Tough Loss, Good Game
November 23rd, 2008 | by The Prowler |For the first time this season, Pitt actually lost to a better team in football. Pitt certainly could have beat Cincinnati. They didn’t need to lose. If they had played four quarters they would or could have won. But let’s be honest and humble here. Cincinattie looked good. As I watched the game, I told my brother that the reason Pitt wasn’t going to come back (even though they almost did) was because they needed two things to happen, not just one. Pitt needed to start playing well AND needed Cincinnati to stop playing well.
If Pitt had played well, it would have been a good game. It would have bene a close game. But that doesn’t mean Pitt would have won. Cincinatti played really well. In many respects, Pitt played poorly because of how well Cincinnati played. Cinci’s defense was all over the field. They did a good job of containing the weapons Pitt has on offense. And of course Cinci’s offense was very solid, picking apart a very weak Pitt secondary.
I would say that they key to the game was coaching. Cincinatti out-coached Pitt. That isn’t to say that Dave Wannstedt and company did a poor job. I just think that Brian Kelly and his crew were more prepared for the opponent. They forced Pitt into two things; either going deep or giving the ball to McCoy (whether by rush or screen) on every play. They did a good job of shutting down the mid-range passing game, which forced Pitt into a lot of second and third and long situations. Also, they came in knowing that Pitt was vulnerable on the corners, and absolutely abused that fact.
Overall this is still a good season for Pitt and there is no reason to be upset by a loss to a good team. I was more angry that Pitt decided to make that comeback at the end than I was when they were down 21. It made me mad because what would make them think they deserved to win a game if they only play 10 minutes? They needed to come out and play 60 minutes. Against WVU and UConn, if Pitt thinks they can take plays off and just make it up at the end, they are going to end the season on a three game skid.
At the same time, there is no reason to believe that Pitt can’t beat either or both of their next two opponents. They just need to rebound and come ready to play. 8-4 or 9-3 is still a possibility.
Congratulations to Cincinnati for a good game and a great season. Please beat Syracuse and make the Big East proud in the BCS.
2 Responses to “Tough Loss, Good Game”
By jay-ray on Nov 24, 2008 | Reply
Good analysis, I went to the game, BK is a great coach and will be leaving UC this year.
My only problem is that we are still “weak” regarding our coaching staff, DW and the Pitt staff have made strides this year but they have a long way to go.
WVU has a weak coaching staff so we shall see this Friday who “outcoaches” who!
By The Prowler on Nov 25, 2008 | Reply
I don’t know if the coaching staff is “weak” but they definitely aren’t “elite.” They have grown a great deal, especially in responding to criticism, opening the playbook up, and letting the players use their talent on the field. I like how aggressive they have been. But things like not knowing that Rutgers was a passing team shows that they still have a ways to go.
Brian Kelly for Cincinnati has done a great job there. He did a good job preparing his team for Pitt. And it is clear that he knew our biggest weakness is our secondary, which he picked on all night.
But I do really think that the coaching has come a LONG way, and if they keep allowing themselves to learn and grow, then they will keep Pitt competitive for a long time. If, however, they hit a wall like Walt Harris did, then we will probably get stuck at “bowl eligible” as a status for our program, which is, of course, better than being a losing team.