Pitt football coach Dave Wannstedt weighs in on a number of issues heading into his teams game this week.

On what changes, if any, were made after the N.C. State game:

I think schematically ? offense, defense, and special teams-wise ? youre always looking to make corrections. We did make a few changes and emphasized some things that really I thought were the difference in that game. … We played Louisville the next week, on a short week. I think playing them on the road and not having much success down there helped us to realize that we needed to turn the page and turn the page in a hurry.

On how West Virginias offense is different with Jarrett Brown:

Theyre different, from the standpoint that they are doing a little bit more conventional stuff. By that I mean that they are going to maybe jump into the I-formation and run the power and give you some play pass. Then they are going to jump into their quarterback spread, their read-option, and run their Pat White-type of offense. A year ago, Pat White was carrying the ball about 50 percent of the time.

On what makes the Pitt-West Virginia game different from other games:

I really think that for the most part if you went back, both of these teams are probably closer ability-wise than a lot of people may want to admit. I think the talent level, for the most part over the years, has been pretty close. I think that this is one of those games that the guy who maybe hasnt been able to find a way to step his game up, all of a sudden in the Pitt-West Virginia game, he does.

On concerns for the offense because of West Virginias unique defense:

They play a three-down line scheme. Weve seen the four-down line scheme for the most part. They use that strong safety really as a linebacker type of guy. So, their defensive scheme is different from anyone elses that we have seen. So, recognition for our offensive players will be as important as anything.

On how Pitts offense has become unconventional in the college game:

Were definitely in the minority with what we are doing here. There are very few college teams using a fullback like we use him. Were running a pro-style offense. Thats one comment that we get after playing opponents, that their defensive coaches express to our coaches afterwards, that they dont see our offense week-in and week-out.

On Pitt not winning the Backyard Brawl three years in a row since the early 1980s:

I think its that type of game, regardless of the records, that takes on a life of its own. Throw the records out. Show up. You better be ready to play. You want to be the best team on the field that night. Thats a challenge for our football team.

Posted on November 25th, 2009 by admin
Filed under: College football news, NCAA college football