Pitt confronts Georgia Tech while taking aim at a winning season

Pitt started summer training camp with high hopes and an experienced team of 20 seniors and 16 juniors, seven of whom could hear their name called in the 2021 NFL Draft. If that comes to pass, it would be the most Pitt players drafted in 30 years.

Argue, if you must, about Pitt’s level of talent. But defensive ends Patrick Jones II and Rashad Weaver, defensive tackle Jaylen Twyman, safeties Damar Hamlin and Paris Ford, center Jimmy Morrissey and quarterback Kenny Pickett — maybe even a couple more players — will appear in someone’s NFL camp next year one way or another.

That raises a question regarding Pitt’s record (5-5, 4-5 ACC) heading into the regular-season finale scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday at Georgia Tech.

Nothing is foolproof when dealing with young men barely out of their teens, but the best coaches and programs somehow find a way to maneuver around that uncertainty.

Pat Narduzzi has done so through half of his six-year tenure, earning three eight-victory seasons among his first five.

Yet, Pitt’s string of consecutive seasons with at least five defeats — stretching through four coaches — has reached 11.

Injuries, opt-outs, the lack of a running game and — getting down to basics — the inability to win two games in October that were decided by one point kept Pitt from a memorable season.

Here are five topics to ponder while awaiting a game delayed almost four weeks by the covid-19 pandemic.

It is Pitt’s latest regular-season game since a 12-7 victory at USC on Dec. 14, 1935.

1. The Collins factors

It’s a trivial pursuit to find significance in Pitt basketball and football playing teams coached by men named Collins on consecutive nights (Northwestern’s Chris and Georgia Tech’s Geoff).

A victory wouldn’t be a giant leap for Pitt football (such as astronaut Michael Collins provided for Neil Armstrong when he piloted Apollo 11 to the Moon in 1969), but it would avoid a losing season.

Pitt was off last week and has had plenty of time to heal. Georgia Tech is playing on a short week after losing at N.C. State last Saturday, 23-13.

2. The Sims factor

Georgia Tech freshman quarterback Jeff Sims, a highly regarded recruit from Jacksonville, Fla., has started every game for the Ramblin’ Wreck (3-6, 3-5) with mixed results. He has completed only 54.9% of his passes, but he leads the team in rushing (478 yards).

He threw four interceptions in the 37-20 loss at Syracuse but only three over the past six games.

“A big challenge is his ability to extend plays,” Pitt sophomore cornerback A.J. Woods said. “You have to stay in coverage longer.”

3. The youth factor

Woods appears to have locked down one starting cornerback job in a secondary that is much younger than it was at the beginning of camp. He is joined by redshirt freshman safety Brandon Hill and sophomores Erick Hallett, Marquis Williams and Judson Tallandier and freshman Rashad Battle.

Woods is reputed to be the fastest player on the team, but there is no documented evidence. “I’d like to say so, but I don’t know,” he said.

You can tell Woods listens to his coaches, who are adamant about players paying attention to the details.

“Speed is great,” Woods said, “but it’s more important to focus on your technique because a lot of guys can run fast. What separates you is your consistency with your technique.”

Look for Narduzzi to use his young players as much as possible Thursday. There’s no guarantee the pandemic will allow for spring drills.

4. The attack factor

The best way for offensive coordinator Mark Whipple to approach this game might be to target Georgia Tech’s soft pass defense (14th in the ACC, 278.3 yards per game).

Pitt’s run game has made small strides recently, but it is also ranked 14th in the ACC, averaging barely 100 yards per game (100.2).

Still, expect Narduzzi and Whipple to try to make it work one more time.

5. The Adomitis factor

Cal Adomitis, a long snapper from Central Catholic, will play in his 50th consecutive game Thursday. This is his fourth season (third on scholarship) and he has expressed interest in coming back for a fifth. The school record for games played is 52, set by safety Dennis Briggs (2015-2018).

Adomitis has been a reliable snapper for kicker Alex Kessman and punter Kirk Christodoulou and even has run downfield to record 11 career tackles. He played tight end for two Central Catholic teams that reached PIAA championship games in 2015 and 2016.

Some national recognition came his way Wednesday when he was named one of 10 semifinalists for the Mannelly Award. It will be awarded only for the second time in FBS history to the nation’s best long snapper.

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