB to get a carry) against a Michigan front that possessed more talented players. Coker did not play.
Pitt returns 4 solid linebackers to battle for 3 spots (I am calling a spade a spade- they are playing 3 safeties). Max Gruder will definitely start in some capacity either MLB or WLB and led the unit with 84 tackles last season and will enter his third season as a starter. He is joined by Tristan Roberst, Greg Williams, and Shane Gordon who received one start last year. Two younger players Murphy and Mason could also make some noise at this position and this is likely the best unit on Pittsburgh's team.
In the Secondary Jarred Holley returns to man the FS and had 5 INTs last season. He will be joined by S Jason Hendricks (5 starts last season) and either a rotation of Kevin Adams or Taglianetti ( 2 starts) with others possibly pushing for time in camp. Corners K'waun Williams and Antwaun Reed are expected to start but Reed missed the Spring and bowl game with a concussion. Depth is provided by Buddy Jackson ( KR) and Saheed Imouru.
This defense will still be adjusting to calls and could be exploitable as they plan to blitz from a ton of angles. Iowa's offensive line was outstanding against the blitz last season and played well in all but two games (Arizona and Minnesota). Pitt needs this unit to be solid and returns 8 starters from last season and several other experienced players. This is a relatively small defense and Iowa should be able to run the ball given their size and alignments.
Special teams: Pitt is losing K/P Dan Hutchins who took care of both duties. There was no solid winner of the punt job and the kicking game will not likely be a strength. The return game is solid though with two explosive returners in Saddler and Jackson.
With this game in Kinnick, the style of defense they intend to play and the transition to new styles on both sides of the ball Iowa should be a healthy favorite. Iowa will be coming off a road game versus ISU in an intense game enviroment. Pitt will have faced Buffalo and Maine at home and if they struggle in those games it should be a positive indicator for the Hawks.
Graham is bringing a Michigan/ WVU style spread offense and Tulsa led the nation in total offense in 3 of his 4 seasons as head coach. He has co-coordinators on each side of the ball- on offense Calvin Magee (Mich/WVU) and Mike Norvell (Tulsa) as well as defense in Keith Patterson (Tulsa) and Tony Gibson (Mich/WVU). Both Tulsa and Michigan were among the worst defenses in the country last season and Tulsa is looking to install an attacking 3-4 which is really similar to the 3-3-5 defense that Michigan employed under Rich-Rod and GERG.
Offense- Key losses: TB Dion Lewis, WR Jon Baldwin, TE Mike Cruz, FB Henry Hynoski, OL- Jason Pinkston and Alex Karabin
Pitt is losing 219 rushes, 1061 in rushing yards and 13 TDs from Lewis and 124 receptions, 1425 yards and 8 TDs from the skill players. The loss of Hynoski should be tempered a bit by the change in scheme ( Fullback) and Cruz has eligibility remaining but quit the team after a suspension- I haven't seen that he can't come back or where he landed. Pinkston is a big loss as he was the best lineman on the team last season and the loss of Karabin is forcing a gifted guard to shift to center where he has had little experience snapping the ball or making linecalls- and is having to learn a new offense to boot. The loss of Lewis is somewhat tempered by the return of Ray Graham who rushed for 922 yards and 8 TDs last season and is a gifted receiver out of the backfield.
Pitt returns QB Tino Sunseri who has enough mobility to be a threat in this offense and put up solid statistics. He really struggled over the last 4 games of the season and in the bowl game for the Panthers and will have to make a drastic transition in this offense, but really has no one pushing him as spring star Anthony Gonzalez is suspend indefinitely and was arrested after his suspension.
Depth is going to be the question mark for the entire Pitt offensive roster. TB Graham is very good and should suit this offense to a T but his back up is a former walk on who has not seen significant game action. Pitt did bring 4 freshman in at this position. Pitt loses first round draft choice Baldwin at WR, but return a solid tall receiver in Shanahan (43 589) who could be ideally suited for the slot position in this offense, Devin Street (25 318) who is lanky, fast and had a very good spring, and an underutilized weapon in Cam Saddler (5'7 157) who is known more for his return ability has been compared to (both athletically and role-wise) to former Tulsa WR Damaris Johnson who nearly led the Hurricane in rushing, did in receiving and totaled 13 TDs (7 rushing, 4 receiving, 1 punt and 1 kick). Saddler is a very solid returner and was actually pushed in the spring by CB buddy Jackson.
The offensive line returns three starters and another player with experience. Jacobsen is the player with the most pressure as he shifts to center, but will have help from returning starters Lucas Nix (several pre-season Big East type teams) and Jordan Gibbs who will move from left to right tackle. Senior Greg Gaskins will likely man one of the guard spots and started 4 games last season. Cory King and Kyle Turnley are good sized players battling of the other guard spot with King having the edge out of spring. TE Brock DeCiccio will likely man the TE spot and is known more for his blocking. Hubie Graham (I know how many Grahams can you have on one team?) is highly thought of as a receiver and is a bit undersized at 230 lbs.
This will be a running team or at least a balanced team. This is a tough transition as Pitt is switching from an I-based power attack to a No-huddle high tempo spread. This offense will most likely resemble the 2009 Michigan unit led by Tate Forcier as Sunseri is much more suited to pass than run. Iowa struggled with the run in that game and that will have to be the focus in this match up- Stop Ray Graham and force Sunseri into turnovers.
Defense- key losses: DEs Jabaal Sheard and Greg Romeus* S Dom DeCiccio, CB Ricky Gary
Romeus was basically replaced last season as he only played in 2 games and was limited by a back injury for the entire season. Sheard had a solid season piling up 14.5 TFLs with 9 sacks. DeCiccio will be tough to replace as he led the team in tackles and tied for the lead in interceptions with 5. Gary played in all 13 games and had an eighty yard pick 6.
Pitt's defense is again in transition and are co-coordinated by coaches coming from terrible defenses. They have a budding star in Brandon Lindsey who had 10 sacks last season replacing Romeus and can stand up or rush with his hand on the ground. Pitt will return two starters in Chas Alecxih (7.5 sacks) and Myles Caragein. I am not sure who which will play the nose and which will play a 5 tech but they are similar in weight. Iowa rushed for 140 yards last season on 34 carries (31 by Robinson only TB to get a carry) against a Michigan front that possessed more talented players. Coker did not play.
Pitt returns 4 solid linebackers to battle for 3 spots (I am calling a spade a spade- they are playing 3 safeties). Max Gruder will definitely start in some capacity either MLB or WLB and led the unit with 84 tackles last season and will enter his third season as a starter. He is joined by Tristan Roberst, Greg Williams, and Shane Gordon who received one start last year. Two younger players Murphy and Mason could also make some noise at this position and this is likely the best unit on Pittsburgh's team.
In the Secondary Jarred Holley returns to man the FS and had 5 INTs last season. He will be joined by S Jason Hendricks (5 starts last season) and either a rotation of Kevin Adams or Taglianetti ( 2 starts) with others possibly pushing for time in camp. Corners K'waun Williams and Antwaun Reed are expected to start but Reed missed the Spring and bowl game with a concussion. Depth is provided by Buddy Jackson ( KR) and Saheed Imouru.
This defense will still be adjusting to calls and could be exploitable as they plan to blitz from a ton of angles. Iowa's offensive line was outstanding against the blitz last season and played well in all but two games (Arizona and Minnesota). Pitt needs this unit to be solid and returns 8 starters from last season and several other experienced players. This is a relatively small defense and Iowa should be able to run the ball given their size and alignments.
Special teams: Pitt is losing K/P Dan Hutchins who took care of both duties. There was no solid winner of the punt job and the kicking game will not likely be a strength. The return game is solid though with two explosive returners in Saddler and Jackson.
With this game in Kinnick, the style of defense they intend to play and the transition to new styles on both sides of the ball Iowa should be a healthy favorite. Iowa will be coming off a road game versus ISU in an intense game enviroment. Pitt will have faced Buffalo and Maine at home and if they struggle in those games it should be a positive indicator for the Hawks.
