Re: #H2P... PITT IS IT! - A Pitt Panthers Dynasty (NCAA 14)
 

Full Bowl Lineup Revealed
Report by Matt Schmidlin | December 14, 2022

The entire slate of bowl games for the 2022 bowl season has been revealed. Check out the video below to see where your favorite school might be playing this bowl season.

Join host Moose as he recaps the College Football Selection Show and previews all of the New Year's Six bowl games as well as a select number of big bowl matchups on the holiday season slate.

<iframe width="700" height="390" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SF_ftjUY9lM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Re: #H2P... PITT IS IT! - A Pitt Panthers Dynasty (NCAA 14)
 

<div style="float: right; border: 0px solid #ddd; margin: 3px; padding: 5px; padding-top: 5px; width: 300px; text-align: left;"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/F32V7A9.png" width="300"></div>Savage Swan Song? The Heisman
Report by Matt Schmidlin | December 17, 2022

<img src="https://i.imgur.com/ecakERi.png" width="350">

Taylor Swift couldn't write a story as sweetly as Taylor Savage.

The Oklahoma signal caller started his career as the top incoming recruit in the 2020 class, before winning a national championship and finishing as a finalist for the Heisman as a sophomore. Now, after getting Oklahoma back into the College Football Playoff for the second straight season, Savage has added the prestigious Heisman Trophy to his growing trophy cabinet.

A late surge pushed the Sooner to the top of the voting board, as Savage compiled 13 touchdowns over his last two contests, wins over Top 15-ranked Oklahoma State and then Houston in the Big XII championship game. Overall, the junior finished the regular season with 3563 passing yards and 44 passing touchdowns against just 4 interceptions, while adding 286 yards and 7 scores on the ground.

Penn State redshirt sophomore quarterback Marques Gordon finished as runner-up, as the dual threat racked up 3859 yards of total offense and 45 touchdowns (36 pass, 9 rush) against 10 picks. Alabama junior halfback Dareion Williams Jr. ran for 1672 yards and 18 scores to finish third in the voting, while Ball State senior HB Justin Martin and LSU junior QB Kauanoe Kelekolio rounded out the top five.

Re: #H2P... PITT IS IT! - A Pitt Panthers Dynasty (NCAA 14)
 

Hardware Haul for Panther Specialists
Report by Matt Schmidlin | December 18, 2022

Pitt's special teams standouts have had incredibly 'special' seasons in 2022, and the rest of the nation made sure to take notice.

Sophomore kicker Johnny Midey was awarded the Groza Award as the nation's best kicker, while true freshman return specialist DeAnthony Hamilton took home the Jet Award as the best returner in the country.

Midey has shined all season, starting with a five field goal performance against Tennessee in week 2 and producing game winning field goals against the Florida State, Syracuse, and Clemson. He currently leads the country in made field goals, converting 28 of his 32 attempts, in addition to 51 of 52 point after conversions.

Hamilton has made the most of a limited number of return opportunities, racking up 753 kick return yards on just 21 returns, for a national best 35.9 yard average and a 92 yard long. His only return touchdown of the season came on a 42 yard punt return, as the speedster has averaged 13.4 yards on 28 punt returns this season (375 yards).

Other Panthers that finished notably in awards voting were:

Maxwell (Most Outstanding Player)
CJ Kirk, QB - 12th
Davey O'Brien (Best QB)
CJ Kirk, QB - 12th
Doak Walker (Best RB)
Da'vion Reynolds, HB - 12th
Biletnikoff (Best WR)
Ceno Rodgers III, WR - 8th
Outland (Best OL)
Luke Davis, C - 4th
Rimington (Best C)
Luke Davis, C - 2nd
Bednarik (Best Defensive Player)
A'Darrion Mitchell, OLB - 3rd
Malachi Bordeaux, DT - 5th
Jalen Hills, DE - 9th
Lombardi (Best DL)
Malachi Bordeaux, DT - 2nd
Jalen Hills, DE - 4th
Butkus (Best LB)
A'Darrion Mitchell, OLB - 2nd
Dio Langston, Jr, MLB - 11th
Thorpe (Best DB)
Sedric Granger, FS - 9th
Damian Vector, CB - 12th

Editor's Note: Obviously the defensive awards on NCAA 14 are a little overpowered due to the game overvaluing solo tackles in the ratings, so I adjusted based on the other players in the running and who I thought should be the winners.

Re: #H2P... PITT IS IT! - A Pitt Panthers Dynasty (NCAA 14)
 

Somewhat off topic but what did you think of what they showed with Pitt during the trailer friday? When I saw the basketball celebration I thought of this thread.

Re: #H2P... PITT IS IT! - A Pitt Panthers Dynasty (NCAA 14)
 

Re: #H2P... PITT IS IT! - A Pitt Panthers Dynasty (NCAA 14)
 

Semifinal Spotlight: Sooner Air Raid
Report by Matt Schmidlin | December 29, 2022

<img src="https://i.imgur.com/ZQQTfyf.png" width="600">

Oklahoma's aerial attack has been clicking on all cylinders in recent weeks. It won't take a mathematician to figure out the Panthers could be a Vector short of being able to slow them down in the Fiesta Bowl.

The Sooners offense has been impossible to slow down, hitting the century mark in points in their last two contests (101) while being led by Heisman winning quarterback Taylor Savage. The junior has been at his best in his past two outings, totaling 809 passing yards and 10 touchdowns through the air, while proving a threat on the ground as well by adding 3 rushing scores.

In contrast, after losing top cover corner Damian Vector to a broken elbow against North Carolina, the Panthers defense has regressed severely, giving up 31 or more points in all three matchups that followed and over 400 yards of offense on average.

Vector's absence has forced slot corner Bryan Jungling to shift outside, where he has experienced some growing pains such as giving up a pair of touchdowns in Pitt's dramatic ACC title win over Clemson.

"Bryan's incredible versatile," Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi said. "He's a perfect fit in the slot, but this guy can stay with any receiver in the country with his speed and ability. He's been getting into his groove and once it clicks, he will be a shutdown outside guy as well."

True freshman Jordan Murphy Jr. has admirably filled in at nickel, racking up tackles and making some impact plays. He will have his toughest matchup of the season against the Sooners, where sophomore Austin Hall has exploded as Savage's favorite target in recent weeks, throwing up statlines of 10-145-1 against Oklahoma State and 7-162-2 in the Big 12 title game against Houston.

"Hall's been the guy for them lately," Narduzzi said. "But make no mistake, this team has weapons all over the field that we can't give any extra room to, especially with a Heisman winning tossing them the ball."

He certainly isn't kidding, as Hall is just the third leading receiver on the Sooners with 36 catches, though he does lead the team with 12 scores. Third-year sophomore Christian Williams paces the squad with 73 grabs for 1117 yards and 11 touchdowns, but the Sooners have five different players with over 30 catches and can really spread the ball around. Besides #2 receiver Eric Miller (45 catches), that includes starting HB Tevari Lacey (38) and stud TE Lawrence Williams (34).

With such diversity on offense, that will likely require other Panthers to help in coverage as well, whether that be OLB Talik Bridges on Lacey or even FS Kenton Hill or freshman SS Matt Wright, both of whom have seen their playing time increase in recent weeks.

"Players don't win championships, teams win championships," Narduzzi said. "And so we're gonna need the whole team to step up if we want to have a chance to knock off the champions and get to where they have been."

Re: #H2P... PITT IS IT! - A Pitt Panthers Dynasty (NCAA 14)
 

Across the Aisle: Fiesta Bowl Preview
Report by Matt Schmidlin | December 30, 2022

<div style="float: right; border: 0px solid #ddd; margin: 3px; padding: 5px; padding-top: 5px; width: 400px; text-align: left;"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/WSQNnVw.png" width="400"></div>What: #1 LSU (13-0) vs. #4 Penn State (11-2)
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
When: Saturday, December 31, 2022, 8:30 PM EST
Watch: <img src="https://1000logos.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ESPN-Logo.png" width="40">

Game Line Pres. by FanDuel: LSU (-7.5)
ESPN Prediction: Penn State

From Burreaux to Kelekoli-eaux

Just three seasons removed from a national title and Heisman winner, LSU nearly pulled off the latter and still has an oppotunity to secure the former. The undefeated Tigers have rolled through all comers this season, and look poised to do the same to Penn State, who fell backwards into the playoff after losing the Big Ten title game to Nebraska. Leading the way has been QB Kauanoe Kelekolio, who finished 5th in Heisman voting. The star pocket passer hasn't had to do it all himself, with another Top 10 Heisman vote getter in HB Bo Brown, as well as arguably the best receiver in the nation in Jakobe Sutton to catch the ball. This LSU offense has gone toe to toe with Oklahoma all season for top marks, and should be a tall task for Penn State to shut down in Atlanta.

Matchup to Watch: LSU's Linebackers vs. PSU QB Marques Gordon

Penn State QB Marques Gordon is an electric playmaker, finishing second in Heisman voting behind his fantastic dual threat ability that reminded many of former Heisman winning QB Lamar Jackson. The Nittany Lions love to let Gordon get into space with numerous read option plays, as well as letting him create with his feet to open up receivers downfield. On the other sideline, LSU will deploy two of the fastest, most explosive linebackers in the country to try to slow Gordon down. OLBs Damien Powell and Vernon Jones are All-Americans, with the ability to run nearly any player on the field down. The duo's ability to contain the explosive Gordon will likely help decide this contest.

Sound off: Who wins the Peach Bowl: LSU or PSU?

Re: #H2P... PITT IS IT! - A Pitt Panthers Dynasty (NCAA 14)
 

#PantherNation Preview: Oklahoma
Report by Matt Schmidlin | December 30, 2022

<div style="float: right; border: 0px solid #ddd; margin: 3px; padding: 5px; padding-top: 5px; width: 400px; text-align: left;"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/9dVFQR2.png" width="400">

<img src="https://i.imgur.com/3NxxnmR.png" width="400"></div>What: #2 Pitt (13-0) vs. #3 Oklahoma (12-1)
Where: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ
When: Saturday, December 31, 2022, 2:00 PM MST
Watch: <img src="https://1000logos.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ESPN-Logo.png" width="40">
Listen: Pitt Panthers Radio Network <img src="http://pittsburghpanthers.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_id=0&image_path=/images/2019/8/28/KDKAFM_1200x630_FB_OG.png" width="30">

Game Line Pres. by FanDuel: Oklahoma (-4.5)
ESPN Prediction: Oklahoma

Last Meeting (1990): 52-10 Oklahoma
All Time Series: 9-1-1 Oklahoma
Dynasty Series: First Meeting

Blast from the Past - 2020 Playoff Semifinal: Pitt 48, WVU 17

The last time the Panthers were in the playoff, they were the #2 seed and faced a Big 12 opponent. Panther fans will be hoping for a repeat performance, as Pitt rode big performances from stars Kenny Pickett, Jay Keyes, and Shaun Wolfgang en route to a blowout 48-17 victory over local rival West Virginia to win the Rose Bowl and advance to the title game.

Pickett had one of his better passing days, throwing for 317 yards and 3 scores, with Keyes hauling in 6 of those passes for 111 yards and a score, while he even added a touchdown pass on a gadget play as well. Wolfgang terrorized the Mountaineer offensive line all day, getting into the backfield and hauling down WVU QB Cody Saunders four times as he broke the all-time NCAA sack record in the victory. Then-freshman Damian Vector even had an interception in the win, while he will miss out this time around due to injury. The Panthers went on to lose to Alabama in the national championship game.

Coming for the Throne

To be the best, you've got to beat the best. For the Panthers, their roadblock in the Fiesta Bowl is far and away the best team they will have faced all season. Oklahoma is the defending national champion, and the way the Sooners have played in the past month has shown that they are not ready to relinquish their crown without a fight. Other than losing a heartbreaker at home to TCU (42-41) in their fifth game, the Sooners have obliterated everyone in their path, as all 12 of their victories have come by no less than 14 points. Led by Heisman winning QB Taylor Savage, the potent Oklahoma offense has been held below 40 points just three times all season, and has scored below 38 points just once, in a game that was still a 31-0 win. Despite being one of two unbeatens in the playoff (alongside LSU), the Panthers are significant underdogs on New Year's Eve. A victory over the defending champion will be a massive signal to the nation that maybe it's starting to feel like 1976 for these Panthers.

Record Watch: Single Season Passing Yardage

Pitt sophomore QB CJ Kirk has thrown for 3653 yards through 13 contests this season, bringing him within 347 yards of the Panthers' single season high water mark of 3990, set by Kenny Pickett in the 2020 season that saw the Panthers reach the national title game. After throwing for over 800 total yards in his last two outings, another big day for the sophomore could etch his name in the Pitt record book.

Spotlight on: Oklahoma's Defense

The Sooners have made highlight reels all season long with their explosive offense, but just as impressive this season has been the Oklahoma defense. Giving up just over 300 yards per game, the Sooners have a top-20 defense, and not only do they keep opposing offenses at bay but they actively create their own opportunities. The Sooners currently lead the nation in turnover differential, outpacing their opponents in turnovers created by a whopping +17 margin.

Leading the way is corner Johnny Branch, a likely first round pick in the upcoming draft, with 5 interceptions, while OLB Charlie Meyer is a menace around the entire field, leading the team in both tackles (70) and sacks (4.5-tie) this season. Not a single starter on the Oklahoma defense grades lower than an 86 through Pro Football Focus's rating scale, and with all but one starter being upperclassmen, the experience of this defense could prove pivotal in slowing down Pitt's offense.

Matchup to Watch: Oklahoma C Matt Edwards vs. Pitt DT Malachi Bordeaux

It's the classic existential matchup of an unstoppable force and an immovable object. Something's gotta give. Oklahoma center Matt Edwards has been the best offensive lineman in college football, claiming both the Rimington and Outland trophies. Pitt DT Malachi Bordeaux has been the nation's best interior pass rusher, with his power and speed moves drawing comparisons to former Panther great Aaron Donald. For the Panthers to have any chance to disrupt the rhythm of Sooner QB Taylor Savage, Bordeaux (who has 8 sacks on the season) will need to cave in the middle of the Oklahoma pass protection and give himself and NCAA sack leader Jalen Hills (15 sacks) opportunities to rattle the Heisman winner.

What to Expect on the Field This Saturday



Sound off: Can the Panthers dethrone the Sooners?

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