in Pitt Football 101 Words

POV: Pitt vs Penn State Game Thread

“The time has come for us to consider seriously how to change our way of life not through prayer or religious teaching, but through education. ” – The Dali Llama (Pitt ’50)

… or football because after all isn’t that why Universities exist?  Well, at least today  that’s true and starting at 3:30 EST.

Friday we had our Pitt – PSU predictions article – now let’s watch the game and see how close we come to or scores. Let’s hope we can keep it close going into the 4th quarter then Returner Henderson and Kicker Kessler blow-up and win the game for us.

HTP !!!

736 thoughts on “POV: Pitt vs Penn State Game Thread”

  7. Amen Dan 72 that’s what I am hoping for. Then again I hope the colonoscopy I have scheduled Monday is the only one I have this week – is Sandusky lurking out there.

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  10. It does look like the white throwbacks today. I hope this isn’t the only surprise HCPN has up his sleeve for today.

    Hey Stubs, man up brother.

    I hope to hell that this Mich vs Cincinnati game doesn’t run long. !xF#?

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  11. Ike,
    How can they so badly schedule these games?
    It’s 2:12pm and this game has 13+ minutes left. What’s up with that!

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  17. This is bullcrap, I tried to go on ESPN3 and I keep getting an error message. Maybe one of you guys can get on?

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  24. i don’t have tV up here in the mountains. Radio guys say Henderson was wide open on that INT???

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    1. Browne floated the ball so much, QH didn’t even think the pass was for him. But the radio guy was not exaggerating.

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  25. I am depending on you guys for my ” in flight ” game experience… let’er rip .. lots of updates PLEASE !!!

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  29. He had 2 recievers wide open!!
    Everything we heard about Browne. Looping the ball. Nervous feet.
    The sooner we get to Pickett the better.

    Like taking candy from a baby.

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  34. Browne at 21 was beat out by a 18 year old. Play for next year. Get the young qb’s exp or actually recruit a real one and Narduzzi you are overpaid your D sucks and has and it is year 3

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  36. How long until the guy that Browne “beat out” (that lit up the spring game) gets into the game

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  38. Big B,
    We had a nice drive going then Max overthrow an open QH and 1 open receiver later were down by 7.

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  50. Two series. INT, and receiver drops catchable ball (or so i’m told by our homer announcers). Lets see if we can keep the defense on the field for more than one play…

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  54. Well well well we forced a 3 and out. Sounds like 2 straight gifts from McSore but i’ll take it

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  55. Also we have two holding penalties in 2 within the first three possessions. Can anyone remind me how well we rank in the experience department?

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    1. Maddox did carry. I actually think it may have been behind an earlier Upitt comment about a gimmick offense.

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  75. Bottom line is that to win this game we have to not make mistakes.

    So far in 3 posessions…

    1 INT
    1 Dropped long pass
    2 holding calls

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  79. Ugh McSorley breaks free for a long scramble on 3rd and 2. Sounds like their Oline is having their way with us

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  80. BigB – big 3rd and 7 coming up on the Pitt 15. We hold ’em to 3 here and it’s a big win for us

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  90. Getting ready for an hour layover in Charlotte.. switching to beers… you guys are doing a great job of describing SOP so far
    Russ it was me who started the Bradley rumor.. wanted to get your juices flowing…

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  98. watching in a bar at the boardwalk on Rehoboth Beach. Heading out to the beach to watch the sandcsstle competition.😣

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  122. RKB I will take your word for it. That’s what you get when you pick up another program’s trash. Man I wish i could actually see the game.

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  123. Optimism on this site is overwhelming I distinctly remember Cheney, Canada and now Watson behind cataloged as incompetent french fry cooks.

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  141. Colin – You tell me???? You see anyone who looks like they care on the Panthers???? I don’t. Barkely 70 run will change your mind.

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  145. Jabroni
    A loser, poser, lame-ass.

    One who talks the talk, but could never walk the walk.

    One who talks s*** and doesn’t back it up, but rather ends up eating their s*** in return.

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  152. “nobody had the flat”. I’m going to be having freaking nightmares of nobody having the flat

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  155. Whatever you are the resident expert I’m outta hear this board is getting nasty

    Hail to Pitt

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  164. If we could just figure out how to catch (and maybe block just a little) we have a chance to be in this game

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  169. I thought Reed was being overly pessimistic about the Offensive line, but they are not having a good day so far. Then again, Penn State is stacking the box, daring Max Browne and Jester Weah to beat them and it’s been working nicely for them so far.

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    1. Not anything that would ever be called. It did mess up the timing of the route making the throw not look like an intelligent one.

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  179. These guys are 21 years old and need to compete.

    Im telling you Barkely about to go off on wheel route.

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  205. Sounds like no leaders on offense, too many mistakes, not ready to play… hold em to 14 and play to your capability in the 2nd half

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  223. Atlanta – I think Bryant will have better stats than Brown this year. Brown will get lots of double teams.

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  229. Game settling in a little bit. We’re controlling the ball but not getting points. I don’t hear the fat lady singing yet. But I hear plenty of fat boys complaining. And I see plenty of fat heads in the stands.

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  248. I agree that I am dissapointed with the play calling. Seem like watson’s anus puckered up mighty quick when we got inside the 20

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  253. Reading these comments, one would think Pitt is down by 30. They haven’t played well at all but if they can be down 11 at half after two bad turnovers, that is better than I would have expected.

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  261. Just a bit of a PSU love fest from the announcers, don’t you think? Don’t ya think. That interception was a breath holder

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  265. We must come out strong or they will run away. Their oc is smart and they will
    Make plays. We must score 7

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  269. It’s half and so far I’m very proud of our boys! Still in this game while being dealt a lousy 1st half hand.
    Let’s Go Pitt!!!!!

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  270. Todd Blackledge (PSU natl Champ qb) is doing the color commentary, and psu is top 10 playing at home. Difficult for objective coverage in that context

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  271. Can we have Backledge just choke on a hot dog at the half and put on injured reserve for the second half

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  272. If people would be real they would admit that the halftime score is NOT what they expected after the first quarter. Knock on wood but how many passing yards does McSorely have? AGAIN knock on wood.

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  274. QB has made some mistakes, but also some grat throws dropped by his receivers…defense has been impressive for the most part against a really good PSU offense.

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  275. I’m surprised we are this close, especially after the first quarter. However, we left a bunch of plays out there (INTs, weah drops) that are necessary to win

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  276. Good boy Pittman.. You speak the truth. We were all cringing early on and very well could be doing the very same thing by game’s end but here we all are…. So you say we have a chance?

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  277. Just landed in time to see them running off the field
    Sounds like things are starting to come together TAKE IT.. starts NOW….
    Let’s go PITT!!!
    Sarcastic- All Clear, safe return.
    Annie, are you at the game.. what are you feeling for the 2nd half?

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  278. The good news is that, just like I said a couple days ago, Penn State is really not that good. The bad news is that neither are we.

    I guess we can take some solace in the fact that our secondary no longer papers to be a complete dumpster fire. They acquitted themselves pretty well, I thought. Also, this PSU offense isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, for whatever that’s worth.

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  281. Watson needs to dump the shovel and lateral passes and get Mathews and Flanagan involved with Ollison/Moss. They can climb back in this game

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  282. Sounded like we shut Barkley down or at least keeping him in check . are we getting any pressure on McSorley???

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  284. Dan72, you aren’t wrong. Look at the collapse of Pitt last year. Imagine if we had a QB who didn’t throw up softballs or run slower than Upitt to buy his new Rockports. We might be within 4 with the short fields we have given them.

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  286. I agree with you guys. After the first 3 possessions i was afraid we’d be going into halftime down by 28 points. Seems like we are in it and we have a real shot here if we can keep pressuring McSporely. I am surprised though that they aren’t running Barkley right at us. Seems like a weapon that is not being used.

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  287. BigB, the halftime stats will be coming up shortly, they will of course lie to a degree. Barkley running and McSorely passing basically shut down. The score doesn’t lie though.

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  288. Our downfield passing game is pathetic. If we can get anything going more than 10 yds downfield we have a chance. But realistically I think they get to 28 at least which means we have to score 26+ in second half to win. Hmmm

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  290. Just saw some highlights.

    Hendrix is a beast. At least he was on that sack.
    2nd INT where Weah was held was a bad QB decision to begin with. Yes Weah was held but Brownie threw it into triple coverage.
    We seemed to play better as the game wore on…which is encouraging. I think all of our big mistakes were in first quarter

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  292. This blog will be whatever you make it guys. Don’t make it a place to bitch and whine, you use for analytical discussion. C’mon ladies!

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  307. Yup with experience he will learn how to play it up for reluctant refs so they cannot miss it – a little acting.

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  318. right upitt? How have they not fed barkley a steady diet of handoffs and wheel routes? Their OC is weak…

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  320. Hard to believe thus far our Dis keeping us in this game.
    Scratch that! Wheel route TD wide open #19 receiver.

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  322. I want to thank Trace McSorely and Saquon Barkley for reminding me that I’m a pitt fan and that I have no right whatsoever to be optimistic.

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  323. And again…who has the back out of the backfield? 18th wide open receiver of this season. Glad our HC is a defensive genius! CMU would have covered that.

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  326. or maybe i should be thanking Josh Conklin… Did we even practice against the wheel route this week? Seems like it’s ALL we should have practiced against.

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  329. Shake it off and put a drive together for a TD. Someone make a play.

    If Browne falters on this drive, I’d make a change, at least for one series…

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  330. I may have said have phil campbell shadow barkley all game and brightwell mcswirley…Uggggh!

    Coming to you live from the 40 yard line at OSU stadium.

    Seriously, 21-3. Cmon. Somebody gotta make a play. I see Hodges is out injured?

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  332. Nard swore that this week we would learn how to cover the wheel route – it had to be Nard nobody else could talk.

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  348. Maddening that they haven’t even tried to go to their two MONEY players (QO and Weah) inside the 5
    WHATTHEHELLWATSON

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  352. Second and goal at the three. the left side of our O line is dominating all day. hey watson this isn’t f**** rocket science.

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  354. Canada would have scored twice on that possession. Even Cheney would have scored. Watson = Washed up.

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  355. Going sideways isn’t working. How can everyone but our OC not see that. We’ve had 6 plays inside the 10 and 2 have gone into the end zone.

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  356. Man if we can just find a red zone offense, we win this game. Should be 21-21.

    Hoping the D gets us the ball back.

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  358. Dan 72 that is all that Frankenliar and players said in yesterdays post gazette, Key to stopping Pitt is key on QH so we keep playing into the defense they said they would use

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  362. Technically Browne floated a pass for an opening drive INT. Technically PITT did have poor coverage on a wheel route that went for a touchdown. However, the trend of concern carrying over from game #1 so far seems to be red zone inefficiency. OR, as comments have addressed, red zone play calling. No TD after the punt return last week…and most of you are watching this game.

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  363. Well at least our D is responding. I’m starting to get optimistic again which is always a dangerous state of mind

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  384. Ugly – our line is not performing well…

    We should have packed the line to start that drive with 2 TE’s

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  390. Just remember that this game actually means nothing. It’s our pride that hurts more than anything else

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  395. And the truth is, if we can learn enough from this and OSU to keep us competitive in the ACC the the two losses will have been worth it

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  398. 3 stars can’t get it done. Just not enough talent. Very simple to understand. If recruiting doesn’t get better we don’t get better.

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  403. Actually Oakieboy if those three stars had just caught a couple of balls that hit them in the hands, and our two-star OC had just played to our strengths in the red zone i think we’d be neck and neck with these highly rated recruits

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  424. Upitt – you are 100% right. This year. Except for recruiting. He’s been kicking his ass in recruiting every year.

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  459. Upitt you might be right … we haven’t actually seen DiNucc throw and actual real overhand pass. But think of the storyline if he comes in and we win. Dare to dream man. Dare to dream

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  463. First off, it wasn’t a 22 pt deficit going into the fourth quarter which is what my point was.

    Second PITT has aquitted themselves fairly well.

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  464. DiNucci is the leader this offense has been missing. Might not have the big arm but the kid has grit.

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  484. The wins last year against PSU and Clemson spoiled us.

    You generally aren’t supposed to win on the road against top 5 teams.

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  494. If we had a AD with balls she would fire this Head Coach and his entire program. Watson isn’t qualified to clean urinals. Narduzzi you are a fraud.

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  497. That safety was one of the dumber plays in high school football that I’ve seen in the last decade. Too bad this is college football.

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  501. Ollison should have been carrying the ball back up against the goal line. Hall is no threat – use QH as a decoy and run QO down the middle.

    Uggghhh!

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  506. Guys remember we are 123 out of 128 in experience coming into this season. We aren’t supposed to win this

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  518. upitt – also because of the MSU trend. Year 3 of Dantonio / Duzz was actually their worst year.

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  525. Please hold them to a field goal.

    Narduzzi calling time outs like it matters.

    Auburn beats Clemson tomight!!!

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  534. I realize refs don’t decide games, but I don’t understand why they are allowed to not review the psu out of bounds catch, nor if Hall crossed the plane to avoid the safety (thought they had to review scoring plays?,) and not sure why they don’t have to call holding.

    Reed, is there a link to these new changes to the rules where the refs don’t have to call anything if they don’t feel like it?

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  535. Relax Fellows!!! We have Heather Lyke running our Program and Hoops is right around the corner!! Yes I just threw up.

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  536. Bring on OK State – Watson will make adjustments this week after watching the film. The D got some much needed experience today.

    HTP!

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  538. Ready for DiNucci now. Pickett at Ga Tech if Browne was a 5 star, we don’t want 5 stars. He is a statue who cannot pass. Why is he in there?

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  539. so for real, how bad is the holding…and how bad are these non calls? I very much need to watch the replay of this game

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  540. Pitt has more 1st downs than the Pedo’s. 20 to 14, so it isn’t like we haven’t been moving the ball.

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  546. DiNucci now? BTW my source in Legal Dept at Pitt indicates early line on Lyke – not very bright. Heather your field still sucks, Ped State sucks. Nard loses balls year by year.

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  552. I have no issue with the refs today. There were holds that were missed but not more than the average game. And the safety was a clear safety.

    I thought the catch on their last TD drive on the sideline should have been reviewed though.

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  555. Not Dinucci’s fault on that drop. i agree with Reed. Give Browne enough rope to hang himself against OK state and then move to the local boy.

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  561. Agree on playing Browne against OSU. Do what USC did last year. Play Browne against the good teams and bring in the new guy afterward so his confidence doesn’t get crushed. It worked for them.

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  563. Guys Dinnucci is okay for Cal U.

    Narduzzi won off Paul Chrysts players and talent. He cant buid a team on his own.

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  565. DiNucci will lose out to Pickett but at least it looks like he can make a decision even though he throws sidearm

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  574. I keep hearing about the “arm” of Browne. He has no power behind his throws. DiNucci does appear to have a bit more zip on the ball.

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  586. Liked: Not saying Ben Dinucci is Joe Montana or anything, but he looks distinctly less terrible than Max Browne.

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  590. Cover!!!! Get ready for the Pokes boys. I will be betting against Narduzzi the defensive genius next week. Pokes will put up 40+ next week on this defense. The Ben Dinucci era will be here by the Rice game….just as I stated in my July post.

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  591. He is better than Browne.

    Reed – We called Clarke was a bust. We were right. Head case. No hands. No Grit.

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  593. The Pedo’s with the 33 today…..says much on a day more revelations come out about JoePedo.

    At least we didn’t get blown out and the creepsters didn’t cover.

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  596. Last year — biggest crows ever at Heinz

    This year — biggest ever at Beaver > 109k

    but of course, there is no reason they should continue the series

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  597. Upitt posted

    “Mason Rudolph will hang 500 – 700 yards on us.”
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    How many yards did McSorely throw for? Ollison had more yards than Barkley considering touches. If you want to be taken seriously than make valid points. Just complaining non stop is not an argument Upitt.

    This just in, psu is a better team than PITT this year. Oh and guess what? jimmie “one finger ” has had one more year in than Pat N. So lets wait and be patient, PITT didn’t play great but they showed ok to me.

    Count me in as satisfied enough. Not jumping for joy but….?? ike

    Liked by 1 person

  598. we covered. pedos that bet on game lost.

    but, this game showed me that Browne is not the answer. Nard Dog is a mediocre coach. and Pitt needs elite talent and doesnt have it. playmakers are lacking.

    and our AD, BoT and Chancellor dont really care and they never did. I wouldnt donate a cent to this program even if I found a penny on the ground.

    pitt was not prepared to start the game, the administration has been Pitts worst enemy over the past 30 years, and i’d rather have a real front porch with critters underneath it like CCWVU than the fake one we have.

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  600. Ike – you said we would win. PSU scored. We have a terrible offense and a terrible D.

    Take Pitt and points next week. I will take OSU – 15.5 or there abouts.

    Narduzzi and watson are weak. We have no tight ends and 1 wr and no QB

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  601. Hilarious. You had Chryst. Hated him. He goes back to Wisconsin and recruits TOP Players and Coaches his Team to the Top 10.

    But Narduzzi can do no wrong.

    Like I said… HILARIOUS!!!

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    1. Chryst can recruit WAY better than Narduzzi. He can also outcoach him and that doesn’t say much.

      Narduzzi’s best years were with Chrysts players. Downhill from here.

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  602. ^^Anonymous, who are you referring too? It would help if the accused would know for a rebuttal.

    Love these game threads, sounds like the nightly sports calls on Sunday nights after a Steeler loss. (if you know what I mean)

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  603. We moved the ball at will against psu on most of our drives.

    If the coaches can figure out a way to turn that into points this week, we will be a good team this year.

    At least we arnt Syracuse this week.

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    1. At Will is hilarious. Move all you want when you do absolutley nothing in red zone it doesn’t matter.

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  606. I stand by my prediction that this will be a pretty good team come October …. what is it, the 123rd team experience wise?

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  607. UPitt. You played baseball and I pitched for 11 years. Notice anything about Browne? He doesn’t step into his throws. I had 5 pitching coaches work with me getting my body into my throws. You can get away wth that in HS but not D1 football. DiNucci not much better but he makes quicker decisions and can motor out of the pockett. As I’ve said, Pickett is the answer but a frosh.

    All in all a semi decent effort via superior PSU team. Keep playing at this level and you are looking at 2-10. No chance vs Ok State. Maybe a shot at Ga Tech. Probably 1-3.

    Deeply disappointed w the loss today.

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  608. Dave Molinari @MolinariPG
    Franklin, on treating Pitt game like any other: “For us, this was just like beating Akron.”

    but he also said …

    Franklin, on Pitt: “I think that’s a good football team. I think they’re going to win a lot of games this year.”

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  609. Yes,
    I am actually OK with this L. Our D was greatly improved, our kicker didn’t miss, and our O showed potential while still making way too many mistakes. Is Browne the answer? Good question, I don’t know. I see some hope for the rest of this season.
    I don’t know about you but – this game wore me out!

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  610. @ Tex

    yep it is me. Hope you’re not in the Houston area, bro and doing well.
    Pitt’s D only gave up 305 yards today. When was the last time Pitt held to below 350 total yds.

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  611. Our tight ends are crap….weak crap. Henderson stunk…bad. We have zero QB’s who can play. Our receivers cannot get open at all. Play calling, except for the shovel passes, were terrible. Ollie was great.

    I was actually impressed with the defense. We were never in it and they played fairly well.Especially the secondary. Barkley is very overrated.

    The Pedos are no way a top 10 team. The first good team they play will kill them. That is if they have any on their schedule and if they actually have to play a road game against one. Maybe OSU.

    BTW, that was not a safety.

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  614. how about them showing the list of the alleged great PSU RBs … and their all-time leading rusher was some guy I never heard of?

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  615. Welcome back Emel. In DFW area. Yep – Our D did good. Our O drove buy couldnt produce points. Respectable loss if there is such a thing but still very disappointing that Pitt didnt give those Nitters more of a game. I’m delighted that any Nitter who bet on this game lost though.

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  616. We’re still young and I was actually a little impressed today. Especially on defense. Whitehead didn’t play and we did have all those suspensions.

    Both 5 star transfers looked like frosh walk-ons IMO.

    Liked by 1 person

  617. We made too many mistakes against a better team. We were not aggressive enough in the red zone. But, overall the defense played a good game against a great offense. I can say the final score could have been closer, but you can’t say it should have been worse. We took PSU’s best punch and I would hardly call this win by PSU a knockout.

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  618. As wwb posted, record crowd of 109,000 plus at the erector set. Surprised it held everyone seeing that it’s not the best engineering school. Must be held up with pig crap.

    So this isn’t an important game to those farmers?

    A PITT game thread for and to me is open season. The day to let out all your thoughts, opinions, and stupidity. The thing is, I just have to wonder sometimes if all the posters are actually PITT fans?

    Too many mistakes today considering PITT couldn’t afford to make any more than one or two. Dropped passes, penalties and dumb decisions. Not to mention missed blocks and misuse of time-outs.

    This is the criteria of a game I look more closely at than the score early on in the season. It’s the purer definition of the term, TEAM. PITT needs to tighten up the team for next week and especially the week after at GT! ….

    We shouldn’t be crybabies like the central PA cultist were last year. Let them have their spoils. ike

    H2P!

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    1. Ike – You act like a homer who is acrually Lyke’s husband.

      You are the same as me just opposite. You see zero fault in Pitt ever and that to me is worse than my realism.

      You have replaced Dark Knight. We were never in the game. Move the ball you say? I never saw us threaten to even make it look like a game. I fugured we would love by 18 and Get garbage td ‘s and we did.

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  619. We kept Barkley to under 100 yds, McSorley only threw for 164 and we still lost by 19. The great Sanders had 1 run for -3. BTW, Henderson is no WR.

    Liked by 1 person

  620. Team played hard and well in spots. Could have made it much closer if they had made a few more plays. I think they get better. PSU vulnerable to the run. We beat OKS if we run as well against them.

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  621. You can’t brag about your vaunted all-time rushers…if your top guy is some guy named Evan Royster,

    Did he even play in the NFL ? Hilarious 🙂

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    1. These biased jerks only mentioned Conner as a great Pitt player. PSU ‘greats’ were all busts in the NFL except for Franco and Warren.

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  622. Oklahoma State is full
    Of offensive studs. Our defense is micky mouse comedy hour. A true football fan knows we won’t smell OSU. Washington will have 200 yards by the half.

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  623. Saquon Barkley is the real deal. Tiny McSorley isn’t. Max Browne has a better chance at the combine; the receivers he will be throwing to at the combine will CATCH the ball. If Quadree Henderson has an average game; we have a game today boys and girls. Alabama beats the Nitters by 17; 24 if Saban is in a bad mood. I do agree however that the biggest need on Pitt’s team isn’t players; it is position coaches.

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  624. Franco was a bust for his continued support of Poopy Pants. And bust as a decent human being. As a player he always looked to the sideline as a way out. Just like Joe looked the other way.

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  625. As you watch the rest of the college games today… note… how many recievers you see running wide open. I think you’ll find 0-2 in any game. Pitt had 5 today and 13 last week. That’s inexcusable. That’s coaching!’

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  626. Ike there is no set definition of a Pitt fan except that we love Pitt football. We have different standards we hold Pitt to and vastly different ways of expressing it, some serious, some rah rah, some cynical, some funny. We all think we know it all (actually I am the only infallible one haha). WADR you dont get to define what a Pitt fan is.
    In the PG yesterday a former pedo player admitted that this was a rivalry and Ped State really has no rivalry in the big. We dont’ have much of a rivalry in ACC but VT could become one. Last year and this year were indeed two record crowds but their AD wont play us till 2026 at the earliest and they are off to play GA STate. The NCAA has to ban everyone from playoffs that plays FCS.teams. In fact if you are in P5 you should not make playoffs unless you play only P5 schools. But money rules
    After today IMO Peds are overrated in spite having more 4stars, tOSU and Mich should kill them. I still stick to my 7-6 for Pitt.. The defense played its best game in a long time but we still lost. Why IMO 1) we lack fewer impact players and our two on offense sucked today 2) the DL improved and will get there but still does need experience only games provide 3) We sucked in the red zone which was on Watson and Browne to a lesser extent

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  627. New Game. What and who will Reed ‘s next article focus on, good or bad?

    Browne
    O-Line
    D-Line
    Watson
    Conklin
    Dinucci
    Ollison
    Narduzzi
    Linebackers
    D-Backs
    Tight-ends
    Officials
    Cheerleaders

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      1. Haven’t you heard….the local media claims we play too many cupcakes. Of course they never complained that Crappants played 3-4 every year and all at home.

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  630. USC beat the pedos in the Rose Bowl and their great QB is returning, and yet the media has the pedos #4 and USC #6.

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  631. Oh and I agree with you RKB whole heartily.

    Franco sucks, I can’t stand the enabler

    OSU is really good

    PITT beats OSU

    Upitt: I commented above “Too many mistakes today considering PITT couldn’t afford to make any more than one or two. Dropped passes, penalties and dumb decisions. Not to mention missed blocks and misuse of time-outs.”

    How is that being a homer?

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  632. More passing yards, more rushing yards, D played well. Barkley held in check overall. Time of possession in our favor. Difference was turnovers, dropped passes and inability to score TD’s in the red zone. If Max Browne doesn’t show significant improvement vs. OSU,,,time to move on,,,disappointed in Browne’s passing ability. He throws too many floaters and he has feet of stone. Better showing today than I expected. ACC Coastal looking very competitive. H2P!!!!

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  633. The pedos were penalized once today on a blatant late hit that was a helmet to helmet hit (no call).

    There were a lot of gifts offered up to psu today – the two INT’s – one where QH failed to jump & make an attempt on the ball and the other where Weah was held by the DB.

    And the officials were from the ACC.

    Imagine that…

    I could have run for positive yardage with all the holding the pedo O was getting away with.

    Michigan and tOSU will pummel the pedos.

    Pitt has much work to do to win this next game – but it is possible.

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  634. I dont think anyone is surprised by the result. I was hoping for a closer score but we covered meaning many Nitters are crying in their beers right now. The team didnt quit and wasnt blown away like many Pedos thought. So it is somewhat of a victory. I’ll take it even if UPitt or others see it as a disgraceful performance.

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  635. The coaches failed the players. Our offense should run sprints tonight in Pittsburgh. The DB’s and linebackers should be canned.

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  637. Coaches might have failed but players did to. We arent there talent wise or possibly coach wise. Listen Pitt deserves what it gets. AD is Lyte weight. Coach is paid crap and theres not a big budget for assistants or recruiting. Facilities are not college friendly. I get it. Its an arms race and we’d rather pretend we’re North Korea instead of the US.

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  638. I realize this is the kind of game that people have a problem putting their finger on considering that psu is the better team and maybe by far. << and PITT did stay in the game somewhat.

    The PITT players and coaches both made some mistakes but I put the blame on the players MORE for not making the plays when needed. Yet some of the play calling was very poor at times. That happens every game to every team that plays on Saturday. Winners win!.. .. .ike

    STILL HAIL 2 PITT!

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  639. At the game surrounded by PS fans. You could sense they were expecting a blowout and not getting it. The defense played a lot better than I thought they would. Browne is not the answer. He has zero mobility. I do believe Pitt will improve this season. D line played decent. I think that there is reason for optimism. I went to the game expecting a blowout and it turned into a football game for a while.

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  640. Pitt ran the ball well against the Nittanies but their passing game was very disappointing. I think Browne is overrated as a starting QB. It’s going to be a long and disappointing season for Pitt, I’m afraid.

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    1. Hope that fires Pitt up for next year. If I was Narduzzi that would be on the bulletin board for the next 3 years.

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  642. PITT played against the # 4 team in the country. What that means in reality? I’m not sure but we have to keep things in perspective. Well that’s my opinion, not saying it’s right. . . .ike

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    1. They have the pedos ranked higher than USC, who beat them, and Oklahoma. They’ll be well out of the top 10 by November.

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  643. he full statement according to Backo …. “I know last year. for their win, it was like the Super Bowl. But for us, this was just like beating Akron.”

    Hey Franklin … when was the last time Akron beat you?

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  644. Right on Emel, like last years psu game was the largest attended in Pittsburgh history of any sporting event. Just another game. I’ll bet he didn’t even visit his long lost aunt in Homewood either, the phony.

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  645. Considering the comments above. jimmie “one finger” is more stoopid than I originally thought he was and I was thinking more like a rock. Now, I think he’s dumber than dirt.

    “Is your wife hot” coach? How are your former players doing in jail coach? You sicken me like Sandusky!….. ike

    H2P!

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  646. Disappointed in watson’s play calling, defense showed improvement considering all the inexperience pond that side of the ball. Olli son should have run the ball a lot more. Morrissey played a good game. Did shane roy and colton lively even play?Overall psu did not live up to their #4 rating.

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  647. Watching Darnaud at QB for USC there is no comparison to Browne. He is elusive as hell , very quick and has a gun for an arm. Hate to say it but having a nervous, lob throwing statue at QB is not going to cut it at Pitt.

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  650. Theres a reason why Pitt shouldnt recruit 5 star QB’s particularly transfers
    We need home grown QB’s
    Indoctrinated in the system
    Gain experience in years like this
    I’d write off this year for an ACC championship next year
    But what do I know…I’m just a stupid Pitt fan

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  652. Talking about strange play calling, how about the play call on the play where Browne ran it on the option, which led to his helmet being ‘popped off’ and DiNucci coming in. It worked out for us, but what a strange play call, to call a play for Maxie to run the ball.

    Also kinda was a real kick to see all the Max Marino like, shuffle passes from yesteryear. Danny boy couldn’t run either.

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  653. Liked what I saw today.

    D was adjusted and is young.

    Keep improving for ACC games. This game means nothing. Ask PSU last year.

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  654. I know we’re all disappointed with the L today. But you gotta feel a little for this young man Max Browne, after watching his post-game interview. He has had 5 career starts against:

    1 Alabama (neutral field)

    @ #7 Stanford
    @ #4 Pedo State

    He has won against Utah State 45-7
    And FCS runnerup YSU 28-21

    I hope it works out for Maxie, he has not had an easy road.

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  655. Hard to predict the rest of the season based on this game.

    Clearly, PSU was the more experienced team. Browne can make throws, but is inconsistent, makes poor decisions too often, and can not move at all.

    One thing I do know is that anything upitt says, I immediately know the opposite is reality.

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  657. Emel… welcome back buddy… you have been gone way too long..
    Thanks all you POVerts for keeping me posted on the plane ride. Didn’t see one play but you took the time to make it real for me on my flight home.
    Dark One, where are you/ you are the QB expert on the POV.. need your imsight

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  659. I’m sure all the “We Are – Farmers” fans are celebrating their unimpressive W tonight by drinking raw milk and eating cow patty sandwiches on Amish bread!

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  661. Hey thx guys, BigB, Dan72, rkb, ike, pittman, jackagain, Tex.

    Yea right basketball season Dan. On;u can only think of one thing…on that subject.

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  662. Just finished watching 11 games on. Tv. Not once did I see a single receiver running wide open with blown coverage yet today w Pitt I saw 4…maybe 5! Something is horribly wrong with our defense! You shouldn’t have 5 in a season. That is 17-18 for Pitt on the year in 2 games. Thank God McSwirley is a horrible passer!

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  663. Well guys, I couldn’t watch most of the game today, maybe 10 plays in total. Thanks for the updates. Looked at the box score and candidly, it didn’t look bad.

    I did watch OSU last night. Their starting safety is suspended for the first half of our game. We need to exploit that because he was the second stringer. Go big early on offense.

    Also, did we put Phil Campbell on Barkley as a shadow? Brightwell should have shadowed mcswirley.

    I think Max Browne stays as starter next week and probably further. His make or break game is Rice in my opinion.

    rkb – nice intel on lyke. I sent a note to upitt about that a few weeks back. Speaking of him and others, there is a difference between being negative and being a realist. Unfortunately, our reality is that Pitt is an average program with below average administrative support and intelligence. If you can’t see that, you are not a realist. Emel, welcome back. Glad you are well.

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  664. Observations from the forty yard line:
    ONeil is not the same player he was last year.
    Burger was terrible and should be replaced by Hodges’s or Bookser
    Our tight ends blow donkeys. Rutgersboy cant block and UCLA boy cant catch.
    Moss is the only back with speed.
    Max makes decisions slower than a 1980 Texas Instruments computer.
    QH is losing too many yards on punt returns.
    Idowu is coming along nicely,, which cannot be said about Brightwell.

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  665. I was fortunate enough to watch game from a private box.
    The box next door was owned/leased by Franco Harris. His name was on the placard and he was taking selfies inside at the end of the game.
    I wonder if he was given the suite for his loyalty.

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  667. Max may not be quite the 5-star we all would like, but his post-game interviews give me the idea that his head is in the right place even if his talent considering mostly mobility is a bit lacking. If he gets on a roll at home next week, I think he is still the guy for Pitt this season and can still get us to 8 or even 9 wins IF everyone else does their jobs too.

    Next week’s game will hinge on their big play potential being limited AND our avoiding turnovers. Genius statement right?

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  668. Ah, the morning after a defeat from the hated pedos. Head-ache, nausea and a bitter taste. It all will go away.

    Min/Max needs a supporting cast, not a better one, but actually more than QO.

    Moss ran ok, but he missed his blocking assignments numerous times. There has to be at least two WR’s on this roster that can run good routes AND catch the ball. The TE’s were a big disappointment yesterday both blocking and dropped passes.

    The Oline did a decent job on run blocking, but pass protection was poor. The two tackles struggled mightily with the psu DE’s. If they are the best that we’ve got, which is probably the case, then a two TE set may be the way to go once we figure out if any of the six TE’s can block.

    I propose a new strategy at QB – Min/Max manages the game between the 20’s and Big Ben is our dual threat QB in the Red Zone or when we are pinned inside the 20. That strategy alone yesterday may have beat psu. I’m not saying it would have, but think about it, turn 2 FG’s into TD’s and erase the 2 points for the Safety – Duzz probably calls a TO to review the sideline catch that lead to psu FG – the score is 28-21 on the final drive that Big Ben orchestrated so well until the final play that really looked bad – really bad…

    I Lyke the improvement on the D side of the ball – we need LB-er development and players for all three LB-er spots fast. I like the three starters, if they were our back-ups. Brightwell could be a nice starter at one of the outside spots. J.Whitehead was truly missed yesterday on both sides of the ball – IMO.

    HTP!

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    1. Voice of reason – IMO EE.

      UPitt it’s funny, how you differ in print vs live. Well, not actually “funny”, more uhhhh….schizophrenic? I too tend to (over)react too, but mostly only let my family see it. Well, ok, also when my kid is wrestling.

      “Head-ache, nausea and a bitter taste.” Will go away next week against Ok St. If not, the season could unravel but I am not feeling that now/yet. Willing to modify depending on next week’s game.

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  669. Erie – I saw a completely different team and game. Dinnucci looked terrible. Max looked terrible. We had no chance in any form yesterday.

    Tvax – 8/9 wins. Surely you joke. We won’t smell OSU. Could maybe beat GT maybe but won’t touch VT, Miami, UNC will
    Improve by the time we play them. 6/7 wins if we get lucky. We have little to no talent and Narduzzi’s guys stink. Year 3 and we still
    Make excuses for his coaching and recruiting.

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    1. Next week will tell me a lot.

      Dude, really like you deep down but damn, you are hard to take here. How the f do you function in the real world with this total lack of filter? You had better be DAMN GREAT at what you do.;))

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      1. And obviously I don’t mean the post above, but about 99.9% of the rest of your stuff. No doubt, some of the harsh opinion is understandable and even warranted, but do you ever see positive? or at least acknowledge all the factors affecting Pitt’s potential success or lack thereof? Reality is what it is. BOT and the powers that be, are what they are. How much would it take to hire you for AD?

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    2. You’re having the social media equivalent of a temper tantrum. Maybe go have beer or something, dude. Or find a different blog to comment on, like one aimed at teenagers with mood disorders?

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  670. glass half empty vs half full

    IMO, the issue with you alleged realists is that you think Pitt’s program should be to the level of the top programs, and whether you choose to accept it or not, it ain’t going to happen. Pitt will never rise to its level of the late 70s.

    Dan72, I saw two Oklahoma WRs wide open on long passes (one was underthrown but drew a PI) and a couple of wide open WRs for USC. Note that these were against two of the alleged great defenses … Ohio St and Stanford)

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  671. on a positive note that perhaps we will all agree on, Arizona St lost at home to San Diego St. They next play at Texas Tech, and then the PAC 12 schedule.

    Fraud finished under 500 the past two years; my guess is the fanbase is grumbling …. especially their realists

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  673. So, question on the Max debate here. Give him another game or two to prove what? Will he get faster, will his feet improve, will his delivery and decisioning get faster, will he start throwing bullets instead of floaters (which only work if we are wide open which we are not capable of)? Look, I desperately wanted him to live up to his 5 stars – and yeah with glass half full I look at the pathetic dropped passed and say “what if”? I just don’t think the things that are wrong with Max are fixable at his age.

    On the recruiting side, we have to look in the mirror. Easy to blame the coaches and Heather (or whoever the AD is), but look at what mustard stain is doing at Wisc. The real issue with recruiting is US. We don’t buy tickets, we don’t go to games, if we don we leave at halftime, we don’t donate. We can’t recruit at a top 20 level because because our fans and alum are not top 20 capable. We don’t talk enough about that. Many of us on this board do, in fact, go, stay, pay and donate, but that doesn’t cut it. So, each year we strive to be slightly above average by finding diamonds in the rough.

    I’m conditioned for this and try to be balanced in my criticism and praise.

    Liked by 1 person

  674. Okay, here are a few random thoughts from the game as I saw it.It really does look to me like the defense is Making strides forward . It’s a shame that that offense is regressing more rapidly than the defense is improving .
    Max Browne is an enigma. Some of his throws look so beautiful , and then too many others sail too high. Also it seems to me that not only is Max Browne slow, but he seems to make the entire offense slow down, with very little energy. I was hoping he’d be a hybrid of Savage and Peterman, to this point he looks like a taller Tino.
    DiNucci on the other hand looks to me more like Voytik, when he’s running the offense. I’d be tempted to give them both series early in the OSU game and the more effective QB wins the job.
    What this team seems to lack above all else is a legitimate leader. Someone who Not only says and does the right things off the field (Max Browne ), but who’ s solid performance on every play makes him someone to emulate (?). Conner , Peterman , Aaaron Donald immediately come to mind. Someone on this squad needs to step forward soon.

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  675. Couple other things about the experience as opposed to the game. We were surrounded by PSU fans entering the stadium , who were not at all obnoxious , but instead were going out of their way to say they root for Pitt when PSU isn’t playing them. Almost saying “why don’t you like us”? Well the comments of Franklin , like Joe PA are a big reason I can’t stand their elitist asses.
    As we have talked about here many times, they do mic up ther band during the game, and their other music didn’t seem as deafening as it is at times at Heinz Field. They used the band much more and my son and I agreed that we liked that better. I was pleasantly surprised that they didn’t play a lot of country music (Wagon Wheel) was the only song I recall.
    We were near the top of the stadium , and the view was spectacular although the sun was brutal. Glad I’m under cover in section 220 at Heinz.

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  676. Good morning everyone. Irma wrecking havoc, hope everyone stays safe down there.

    After looking over the box score from the game I realized. They are who I thought they were. PITT had more yard rushing. More yards passing and obviously, more total yards. They lost the turnover, sacks and penalty, battle. The good news here, PITT can control those things.

    Watson didn’t impress me much but we have to remember, PITT played against the supposedly #4 in the country, so when we evaluate the game we should keep that in mind.

    Only one person can say that the PITT defense sucked and of course, he already has. C’mon Upitt, get real buddy.

    If I know Dr Reed at all, I figure he’s down in his laboratory cooking up a Sunday Podcast already. Love listening to the podcast during the off season but there is much to talk about considering yesterday’s game and Conklin is one topic but it should not be in the usual disdain imo….. ike

    H2P!

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  677. One more thougnt/question , lol. It seems like most if not all of Pitt’s opponents when on offense, their QB will get the offense in place and then after seeing how Pitt’s defense is set up, will step back and await instructions on a play call change. I don’t recall seeing Pitt do that, and I made a point of looking for it. Is that just a difference in offensive philosophy? Wouldn’t you want to adapt based on what the defense is giving you?

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  678. The qb dilemma is most interesting. Between Browne, Dinucci, MacVittie and Pickett, there are a total of 5 starts under their belt. Look, that’s the reality of our current qb situation. So what are the expectations of a qb at game 5 of his career? Forget stars. The issue is strategy going forward. Personally, I keep Browne as he is not terrible. The offensive side of the ball, seems disjointed.

    Agree O’neill looks not to be 100%, probably more like 75%. Jones Smith looks 65%. Hodges, out injured. Bookser got his first work and probably was a bit out of game shape. Trenches rule. Our OLine didn’t win more than they lost. Our Dline didn’t win more than they lost. Both lines better pick it up next week. After OSU, the schedule gets easier and we have a chance to right the ship.

    We have what we have right now. The season is too young to scrap. As previously indicated, if Briggs and Maddox are your best options (instead of nickel and dime guys) than your secondary is in trouble. I am coming around on Idowu, a little. But lets think about that too. Idowu and Morrisey are walk-ons as was Aston and our current Fullback. When your team relies on 3 walkons in your top 22, that is problematic. How can 3 walk ons out perform or scholarship guys? Desire! Are the schollie guys, soft?

    I don’t live in the burgh any more. Is Lyke advertising Pitt football at all? “Go to a game, get free tuition?” Anything? Ok, not free tuition, but anything? Is she getting more fannies in the seats?

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  680. For what its worth, agree with everyone who doesn’t think they sky is falling. We did own time of possession. If our long drives had resulted in TDs instead of FGs, it would have been an entirely different game. If only. – Hobie.

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  681. I’m just not seeing what you guys are. Our D is bad. No pass rush to speak of. If pissU’s qb hit a few of his wide open receivers, the score would be in the 50s or 60s. Rudolph will have a field day next week I fear. I think we are really missing Wirginnis.
    On O the play calling was mind boggling especially the red zone..screens? Lots of dropped passes by us as well. PissU just coming off of all those sanctions and so far ahead of us. Looks like Narduzzi’s year 3 will be another .500 season if we are lucky…

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  682. Tvax – If we want to go .500 and 6-6 then yes we hired for it and pay for it and recruit for 6-6. Heather Lyke should say that. I stead that goof says we want ACC Championships in all sports. Well if you say that garbage then your actions should speak to that. That is why I am sick of this junk. Say you are happy at 6-6 and playing in a rental and the gameday atmosphere stinks and I will be a preacher boy on here. But when she ans Narduzzi talk of championships and playoffs then they better own the situation.

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  683. Very late to this, but my random two cents….

    Demote one of our top two WRs and put one in who may have hands. Speed at the position is useless if the guys cannot catch passes in traffic when it is really needed.They are not a real threat as currently constituted.

    BTW – am I the only one who thinks Henderson looks one step slower this year?

    The O-line should be ashamed of themselves for the lousy pass protection yesterday.
    You can throw the blocking backs in there as well.
    Officer is way too slow to be a pulling guard as witnessed by the pathetic sack he allowed in the first half.

    Hard to see how we will be viewed as having any downfield threat without addressing those items.

    So many problems with that first pick. Henderson – downfield – in double coverage? Bad decision making and a bad throw by Browne. Bad call by Watson making Henderson primary in a downfield route

    I’d start DiNucci next week so that Browne’s safety is not compromised.

    The stat sheet shows that this could have been a much closer game.

    PSU is a good team and deserves credit for pouncing on our mistakes, but we beat ourselves yesterday.

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  684. Another .500 season? Narduzzi is 16-8 regular season. Now my math is bad but that seems to me to be around 66.7% winning %.

    The PITT D held the mighty #4 team in the country with a Heisman trophy candidate to 312 yards total yards at their home stadium in front of 106,000 screaming fans.

    The game has been played and what happened is what happened. What if works both ways. What if Browne hits a wide open Henderson on the pass instead of the pick that resulted in a return to the 10 yard line? He didn’t and it’s in the history books.

    We all watched the same game and yet we all see the same game differently. I guess we all see what we want to see?

    BTW, Hendrix looks like a beast. When PITT gets to the ACC, he looks like he may stand out even more. PITT’s linebackers didn’t play all that well imo but again, I factor into who they were playing. Although Idowu looked OK at times, special teams and all. . . .ike

    H2P!

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    1. Ike, I wish I had your confidence going forward. The LBs were awful in the first two games now. We don’t have nearly enough talent to be competitive in the ACC. I don’t think pissu is very good and they handled us with ease. GT will be a handful in two weeks…

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  685. The PSU defense were obviously keying on Henderson which, in part, was a big factor why our straight ahead run game worked pretty well. And the other thing, the reason that PSU is ranked 4th is due to team speed … on both sides of the ball

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  686. BigB, sitting in front of me at the game was a PT you may know/remember , Karl Gibson. Sitting right behind me was Bill Vitalie, a Pitt FB player during the 1973-1976 glory days.

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  687. Give Ron Cook credit. He had the stones to call an ass (Franklinstein) an ass in his P-G column today.
    H2P!!!!

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