For those not keeping a fractional record as to how far into the College Football season we are, I will report to you that the regular season is a quarter of the way through. Though the fight to get to the season is arduous it seems as if it passes by with ease. A quarter of the regular season has transpired without comment from yours truly. I have found myself dealing with the uncertainties of transition but those headaches are nearing an end. However, my dear readers, this time spent away from writing has allowed for deep thought. Thoughts so deep that I now feel comfortable to provide analysis for the Pitt Panthers but also for the other two programs that dominate our demographic as well as a little touch of a national perspective. So now that I have already lost most of you talking about what I am about to talk about, here is what I am talking about.
Penn State’s Quarterly Report Card: A.
The GATE student who had to resign from five different officers positions they held. Hey we knew you had it in you. You just needed to settle down focus on maybe one or two extracurriculars (keeping a offensive coordinator for once). A gutsy win at Purdue to kick off the season (Week 1 is a difficult time to schedule a P5 opponent folks) and seeing consistent progress where you want to see it. The largest question heading into the season was not QB play (you morons) but whether or not the offensive line could aid Sean Clifford into creating offense. You add in Nick Singletary and you have a Quarterback who won’t do it all, he will not pass for 350 and 3 td’s, but he can make the right decisions and manage his way into scoring 40 plus points over the last three games. There is trouble ahead. Though it hasn’t shown yet (due to the strength’s of their opponents being conducive to Penn State’s defense) the front 7 will be tested against some of the nation’s most efficient rushing attacks in the month of October. Minnesota will be problematic as will Michigan. If Penn State can find their way to wins in those games then I have no doubt that the OSU matchup will be to decide the east.
Notre Dame’s Quarterly Report Card: B-
Let’s do the private school kid who transfers into regular public school classes.I think the expectations are unfair. Just because they came private school doesn’t mean they are smarter. Surely most are expecting a harsh grade however I think that would be unfair. Notre Dame doesn’t have a quarterback. Notre Dame’s offensive line is arguably not as strong as years past. Notre Dame is replacing a stable back in what was Kyren Williams. There is transition on the defensive side of the ball. Notre Dame has a first year head coach. When the preseason diagnosis came that Notre Dame’s only loss might only be to Ohio State, I was confused. Maybe I was too pessimistic on the Irish’s chances to absorb the impacts of change and continue on successfully. I am not sure that Tommy Rees and Tyler Buchner were ever going to gel that well offensively. The defense is performing to arguably a higher standard than what was expected ( see holding Ohio State to 21 points, like what). This is not on Buchner, not on Rees and not on Freeman. It’s been mismanaged expectations. Obviously the Marshall loss is a horrible optic but I think the team is severely limited on Offense and it wasn’t the defense that lost them the game. As Freeman gains experience, as Pyne gains experience and as the young talent gains experience you would expect the quarters going forward to be a tad less bumpy.
Pitt’s Quarterly Report Card: B
This one is tough to put in terms of the apparent high school academic grading scale I’ve found myself referring to. Let’s go with the kid who blew Biology out of the water but is having a hard time understanding Chemistry. Yeah that one really makes sense because I think that is what Pitt’s issue is at the moment. An unimpressive win against WVU and a frustrating loss to Tennessee has Pitt fans unsure if the panthers can defend their ACC title. I think a lot of people thought there was going to be a peaceful transition between the 2021 Kenny Pickett led Pitt Panthers and the 2022 Kedon Slovis led Pitt Panthers (2008 election). Well it really wasn’t that seamless (2020 Election). A brand new offensive scheme and some unfamiliarity between QB and WR’s has left the offense a tad bit disjointed. Konata Mumpfield who was brought in to ease the loss of Addison has had some hiccups. But should that be shocking to you? I’d argue it shouldn’t be. The identity of this offense has changed which was apparent when Pitt dominated Western Michigan largely through a rush focused offense. The sample size is way too small to label this offense as unproductive. Defensively, the issue is similar. Two brand new linebackers and some unfortunate injuries on the defensive line has hindered Pitt’s production. With that said growth is taking place each game and you are seeing a more productive defense. Pitt held one of the most potent offenses in the game to 3 points in the second half. As time passes this team will get better as long as the rate that Pitt appears to be sustaining injuries begins to dwindle.
Exceeds Expectations:
Look closely and you can find some perennial poopers playing polar of expectations. I would like to call attention to some undefeateds. Kansas is undefeated, already covering their season win total including an away win at West Virginia( you idiots, you morons, you played week one like it was your super bowl and you lost to Kansas. You should be embarrassed). Duke is another surprise especially considering Mike Elko is in year one of his tenure. If you are close with me or pay attention to COS’s only podcast Noon on Saturday you wouldv’e one smart contributor call for Oregon State to surprise folks this year. They are in fact undefeated with two solid wins agains Fresno (debatably the best G5 program this year) and Boise.
1.5 hour Parent Teacher Conference:
This is for the kids who’s behavior call for serious intervention. I would mention Nebraska and Arizona State but they have already intervened. Kirk Ferentz is dealing with the issue of why you never go into business with family. His Son is singlehandedly imploding the program Kirk built for 20 years at Iowa. He is offensively inept which is okay in some scenarios but not when you are the Offensive Coordinator. In that case, it’s not okay. I don’t enjoy writing this but Jeff Hafley and Phil Jurkovec need to have a sit down. With losses to Rutgers and Virginia Tech who are both below average teams, it seems the offensive magic that existed in 2020 is now gone. We could be looking at mid-season expulsion if things continue to go poorly.
Just as a final note, a note I didn’t think I would find myself writing but due to some recent activity I feel like this should be said. Last Saturday, Pitt won and covered on the road against a group of five opponent on the back of Pitt’s third string quarterback. Feel like a winning program would be able to handle a G5 opponent at home with their starting QB. Maybe I’m holding people to higher standard than what is fair