Post Pitt thoughts

Stunned...

That's the word to best describe what happened at Heinz Field last night (it's 1:11 .m. here and at the hotel and I am still doing work).

When we took an informal press poll I think a UConn blowout was the least expected result. Actually, no one dared predict it. When I woke up this morning, and read the Pitt papers, I had a good feeling on the game. Not this though. I was as sure UConn wouldn't blow out Pitt like Randy Edsall is sure his team can make a 4th and inches.

I thought UConn could win a close game, but they handled Pitt like Duke and Maine. The defense, which didn't look good in the second half against temple, was ferocious. Cody Brown was an animal and except for maybe 1 or 2 plays the tackling was good and they avoided the huge play. Ignore Bostick's 200 plus yards passing. UConn sat back in a deep zone and allowed him to throw over the middle at will. Insignificant. All of the yardage came in the 4th when UConn led 34-7.

So here are some thoughts:

• How good is Tyler Lorenzen? Yes, it's a rhetorical question. 12-of-25 less than 200 yards might not look like much but he was superb. Stats took a hit with nothing happening in the second, but he picked Pitt apart in the second quarter. This guy is as cool as they come. Great presence. I can't believe there was even a QB competition in camp. He is so poised, and he doesn't make a mistake. He has to get rid of the ball quicker and not take sacks, but he doesn't make turnovers. He isn't a high risk player and gets (or will) get an A for game management this week. And he can zip that ball in there pretty good. If he has time to pass, he will pick a defense apart. NO QB problems hee
  

• I thought Cody Brown and the defensive line was outstanding. Brown was a force early and had a sack and many more hurries. Julius Williams made a play and even Rob Lunn got a sack (he made the Diamond Dallas Page symbol after I think --nice job Rob) . Le Sean McCoy (great speed!) is the real deal at running back, and they did a nice job containing him.

• What is Wannstedt doing? Beats me. Kevan Smith was awful. It was almost unwatchable him trying to throw. Good arm, no accuracy and poise. The Anti-Lorenzen. Smith isn't ready to play yet. When your more confident in the Wildcat offense, that's not a good sign. As Dan Davis said: "Once they had to go to the air we knew it was over."
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• I liked Pat Bostick. Throws a nice ball and has a very good arm. Still, it's going to be a learning curve for him. As far as the Wildcat offense, it's much ado about nothing. They got a nice package, but it is a gimmick offense. Once you get a minimal gain, or there is a breakdown, the offense goes kaput. It's a gimmick. I don't think there is enough plays to run that thing for any extended period of time and be successful. And how does McCoy only get 11 touches? I think I have seen this before (in Chicago and Miami).

• Where have you gone Ryan Henegan? Lawrence Wilson had 11 more tackles and a INT return for a TD. Why make a switch now? You can't take Wilson out, he's earned it.
  
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• Dahna Deleston, the JI's Dahna Deleston from East Hartford of course, has another forced fumble, another sack and another tackle for a loss. Can he get some sticky stuff on his hands though? It's good thing he isn't a surgeon. He dropped what should have been his third INT of the year when it somehow went through his hands. He has played greatthis year. I know he is dying to bring one back for a TD.

Lastly. Boy do teams hate losing to UConn. It's a superiority thing. Even Duke thought it was better than UConn. Pitt certainly did. The fans were ready to jump into the Ohio river. They know nothing of the improved HUskies, they just look at the uniform and assume that the last two years are the ceiling of UConn football. As I said a couple of weeks ago, look at the games.

That's three blowouts in 4 games, two on the road. I don't know good UConn is, but I do know now they aren't terrible. Much better than last year. At the beginning of the year I didn't think they would go better than 5-7, and probably 6-6 at the most. There are tough games ahead, but I think chances are if they stay healthy they are going to pick off another one of those games that most people think they shouldn't. USF, Rutgers, Louisville at home? UVA on the road? I would think they pick off one or even two of those.

Not saying they break into the top of the Big East, but I am willing to bet the bottom of the Big East isn't as bad as some would like to say it is.


Here is the JI's web story