Pitt looks like a well organized team with players that are being taught to identify situations. However, they do not have great talent in the trenches and VT, the opponent in this analysis, has an incredibly talented front 7. Although Pitt won this matchup handily, VT’s Dline was dominating Pitts oline. Kenny Pickett was enduring the pressure like a pro but he had no opportunity to be prolific.
1st and 10, end of second quarter.
Pitt goes 10 personal (1 RB, 0 TE) which means 4 wideouts
VT goes classic nickel. 3 CB’s, 2 deep safety, and 2 LB’s, 4 lineman, and as you will see they are playing man coverage.
So pre snap Pitt is seeing a potential matchup problem, 4WR vs 3CB's and a LB if they are in man. So now they must figure out if this is man coverage. They motion the inside receiver to the short side of the field to make sure that the LB follows.
And now they know the matchup advantage, a LB is playing man on a receiver, and the deep safety on that side is responsible for any escape by the receiver who is being played press.
Right before the ball is snapped the press corner gives away his position, which considering the situation, was predictable. He adjust his body to play IL (inside leverage) he is trying to force him inside towards the deep safety. VT is expecting Pickett's (FR) first read, to be towards the far side, and it should be, and IT IS.
But his first read in this situation isn't his primary receiver, his primary was identified pre snap, this read is just subterfuge to hold the safety and exploit the defensive presumption.
As I said in the opening disclaimer, VT was dominating Pitt inside, and an interior Dlineman embarrasses the Pitt guard and in clean pursuit of the QB. Pickett suddenly shifts his read, subtlety shifts left away from the interior pressure and in a fraction of a second releases the throw off platform and fading left to brace for contact.
The release point (RP) of the ball was when the intended target was breaking down field at the 29. With the LB attached to the WR's hip.
The catch point was almost 19 yards further down field, with the LB trailing by 6 yards. Perfect strike, perfectly accurate, receiver didn't have to adjust or slow down. The thing that impresses me most, is that you can tell that everyone on the field knew exactly what to do in that situation. Even the press man accepted the Inside Leverage and ran right at the safety, he knew he was not the intended target.
Beautiful awareness, spectacular throw, and advanced offense.
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