Keep your predictions going on the last article please – I wanted to get this piece drafted before I leave Maryland at 4:00 am.

Don’t forget we have Fran’s POV Tailgate going on in parking Lot Red5A – between the Red parking garage and the Residence in on General Robinson Street.  As usual Fran and friends will be there around 8:00 am or so and I’ll limp over from downtown around 9:30 0r 10:00.

OK – Game thread on for the Rice game starting at 12:00 noon…

 

Michaelangelo holds a degree in Travel Writing from the University of Pittsburgh. He was a former staff writer for InPittsburgh Newsweekly, and currently resides near Atlanta, Georgia. He has been a Pitt fan since 1997 after he witnessed Pitt upset #22 Miami on Thursday night at Pitt Stadium.

329 thoughts on “POV Game Thread – Rice & Tailgate Info”

  4. well, with all this bad news, I’m afraid I have to add on. .. looks like it’s not going to be a good day.

    Breaking news … the FBI just indicted the CEO of Rockport Shoes

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  5. How good is Eric Kasperovic’s Pine-Richland team? They beat Central Catholic 47-17 … it was 47-3 after the 3rd quarter.

    Yes, it’s not one of the better CC teams but they were still ranked in Top 5 in their classification.

    Like

    1. We watched that game on tv last night. PR opened up a can of whoopa$$ on cc. I’m no fan of PR, but at least they win with kids from their own school district. No recruiting there!

      Like

  7. Wash St upset USC last night at Pullman before a sellout crowd of 33,000. When asked about the loud crowd support, WSU HC Mike Leach said “It was like Woodstock only they had their clothes on”

    2 points:

    history shows the away team is usually at a disadvantage on a short week, when they do not have a bye the week before
    a small stadium of 33k produces a much better FB environment than large stadium that is 1/2 or 2/3 filled

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  8. I agree – can we really say Heinz gives Pitt an automatic 3 points. I dont think many opposing players are intimidated. They get jacked up playing in a pro stadium. And the noise level was much higher at Old Three Rivers since it was enclosed and they used real American Steel back in the day. I guess you guys will see first hand how 50k yellow seats looks like. Tell me if you can hear a cricket.

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    1. The senile Rooney’s were responsible for that ridiculous open end field because they thought fans would rather watch the city than the game on the field…..while freezing in the winter wind.

      Of course they didn’t care in their luxury boxes….

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  9. 1 wwb – An AD with pull and an ability to fundraise is critical to OCS. 45K stadium is the only answer for Pitt Football. Tressel, Holtz, etc. They demand respect from Administration and Big $ Donors.

    If UPMC can donate $50M to Robert Morris, they should be able to donate double that to Pitt. It’s a business. Let UPMC run the health benefits side in exchange for donation. That is part of the game. Just get it done. Also, take $6M per year out of ACC new monies for the next 10 years for additional funding to get this in place.

    Have fun at tailgate fellas and ladies. Big win today, BIG!

    Like

  10. It’s going to be a beautiful day for a college football game.
    Enjoy your tailgate, stand and yell all game long & bring home a win!

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  11. BTW, the 4-0 Duke Blue Devils looked very pedestrian in their 31-6 loss to Miami at home. Funny how teams can wilt and appear that they stink when facing ranked opponents.

    Yes, I’m comparing Duke to Pitt here. 4-1 against 1-3 doesn’t sound like a rational comparison but Pitt has played a very difficult early schedule while handicapped by playing so many inexperienced troops.

    Today’s game gives the Panthers the opportunity to rid themselves of many demons they’ve created for themselves so far this season. A solid win that covers the -22 spread could do wonders for this young team. Get er done!

    Hail to Pitt!

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  12. wwb.. hasn’t Central Catholic become an All -Star school with many ” outsiders” on the roster? If so, nice to see a local high school give them a good ole fashion whipping!

    Have a great Saturday. Make some noise. Remember .. Life is like a box of chocolates… and who likes an ice cold beer with chocolate beside me…

    Hail to Pitt.

    Like

  13. Won’t be at the tailgate today so have fun guys and bring home a winner.

    I’m at home without a vehicle so watching the game and posting here but I’m worried that one play that doesn’t go so well, this place will implode.

    BigB, PCC recruits most of their players as they are a Catholic school. Pine-Richland not a Catholic school but does it’s share of recruiting as well.

    Yes, I use to pop in some chocolate while having a beer. Especially when it was more than one. I take it a little easier now a days but hell you made me thirsty or you made me hungry, or both.

    Some are saying PITT is wearing gray pants today? I can’t tell on my ticket but they look like white or cream. but I think they are white.. . .ike

    H2P!

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  16. Charlie Brown “why;s everybody always pickin on me?”
    UPMC was born from Pitt and then PItt let it go away on its own and they ate Pitt. UMPC does not answer to PItt in anyway, just uses its facilities – another great Bot decision.

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  17. CC does indeed recruit, nice places recruiting is somewhat limited. A long time CC recruiter told me he was never so glad to see a high school QB (the Nooch) graduate. Back to Capt Max whom I believe we promised playing time, wish we would get next years backup some experience.
    HAIL TO PITT

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  22. How can Flanagan let that guy go around him to the outside when he had help from oneill on the inside.

    George is in trouble. Ugggh

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  23. it’s u and me Ike….let’s have a balanced attack. For every one good thing i say, you cut your good things to 4.

    For every 5 bad things i type, you have to say at least a 1/2 of one negative….

    Like

  26. Yeti, I’ll take the bait. We look really low-rent in the white pants — like the equipment guy forgot to pack the pants, and had to run out to Dick’s Sporting Goods to buy a batch of whatever generic pants were on the shelf.

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  30. This game starts like last week, hope it doesn’t end that way.

    What hands shown by Moss.

    Quick hitters by Rice, PITT will pick one soon.

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  31. Best play on defense was the penalty flag against rice….looks like they are abandoning the run game. smart strategy. This will help lower are run defense numbers..

    Watch wheel route next series. It was open on the pass into the flat where Dane went off the deeper guy to cover short. Left deep guy open on a roll route. Garner was late coming over.

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  32. I though game was only on watchespn. Just found on fox sports south. So if you don’t live in the burgh, check you local fox regional,nesh,yes network.

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  40. Finally getting to watch a Pitt Football Game. Saw OK State. But like I said.

    Before you get TOO EXUBERANT over Browne or Narduzzi putting up a Win… keep in mind that Rice is a HORRIBLE Football Team.

    Only thing worse… Pitt’s Uniforms. Who is this Team?

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  41. Glad we are doing good but remember we are playing a Atrocious Team. Hope it helps against a real opponent but Max will stink against real defenses. Need to play a new qb max isnt the answer. Narduzzi is clueless

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  48. I think we put on the baseball teams pants instead of the football teams pants.
    Who said QO can’t break a tackle?????

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  50. Here I thought there was nothing to complain about this game but he white pants. PITT deserves a game like this as all other teams that played pansies so far.

    and BTW, when Rice was scheduled for this year they were going to bowl games on a regular basis.

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    1. Nice perspective. Imagine how much crap Pederson would have gotten this year for scheduling OSU, PSU and a good Rice team 4-5 years ago.

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  53. Well, if the game continues this way, there is going to be lots of POVer’s upset they have nothing to complain about. …but… remember. PITT lead YSU 21-0 … so?

    Hey Jim.

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  59. Ffrench had a bad block in the back penalty and a drop of a pass that hit him in the chest. I llllike fffffrench though!

    Lots of yellow sweaters in attendance. Guys at game, what does attendance feel like? Looks like about 30k.

    No complaints here Ike. Just some objectivity.

    Like

  60. I read a few times here on the POV, you play who’s on your schedule! Now do we see the difference in level of competition should be taken into consideration? It works both ways and it is for real.

    Liked by 1 person

  61. The Out of Conference schedule should always include 3 D1 cupcakes until the program is really up and running (if ever). There is NO value in scheduling major D1programs like OK St or 1AA like Youngstown St when you are in a perpetual state of rebuild. The Ok States of the world will steamroll you. The High level 1 AA could beat you and add nothing if you win.

    At least a D1cupcake is D1 so if you lose 1) its not likely to be a blowout and 2) if you do lose at least it’s D1 not THAT embarrassing. This is how you build confidence. Winning fills stadiums not not scheduling harder and getting embarrassed. Win 9-10 games , get the recruiting where it should be then may be step out and start scheduling harder.

    Look at Pedo. They schedule one difficult OOC game a year at best. They are essentially guaranteed 7wins each year. That’s what Pitt needs to do.

    Liked by 2 people

  65. @stub – been saying that for years. The diehard fans will go no matter what. Wins breed confidence and helps recruiting. After a few years, then begin a slow matriculation.

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  68. At least watching on TV, the contrast in stadium atmosphere between the GA Tech game and our home games is interesting. GA Tech seems to actually have a decent college atmosphere even without sellouts, and their band is heard early and often. At Heinz, you don’t hear our band as much. The alternating quiet stretches alternating with ’70/’80s classic rock makes it seem more like an arena-football game.

    Like

  70. Reynolds made a nice play on the flea flicker sack, but that won’t happen against an ACC team. On the very next run play he got manhandled as they ran right past his area for a plus 10 gain.

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  76. Huff – to your attendance question. i sit on the home side but can see everything. 25,000 is generous from my vantage point.

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    1. Agree. I sit on the home side too right behind the Pitt bench.

      I heard that ESPN reported 33K for the game. Laughable.

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  79. lol Huff, you’re right but I did see a play where it showed the ball being snapped and then immediately it being snapped again down around the goal line. I think Matthews was involved in the play.

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  80. I think we might see MacPitt at QB today. We know what Dinucci has. We don’t know what MacPitt has, so give him some time. Not going to burn his redshirt so that is fine.

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  82. Reed’s motto for taking woman back to the hotel.

    8 to 80 blind crippled or crazy!

    How bout PITT calling a timeout there?

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  83. Imagine if Pitt played Youngstown St, Rice and Ga St the first 3games. They are 3-0rolling into GaTech. Maybe they still don’t win at Ga Tech but at least the players would have some confidence rolling in there. It’s common sense. Then if they lose to Ga Tech they come back with San Jose St. Thats likely 4-1 at worst. UPitt would bitch about patsy schedule but I’d love to have at least 4 wins after today. Maybe Heather will realize this….

    Liked by 1 person

  86. If anybody thinks that this is any kind of a test as to how good Pitt really is then I think they are wishful thinking. This Rice team is so bad that this game is like a gimme.

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    1. Exactly. This program needs as many gimmies as possible. Winning is what matters not interesting games and skilled opponents to curb stop them by 30. The yellow empty seats are going to be there no matter what. Might as well schedule as many patsies as possible and WIN.

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  91. Reed right on. good for a quick shot for the ego, but not a game that helps us get better. The offensive line is still terrible. And Ollison should be done.

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  92. This is why I say we will not learn anything from the game today.

    This is sloppy and we cannot expect to get away with this kind of stuff against the ACC schedule. Ugggh!

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  95. We playing someone actually below our pathetic level…..like beating up a midget. We can’t beat anyone good. I don’t know if we can even play with anyone good

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      1. You can’t even enjoy a blowout featuring a semi-functional qb performance and overall decent game on a beautiful day for football….threatening to go back to your hotel room at the half.

        If you are actually irritated at my comment, get some perspective. Enjoy the win, life is short.

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        1. I enjoyed the hell out of it – you have no concept of tongue in cheek writing… although after leaving MD at 4am then tailgating then walking half a mile with a blownout lower back… and then watching a blowout yes, I was tempted to nap.

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          1. “no concept of tongue in cheek writing” – the same might apply to you here.
            Kidding with you but as I reread it, maybe a bit unclear. Not my first nor last time.

            I still love you man!!!

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  101. Rice should have been served as the 1st game of the year. Pitt’s schedule was ridiculous. The Top teams in America would never schedule back to back games in non-con with schools like Okie State and Pedo State.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Why Rice, because YSU was too much of a threat? Perhaps yes since that one went to OT.

      PSU and OSU back to back last year didn’t seem to be such a big problem. We’ll never know, but I really felt like Pitt would have beaten OSU last year without the lightning delay.

      In any event, OSU is in a dog fight in Lubbock tonight.

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  102. I was dead set against MB starting today (I still think it was a mistake) but now we are stuck with him for the 3rd quarter.

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  103. The issue with Max “gaining some confidence” is that he will never ever have this much time again and he’s got nervous and an athletic feet. my fear is Narduzzi takes this as affirmation of his transfer.

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  104. PITT’s pulling a Chris Rock, they are doing what they were suppose to do.

    Yeah some dumb moves there at the end of the first half. Inexcusable

    PITT stretching the field and gaining some confidence, not a bad thing.

    You play who’s on your schedule.

    Let me get this right. When PITT losses to team’s they were big big underdogs in and to highly ranked teams. They suck? When PITT beats a team when they are heavy favorites, that has little meaning? Hmm?

    Narduzzi spoiled some of you guys by beating psu and Clemson last year. imo.

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    1. So true. If it wasn’t so sad, it would be hilarious. Not saying the Pitt sucks people aren’t mostly right, but teams get momentum and can be shaped early.

      Pitt didn’t beat up YSU and build anything but insecurities for most of the next 3 games. Now understand that they aren’t a 9-4 team like I WISHED, and the o-line suks and rb’s not great and qb’s average at best, but right now I am just hoping for a decent step forward.

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    2. I it’s the wisdom of 20/20 hindsight I’d say it’s pretty clear the offense on strength of OCanada game plan and play calling carried Pitt in both the PSU and Clemson games. And although the D did what it had to do in the 4th quarter against Clemson the heroics of the offense made the D play at its optimum-actually beyond its optimum because in sports that’s possible.

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  107. Watching that option gives insight into what you really have in Browne.

    Browne is not capable of beating a GOOD Football Team. That’s going to have to be DiNucci and for him the odds are going to be REALLY SLIM given everything else going on around.

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  108. That was a stupid play call on Watson. The sack essentially ended any chance for a score there.

    Should have been a running back run.

    What Browne has shown that he can go deep against a weak team. They all need reps where they could learn and gain experience

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  109. The left side of the Oline is getting burned on just about every play. The sacks aren’t the fault of Browne – since Pitt is up by 4 scores, they should play others on the Oline to see if help is available at game speed.

    JW is our best RB.

    HTP!

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  110. MacVittie for me. Need to look at next year without burning a redshirt.

    You know what you have with Dinucci and Browne right now…

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  111. EE – interesting point on JW. let’s get the young RBs in there. we now know that Ollison is not the answer against real competition.

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  120. Our Oline stinks and the RB’s aren’t far behind on the smell meter.

    Play Sibley, AJ and JW. 3 yards a carry against Rice is embarrassing.

    Liked by 1 person

  121. and great 4th and 1 call. stupid Watson and a weak O Line not a good combo!

    still don’t see how this O Line can be this weak and this slow.

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  139. Go back to my earlier comment in 1st 1/4. I said Rice would come back to the exact same play that they missed on. It was so wide open the first time and was wide open again…..good grief.

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  148. The fact that Max Browne came up to the line of scrimmage and was looking to run a play as the 3rd period clock ran out suggests that noone, i mean NOONE has a clue about time, place and circumstance.

    He actually would have run a play there and wasn’t sure why the whistle blew…..

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  149. This is kinda scary, Rice’s coordinators made better halftime adjustments than ours. They are up to almost 200 yards total offense after having only 67 at halftime

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  151. Still one of the few, the proud, in attendance.

    I’m struggling to take any positive away from this. Offensive line is atrocious. Running game is nonexistent. Max Browne has been ok and Aaron Matthews has been involved,if I’m reaching for positives.

    Defense has been ok, but Rice is without their leading rusher and receiver.

    This may be the last win we see in 2017

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  153. Jesus. NarduZi you suck. Worst D1 coach in world. Ike – If you come up with excuses now you are crazy.

    Embarrassed. Bad teams beat these guys by 35

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  154. another nice pass…tough miss. He did get hit hard but this sport is all about making plays and being tougher than your opponent.

    -3 yards rushing for us in 3rd quarter. That is a soft OL and Moss not running well. Put in the rookie RB Davis

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  156. Rice holding our pouring RB crew to less than 2.5 yards per carry.

    Browne throws a nice ball when he has time.

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  160. Nicw pitch and catch, but our OL is soft. This is a game of desire and our OL right now lacks the desire to beat the guy across from them……

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  162. Ollison is TWICE… not make it THREE times the Back that Moss is. Yet, Yet Narduzzi… true to his STUBBORN self… sticks with Moss.

    Maybe it’s because Moss was his Recruit? Maybe Ollison in the perpetual Narduzzi Dog House?

    Certainly has nothing to do with ability. A shame.

    Like

  163. Someone call up Heather and tell her to add UTEP and New Mexico State and maybe Charlotte to the schedule next year. Jamie Dixon scheduling techniques do work.

    Liked by 1 person

        1. I may be a dick but at least I’m not a hopelessly depressed, see nothing but gloom & doom consistently emphasize the negative dick.
          It must suck.

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  176. Wow, forgot about some of these other 400 yards games by Pitt QB’s.

    Pistol Pete, has the record ……470 yards against Buttgers in 1997

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    1. yea right. Those Big 12 teams throw for 400 yards it seems like every game. At Pitt though, 400 is not often seen.

      Like

  179. Aside from the frustration that I share with many of you, if Whitehead stays next year and the quarterback situation becomes a bit more solidified, well, you know, we might not be too bad! We are young!

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  182. Ike,
    Agree, Mad Max had a good game today.
    The Leftist protesters wouldn’t knock down the statue (Max) today!

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  183. Pitt really needed a dominating win like this EVEN if it is only over the lowly Rice Owls.

    We still got no running game. That’s a big problem!

    Today’s prediction? Both Upitt & me nailed it! And somehow Upitt still comes out a loser on his $ bet.

    Let’s get it on in Syracuse to even it up @ 3-3.

    Like

  185. There is plenty of criticism on today’s game. Will hold until watching it again, but the trench game will be a start for me as usual.

    I stated Thursday and Friday. We will not learn anything from this game, even if Browne or Dinucci pass for 400 yards. Well that happened. We know nothing except we still can’t cover a wheel route and misdirection….Rice is bad.

    Hopefully Syracuse gets beat up physically, so they don’t concentrate mentally through the week.

    Like

  187. I agree it is on Watson. Maybe Max should have called a TO, walked to the sideline and said “WTF are you thinking?”

    Liked by 1 person

  193. Jester Jester decided to catch a few today. Pedo State game could have been much different without all the drops in the 1st Q.

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  195. I think even more important for Jester was the fact that he started to look comfortable catching the ball and not uncoordinated like with the first TD and then the bobbles. Kind of like the pressure was off.

    Like

  196. I had the GT/Tarhole game on the house radio, while the Pitt game was on internet radio.

    GT/Hole game was only 10-0 at half. At this point the Holes don’t have much of an offense.
    A true freshman QB from around Charlotte here. Only 11 first downs today, their O-line sucks too !

    Like

  197. Syracuse w a huge comeback vs NCState. The Orange QB will shred Pitts defense next week. With little or no running game, I see another 67-45 kind of game.

    Like

  198. Eric Dungey(QB) was a 1 man show today for Cuse. 385 yds passing and was the Orangemen’s leading rusher as well. Had 2 rushing TDs and 1 passing TD. We didn’t have to face him last year. They still scored 61 points. Oy Vey !

    Like

  201. Those Pitt uniforms were awful today.

    But yes – Pitt played well and covered.
    I’m hoping it breeds confidence.

    The Dome next week is a tough place to play
    Cuse has a very good passing game.

    But that Dome is a relic. It does need to be imploded however. And a new dome needs to take its place. Syracuse gets over 9 feet of snow each year my friends.

    Proud Upstater for 8 years

    Like

  202. Well all in all, first game this year that didn’t disappoint everyone. PITT played a good good game today.

    Browne played real real good as well. I was always told, Rice is good for you.. . . ike

    H2P!

    Like

  203. And now for something completely different I hear small rumblings that a crook from Pittsburgh wore a wire in the bb scandal. Now time for flipping assistants.

    Like

  204. Syracuse and Dungey today are the results of the other team scoring. Numbers will always be askew when the other team is desperate. . ………ike

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    1. Dungey threw for almost 2700 yards last season. He didn’t play at all the last 3 games. He was injured early in his final game last season against Clemson. His stats today weren’t just because they played from behind.

      Like

  206. Rice came into today’s game at #4 in the nation for QB sacks.

    The 2 or 3 today were not all on Min/Max. His Oline was atrocious and especially the left side where the tackle and guard got away with holding on numerous plays today.

    The Oline was also bad at run blocking again. The average per carry was around 2.2 yards. That is worse than the past 3 games average.

    Good win for the teams psychic.

    HTP!

    Like

    1. Yep, both lines were pretty crappy today. We better get better play in the trenches real soon or 4-8 is where we’re headed.

      Like

  207. Pitt played the way they should have against a bad team.

    Browne actually stepped up in the pocket. Something neither QB has done all year. Good game.

    Ollison still sucks. Worried about getting hit instead of catching the ball on the option. Still missing blocks. Moss gives so much more effort.

    Clarke has tons of potential. Beat a DB on the TD. At least he tried to catch the ball knowing he was going to get crushed.

    Where ate the quick slants to Henderson, Ffrench, Rafael
    L-Lopes?????

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The defining Ollison play was him getting bonked in the head on an option pitch. Granted, the pitch was way late, and Browne shouldn’t be anywhere near running an option play, but you gotta watch for the ball.

      The lack of a running game scared me. I liked the quick passing offense to pull people out of the box, but there are definite issues….

      Liked by 1 person

  210. Just back from game and reading the comments. Always get a chuckle.
    First, it’s a lot more fun when you hammer a team, and yes, Rice is pretty bad. I’m sure that’s what the OK St people were saying about us a couple weeks ago.
    I would go the PSU route and schedule patsys until you build the program. Attendence will be the same or better if you win.
    We really do suck, can’t run the ball at all. The O line either got real bad or the scheme changed.
    Syracuse is a lock next week. They will beat us badly.
    I actually liked a win for a change. If you can get stomped by a good team you should be able to enjoy beating a crappy team!

    Like

      1. Pitt has a running game when J.Whitehead is in the game. He is a difference maker.

        Is Duzz saving him for ACC play? We’ll never know cause Duzz won’t tell us either way.

        AJ Davis and Todd Sibley could be special players, but right now RB coach Powell keeps playing the same three who average less than 3 yards per carry.

        It seems clear, but then again so do the O-line fixes.

        It’s lyke no one listens to us fans – lol.

        Like

  212. I was just going over what could have been, “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly”. Then it finally dawned on me, two of the three are negative. Are we all being sent a subliminal message here? Of course I joke….. I think.

    Is Reed a Clint Eastwood fan or is the glass half empty??

    How bout, The Good, The Bad and thoughts one way or the other or is it to late for that? Seems to me many have already made up their minds on this PITT team and Narduzzi? Not to say anyone is wrong at all and I respect everyone’s opinion on the POV.

    The ACC has grown into a respectable conference by now with PITT’s upcoming schedule the games are all going to be tough and very lose-able. Not much has shaken out so far this year as the far as the Coastal Division goes.

    So the PITT season moves along without any real defined measurement considering just how good or bad this team is or can be.

    Well at least that’s how I’m reading this year so far. Let’s bring it in. . . . . …. ike

    H2P & remember

    We All We Got
    We All We Need

    Like

  213. Matt Canadas O not looking good at LSU… the natives are getting restless… Matt will be wishing he took the Million Pitt was offering.. he earned some equity here.. LSU won’t be so kind.

    I am picking Syracuse next week based on what I have seen. They are better, they are due and they have us at home.

    Orangemen’s aggressive D coupled with our poor OL spells a long day for Max. He better wear hip pads.

    Speaking of our OL… I think it speaks volumes about recruiting when a walk on redshirt freshman starts at center. That’s not saying he won’t develop into a good one with experience.

    After being a fan for 50+ years I have concluded Pitt is a tough place to be a successful coach.

    Like

    1. Re LSU… Yeah, after losing to Troy tonight, the head coach is under pressure, since neither the offense or defense is coming together in his first year. The HC may decide to replace both OC and DC to cool off his own hot seat. If the HC gets fired, likely his assistants will be gone as well.

      It’s hard to believe that LSU doesn’t have some talented players after years of top recruiting classes, so something is not jelling. Matt Canada is going to have to come up with a better game plan and better plays to fit the talent level of the players available.

      Like

  214. Sorry, we missed the tailgate too. Got a late start and with the Parkway closed, Traffic was pretty much backed up from Bates to the parking garage. Didn’t get to the garage until 11:35. Would like to think that things are looking up, but we really won’t have a clear picture of our team until after the Cuse game.

    Like

  216. Its tough to be a coach without support from Boosters, the AD and the BoT. The culture for excellence just isnt there. But a coach is also not expected to be anything but mediocre.

    Like

  218. Tx… that’s what I mean when I say it’s tough to be s coach at PITT….

    Can we de-emphasize all of the BS sports and empha$ize football?

    Like

  219. Stallings in the booth during the second quarter, Emphasized that this bball team in coachable and plays hard.

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  220. Troy 17 – LSU 7 early 4th quarter. I guess it really is the players….not the coach. Have you ever taken one of “those” jobs where you were offered more $$ and you get there and know within seconds it was a horrible mistake and you are going to be fired long before you get all the $$$?
    Canada has!

    Like

  221. All I heard tonight is how great Barkley is with over 200 all purpose yards. Most were on a 98 yd kickoff return. He got 56 yards on 20 carries against hapless Indiana. Can’t wait until these frauds actually play someone.

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    1. You’re kidding, right? If Barkley went into the NFL draft this year he would have be a top five pick. I’m not a Penn State fan but you are not beiing real with your comment — this guy is probably the best player
      coming out of Penn State in the last 50 years.

      Like

      2. Barkley is one of best 3 football players in country. He is the real deal. Top 5 pick next year.

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  222. Dear Matt Canada….taking a new job is like getting married. You think you know her, you’ve lived together, met her parents then you get married and find out she’s a psychotic bitch with 10 maxed out credit cards and hates sex! Welcome to your dream job at LSU!

    Liked by 1 person

  223. Hey Dan my buddy, Peterman never threw for 400 hundred yards in his two years. ….. and PITT played a few lousy teams during that time.

    So I’m saying I agree with you.

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  224. And to think that the last Pitt QB to throw for > 400 yards was told by his coach that it was just an average game

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  225. It’s truly funny how the PSU publicity mill churns this out. 58 yds, on 20 carries?? And they are throwing halfback options with 4 min to go to run up the score??? What a crock. That said, Barkley is the best player, just not today.

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  227. lol @ Dan. Bad experience for you partmer?

    LSU really struggled. They did have 2 players guice and somebody else all over twitter world yesterday bashing their old high school where a couple players were kicked off the team for kneeling. Perhaps they lost some focus.

    What this is showing me is that Peterman was extremely smart and understood a complex offense. Canada had the right players at the right time. We had a lot of offensive leadership and seniors.

    For the first 4 games of the college football season, Vegas usually sides with the team that has the most returning starters. That does mean something.

    Great environment at Vtech’s on campus stadium even though they are losing. No buses warming up.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. So True. Heather Lyke is a clueless part of the lets keep status quo and we will
      Keep getting checks.

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    1. Hahaha. No disagreement here.

      LSU is missing a bonified HC. Coach O is a true Cajun but I see no fire or passion at all in the players. Oitt should hire Les Miles or Leach when he was open.

      Liked by 1 person

  231. Was also surprise that Iowa lost to Mich State after their close loss to the Dairy school. I guess it was a letdown today after last week’s loss.

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  232. I think brownes worst throw today was the one that bounced off ffrenchs shoulder and that was still a ball that should be caught 100 times out of 100 if the receiver does what hes supposed to do. Pass protection was very good. Even saw ollison actually make some blocks in the backfield. Defense got more turnovers and really only looked awful on rices FG drive – they did step it up and force that drive to end with a FG – and hamlins mistake causing that long td. He took a step towards the sideline before the WR made his move, the WR saw that he had open field if he went inside so that’s what he did. I bet hamlin doesn’t make that mistake again.

    Still hard to see many more wins unless the run game comes off life support but still an undeniable step forward on both sides of the ball. Even if “IT WUZ RICE”

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  233. I must say Browne had a very good game even though it was against lowly Rice. You have to wonder how good might have been if he was the QB for Pitt last year with our 2016 offense line and Conner at RB. He may have been in the same position as Peterman is today playing in the NFL.

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    1. Without the mobility, not quite, but may have everything else and finally is getting the reps to build experience.

      Someone mentioned many times(one of the smart guys, maybe Huff or BB, VOR or MM) that we had basically inexperienced players at qb including Browne the 5th yr senior, and it is so true. Browne faced 5 out of 7 very difficult opponents and at Pitt had what appears to be a weak line in front of him. Tough to build on for anyone, I don’t care if he is 22 or 23, heck, tough to survive for anyone. I like his demeanor in the pressers and IF the line can hold up and improve, Browne might be just fine.

      Took a minute to look back on some comments and there is some great, insightful posts. Reed had mentioned that the Pitt admin actually pays some attention to topics addressed here(yes,, I admit probably even to Reed’s as he might have some smarts too). Heck, I should’ve known this sooner having seen the evidence including BB surrounding himself with “talent” in the GT pictures. By that criteria, Reed is right up there and Upitt might just be Einstein or Marilyn vos Savant.

      Keep up the great work and let’s help out our pedestrian at best OC in working around this OL deficiency going forward. Biggest game of the year next week for letting us optimists hang on to some hope for the season.

      H2P!!! Forget the paleo diet, lets snack on some Oranges after eating up Rice.

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  234. In addition to Min/Max having a good game, there were 4 receivers that caught the ball well – Weah (cept 1 or 2 drops), RaRa Lopes, Mathews and TE Clark.

    The RB’s received better than rushing the ball.

    A balance O vs cuse only happens if AJ and JW are consistently in the backfield. I think the film will justify that.

    It appeared to me, while I was viewing from the bleachers, that Aston re-injured his ankle. Very slow getting up and a painfully slow hobble off the field. I’ve had that same injury and he won’t be 100% until next Summer.

    There were more fans than I expected and the offense all around exceeded my expectations. Except the Oline – poor run blocking and the left side was holding on most pass plays, just not called.

    The Dline still seems to be a step too slow – the motors need turned up. Not one guy seemed to bother the QB consistently vs a low level D1 team. That has to get fixed.

    Crush the orange!

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  235. Morning read … we would feel at home in Baton Rouge except we haven’t had 5 cosecutine top 10 recruiting classes and the one of the highest if not the highest paid coaching staffs in the USA.

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  237. EE – good points. Here are some questions for the POV. CAN the D Line “turn the motors up” as Erie suggested, or are we driving 4 cylinder athletes in an 8 cylinder P5 race? I don’t think these athletes are strong enough, fast enough or athletic enough for the the top 1/2 of the ACC – doesn’t matter how hard they try. Same for the LB’s. Nice kids, seem to try hard, but too small and weak to play the position.

    The O Line is the biggest disappointment/mystery to me. Again, like the D Line, not strong or athletic enough to stand up to Rice and YSU? You have to be kidding.

    I watched Aston hobble off and thought the same thing. Didn’t see the replay until I got back home last night. Looked bad.

    Syracuse will not let Max stand there and look around at his leisure. Their QB is smart and athletic and gives himself lost of options. I don’t see any way we win this game – so would like to hear the “other side” on how we do.

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    1. The “other side ” –

      The D scheme needs to be 4-2-5

      Whitehead plays a hybrid S/LB and shadows Dungy all game.

      The O needs to establish the run early and often. The only way I see that is if AJ and JW get the early carries.

      TE Clark and WR Mathews establish the middle with a few early catches to soften the deep threat to Weah and RaRa Lopes.

      QH will play the WR position, but mostly as a decoy. Two of these three must be on the field for the O at all times – Weah, QH and JW. Any combo of these two will cause concern from you the cuse D.

      Oline and Dline need some roughness & toughness training this week. If they all don’t start taking it to their opponent, Pitt will struggle in all phases of the game at the Dome.

      HTP!

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  238. Pitt needs to follow the script that Middle Tennessee State used to beat the Orange.

    The D-line is young, but the ends aren’t. Incredible how MIA Allen Edwards is this season. Hendrix and Folston haven’t done much either. The tackles are gaining great experience but I’d like to see more quickness and penetration from the guys.

    Pitt needs to get Whitehead more carries and throw the ball to Weah, Matthews and Lopes consistently. Browne will revert back to what Browne is versus teams with a pulse unless this O-line makes a complete 180 the rest of the season. I won’t hold my breath that it happens.

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    1. Another key with the Mid-Tenn vs cuse game – the MT D.C. is Scott Schafer, friend of Duzz and former cuse HC

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  239. Just thought of something OT, Reed will be hauling butt back down home to watch the only 2 NFL teams he likes Pittsburgh vs Baltimore. Be safe buddy and GO STEELERS!

    Next day and I still feel both relieved and satisfied that PITT played a good game yesterday sans the running game. I know the competition was weak but the alleged SOP would have made a game of it yet this team did not.

    Feeling encouraged enough but not overly optimistic going to Syracuse next week. The Dungey kid is really good and cuse will score points but lets not make them out to be Clemson.. .. . ..ike

    H2P!

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  240. Thanks for the LSU links, BigB. As bad as we may think things to be, they could alway be worse. LSU fans must be on suicide watch. Didn’t figure in this scenario but at this point perhaps Canada is wishing he had taken Pitt’s offer. Wouldn’t the BOTs have $hit themselves if he had, LOL.

    Liked by 1 person

  241. It’s amazing how Chaney is making Georgia look… we should take part of the credit for getting him out of town… nice Frosh QB at Athens

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  242. Anonymous posted this last night @ 8:40
    “Stallings in the booth during the second quarter, Emphasized that this bball team in coachable and plays hard”.
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    I take it that Anonymous was NOT Upitt?

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  244. Both Georgia and LSU have the Jimmy’s & the Joe’s.

    Talent also needs intellect and experience.

    Canada would have been better served staying at Pitt, but there is nothing that can be done about that now. If Canada gets dumped, Duzz would be smart to snag him as a special assistant right away.

    Switching to the cuse game – their D will focus on stopping the run – must build off the Rice success to bring back a W.

    Anyone going to the game?

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  245. Big B is that a true frosh or RS Fr? Thanks for the morning read. I had to laugh at the in game thread, I am sure I am not that negative in my comments when the game is away. ha ha. Big B if you are coming north for the NC tailgate and game I may have to wear that golf outfit in your honor.
    Ike you mentioned those rickshaws where the heck do they hang out. My beloved is facing a total knee and I know she cant walk that far. I park up on Western, You missed an enjoyable day of football, stadium was empty without you.
    HAIL TO PITT.
    i presume Reed roots for the Cleveland Browns er Baltimore Ravens.

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  247. RKB They hangout all around mostly on Federal and the casino but there is a company you can reserve a ride with. I’ve never used it but it’s worth a try. BTW, I’ve had a knee replacement for16 years now and need another one and my wife needs two. Give this a try and let me know.

    http://www.greengearspedicabs.com

    Like

  248. EE – I like your strategy! Unfortunately for us you won’t be coaching Saturday. We will run Ollison and Moss early and often. Moss will avg. 2.8 yds. per carry and Ollison will run east/west for an average of 0.3 yds. Let’s not forget to throw in a QB toss option to Ollie for good measure. On D, we simply don’t have the horses to do what you describe other than JW shadowing Dungy. How do you slow that offense down with an aggressive QB with no hope of a pass rush?

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  251. Ike thanks for the link. I feel your pain I had both replaced when i was in my fifties. Bending that knee after surgery – pain 2X.

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  253. Was anyone else offended that Jimmy One finger kept his starters in with 4 min to play and then used a halfback pass to run up the score when they were winning 38-14?? Pure class.

    Liked by 1 person

  254. NO NO, that’s not what he was trying to do? (cue my eyes rolling) it’s all a big misunderstanding.

    I like the jimmie “one finger” reference. Believe I coined that term here and on the ITH.

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    1. Jimmy is beginning to be dislyked nation-wide with his obvious arrogance. Not just in western PA.

      Even though his schedule is weak, the pedos will lose at least 3 games this season. Rooting for 5 (Mich. tOSU, Mich. St., one surprise and bowl game).

      Everybody, give Jimmy the “one” finger salute!

      HTP!

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  255. Again… Herndon played entire 2nd half at RG. He played DT last week @GT. What does that say??

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  256. So just a sidebar…Pitt Football and Hoops might very well have, combined, the most disappointing seasons in a long time…but I just want to shout out to Pitt soccer…one of the most loser, pathetic athletic programs one has ever seen. Really. But look at them now! They literally have NEVER WON AN ACC GAME…and now have just beaten two top 25 teams in a row. This coach has come in completely as advertised and Pitt is I believe on a huge upswing (really they cant go anywhere but up). Cautiously optimistic we might become a winner in soccer again!

    And now back to your regularly scheduled programming…Pitt Football an underdog to the ‘cuse….Ugh! On the one hand they are due for a loss to the Orange…on the other…I don’t quite see it, I think they pull one out of their arse! Go Pitt!

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