Writers' Q&A Session: No.18 Pitt Vs. No.24 Oregon State to meet in Sun Bowl

The Pac-10 and Big East do not normally line up across from each other until the bowl season gets under way.

For many Big East and Pac-10 fans, they know very little about the other conference. 

I'll take questions asked by Pitt alumni and Bleacher Report writer Paul Sievers and provide my thoughts, in hopes of giving Pitt fans a better knowledge of the team they're up against come December 31st in the Brut Sun Bowl.

Click here to read Paul's answers to my questions:http://bleacherreport.com/articles/94988-creature-vs-creature-a-panther-basking-in-the-sun-bowl-pitt-vs-oregon-st

Q: With the way the season ended-losing to rival Oregon and failing to make the Rose Bowl-do OSU fans see this season as a success and are they truly excited about playing Pitt in the Sun Bowl?

A: I think anytime you lose to your rival the way OSU did, it’s a bad way to end the season.  Given that the Rose Bowl-first in 44 years for OSU-was on the line made it that much more difficult to swallow, especially at home.

More importantly, OSU fans remember what it was like 10 years ago.  Suffering one and two win seasons and only dreaming of post season play. Fans surrounding this program are grateful for whatever bowl game the Beavers earn even if there is a bit of frustration in their comments.

This season, in my opinion, was a smashing success in terms of what was expected of them.  OSU started the season replacing eight starters on defense and had a competition between a true and redshirt freshman for the running back position.  Pre-season publications picked OSU to finish no higher than fifth in conference and as low as eighth with only three wins. 

Fast forward to December: tied for second in conference, a win over No. 1 USC, and a respected bowl game is for sure a sign of success from a team picked to fade away in the so-called “Pac-9.”

While the Sun Bowl is no Rose Bowl OSU fans are always excited to play a nationally ranked team from another conference and extend the season another game. You can’t argue with a nine win season and a national ranking when all is said and done, if it indeed goes down that way.

Q: Pitt is allowing fans to donate tickets in the Pitt section to troops at the local military base. While this is a fantastic gesture, it speaks volumes about how poorly Pitt will travel for this game. How well do you expect Oregon State fans to travel?

A: I think this is an amazing gesture on the part of Pitt fans. As a family member of someone over seas I fully respect everything these guys do just to maintain our freedom and ability to make our own decisions.

Anytime you can get our military’s focus off of the chaos that so often surrounds their profession it’s a great thing.  I’d have trouble donating my tickets to someone, however to allow our armed forces to enjoy great college football would make the decision easy.

I think this more-so reflects the perception that El Paso isn’t a great holiday destination in terms of surrounding entertainment.  While OSU should travel around 3,000 fans, it will be nowhere near their 35,000 that made it to Sun Devil Stadium in 2000 for their first BCS game in school history, and rightfully so.

Q: Tell me about Quizz Rodgers. What are his strengths? How do you contain him? How much trouble are the Beavs in if he can't go?

A: Quizz is at his best when defenders over pursue.  His success against USC was mainly on cutbacks because of the speed of the Trojan defense.  Also Quizz’s yards after contact probably account for nearly one-third of his total yards.

His ability to stop on a dime, switch directions, and explode up field is amazing. As far as containing him, it’s simple fundamentals: stay home, get low, wrap up, hold on. 

It’s looking like Quizz won’t be available and with the departure of Jeremy Francis to care for his ill mother in Florida, the focus will be on redshirt freshman Ryan McCants.  OSU could be very one dimensional if McCants hasn’t found his stride in the last few weeks of practice.

While McCants has the physical tools at 6’1” and 230 pounds, he has not shown the hard nosed running that OSU is so used to having in the backfield (Simonton/Jackson/Bernard/Quizz). 

Q: Pitt's weakness is in the secondary, how much confidence do you have in Moevao, Stroughter, and company to exploit this?

A: This is where the game will be won or lost.  Can Moevao/Canfield protect the ball, make good decisions, and maintain drives? Obviously when you lose your two leading rushers and a viable back up, the slack has to be picked up in the passing game.

Both have proven they are more than capable to lead this team through the air, however have made some bone-headed decisions on more than one occasion.

With Stroughter and Morales you have threats on both sides of the field, Stroughter more so the deep, take-it-to-the-house threat and Morales your possession receiver.  Stroughter will look to go over 1000 yards and Morales should eclipse 700 with a good game.

Their production will be key to softening up the defense and getting McCants some holes to run through.  I think OSU fans fully believe that we can win through the air with the weapons outside.

Q: Tell us about your defense. Who is your star player? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the defense?

A: Three games stand out: Penn State, Utah, Oregon.  Granted all against ranked opponents and the first two on the road, but OSU was exposed badly by the spread offense in all instances.

The Beaver defense is heavily reliant on D-Line pressure and safeties filling lanes in run support.  Safties Al Afalava and Greg Laybourn are two of the team’s best tacklers and Afalava hits like a ton of bricks.

Recently OSU hasn’t lived up to their self proclaimed “West Coast Linebacker-U” title.  Cornell and Kristick are solid, but their weak side backers are young and average at best. They lack the physicality needed to play backer in the Pac-10 at this point in their careers.

In terms of “star players” you’d have to look at defensive ends Slade Norris and Victor Butler.  Both combined for 17 sacks and are very quick off the edge.  Quarterbacks have been pressured all year from this duo and they are the major contributors to the nine interceptions from the secondary.

OSU’s secondary is a bit suspect.  While corners Keenan Lewis and Brandon Hughes will get looks from the NFL, they often give up the long ball and are caught for pass interference.  The secondary is full of seniors and will be tough to replace come 2009.

Pitt's best chance in the passing game is to isolate and get a one-on-one matchup on the outside, run play action, and look to hit the deep route.

Q: Aside from poor tackling and bad defensive game planning in the Civil War, how did Oregon have so much success on the ground?

A: I have to say that tackling was indeed very poor.  OSU was often times in the right position to make the play however Oregon seemed faster and stronger.  The Ducks did have two weeks to rest and prepare, while OSU was running a gauntlet with games at UCLA, at Arizona, and against Arizona State and California.  All of which were do-or-die affairs in their path to the Rose Bowl.

Oregon ran a fairly simple spread offense and the misdirection destroyed our defense.  The emotional high that OSU had been on for the past five weeks matched with the rest and extra prep time Oregon had, I feel is what ultimately lead to the 65 points and nearly 700 total yards by the Oregon offense.

Q: Complete this sentence. Oregon State will win if…

A: Oregon State will win if the run is respected. It does not necessarily need to be effective, but at least good enough to keep the backers at home...whom I hear are very good. 

OSU can not turn the ball over, Moevao and/or Canfield need to have the game of their lives.  First down will be key, if OSU can gain four or five yards on first down then the two or three yard runs on second will set them up for a manageable third and short.

What it all boils down to is what killed them against Oregon, good game plan and preparation from the coaching staff, and the ability to wrap up McCoy who is very dangerous if given space.

Q: I was at the 2004 Insight Bowl against Notre Dame and thoroughly enjoyed the Beaver fans I met. How would you describe your fan base and how would you describe the dynamic between Beaver fans and Duck fans?

A: Of course I’m a die-hard and my views on Oregon State fans will be a bit skewed in favor of OSU, but I feel that every team has its share of you-know-what’s and OSU is no different in that regard.

The Oregon-Oregon State rivalry is one of the longest standing rivalries—seventh, I think and is very hostile now that both teams are respected and have consistently won over the past decade.

I think Oregon is struggling with the concept of OSU being on par with them, while OSU is still in search of the respect that they feel they deserve.  I think that’s where the head-butting comes in and why there is such a “hatred” (if you will) on the behalf of some fans.

All in all I think OSU and UofO fans are deeply invested in the success of their chosen program and lines are drawn since there are no professional sports teams other than the Blazers in Oregon. I will say that the state of Oregon has come a long way since the 80’s Beaver teams and the 70’s Duck teams and should be very grateful that they have two premier college football teams.