When Kenny Pickett told the Dan Patrick Show that he was “undecided” about playing in the Peach Bowl after offensive coordinator Mark Whipple’s exit, the initial reaction among the Pitt fanbase was split among many different emotions.
While Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi did not provide an update on Pickett’s status, he said it’s a business decision for his quarterback that not everyone is going to agree with.
“Everyone’s got a business decision to make,” Narduzzi said at Pitt’s Peach Bowl acceptance press conference on Tuesday. “Not everybody’s going to agree with decisions that I make or Kenny makes or anybody else makes, but they’re business decisions and we all have to respect those decisions — whatever they are. We all know what we would like, but not everybody in this group has to deal with the consequences of playing or not playing.”
It’s a “big boy” decision for Pickett, Narduzzi said, but he’ll update Pickett’s status when learns more about the situation himself. When asked if he expected a decision to be made for the purposes of game planning or otherwise, Narduzzi quickly responded that he’d expect it “the night before the game.”
With Michigan State star running back Kenneth Walker III also uncertain for the Peach Bowl, both Pitt and Michigan State’s top, draft-eligible stars could be out for one of the biggest bowls of the season.
Kenny has already accepted an invite to the Senior Bowl. If it’s a business decision as to whether or not to participate in the Peach Bowl; then why already decide on Senior Bowl?
Not playing could look suspect for Picket, who never played a college game without his daddy Whipple guiding his every move. The NFL is extremely competitive and nothing can be taken for granted. Everything Picket does is essentially an interview for his career in the NFL.
Whipple was only his OC his last three seasons.
Kenny is Whip’s daddy. Whipple wouldn’t have found another power 5 job without Kenny’s play this season.
Pickett never played a game without Whipple except for the 18 games he played for Shawn Watson in 2017 & 2018. Sounds like you have really followed his career closely.
Don’t be surprised to see Nick, Joey, or Davis under center for some of the game.
I believe that Kenny will dress, however, how much he plays is debatable.
If he plays in the Senior Bowl, why wouldn’t he play in the Peach Bowl with his boys?!?
Is Narduzzi having him be wishy washy so Michigan St. has to practice for alternates?
Probably thinking too much into it.
Again, he doesn’t know who the OC is going to be…how do recruits on the offensive side feel about making a life changing decision?!?
Accepting an invite doesn’t mean he’ll play in the actual game for the Senior Bowl. The Senior Bowl practices are MUCH more important.
Seems like Pitt and Michigan St. are just playing games with the other team’s preparation for the bowl game.
Its up to Kenny and whatever decision he makes I think most will be supportive. I would love to see Beville start or Nick. I think both those players are being short changed and I think both have talent. It all clicked for Davis during the Spring game. He looked like a different player (as did Izzy). Excited for the future. Not sure Joey Yellen is D1 Material quite frankly
The key difference is Senior Bowl is coached by NFL coaches and players are being evaluated during their practices by NFL coaches/scouts. Playing in the Senior Bowl is a true business decision.
While I would like to see Kenny play in the Peach Bowl, I will support his decision, and thank him for what he has given to PITT! After all, you can’t Pickett without PI TT!
Selfishly I hope he plays. I think that with all the receivers back and healthy, Kenny will dominate and it will put a cherry on top of a great year.
I’m not sure what the correct decision for Kenny is, but I believe he doesn’t have it in him to not play. Kenny is a tough kid that puts team first and I expect him to prove that one last time by playing in the game.
I also believe he will regret it for a long time if he decides to skip the game.
KP has every right to pick and choose where he plays now. What did Pitt and Panther Club members, large and small, pay to train KP with a very good education, the best food, UPMC medical services, coaches, you know where I am going. He will disappoint most all faithful fans. He can do what he wants. We can do what we want. College football has turned into what the NFL is. A SHITHOLE
If he doesn’t play, we will probably lose by 40 points. That is quite a negative to leave behind at Pitt. And why is he playing it so sneakily? He’s playing or he is not…