Coach Jones Pre-Pitt Press Conference Notes

Coach Butch Jones talked Pitt today at his weekly Tuesday luncheon. Here are some of the highlights:

Introduction

Pitt game begins a series of meaningful games in November.
Lots of starters on offense and defense.
Very talented at linebacker (i.e. Brandon Lindsey).
Tino Sunseri is playing very well. But I think he’s relied on Ray Graham and a UConn non-defense this year.
Teams start slow off of bye weeks and it is important in practice this week to get them back up to game speed so they don’t start off slow.

Q & A

Even with Ray Graham out, Jones believes Pitt will keep playing their game and thinks Brown can fill in nicely for Graham.
“Pitt’s as good of a team as we will face” – Coach speak. He’d say the same thing about UConn.
3 -4 defense for Pitt presents a challenge because of all of the looks they have.
Special teams will play a critical factor in this game. Pitt has the best special teams unit UC has faced to date.
Need to play ‘Assignment Sound’ defense
Receivers and schemes could cause problems for Bearcats secondary but UC needs to win on the defensive line.
Outside screens can negate a pass rush, secondary need to play well in space. Had a lot of issues with that against USF.
Bearcats taking each game one week at a time without looking at rankings.
Mentions true freshman Trenier Orr possibly seeing playing time as the season progresses with Dominique Battle out.
I’m pretty sure it was Koch who asked the stupid question about turnover margin and how Jones feels about it.
Says players don’t really care about Pitt, Syracuse, WVU leaving the Big East. They just want to win, no matter the opponent.