WIN THE DEFENSIVE SHOWDOWN
Virginia’s O-Line filled the bill last Saturday aiding in Cedric Peerman ‘s third straight 100-yard plus rushing game. Jameel Sewell showed progress as a quarterback as three tight ends hauled in 12 passes and Staton Jobe caught the winning touchdown pass.
It was a good day for the aforementioned parties and offensive coordinator Mike Groh, who watched his offense spread the ball to 10 different sets of hands for 354 yards against Jon Tenuta’s defense.
With Pittsburgh coming to town Saturday, it’s time to saddle up a different horse and do it again.
“Their defense is playing admirably; they’re in the top 25 in many categories this year including, I think, 11 in total defense. The defense is playing very well but is being put into some very difficult circumstances by turnovers,” said Al Groh.
Three Panther turnovers were destructive in their loss to Michigan State. Each led to Spartan scores. A week later Connecticut constructed 17 points out of three more Pitt giveaways. To say Pitt’s offense has complemented their defense is like saying Flavor Flav would be a good boyfriend for your little sister.
Pitt’s defense is in the top 25 in pass efficiency, sacks, pass defense, rushing defense, total defense, and scoring defense. In the previous two weeks, the only points the D fully allowed was on UConn’s 8-play, 60-yard scoring drive in the second quarter. The remainder of the Spartans’ and Huskies’ points came on either turnovers setting up short fields or direct scores.
Virginia’s offense can’t think less of the Pitt defense. Just because they’re aren’t blitzing, doesn’t mean they aren’t trying.
“The team that we played last week has got a very good history of defense but it’s really a scheme defense,” said Groh. “This [Pitt] defense is a lot different. There’s not a lot of schemes involved, there’s some movement and somewhat but if you’re going to move the ball against these guys, you’re got to dig them out of there”
With or without Eugene Monroe , the Cavaliers front five will have to grind it out to help Cedric Peerman and protect Sewell. Two weeks ago, the Panthers limited Michigan State to 2.8 yards per rush and notched 6 sacks. The onus is back on Virginia’s line to get the job done.
Last week, I compared Jameel Sewell to a boxer who needed to answer the bell. All he, like the rest of the offense, did was win the round. Keep out-pointing the opponent, win more rounds, and let’s see where this thing ends up.
LIMIT LeSEAN. BEAT BOSTICK
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Jon Copper and the Cavs could be dominant this weekend if they bottle up LeSean McCoy . |
The jury didn’t take long in handing down the verdict on LeSean McCoy : he deserves more playing time.
After a 172-yard performance at Michigan State, UConn did a nice job of bottling up the freshman in only his fourth career game. McCoy carried the ball 3 times for 44 yards and tossed an 18-yard pass on an early second quarter drive that cut Pitt’s lead to 3. After that drive, the young running back touched the ball one more time in the half, fumbled before halftime, and finished the day with 70 yards. McCoy has 65 carries for 417 yards (6.4 yards per carry) and five touchdowns on the season.
His complement LaRod Stephens-Howling grinded out 58 yards on 17 carries vs. Virginia last year but has seen his playing time split this year because Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt feels McCoy has earned the right to play and has said he will be the feature back Saturday night. UCONN showed the best way to keep LeSean out of the mix was to get Pitt down early and force them to go to the air.
Pittsburgh will start true freshman Pat Bostick at quarterback. The offensive line may be a mix-and-match version because of injury, and the Panthers’ supposed strength this year at wide receiver has caused more headaches than touchdowns.
After losing star receiver Derek Kinder to a season-ending knee injury, Oderick Turner has struggled trying to fill the bill logging almost as many penalties as receptions; he does have 2 of Pitt’s 3 receiving touchdowns on the year.
Bostick aired it out in the final two quarters (27 of 41, 230 yards) against UConn, finding the end zone just once as opposed to three second half picks.
In other words, you want to stop the run and get after Pitt’s air attack. Virginia needs to apply pressure in the backfield and get strong overall pass coverage. Bostick only completed three passes of more than 20 yards last week. The secondary needs to capitalize this week.
GET THEM ON, GET THEM OUT, AND GET IT OVER WITH.
Two of the most important stats in football? Turnovers and 3rd down conversions.
One of the worst stats in the office of Dave Wannstedt? Turnover and 3rd down conversions.
Pittsburgh is 4 of 29 on third-down conversions, which includes a stretch of 22 consecutive failed third-down conversions. A week after Georgia Tech managed just 3 of 15 attempts on third downs, this might be the make it or break stat of the night. Virginia doesn’t need to toy with an offense, they need to dominate one. Plus after being on the field for 40 minutes and 89 plays against Wyoming, doesn’t this defense have some comp time coming its way?
LET PITT BEAT THEMSELVES
Just like your parents taught you: if someone gives you a gift, take it and say “thank you.”
You’d think that after a 17-13 loss to Michigan State, a game in which 10 penalties and three turnovers were the deciding factors, that Pitt would have learned the error of their ways, right? Nope. The Panthers recklessly committed six turnovers that directly led to two touchdowns and eight penalties in last week’s 34-14 waxing by Connecticut. The Pittsburgh giveaway/ takeaway margin is minus-9.
If the Panthers want to continue in its most penalized ways (13th ranked), let them continue their mental meltdown. No need for Virginia to drop to that level as they have done nothing but progress over the month. Wouldn’t it be nice to see September end at Scott Stadium with a pummeling?
If I remember right, paybacks are a … VIRGINIA 31, PITT 14.
Wes McElroy is a sports talkshow host for ESPN 840 AM in Charlottesville. The Final Round with Wes McElroy airs week days from 4 to 6 p.m. Listen live on the Web site.
