There was not much any coordinator or coach could have done with the Pittsburgh Panthers personnel on Saturday to make a difference. Notre Dame was simply bigger, stronger, faster and more talented at seemingly every position. Pitt was outclassed and it showed in their 45-3 loss.

However, even with a backup quarterback, Mark Whipple did not simplify the Offense. This goes beyond Pitt’s disastrous attempt this past weekend — and it has to change.

The Eyeball Test

I deeply understand the game of baseball.  However, when it comes to football, I am not a big X’s and O’s guy. I never played football at a high level and I do not understand schemes or blocking strategies. You are just not going to get that type of analysis here when it comes to the game of football. I, like many of you, just go on what I see.

What I have seen over the last several weeks is Pitt’s offense trying to run a professional style offense with a group of high school wide receivers. Every pass requires both the quarterback to throw a perfect pass and the receiver meet the ball at its highest point. They are also always along the sideline requiring even more precision from the quarterback.

When Pitt was successful offensively they were running a college-style offense. End arounds, trick plays, check downs, options to the outside. Now it looks like either Yellen or Pickett snap the ball from the shotgun and throw to either the left or right sideline hoping the receiver will get a foot in bounds.

I like watching games with a large group of people and watching their observations of the team. Against Boston College, the room I was in was begging for a check down or a pass over the middle. This was also true against Notre Dame this past weekend.

WHAT A CATCH BY SHOCKY JACQUES-LOUIS pic.twitter.com/9LSXOvRm8a

— ACC Network (@accnetwork) October 24, 2020

Air Raid is Not for Pitt

This “air raid” style of offense is not impossible to execute. I’m just not sure why Pitt picked this year to attempt it when their receivers are the least talented. You are requiring too much from your skill players that do not have a high level of skill this season. When Pitt has been beaten by this style of offense in the past it was by much more talented receivers. Also, Notre Dame beat them offensively this past weekend with players much larger than Pitt’s defense. Pitt does not have the size required for that style either.

Furthermore, I know the defense has been terrible. When you give up 30+ points in four games in a row, the defense is an issue as well. However, Pitt has scored less than the average points a team is giving up this season in every game — except Boston College — and it took overtime to do so.

Even though Pitt put up 23 and 29 points against Louisville and NC State, they are giving up 27.5 and 34.2 points per game, respectively. Is there really anything to celebrate?

Changes Needed for the Pitt Panthers

It’s a different era of football at the college and professional level. It’s very difficult to beat a team with a dominant defense alone. And we have seen when Pitt does not get a good pass rush their defense is not very good anyway. Pitt has to do better offensively starting now. The offense must change or before too long I will be writing an article about Pitt’s 3-8 season.

Good to see some familiar faces! #H2P pic.twitter.com/8eU309pQmr

— Pitt Athletics (@Pitt_ATHLETICS) October 24, 2020

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