I just watched a condensed version of the Pitt-Clemson game, over 20' worth. It has been a long ass time since I've seen a Pitt team play with so much fire and confidence. It bordered on cockiness. They were utterly confident that they were going to win this game.

The coverage players were exceedingly quick, sure tacklers. The defensive line repeatedly enveloped the Clemson QB. 

Early on Clemson's defensive line was beating Pitt's O-line. Pickett was under pressure, sacked a couple of times, hurried. But he never made a mistake. He's a good scrambler. Kenny was infinitely the better quarterback of the two. The three. Clemson tried two QBs, both were awful, couldn't throw it in the ocean from the shore. How did they end up with NO competent quarterback?

In the second half the O-line made adjustments and Kenny thereafter was untroubled by Clemson's defensive line.

Izzy Abanikanda is a sensational running back. I saw his highlights against Va. Tech. He showed exceptional quickness, different from speed, looks fast enough too, but what stood out was how quick he was on his cuts: If a hole closed he could turn on a dime to find a seam. He created oblique angles for tacklers and repeatedly glanced off them for more yardage. He did the same thing on this play against Clemson.

Where's the hole there? There was no hole. If he had continued the run pattern to his right he would have been caught for a loss. Instead, he cut back to his left and burst threw a seam. The kid is built like a bowling ball, he's 5'11, 216. It's hard to bring a guy of that size down when you can't get clean shots on him. Like Pickett at the quarterback position Abanikanda was far superior to any back Clemson had. But...if you don't use it you lose it. He got far too few carries. I'm really at a loss. 

Okay! I think Izzy got shaken up. He took two tremendous shots, that seems to contradict what I just wrote, but both were as a receiver. The first one was near the end of the first half. He dropped the throw and the Clemson guy just dropped him after the play. Clemson got penalized on that one. The second one was near the end of the third quarter. The catch was made. The play-by-play guy commented "Abanikanda gets blasted." You take two hits like that you gotta bring the kid out. Izzy didn't return after that and then we saw Rodney Hammond. Rodney was good and had some good runs but he does not have the quickness and elusiveness that Abanikanda has. I hope Izzy is okay. I hope Pat Narduzzi doesn't use him as a receiver again...After watching the entire condensed version I googled Abanikanda's status and an article said he was taken out to monitor for concussion symptoms--both hits were to the head--and Narduzzi said he will be available for Miami.