When I was at a tailgate before the Villanova game a Pitt fan I know asked me “Why are you so negative now?” I laughed that off and countered that I am “Trying to make it real… compared to what?” (Jazz fans know what I’m talking about).
But he was actually kind of pissed at me and braced me up to give him a Pitt-PSU winner right then and there. I told him I have no idea because I hadn’t seen our team play yet. But then I said Pitt by three points because that was what I wanted the outcome to be – not really what I thought it would be because I had no idea what Pitt could do on the field.
That was then this is now. I have to say right off the bat I have a bad feeling about this game and it is because of our track record in “Big Games” along with our tepid showing last week. Overall we are poor at rising to the occasion and have been for some time. It is a whole different world to beat teams who you are better than or equal to – and when you win eight of those in one season we fans get very (overly) excited.
That isn’t to say we can’t win a big game because we have won some against ‘better’ teams in the recent past.
In 2007 Dave Wannstedt beat WVU 13-9 in a fantastic 24 point underdog beats the presumptive Champs game. Then again in 2008 he beat #10 USF by 28-21.
Graham even beat a ranked #16 USF team in 2011 by a 44-17 score. Damn, how much does it hurt to look at our wins against a school like USF and feel good as we do about getting them? That sure tells us where we have been lately.
Paul Chryst continued that trend by winning a very nice match against #13 VT by 18 points in a 35-17 game in ’12, then followed that with a big 21 point win over a #18 Rutgers the next season.
But we had our chances to do the same things last year also and failed to do so.
I think most disappointing was when we were ranked #23 and hosting North Carolina at home in an important ACC match and we lost. That game made me think we had some time to go before I would be able to look at a current Pitt team and feel sure we’d win a game.
That was reinforced when we also lost to two ranked teams. One was against #5 ND – in a rout that wasn’t nearly as close as the score shows. In that game we were down 21-3 at the half and 42-17 with 5:30 left to play in the game. I didn’t expect us to beat them though.
But when we played Miami, were favored by a +7 point spread and playing at home and even with a change of their head coach in mid-October they whooped us by jumping out to a 23-3 halftime lead then coasted to a 29-24 win. That was one I thought we should have taken.
And that was repeated in January when we played #21 Navy and they had us down 21-7 at half and 35-7 at mid-3rd quarter. I felt Navy was a very good team but they killed us and that being with a long time for Narduzzi to prepare our players for that game.
So except for that strong Notre Dame team each of those other game were winnable and we didn’t even come close in reality.
Looking back at 2015 and our eight wins (Yeah Us!) I can’t find any one which really made me sit up and say “Wow“. Hey, I was happy as hell when we sat at 6-1, then proud also when we were 8-3 and on the verge of a very good season. But I, and you all too I’d think, have a sour taste and some trepidation after watching Pitt in those last two games of ’15 and then again in last week’s showing, even in a win, against a FCS team.
Pitt and Penn State do look to be pretty darn evenly matched over all. I listed some areas I think are do or die for us yesterday – stopping their fine RB Saquon Barkley for one and getting our offensive lineman’s heads out of their asses is another. Starters DE Hendrix and LB Zeise are out and that will hurt us I believe. I also don’t think we’ll get nearly the same pressure on QB McSorley as we did against Villanova’s QB last week.
Plus I think we Pitt fans are underestimating what McSorley can do as a passer. Let’s not forget that he’s only had one game as a starter – and while that can hurt a kid it can also mask what he really is capable of.
Who knows? But against Georgia in the bowl game last year he went 14/27 for 142 yards and 2 TDs with 0 INTs so he’s played against good team and done pretty well. Last week he was 16/31 for 209 and again, 2 TDs vice 0 INTs. So he can pass the ball at least.
The fact is that McSorely’s the QB HC James Franklin wants to have in his Run Option offense and that will put points on the board tomorrow. But even as I doubt he’ll beat us with his arm we could face torture by a thousand cuts in short completed passes and 1st downs by his legs. Which will control the clock in their favor.
We have a running game that should have been the showcase of the team last week and sputtered to a 3.1 yards per carry average. That has to make huge strides for us to stay in the game… and I’m not sure the OL is going to gel well enough, over only seven days and in the face of a good Big Ten DL, to make that happen.
And if it comes down to a field goal to win the game I give us a 50/50 chance.
We can go on and on parsing what can should and will happen on Saturday. But the beauty of college football and the agony and ecstasy of following Pitt football is that you can’t depend on anything.
So I won’t. To think Narduzzi is the coach who is going to win this game on the strength of his leadership is suspect in my opinion because he’s shown none of that when it has come to pressure situations. Quite the opposite I believe.
I was underwhelmed with the way our team came out to play on Saturday against Villanova. A 7-0 score after 29:41 of play isn’t something to look at and say “Boy, he had those kids ready to go” because he didn’t – pure and simple.
And he showed his frustration in a big way on the sidelines as the kids were floundering around out there in the 1st half. So no, I don’t look at Pat Narduzzi at this point and think he’s a leader who gets his kids to play above their talent level and stay confident enough for 60 minutes to secure a big win.
But it isn’t all on only Narduzzi.
Sad to say that Pitt’s two-deep talent level isn’t that great this season either. We have some good players and I think we’ll win more than lose this year. But again, we have a new offensive coordinator who didn’t grasp the game in hand last week and it may take the offense some more games to hit their stride with him.
Pitt was too hot and cold as a team last year, last week and has been for years – and there will be a ton of screaming PSU fans trying to disrupt our kid’s and our staff’s concentration. Thus strike any home field advantage Heinz may have for a regular opponent – that goes right out the window this Saturday against Penn State.
As much as I want a victory and I really, really do and I would be happy to be wrong but I have to go with my gut here. I just don’t think we have the talent + leadership+ mojo to pull this one out against a rival team who can move the ball on the ground as well as I think PSU will do in an emotionally played game.
I think PSU takes it in a 24-20 game.
pittpov.com 
No way Pitt stops Barkley who jump cuts like Dorsett. Hate to say it but if I was betting this game I would crush Penn State. Pitt the false fave.
PSU 27- Pitt 14
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This game will come down to field goal. Final score 27-24 Pitt. Whitehead and Q. Henderson will be the difference makers in the game.
Pitt 27 – PSU 24
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I too have a bad feeling about this game. Last week was not why I have that feeling though. It was our first game under a new offensive coordinator and against an inferior football team. We used very little of our new playbook especially once we were up by two scores. Running up the score is not Narduzzi’s style. The thing that has me worried is the way Narduzzi went into “circle the wagon” mode at the beginning of the week. The team is going to be feeling the pressure of this big game and come out tight as heck. The first offensive series we will try to run something like a jet sweep and mishandle the ball creating a turnover for PSU. From there it will go downhill in the first half. Narduzzi will make halftime corrections, as is his custom, and the team will comeback a bit in the second half. The final score will be
Pitt 17 Penn State 35. I hope I am very wrong!
PSU 35 – Pitt 17
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I’m going to go with a slow, ugly, slug fest and we are less ugly in the end.
21-13 Panthers.
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On an emotional level, I feel a Pitt win. On an analytical level, I see PSU winning. Other than the O-line, I think that PSU has more speed and athleticism at all other positions/units. This one feels like Pitt v ND of last year to me. Pitt will come back and make it a game, but PSU will win 31-20. Pitt will need to control the ball to make this one any closer.
PSU 31 – Pitt 20
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Scary game for sure but I can never bring myself to give a score not in favor of PITT.
PITT 24—psu 21
Ford has a big day.
See you guys at the game……..ike
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PSU 20 Pitt 16
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It will be a close game 3-4 points separating teams..I will drink about it tonight and start self-medicating with a bloody early in the morning…We win by 3 in OT..but like some posters I have been conditioned to have this visceral negative feeling..the last 3 times I have had that “We are gonna kick their ass feeling” was riding over in the Gateway paddlewheeler from the Sheraton to the UNC game and when I bet $200 on our boys to beat Houston and Navy……I wouldn’t touch thi$ game…
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I think this game will be won in the trenches. Their defensive line is deep and it will test our offensive line all day. I see loads of pressure on NP which will cause fumbles and miscues. NP has shown that he dosen’t handle pressure well. I too think the game will get away from us early and doom our chances of playing catch-up. NP struggles, our running game struggles and our defense is out on the field too long. All spell disaster. Reed said it all when he highlighted our depth. The other team wins by 3 TDs.
I pray I am wrong but the past is a good predictor of the future.
PSU by 3 TDS
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Totally blank. Felt Pitt big all summer. Then, last week. Were we just being vanilla?? I don’t know.
Gone back and forth all week, Pitt going to explode……then, crap, we’re gonna be muscled around.
Totally blank. Full of hope.
Red Lot 5A 7AM, delicious Bloody Mary’s for anyone who wants one.
H2P!!
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Guys – if you can would you also leave the score you think it will be? That way I can pick the winner of the commenters and send a small prize…
“Anonymous” – last week you won the score prize but I have no way of contacting you.
BTW – here are the local sports media guys’ predictions requested by Mike Vukovcan:
Jerry DiPaola also predicted a close PSU win. So with those guys and myself that is a 6 for PSU and 10 for Pitt all close games but a few.
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Although I still can’t get the bad taste of Navy out of my mouth, and the poor offensive execution last week, I have hope because Franklin has not won a big game yet.
Pitt 31-PSU 17.
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The attitude of this site changed greatly after last week’s game vs Nova. I say Pitt plays with much more focus and passion this week.
Pitt 24-16
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Big B – Under a Lock. Both offenses stink.
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wwb – last weeks game was poorly played on offense versus a FCS team. I think we may be overestimating PSU a bit but nothing Pitt did last week – even on defense – made me think we’d be a much better team the next week.
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I also see peterman getting hurt bc the OL is as good as Ceasar at Vandy.
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interesting media predictions. PSU homers like Adamski & Mack picking Pitt.
Neither coach has had the big win so tomorrow will be the first for one of them. Law of averages points to Franklin being due, and that scares me. Plus as mentioned by Reed, poor showings against Miami, Navy (also 2nd half of Louisville) still have me a little leery of Narduzzi.
I think the PSU offense will start clicking later in the season; might not be moving on all cylinders yet. So I think if we get a turnover or two, and secure the ball well, we should be able to pull this out. But it will go to the wire and maybe even OT.
Pitt 31-28
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Forget you guys. Negativity is palpable here sometimes. But, the reality is Pitt didn’t look too hot v. Villanova. And, PSU surely didn’t look too hot v. Kent State either. So, toss out that result for both.
I say Whitehead makes an impact, enough to swing the game in Pitt’s favor.
Pitt 26
PSU 21
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This is a scary game as you said. I do enjoy reading your commentary though. As much I have little faith I have to go PItt 21 PSU 17.
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Geez. I am feeling good things about our team. We win 31–10. We being Pitt.
H2P
Pitt 31 – PSU 10
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I skipped all the negativity and I’m going right to the prediction:
Pitt 34 – psu 16
Bah Humbug! I’m going to head to Pittsburgh for an enjoyable weekend – you guys should consider doing the same…
Pulverize the pedos – onward to The Pursuit for the ACC Championship
HTP!
Pitt 34 – psu 16
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Reed, half-full or half-empty. There were a handful of top teams who struggled vs inferior teams last week (Tenn vs App St; TCU vs S Dak St; Ark – La Tech; Mich St – Furman …. and a few more.) 2 years ago, Pitt beat Delaware 62-0 in the opener, then a month later, lost to Akron 21-10 at home.
IMO, it’s all about focus and I say Pitt was looking ahead last week
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sjr, I was shocked Adamski picked Pitt. He has been IMO the biggest media PSU homer around … at least until I read that piece from the P-G Asst Editor a few months ago.
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No looking back:
24-10
Panthers
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This is a Pitt team with which comming into the season we mostly had high expectations of, playing a psu team which we all mostly felt was in a downward spiral comming into this season. Week one showed Pitt playing down to those expectations and psu playing a little better than expected. One week doesn’t make a season and with this being a rivalry game, I’m much more comfortable with the outlook with the teams appearing evenly matched, than I would be if we were 10 point favorites.
Pitt has a lot of potential in year two here, and if they play up to it or exceed it, I feel they come away with a win comfortably.
Going with optimism and saying Pitt 21 psu 10.
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I need to see a big win before I can predict a big win I suppose. Although anything can happen.
Johnny – interesting you should mention Whitehead because as I was writing this I thought a Pick-6 by him might be the winning margin.
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I’ll be in the air for most of the game on Saturday. Flight leaves at 1:30 so I’ll be able to catch the first hour at TGIFridays in Terminal A before I board. I should be able to catch most of the 2nd half on the plane via free wifi once we get to cruising altitude. I just hope it doesn’t come down to the wire (but think it will) since we’ll be descending around 3ish and will have to ‘turn off all devices’.
I think a lot of folks are over-estimating PSU in their predictions. The teams have been fairly equal the past 4-5 years in rankings. Pitt is at home and hopefully enjoys the home field advantage.
Pitt 23 – PSU 20
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In golf, you visualize the shot you want to hit, then step up and hit it. At least that’s the way it’s supposed dto work. I’ll confess that — in the interest of sending out some positive vibs — I’m typing what I want to see (versus what I fear seeing):
Cut to Billy Hillgrove:
“And the final score in a real barn-burner here at Heinz Field, the Pitt Panthers 20, the Nittany Lions 17.”
Go Pitt.
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Fact is, nobody has a clue what we see tomorrow. That is why they play the game.
It is just tremendous to finally play a game with passion and a game that needs no false hype.
No matter what anyone is saying, both sides want to win this game badly.
Franklin trying to say it is only one game while Narduzzi has gone all in with triple secret practices and
media blackouts.
The North Side and Downtown will be crazy tonight and tomorrow will be insane.
I do hope all fans try to keep it classy. It is only a football game, yeah right!
The level of enthusiasm that we will see tomorrow has been missing for way to long.
A full house at Heinz.
By the way, I noticed a lot of empty seats at PSU last week, that used to never happen.
Too bad this game can’t be played every year. The Commonwealth should withhold funding, if
it isn’t. It is that important for PA football and the Northeast. Why should the south have all the fun?
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Reed – do you have J.Whitehead throwing that Pick-6?
Basing that question on your prediction…
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I just got back from Vegas seeing family ( grand kids!) who lives out there. Vegas had the spread of Pitt being favored my 5 to win this game. Reading MOST everything above you would have to think that Vegas is clueless about this game. Somebody is clueless: is it the many posters above or is it Vegas? We’ll know soon enough wouldn’t we?
Oh, and by the way before I left Vegas I stopped in a Book and gladly bet on Pitt -5. I gave the receipt slip to my son to collect the winnings to go buy a nice meal for the whole family with it!
Pittman4ever says:
PITT 30 PSU 21
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Pitt 24
Nits 20
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Drank two beers at lunch… I am taking the Panthers to win 27 to 24 in overtime … Blewitt pulled and second team kicker splits the uprights… Taking the rest of the afternoon off… It’s Pitt versus Penn State weekend… i’m the boss and I’m giving myself a holiday… need time to prepare… Hope the players on both sides “feel it and get it” PITT vs Penn State … Battle for Eastern Supremency
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Sad how the thirst for $$$ has ruined so many rivalries … Will enjoy this while we have it… A win would be the best way to honor our 76 National Champs..
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This is a tough one. My heart tells me to put down a score like Pitt 71 PSU -21. But my typical feeling before any Pitt game is that we are going to lose because we’ve so often stunk or choked in the past 20 years. Regardless of those haunting thoughts, I can’t bring myself to predict a score against my school especially when playing the arch-enemy cult school. Their select group of outspoken fans (like those at Onward State and the other JoeBots) make me sick to my stomach.
With that said I think we win because of some kind of lucky play – be it a short missed FG or fumbled snap inside the red zone by PS when going in for the winning score. I think we give up one long run score and one long pass score but otherwise play bend but don’t break D.
Pitt 27
PSU 26
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It’s a good thing I am not a gambler – don’t bet the home team is an adage I would ignore and always lose. As of this point that other school out in the cow field IMO has recruited better athletes and is way deeper. While I can predict Pitt to lose other games I cannot do so when the other team is PSU; it is in my feeble mind rooting for PSU and not giving my 100%. ( I don’t see how people say that someone gave 110 % – all you can give is 100%). Our OL cannot improve that much in a week; their QB appears to be the real deal (though still hasn’t had a bad performance in his 2 games; Barkley at this point is better than the recovering JC, Nard hasn’t won the big one. God I’m depressing myself. Hence PITT 21 psu 20.
HAIL TO PITT!!!!! BEAT THE NITTERS!!
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No prediction and not feeling optimistic. I want to believe in PN but objectively I have to agree with Reed that PN has not demonstrated that he can make a team with grade C players into a grade B team. I want to believe and I will if Pitt wins tomorrow. And if they do, I think it’s going to be a sweet ride thereafter. Let’s put it this way: Why would Wade want to play for Pitt if we lose tomorrow? Now if we win, dems a horse of a different color.
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If I am Penn State I am going to pressure Alex officer all day long… Disrupting the center to quarterback exchange could be one key to a Penn State victory … While being flawless in the center to quarterback change is a key to a Pitt victory… Officer has been to this rodeo before… Any bad snaps and his ass needs yanked
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Pitt 27
psu 16
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Sounds like McSorley plays a lot like Chad..therefore we have nothing to fear except fear itself…
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Pitt 33
PSwho? 17
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Please change the title of this thread to: “REED’S SOP”. I’m really sick of all this SOP $hit on this site. Erie – great call on Whitehead’s throwing pick 6!!! Love it!! LMAO! ( BTW, you won our weekly remark contest with it!!)
I think we see a fullback in the backfield all day, and vacuous to holes for JC and the Boys to run thru. I think the OL comes out of hibernation, and has pancakes all day! NP barely gets touched, and psux’ D gets burned no matter if they pack the box, or play the pass. As Nard dog said, ” pick your poison”. — why the hell do you think he’s so secretive?? And why do you think we were more vanilla than vanilla last week??
And just to attack all the naysayers, Blewett doesn’t, and goes 3/3! The D almost pitches it’s second consecutive shutout. WE WIN, WE WIN!! 30-6.
IT IS A LONG AND SULLEN RIDE BACK TO THE HOME OF THE COWS!!! (And the psux’ farm cows are so dejected, they dry up for a month!!)
THE GOOD GUYS WEAR GOLD HATS!
Nittany?? You shittin me??
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As I posted yesterday, I believe Peterman will be pressured all game long and as a result he will turn the ball over several times(either interceptions or fumbles). Can’t see the Pitt offense from last week(and this week unfortunately) overcoming those turnovers.
PSU 30 Pitt 14.
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Peterman will have a good game. Even when pressured he is smart with the ball.
If one Pitt RB gets over 100 yards they win. Pitt must have a good running game to win.
PSU and all spread teams move the ball and their QBs all get running yards close to or over 50.
You have to win the time of possession.
Whitehead or Price knock McSorely out of the game.
Pitt wins 27-24
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Pitt 37
PSU 20
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PSU returned tickets today! So much for the white out
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They have the new QB
They’re on the road
Their coach makes the big $
They’re the ‘football factory’
They’re not supposed to lose this game
The pressure is on them.
I’ll take Pitt to cover 27-16
Pitt 27 – PSU 16
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23-17 good guys.
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Funny, PennLive reporters who cover PSU all picked Pitt, Pittsburgh media types like PSU. Tells you they both stink!
I see long plays by PSU, and them winning the field position. Think Nard dog has them wound way too tight.
PSU 27- Good guys 17
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I agree with Bostons that the pressure should be on PSU. I’m surprised that PSU isn’t favored or at least the game isn’t a pick’em. PSU has more than twice as many 4-star athletes as Pitt over the previous 4 or 5 years and many of Pitt’s highly-ranked players are no longer here (Jennings, Voytik, Shell, Rippy, James…).
The reason Pitt is favored must be the lack of confidence in Jimmy F. — which appears to be well deserved.
Go Pitt.
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So Vegas has us as a 5 point favorite. So for all of their braggadocio and 100,000 strong they are not
putting their money where their mouth is, I wonder how many of them want to lose, to help put Franklin out of his misery.
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Savannah – if you want a cheerleader writing about Pitt football I suggest you enroll in English Composition 101 in Oakland and sit next to a busty girl with a panther decal on her cheek.
You won’t find that here my friend. What you’ll find is my thought out and best opinion given the research I do – and that isn’t minimal.
As I said – my heart says Pitt but my head and gut say PSU.
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Pitt’s advantage should be so many seniors and juniors with many games of on field experience.
Remember when we were the youngest team in D-1 ball.
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^^^ And we won 7 games with that youngest team in the FBS. Puts things in perspective with coaching a bit I think.
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Reed The Navy game was in December…Hendrix out is big. I’m still saying Pitt28 PSU 24…we lose this game the season takes a whole new view. I’m thinking 6-6 at best if we lose this one.
Pitt28 PSU 24
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Interesting note about attendance from DiPaola’s blog
There is the potential (if everyone who bought a ticket shows up) to approach 70,000 people, which could break the all-time attendance record for a Pittsburgh sporting event — 68,918 set Oct. 29, 1938, when a 5-0 Pitt team beat Fordham, 24-13, at Pitt Stadium.
Read more: http://blog.triblive.com/college-locker-room/2016/09/09/there-is-life-after-pittpenn-state-but-it-will-be-tougher-for-the-loser/#ixzz4JmeDrv7W
Follow us: @triblive on Twitter | triblive on Facebook
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Couple guys, fella’s, I’m as positive as anyone about Pitt football and hoops. I think my comments over the years will back that up easily.
But, negativity?? Reed asked for our thoughts on the game and prediction. How can that be negative. It’s what we think as individuals about one particular game.
Last week worried me and threw a monkey wrench into my thoughts about this game.
Reed, you wanted a score. Pitt 27 PSU 20, but that’s all homer.
Pitt 27 PSU 20,
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Ok, Pitt 70 PSU 0
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–Cincinnati is favored by 6 or so over Purdue. I remember a time when Purdue was decent, but it seems like it’s been a while…
–The Orange are a two TD underdog to Louisville. Would love to see the Orange knock them off.
–Wonder how long until we get Hendrix and Zeise back… They will probably miss the UNC game; next big game after that is October 8th against GT.
Go Pitt.
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recent tweet from Pitt supporter
“we’re gonna build an on campus stadium. It’s gonna have big stands, big walls, great field, & we’re gonna make PSU pay for it!”
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Life has been kicking the crap out of me lately so I will be positive for once and hope that PSU doesn’t kick the crap out of us tomorrow.
Pitt 21-PSewww 17
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Pitt will surprise some folks and wear the Throwbacks. There is no way Herman Munster Big Head Barnes would screw this up as a last minute surprise could he?
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Had a dream last night…Pitt 28 Penn State 17
Conner rushes for 137 yds and a TD
Orndorf is the leading receiver with over 100 yds receiving and TD
Peterman has a 200+ yds day and 2 scores…
If this comes true I’m quitting my day job and heading to Vegas!
Hail To Pitt!
Pitt 28 Penn State 17
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McSorely did well against Georgia ROFL
Did you watch that game Reed
McSorely looked like garbage until Georgia got a solid lead and stopped blitzing
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Penn State scored 3 points in the first 3 quarters and Georgia took the foot off PSU’s throat when it was up 24-3 in the 4th quarter.
And by the way, if a certain former Pitt quarterback who is playing at Arkansas State now went 14/27 for 142 yards and 2 TDs in a bowl game against a big-name opponent where Pitt was down 24-3 in the 4th quarter until the other team took off the pressure and Pitt scored 2 garbage time TDs, Reed wouldn’t be talking about how good he is either. That’s for sure. 14/27 for 142 and 2 garbage time TDs is mediocre plain and simple.
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Pitt 14 the pukes 13
Hail to Pitt
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Remember last year when I said in the Blather that Narduzzi was going to bury SOP and all our annual short comings? Well, one big enchilada still out there is we never win to a sell out crowd at home in a big game (going back 30 years anyway). N-E-V-E-R!
Until now…
Pitt 27
pedos 21
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I meant to add “on national TV”….the double wammy…
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Reed, I’d prefer the busty coed with the Panther sticker on her cheek. Your gut misleads you, get checked for IBS.
This team provides another memorable victory tomorrow.
Why, there is no rational explanation.
Both Pitt’s offense & defense clicks. Henderson has another big day returning kicks.
Narduzzi out coaches Franklin and the final score is 35-17 Pitt.
35-17
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Nova (even though FCS/D-AA) was ranked by Sargarin as a better team than MAC Kent State. A Kent St. Freshmen ran for 89 yards on 12 carries. Neither of Kent St. QB’s played in 2015. Psu offense had to show more than Pitt since it is an entirely different offense compared to last year.
Deepelemblues is right about McSorely’s bowl game against Georgia.
PITT 31 – Psu 17
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Prior to last week the consensus was that pitt had a helluva team this year and was looking at 8-4/9-3… Now there are many of the same people saying pitt doesn’t have a shot. Last week was 1 game. Sure our offense has plenty of room for improvement but we have a stable of RB’s, a QB that should hold his own, a good offensive line, etc. There are holes in the psu offense/defense (such as their secondary).
Pitt wins this. 28-17
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PItt 27- PSU 23
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Sorry to post a copy of what I posted elsewhere, but…
I grew up in Rhode Island. We only grow sailors and hockey players there. Went to my first Pitt game as a frosh in 1987. Totally confused that we would be saying “Penn State Sucks” during EVERY rendition of the Pitt fight song. Had no clue why anyone seemed to care so much about Penn State, especially while we were busy crushing NC State.
Went to every football game. Slowly started to understand what college football was all about. Then we played Penn State. Wow, what a game. 10-0 Pitt. We all stormed the field. My roommate stole one of the telephones the coaches use to call up to the booth. 🙂 Pure bedlam and joy.
It was then that I fully understood.
Penn State DOES suck.
Hail to Pitt.
And in honor of THAT: Nard Dog stacks the box. PSU QB throws bricks. PSU offense goes nowherefast.
PITT 10-0.
Wow – our defense throws a real shutout this time? Let’s keep our fingers crossed!
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More bill board material for Pitt players…
http://onwardstate.com/2016/09/08/penn-state-deserves-a-better-rival-than-pitt/
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Reed – I married her 33 years ago!
I really appreciate all the time and thought that goes into your research for this blog. My thoughts are based on what I see, and what I don’t see. For example PN’s interviews exasperate the press- he gives away nuttin’. I love to listen to him and try to figure out what it is that he’s NOT saying. I’m certainly not nearly as good at my part as he is at his part.
In last week’s game , I take my optimism from what I saw, and probably most so by what I didn’t see. I saw 28 points from a team that looked like crap doing it. That’s a huge Plus for me. I saw the D pitch a shutout. I saw consistent coverage by our DBs. On offense, I didn’t see any pulling lineman; I didn’t see a fullback blocking for the running back or catching any passes, and I saw NP looking pretty good on possession type throws. I saw an even distribution of run/pass. Lotta vanilla goin’ on out there!
I saw PN staying with this offensive plan, (my guess: he didn’t want to reveal anything he didn’t have to) even when we didn’t score much for quite a long time – I think his defense gave him that luxury!
All in all, I was pretty optimistic Saturday. True, we didn’t wax an inferior opponent, but I thought we showed we can win a game while playing with the handcuffs on. Especially, when I believe PN will take the handcuffs off this week. And psux’ has no idea what was hidden behind those handcuffs – we have a new PC, doncha know. We are, at this stage of the season, quite unpredictable!! With a lot of pages of the playbook (O and D) yet to be used.
Everybody seems to want to base their ideas on what we’ve done bad the past few seasons, but psux’ hasn’t exactly set the world on fire either. And we’ve done an awful lot of good in the past – which doesn’t ever seem to get figured into the equation; i.e. SOP mind set!
When PN came riding in out of the West (North West, if you prefer), with his optimistic goals and his enthusiasm, I kicked SOP out the front door. If that’s “Wanting a cheerleader”, then I plead “Guilty: optimism in the first degree”!
I’d much rather say – on Sunday morning – ” Oops, I was wrong on this one”, than to ever say on a Friday, “We’re gonna $hit the bed this week”. I’m a Pitt fan – I’ve been wrong before!
Bring on ‘Bama!!!!
Sorry. I don’t think SOP can handle all my optimism. I’ll try to Hold Back from now on.
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Jackagain,
Great link. We must humble those SOB’s ASAP!
#H2P
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Yo Nick, comment at 4:02. I was here 1st, add something else to your name.
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How’s this?
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Jerry D says the pedos will be ready but not Pitt…..even though we have a senior QB and they have a freshman at QB.
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@jackagain:
I had to laugh when in that article it says that PSU faced the harshest sanctions in history. Ha! What sanctions? They couldn’t have as many benchwarmers as usual? They could only play in Ireland and not a bowl game? Please. It nullifies anything else the article could have said.
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So many negative Yinzers! Pitt by fieldgoal, 38-35.
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Didn’t McSorley replace Hackenturd in that Bowl Game and only play the 2nd half against Georgia?
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DAN, get to a hospital immediately 70-0 indicates a concussion or other brain trauma (i know you jesting) Jackagain thanks for the link. I would think SMU and the death penalty would be tougher (dripping sarcasm). The sanctions were not in place long enough to have any effect. God How I H8 Penn State – shout out to OHIH8Ostate. Can I have the busty cheerleader with a tramp stamp and Reed ghostwriting for her? Reed in a cheerleading outfit? ugh. HAIL TO PITT.
Heard today that one reason the Pitt Band doesnt do words to Pitt Fight Song – P-e-n-n S-T sucks is that the bandleader is from Big Blue – say its a lie.
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Pitt 24 PSU 6
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I still think 3/4 will be PSU Fans.
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Lol- anyone who actually knows power five football would understand that Matt Canada didn’t do ANYTHING on offense last week… ON PURPOSE. From what I understand- he runs jet sweeps all day… How many did you see.. None. You’ve got to be kidding me by thinking that last week could show anything about what is to come. Both teams were reserved. Point blank- Pitts two deep is way stronger than penn states. It’s a joke that any of you take last weeks game seriously
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Thumbs up, Pitt realist!! Concise and to the point!
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Pitt 24
psu 17
Whitehead scores twice, Conner once, but puts up 100 yds
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DKF & RFB, yeah, SMU got the death penalty….which is what the pedos should have gotten. They still haven’t recovered.
McSorley is a So. technically but he’s a new QB. PSU also has a frosh come in to play some.
PSU knows they’ll see some Whitehead on offense…..can’t wait ’till tomorrow….
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PITT 27. psu 16
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PSUcks re-erected the Paterno statue in one of their libraries – to remind people to keep quiet.
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—–> This game all depends on Nathan Peterman me-thinks, and what he brings to the game from Snap One. No more procrastination and clocking-in late to the game from Nate P., it’s not doing him or Pitt any good whatsoever.
It’s his R.S. Senior year, his final game-ever of College Football, and THIS PENN STATE GAME will be the biggest stage & The Brightest Spotlight of his football-life, by-far.
This game tomorrow determines if Nathan Peterman goes-down as a legitimate Pitt Great, who transferred-into Pitt with (OUR!!) Pat Narduzzi, then helped in transform Pitt into a Power…..or, Just Another Guy lol.
Pitt can win this game 🙂 BIG 🙂 if Nate Peterman comes-out like a MAN and plays like a MAN right-off the crack-of-the-bat — but Peterman has to get his Head-Right and come-out from the tunnel with a straight-up @lpha-Dog mentality, and cut-out the sweet-kid, aw-shucks B$.
This is THE GAME FOR US PITT PANTHERS —- STEP IT UP, NOW-OR-NEVER, NATHAN P., AS NOW IS THE TIME 🙂 .
——- Everyone knows, let’s be real: Pitt V psu is about whether or not Nathan Peterman comes-out and plays like he’s a future NFL Quarterback (A QB us Pitt fans will finally remember as a true CLUTCH Stud)
It’s in Nathan Peterman’s grasp to truly become the man at QB for Pitt who finally “BREAKS THE CYCLE” and finally becomes a True-Winner at QB for this great University ——- or whether he essentially wilts, and continues on his downward-regression since his poor-stretch at the end of 2015 – and most recently his Lackluster Villanova performance.
I THINK Nathan Peterman steps it WAY-UP, and BALL$$$$-OUT tomorrow 🙂 🙂 🙂 .
#HAILTOPITT
—– Saquan Barkley pulls a 2014 James Conner….yet simultaneously Trace McSorley pulls a 2014 Chad Voytik (hahaha ONLY a big-time Pitt fan knows exactly where I’m going with this hahaha 🙂 )
—– Pitt 31, psu 20 🙂 🙂 and Pitt wins at Heinz. —– Pat Narduzzi & James Franklin hug-it-out finally postgame. + Pitt & psu fans finally agree in DEMANDING this game is played annually.
#PittPOV+PostersAreAwesome:) lol
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Lamar Jackson QB for L’Ville is a Stud. Narduzzi start recruiting legit QB’s. Damn.
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Im in Texas and haven’t heard a peep about the game. Does the National Media bot care about Pitt or PSU. Why did I already ask a question I know.
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*** & btw —- Jester Weah BREAKS OUT tomorrow.
6’3”, 210 (at least lol — he looks like a yoked-up hybrid linebacker with a super-strong, powerful lower-body most importantly) + runs like a deer, and cuts like Panther — WATCH OUT for Jester Weah and how Matt Canada gets this Sleeping-Giant the ball 🙂 :).
#HailtoPitt 🙂 !!!
—Oh, and @ Upittbaseball: we have OUR Lamar Jackson already, in the Pitt Program —— only he’s 4 inches taller, 20 pounds-heavier, and even more explosive on the run —– it’s just that we’ll have to wait, as he’s redshirting during this 2016 season. 🙂 We Pitt fans will get to see plenty of him soon 🙂 :).
#PittIsIt!!!
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#pennstate$UX !!! haha
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Yep, good thing we’re not playing Louisville this year as L Jackson their QB is outstanding and as such their offense is virtually unstoppable.
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UPitt…there’s one slight problem….
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Breaking down the matchup between Penn State and Pitt
http://www.espn.com/blog/acc/post/_/id/94311/breaking-down-the-matchup-between-penn-state-and-pitt
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Some people need to get off their high horse. We have to deal with reality. We’re playing PSU tomorrow. Petrino knows how to win college football games.
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Who on here was from Tulsa? Haha… I’m curious if there is any good bar to watch a Pitt game (I know there’s a Steelers/pens one but dog t they do Pitt)
Also, have a very pessimistic feeling in my head, but growing up 20 minutes away from the fire that is PSU I refuse to give them a winning score. For the years of trying to explain to hometown friends of some talented players and the hope there is at Pitt, only to get shrugged off like “aw it’s cute little brother wants to be big brother” when the big brother was a middling no one going nowhere, I say we must step up. MUST.
If being wrong on a prediction let’s me sleep with myself then let’s freakin go!
28-17 in favor of…….. P-I-T-T LETS GO PITT!!!
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Bj, pedo fans could say the same thing about Joepa….
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…… Just Food for Thought —- geographically, and where the great-majority of the actual ‘psu’ alums are…. 🙂 Pitt 🙂 And psu should absolutely BOTH be in the ACC.
PERFECT conference for Our Pitt Panthers. —- Honestly — Penn State should be in the ACC too, and in the Atlantic Conference (our at least Pitt’s conference). Lol Big 10 is for (sorry!) Midwestern schools in Ohio, Michigan, and west of there.
——- How about, Northwestern and Penn State join the ACC, and maybe Florida State or whoever wayyy down south joins the SEC??? Clemson Loves the ACC and Clemson’ers are awesome and I can’t wait for us Pitt Panthers to play them.
Everyone Knows Florida State’ers have a thang’ to join the SEC. Cool — let’s add Penn State and Northwestern to the new ACC and add —- dunno, Houston with their brand-new cute on-campus stadium??
Penn State honestly should move to the ACC and be with Pitt (i.e., US lol) — makes SO much more sense for their Alum-geographic.
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It will take many years, because of the reputation/connections of the Big However Many, but I think in time, the ACC will surpass the Big However Many.
That might sound crazy, but just look at the geographic areas. The ACC couldn’t be better situated, running up and down the Atlantic Coast.
Go Pitt.
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Savannah – we sure can handle optimism – that’s why I wrote the bit above that says Leave a Comment Please (and don’t hold back).
My voice only gets the conversation started… the real purpose of this blog is the discussion you guys have after that. It isn’t me who passes judgement on what we all say – it is our fellow Pitt fans and commenters…
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Pitt Realist – So…were those six bad snaps and the constant pressure on the QB just a smoke screen to bamboozle PSU into thinking we suck?? How about the running game – supposedly our bread and butter being held to 3.1 ypc by a FCS team?
I don’t care if Canada held stuff back or not – I care about the shitty execution we saw on offense – including five drops by the WRs – that he’ll play call for.
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Look at this…
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Can’t wait to get to the North Shore …Good guys win, 21-17, PITT !
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Burger.. I’m not sure what’s a good bar in tulsa. I usually go to pickles or Patricks or the river spirit casino. If I don’t watch the game at home, I will post where I am going on the game thread tomorrow.
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Incase it’s close, I’m looking to go to Elgin Park Sports Bar, apparently pretty new place my co-worker is going to…. I’m expecting to be the only Pitt guy so join if you want… Let me know where you end up so when we win, maybe have a round on me!
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EsPN article, both writers like the Panthers. So who am I to argue. So I won’t.
Pitt wins 22-20, as Blewitt kicks the game winner with 5 seconds on the clock. Sending all the Pedo’s home mad for the dreary ride back to Creepy Valley.
(in the old days People flew their color’s on their houses along Rt.22 for this game )
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Christian brothers.. saw this posted elsewhere.. Our memory verse for today Isaiah 1:18…”come and let us settle the matter.”
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The cult has settled in to the Pittsburgh area. All wearing their white shirts. There are 10 sitting in the breakfast area I am at with me and one other Pitt fan.
That Pitt fan is wearing a white Pitt polo – really?
Enjoy the game – cheer loud and proud!
HTP!
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~ EE…..better stay clear of the men’s room. And please stop any small boys or teens from entering it as well. Consider it a Public Service !
Punch a Pedo !
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Slept well but woke early, no desire to go back to sleep.
Feelin’ tight, need to go out for a run. GI tract definitely not right, not anything I ate….dx is ’84 grad who was 1-2-1 during my 4 years at Pitt including the JoePa field goal for the tie game.
I NEED THIS GAME TODAY!!!
H2Naruzzi!!!
H2P!!!!
F’ up the Pedo’s.
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Today we find out how good our football team is and how good a HC PN is. A lot at stake. A lot more than a year’s bragging rights.
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Sounds like y’all are fired up this morning!
EE – Pucker up, Pedos! In the Great Cosmic Reversal, y’all are on the receiving end today!
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Never thought I would see this game happen, let alone on Pitt turf!
Bring it Pitt – HTP!
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I’m intersted to see what the running back rotation will be. Moss and/or could be the lightening to Conner & Ollison’s thunder. I think Barkley will break off a few runs, but their passing game will be contained. 23-17 Panthers over the extinct lions.
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Hey Reed! I’m sure that we are both glad you were wrong. It was a big game and Pitt got the job done. It was entirely pretty but the team as a whole looked well-disciplined and well-coached notwithstanding the difficulty Pitt had stopping PSU in the second half. Let’s hope they can keep it going next week against OSU!
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