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Brian Batko's Pitt football chat: 11.1.17
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Brian Batko
2:01
Hi, everyone. The Pitt football team is off this week, but our chat schedule is never idle. Let's get into it.
Terry
2:01
With Raines gone who is Pitt footballs next big recruiting target
Brian Batko
2:03
Hey there Terry, you're talking Aliquippa four-star senior Kwantel Raines, he of Monday night's commitment to West Virginia. By my estimation, he was the last "big" target for Pitt in the 2018 class. There are some other possibilities left out there, but no one local or all that notable, that I know of. Pat Narduzzi's staff has put out quite a few new 2019 offers this week, and you never know who might pop out of the woodwork for this current recruiting cycle, but I'd say Raines pretty much closes the book on big-name targets for a while.
SOMDPanther
2:03
What is your ideal, Howland - Present, Pitt Panthers basketball line-up? You must include at least 3 out of the following 4: Nasir Robinson,  Levon Kendall, Gary McGhee, James Robinson '12.
Brian Batko
2:04
Wow, what a Q. Love it. I said this on Twitter but not here in the chat: If you want to talk Pitt basketball, we can do that, too. After all, the hardwood Panthers play before the gridiron ones, opening and closing their exhibition season at 2 p.m. Saturday vs. Slippery Rock.
2:07
So anyway, on to this doozy of a question. I think I'm gonna rule out Nasir Robinson - not for his foul against Butler, but just because I want a little more size and shooting, of which he provided little.

Choosing James Robinson kinda rules out program greats such as Brandin Knight and Levance Fields, given your restrictions, so I'll go with Sam Young and - people forget his senior year brilliance - Lamar Patterson to round out my five. That's
PG - Robinson
SG - Patterson
SF - Young
PF - Kendall
C - McGhee
Pitt2020
2:07
Any explanation by Henderson’s lack receiving production? He has the speed to burn just about anybody and his potential isn’t being fully tapped into. Thoughts on sliding him into running back for some draw plays or screens?  Puts on 10 pounds you have a taller Darren Sproles.
Brian Batko
2:10
Back to football. It is something of a mystery, my friend. Coming into the season, I did not expect the likes of Maurice Ffrench, Rafael Araujo-Lopes, Aaron Mathews, Matt Flanagan and the other Q(u)adree, Ollison, to have more receptions than Henderson. And yet, they all do. I can't blame you for watching Saturday's spectacular 75-yard punt return and pondering more ways to get him the ball. Maybe OC Shawn Watson will, but I'm not sure I want to take too many carries away from Ollison and Darrin Hall the way they're running hard lately.
Bulk
2:10
Hi Brian,  How do you view losing Raines to WVU?  Is this just a better fit for the kid or does Narduzzi not have enough solid recruiters on his staff?
Brian Batko
2:12
Another Kwantel Raines question. It's very possible he considered WVU a better fit for him; after all, isn't that essentially what every high school student is doing when picking a college? I certainly don't view this as the defensive version of missing on Phil Jurkovec, nor do I view it as the 2017 version of missing on Lamont Wade. It kinda reminds me of Donovan Jeter's recruitment last year, one where Pitt seemed to be in a really good spot for a really long time, then the player just chose to go another way. It is what it is.
tata
2:13
Pitt's looking for little victories right now. Chances they finally get off the schneid vs NCarolina? Assuming you're familiar with schneids of course.
Brian Batko
2:15
Greetings, tata. Of course I'm familiar with getting off the schneid, though I've seen it spelled many ways - snide, shnide, etc. Indeed, as you point out, Pitt hasn't beaten UNC under Narduzzi or even since joining the ACC. Given the 1-8 Tar Heels' massive struggles this year, I'd say chances are very good, but I wouldn't call it a little or even moral victory. This Pitt team still harbors goals of going to a bowl game, and beating UNC would put it one win away.
Mark
2:16
Brian, I'm still seething over the Raines kid signing with the Mounties.  They grabbed another top notch Quip a couple three years ago (I think it was Henry).  The Aliquippa pipeline to Pitt has been dismantled, doggone it.  Your thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:18
Wow, more Kwantel Raines talk. That's cool, though. Welcome to the show, Mark. I'd hardly say the Aliquippa pipeline is no more. Yes, Dravon Henry and Raines picked the Mountaineers. But remember Kaezon Pugh? He's a redshirt freshman on Pitt's current team, and was a heck of a high school player. What I'm curious to see is when Pitt offers another Quip, junior DB MJ Devonshire. Every time I watch the Quips, he's the player who stands out most to me, and he already has a WVU offer.
But to your point, the Aliquippa-Pitt connection was built up over many years. That won't just go away (unless maybe coach Mike Zmijanac leaves the Quips and that program suffers without him.)
Zach
2:19
Better chance at the upset for Pitt: @VT or Miami?
Brian Batko
2:19
I say home against Miami, for sure. Lane Stadium will be rocking down in Blacksburg.
Nick
2:19
Is it possible Naruzzi would start Folston and Weaver at DE rather than Hendrix/Edwards.  Seems like Folston and Weaver have been playing way better lately, while Hendrix has been hurt and Edwards been invisible.
Brian Batko
2:19
Well Edwards has been invisible because he hasn't started for about a month. Weaver basically won that job early this season. Wouldn't shock me to see Narduzzi ride the hot hand and start Folston at DE vs. UNC, but the D-line is gonna rotate early and often anyway.
Pat Sajak
2:20
Hey Brian...do you watch "Wheel of Fortune"?
Brian Batko
2:20
Sometimes, but I prefer Jeopardy before it
PittinDC
2:20
I was skeptical on the hiring of AD Lyke for several reasons but mostly her inexperience at this level. I think Pitt needs someone with a longer track record showing the ability to turn around a major program and inject enthusiasm into the program. At this point, how is she doing? What are people saying around campus and amongst the big alum donors?? Any insight?
Brian Batko
2:22
What, there's not much chatter about Pitt and Heather Lyke down in DC? I kid. As we sit a little more than seven months into her tenure, I'd say she's doing just fine. The most I've thought about Heather Lyke lately was last week when basketball coach Kevin Stallings basically implied the Cameron Johnson transfer saga was ultimately her call http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/college/2017/10/25/Wounds-still-fre...
Rico Bosco
2:22
Why does Quadree Henderson still start at WR
Brian Batko
2:23
The depth chart hasn't held much weight with on-field playing time for a while, Rico my dude.
Pitt2014
2:23
Who do you think will start the first game at QB next year and why?
Brian Batko
2:24
I have no earthly idea, but chatter-to-my-head, I'll say Kenny Pickett. Why? Just because I've heard a lot of promising things about him behind the scenes, in addition to what coaches say publicly. But I'd put that answer somewhere around 34-33-33 as far Pickett-DiNucci-someone else entirely.
Guest
2:24
Not a Pitt-specific question, but your thoughts on the playoff poll?Does Penn State sneak in the top four by the season's end?
Brian Batko
2:24
I'll say no, Guest.
Pitt2014
2:25
Can we talk about something besides Raines?
Brian Batko
2:25
On it.
Terry
2:25
How many more recruits do you expect pitt to take in this class
Brian Batko
2:26
Tough to say, Terry. Pat Narduzzi and his staff obviously have a much better feel than I do for who will or won't be back, whether that's going pro, transferring on their own, or not being asked back. I don't think they're done, but maybe one more high school guy and then possibly scouring the JUCO ranks for a late addition?
Salma Hayek
2:26
Hey Bri...love the chat.
Brian Batko
2:26
Gee, thanks...
Pitt2014
2:27
Where is Pitt's biggest weakness in football for the 2018 season?
Brian Batko
2:27
Good question. I haven't been actively thinking or looking ahead to next year all that much lately. But off the top of my head, I guess it's tough to not say quarterback.
Terry
2:29
Won’t let you off the hook on a bye week so Prediction time will pitt make a bowl game this year
Brian Batko
2:30
I appreciate your vigilance, sir. My prediction of a win against UVA was correct, but I believe I also said last week Pitt will not make a bowl game, and I'm sticking to that. We can talk UNC more in about seven days or so. And nor will I let you all off the hook...
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