It looks like North Carolina is getting +4.5 points in the betting line today. That sounds about right to me.  The above website predicts a bigger 29 – 17 Pitt win though. The over/under is 48.5 points

That sounds about right also.

But this is the great thing about college football – things can change on a dime (or the cost of Retro Air Jordan 3s shoes at $2500 per pair).

Football aside, what type of idiot pays $2500 for a pair of sneakers? Honest to God, that right there is society’s problem today. That’s exactly why I refuse to wear any clothing with any advertising on it. I believe the business who is labelled on the apparel should pay us to be walking billboards for them.

But that’s just me.

Game time is listed at 12:20 but will probably be delayed for a bit for Pat Narduzzi to get his NSA contractors in place to steal the Tarheel’s signs.

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.

871 thoughts on “North Carolina Game Day Thread 2018”

  1. Late prediction here, Pitt 34 NC 21, can’t wait to give these uniforms to the homeless people, ( if they’ll take them), and get some classic home and away unis.

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  2. Seriously these uniforms? Is PITT trying to use subterfuge to fool the public into not knowing who is playing? What ever happened to the front porch and identity? Always thought the idea was to be recognized?

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  3. Pitt 35-20. Great tailgate here at NC. Greg Sasser and Frank Nixon are great guys.
    POV flags flying
    Ike, wish you were here.

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  8. Don’t have a pic, but just got a glimpse. It’s the ALL-Whites with the UGLY Blue Helmets.

    Game streaming at ACC.com. Personally watching it on the tube using the ESPN College Sports Package.

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  18. UPitt,
    I’m watching it on ESPN Watch. The unis are so ugly I like you too much to have you get sick looking at them! :< (

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  19. This is two weeks in a row of my screen being jerky not smooth motion. Anyone else with the same problem?

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  22. Where is the TE? They need to keep the RB in for pass protection. Pickett will not have time today if they don’t adjust.

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  40. UNC is terrible if we were real program we win this game by 28 points. Not to mention they have players suspended.

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  51. This game is in the defense hands. They will have to stop UNC. Pickett and PITT do not have a downfield passing attack. It’s midget leauge type crap. UNC is not all that bad though.

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  62. Because our WRs aren’t that good Annie…hence the transfers in like Mack. Pitt fans are going crazy about him but he’s been average so far for us. He has 8 catches in 3 games which isn’t enough for a team’s leading receiver.

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    1. When you practice against this offense it’s easy to look good. Also it’s impossible to get better on either side when you practice against sub par talent

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  68. The pass D is probably technically better than last year.

    However, the unfortunate most notable improvement so far this season has been the increase in “forcing” more opponent drops.

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  74. How many games has Dane Jackson started? And he can’t knock that pass down? What are they teaching these guys?

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  79. Pickett may not be as good as Tino. He runs a little but that’s about it. WRs pretty much blow. And for everyone who bought into Narduzzi’s bs regarding this improved secondary…keep watching. They’re just as bad as the last 2 years. UNC owns us in every sport.

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  82. Can I reverse my prediction?

    I’m back on the fire Narduzzi bandwagon.

    I don’t think this team can beat any team with a passing game.

    Maybe two more wins the rest of year.

    Tex

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  86. Pitt comes out once again soft and conservative. NC is being given space, time and easy reads with Narduzzi’s defense. Pickett has to make plays faster and his recognition is so slow. Have to admit as unprepared as they were for PSU, this is really troubling. Have to accept the fact this staff is just not good enough.

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  102. I can’t say it enough. I’ve really liked Ollison since he got to Pitt. Really solid, underrated back at Pitt. Oh, and only 1 of 6 Panthers to ever have a 1,000 TD season at Pitt.

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  116. Hot knife thru butter no tackle D undisciplined just giving this game away. NC is kicking our asses!!

    I don’t think we can stop NC any time today. Embarrassing and disgraceful!! I too have had it with Narduzzi.

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  119. I said their receivers would be open. Some guru Narduzzi is. Third and 13 and space galore. Coaching staff is a joke!

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  122. Narduzzi will say the same shot at the press conference….out defensive mistakes are communication and are correctable but they never are corrected

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  131. The defensive coordinator should not be allowed on the plane home. PN should take over that position and if he can not improve the situation he should be gone as well.

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  135. We are getting blown out. Just not on the scoreboard yet. Just when u think it can’t get any worse we totally blow a coverage and have a holding penalty.

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  136. Total breakdowns on defense. Third and 13 and they give up the first down. Then the big plays. Pitt cannot win in a shootout. If they don’t start getting some stops it will be a long day.

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  139. Don’t mind watts defending his teamate there.

    The 300 lbs unc guy was sitting on our Pitt guy, who had a guy under his back, and was bending Pitt guys back into the player. Looked painful.
    Watts trying to break it up and save him.

    Pitt linebackers and safeties need to get their stuff together or its a long game.

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  166. Did anyone note the trivia question about 1,000 yard backs….Didn’t Ironhead run for 1,700 or so in ’87?

    I may have misread, I thought they missed a couple backs……

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  172. It’s now half time, go back and reread this game thread from the beginning and see how ridiculous many of you sound. me included….

    PITT will have to step up their second half scoring for sure.

    Halftime adjustment questions will be answered in the next 30 minutes of football…

    Like

    2. All warranted comments. UNC stinks Ike. Won 4 games last year. 0-2 this year. Narduzzi needs to win this convincing.

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  173. This is Narduzzi’s 42 game as head coach and his defense is still bad. Inexcusable but doing the same thing expecting different results is why he is the poster boy for Einstein. NC is terrible yet Pitt gives up 250 yards in one half.

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  177. Hoping we put together a 2nd half for the FIRST time all season.. but make no mistake.. this defense is BAD.

    21 points in the first half to UNC?! Uggh.

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  187. We adjusted nothing on that offensive series. UNC did.

    If we don’t adjust to their adjustments my head is going to explode.

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    1. Guys the reason we suck in the second half is because every coach we go against our screens out plans and out coaches nor doozy in the second half.

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  188. I disagree that it’s important to win by this many or that many points. Just win. And enjoy it without an asterisk if we do.

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  198. “I disagree that it’s important to win by this many or that many points. Just win. And enjoy it without an asterisk if we do.”…

    Says every fan of bad teams– or people who know nothing about sports.

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  203. Now time to watch us go three and out with the following three plays.

    Inside zone / counter – they will stop us for 1 yard with 9 in the box.
    Jet sweep – they will bring down the safety.
    Rollout – will now be expecting it

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  205. Referees need to be held accountable in football. Rarely is that the case. Those missed calls could cost Pitt the game.

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  206. Two holds on Carolina’s TD and nothing called. Big play was the smart senior OLB called for offsides.

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  208. And don’t tell me I’m negative.. I predicted UNC would score 28 all game– there’s still 22 minutes left.

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  222. As long as it’s not being called consistently I suppose we should not complain.

    With the way the d is playing they would have scored anyway

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  232. Problem with Canada is they you will get zero stability with him. The minute a better job opens up he is gone

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  234. Everyone STOP making negative comments. I don’t want to read the “optimists* point out the “disproportionate” number of posts in a Pitt loss… they hate the truth.

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  243. Now we see why Ford doesn’t play. He seems lost out there. First a 3rd and 13, now a 3rd and 17. Really? Now a fumble. Not feeling good about this game…

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  251. Lock The Gates – To Narduzzi’s House and keep
    Him there.

    Lock the Gates on Acid Pitt Fans take who think Narduzzi is good.

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  261. This is year 4 and the defense looks as bad as year 1. The head coach refuses to adapt HIS defense to the personnel. It was obvious in the Baylor bowl game (when he was at MSU) that the defense had holes, and that OC’s around the country had figured it out, yet he refuses to change.

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  270. 2106 Pitt had one of the best offenses in the country, and the worst secondary I have ever seen in football… any football. Not sure what they are being taught but it the secondary is still terrible. No progress year after year.

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  274. The tarholes are safely in for this win. Pitt does not know how to score in the 2nd half – no flags on unc yet today and the refs can throw flags on every play, so Pitt will see plenty of them.

    Sad…how bad this team really is.

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  276. Well guys, I started painting my son’s bedroom. Doing the trimwork right now. I can’t sit and waste 3 hours watching this team if they can’t play better than this. I can watch the replay if something good happens. I’m so disgusted.

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    1. 14!! He was so good at MSU and he wears that linebackers sleeve on his wrist to look cool. We may lose Gorill arms to West Allegheny or Baldwin.

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  283. Well, this is why I don’t bet. This NC team is one you absolutely have to beat. Well, torches and pitchforks. Not only are they losing to a team playing short handed, they look horrible in doing so. No excuses. No way they hit 5 wins now. I really wonder how Narduzzi survives this year?

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  285. Pitt hires a defensive guru. Four years later it’s defense is among the worst in football.

    Narduzzi has to go this year. Like after this game.

    This is on coaching. What second half adjustments?

    Always being out coached. Recruiting stinks. Player development non existent. Poor staff.

    Yet let’s continue paying him $3.5 Million.

    Fire him. Fire him now.

    Jackie

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  294. Even if something works in first half need to assume an adjustment and have a ready answer. Also I wonder about the conditioning since they seem to fall apart in the second half.

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  297. I wanna see a beat reporter grow a set and ask:

    Why have u failed to develop any semblance of a functional defense?
    Why did you go to Australia for a 33 yard punter?
    Why do you shut down the offense at halftime?
    Do you think this is an adequate performance?
    Do you think you are committing theft for accepting a paycheck?

    Liked by 1 person

  303. The process is getting thru the season. Heather better have that list in her FRONT pocket! This team is really, really bad. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen receivers so open. With exception of two guys this defense sucks. Now watch, they’ll quit like dogs.

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  307. Even if something works in first half need to assume an adjustment and have a ready answer. No strategic analysis or response. Also I wonder about the conditioning since they seem to fall apart in the second half.

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  308. Still rooting. Still hope we win. But any of you that have been defending this bafoon are MORONS. Yes, MORONS.

    I’m signing off. Can’t take this.

    And, I’m offering the rest of my tickets for the rest of the year to the optimists that still think Narduzzi needs more time.

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  314. One thing is obvious. We have very few if any, legitimate Power 5 conference starters on offense, defense or special teams. Weaver? Hamlin? Lower tier schools maybe. No WR has separated from others. I had hope for Mack and Jacques-Louis but French and Arizona Lopes and others get as much PT. Picket is running for his life but he is limited too. I had optimism Hall would have a big year but now he gets 7 carries a game. Kessman looks better but punter is awful. You just can’t punt 32 yards with no pressure. It is disappointing we cannot recruit better players. Why can’t we get better players?

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  325. You can almost see it in Narduzzi’s face. He knows this is a disaster and he doesn’t know how to fix it. He knows his days are numbered. Lyke isn’t going to put up with this too long, not with the money he’s making.

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  337. Lots of defensive substitutions…presumably because of the heat.
    Good thing there’s not a big drop in talent.

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  339. There is really no defense for this Jay. Some saw it coming earlier than others, sort of like Stallings. Attendance will tank. If they aren’t embarrassed by this, they have no shame. Just a total embarrassment.

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  353. Lyke has to see what’s happening, I hope she has an out in his contract or her hands could be tied for a few years. Pitt will be selling tickets to tumbleweeds in the meantime.

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  377. I hate that I was right in my game prediction. I am moving closer and closer to the dark side. I mean Jesus Christ, what the hell is this pass defense…against a back up qb. It’s embarassing, and defense is what we were supposed to hang our hat on in year 4 of PN. GTFOH!

    No game management whatsoever…and again, I called it. I knew Narduzzi wouldn’t have a good game plan against the unc offense. He never does. What a joke.

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  383. The fix is in, I have seen multiple non-calls today in the second half today. At least 5 obvious holds on unc not called. Home brewin’

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  384. I hate even with all the modifications on the definition of a catch anymore. It among other tinkering of rules is killing football for me

    But they made the right call lol

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  385. I love my Panthers. I really believe in these kids. I’m so bummed out. No excuse for giving a cobbled together team and so so quarterback a breakout game.

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  388. I know a guy who claims he’d make a good head coach. Claims He’s a guru. Never was a head coach but worked under a good one. He can come cheap.

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  399. Somebody posted this..

    “As bad as the D is, they get no help from the O.”

    We’ve scored 35 POINTS! How much help does the D need??????!!!!

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  402. So many failings in this game, but how many hidden yards have the special teams surrendered? Given up about 150 yards in field position which could easily be the difference in the game.

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  413. HCPN:
    “Well, I don’t know why we fall apart in the second half. We make adjustments at half time based on Madden ‘18 suggestions. I also text Mike Tomlin for his input. And of course, we have a ouiji board. So we’re gonna keep plugging along.”

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  428. It’s so obvious that Narduzzi is the most over paid coach in college football.

    Yet my tuition keeps going up every year.

    I guess Pitt places a greater value on losers.

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  437. I just want to go on record that when PN was hired, I wanted it to work…I was excited he seemed to fit in the mold of a Yinzer type of coach (strong on D). You can make fun of me about the Yinzer thing and that is fine. I just thought he was a great fit for the role.

    UPITT, vented as well as others about the not ready for primetime and this program needed to go bigger/better. I didn’t ignore it but I too did an eye roll (let’s give this guy a chance is what I said to myself).

    I was also a supporter of Chryst…still am given where we were with the Graham/Haywood fiasco…I think he did a fairly decent job. I won’t be one to denigrate him.

    But as I have read more/heard more/seen more it is now clear…this guy does not have it. I think calling him a MAC coach is an insult to all MAC head coaches.

    There will be no change I get it, but I won’t sit here and pretend because of a win last week or next week that all has been righted with the ship.

    This program has been in trouble for a decade now. Wanny had his limitations, but at least he gave us a team that was in contention. Since his purging this program has been a train wreck.

    I will continue to watch and root for my alma mater, but it will make very little difference until the BOT decide to commit to the program.

    Dave Dellett

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  442. Just saw the final score. My wife Suz caddying today. I told her we’re like abused husbands or wives, we just keep coming back for more.

    She says we should get a restraining order ! Anyone want to join me filing a Pitt fan restraining order to keep us from following Pitt Football.

    Save us all Lord, it just never stops.

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  443. I posted and admitted I was wrong last week against GT..

    Where were jrnpitt (who talks ALOT), VOR, ike, Tossing Thabeets and the rest of the guys that constantly call us (me, Reed, upitt, etc.) “negativos”?

    Well, gentlemen. Explain this one.

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    1. Still here. I never post much or read much in season. Work picks up and kids sports are in full swing. I said this is his make or break year … and it’s definitely breaking. There are really only two or three I’ve called negative.

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  445. Yes. Narduzzi needs his two stars to develop and prove to us all that he can win.

    We just have to wait and lose 20 more times.

    Pitt is a cross between the bungles, clowns and stillers. All their worst attributes.

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  447. I’m going to listen in our duties press conference and count how many times he blames someone other than himself and make excuses. I bet it’s 12 to 15

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  452. Dan72.

    I know a Dauphin County judge. Maybe I can get us a PFA.

    Make no mistake folks. This is a BAD team with BAD players and and AWFUL coach.

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  453. Why wait. Fire him now. Write off the season. Have a coach hired by years end.

    And never let Heather involved with football again.

    Her extension of the coach, marketing failures, inability to raise money for the program, hands off approach to staff hires, allowing closed practices and refusal to tarp shows me that she is in over her head.

    Blame the boss.

    Gallagher can you please pick up the phone and call tressell?

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  454. I’d like to say that I’m disappointed in this game but I’m not really. I figured we would lose even though I predicted them to win because that’s what I do, I go with my heart sometimes. But it is very evident now that this is not a good football team and I think that the problem is we have no real depth at all past the first string. And our first string isn’t that good either.

    This offensive line is not good, Pickett was under pressure every time he dropped back and we have to keep the TE on the line for extra blocking.

    It says something when your TEs have a total of 2 catches after 4 full games.

    I’m not impressed at all with DC Bates, he’s in way over his head and you can see why he was a career staff position coach.

    Our DBs coach should be fired this evening after we just gave up 313 yards on 71% passing to a QB who floated every pass he threw.

    NC is a bad team and they owned us in crunch time!

    We really do suck folks but Ill stick with my prediction of 5 wins, even though that might be hard to do.

    Liked by 1 person

  455. On the bright side, my nephew (a freshman LB at East Stroudsburg) is getting his first playing time in college and made a couple of tackles.

    Maybe I’ll go to his games instead of Pitt.. they don’t give up 40 points per game. But their coach isn’t a “defensive genious”, either.

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  456. Narduzzi was crying this week about UNC stealing signs. Hey Pat, stop it with the excuses losing to a bad team. What is he going to cry about now? Pathetic that Narduzzi has never beaten Fedora. Last 2 years UNC has sucked beyond belief.

    A little over 3 minutes to go in the game and your defense has sucked all day…..so you decide to bypass a onsides kick…..and then the kick goes out of bounds. Sigh. 3rd and 5, get a stop and you get the ball with a chance to win. The D falters again. This is now the 4th year.

    Another game, another horrible 2nd half performance.

    Narduzzi is a meathead.

    Like

  459. The air went out of the balloon after the PSU debacle. Narduzzi and his program was not close to a good program in his fourth year. But with a suspect NC I still gave him some benefit that even he couldn’t screw this up. I was so wrong to believe he understood where the program was heading and the urgency to address the issues. Now with that buyout any cosmetic changes are fruitless. He is not a head coach who can deliver.

    Liked by 1 person

  462. A good coach, speed and superior recruiting obviously beats a moronic coaching staff with slow players – even with 13 suspensions and a bad backup QB. The rest of the season is only for the tailgates. And for those still clinging to “we can’t have another coaching change, it will kill our continuity and recruiting”…..I say I don’t want any more of “this” continuity and our recruiting sucks, so make the change.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tressel can be both AD and football coach
      Would do a far batter job and cost less than what Pitt is paying these bozos

      Remember Heather extended Narduzzi. Heather is the Fanta Queen.

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    2. Heather extended him. She will look bad by firing him. Plus, who will pay for the buyout.

      So she will ‘force’ Narduzzi to make staffing changes. She may even say something about recruiting.

      But thats all she will do folks. Its postponing the inevitable. Its rewarding mediocrity and a losing culture.

      Heinz will have 50k empty yellow seats at each game next year.

      Pitt football will lose money.

      Pitt will be looking at cutting some Olympic sports teams like tennis, gymnastics and cross country.

      Like

  465. ND’s new QB just went 25/34 for 325 yards and 2 TDs. He’s going to tear us up.

    UCF’s QB was 21/32, 306 and 3 TDs today…he’ll kill us next week also.

    Our pass defense is truly terrible (again).

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  466. another losing season
    another poor recruiting class
    another year of little player development
    another year of very bad defense
    another round of excuses
    another year of all hat and no cattle

    Football is setting up to look a lot like basketball.
    Fans lose hope and stop attending games

    Pitt deserves better

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  467. Chet..

    Some of us knew this long ago.. but your were busy with your snarky comments and personal attacks.

    Maybe try this.. “Listen more. Talk less.”

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    1. Agreed Jay. For a long time Chet was completely pounding the table on how Narduzzi was the right fit and had the program trending in the right direction.

      After the PSU loss, he’s all of a sudden singing a different tune.

      Like

  468. I invite all members of the “League of Optimists” to go into the bathroom… look into the mirror… and REALIZE you are the reason for SOP!

    You may not think it… but you do deserve BETTER!

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  469. Let’s take a look at who and how many comments made after the GT game and this UNC debacle. It really makes me more sad then the PITT loss today. Some of you somehow lost your abilities to type in negative comments on the POV when PITT won last week and many of you checked in absent. Seems many of you are back on your high horses today shooting down PITT. Not that there isn’t room for despair and criticism. I’m here all the time win or lose thick or thin. PITT lost today. I can take it.

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    1. Because the fans want this bum gone Ike. You and 3 guys from Carrick like him. That is it. Don’t you ever get mad and want us to be respectable?

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  470. Just an average defense…PLEASE..is there something in the water on the South Side? Both Pitt and Steelers cannot play defense. Defense was to be PN’s strongpoint. I will not watch games ubtil defense improves. 4 years of pathetic defensive play is enough!

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  471. TX… Funny.

    However, I think you know my comment was a play on a SERIOUSLY INTENDED comment posted by one of the “Optimists” earlier in the Season.

    Be careful what you preach.

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  472. Exactly, POD!

    In the addict community, they’d call them enablers. Those of you who “support Pitt no matter what” remove any reason for Pitt to do anything to fix this.

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  473. I’m really proud of the University of North Carolina. What a find institution that never cheats and fields a football team that doesn’t commit any penalties. PITT and PITT alone lost this game today but did you all watch the game?

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    1. You and Narduzzi keep
      Making Excuses. Pitt gave up 400+ yards to a backup qb and a team that had starters suspended. But yeah they cheat and steal
      Signs.

      Like

  475. Been lurking rather than commenting for the most part this year but oh my…..

    Went to my son’s high school football game last night in Delaware. He just started high school and is in the band…. The game was awful… The other team (a pretty good Catholic School from the Wilmington area) just manhandled us. They scored eight touchdowns in 24 minutes for a 55-0 halftime lead… On every level, watching was painful – defenders being pancaked, linebackers clueless and the secondary completely lost… And I wondered, how could the coaching allow this – such an embarrassment for these kids…

    Now, 12 hours later, it is like deja vu…. But in defense of the high school coaches, they are not making 3.5 Million. I was late to the Stallings firing party but POVers had that right almost from the beginning… I appear to be late but it looks like Narduzzi may end up with the same fate…. Last night I thought, these kids deserve better – the school should find some new coaching blood. Now I think – the long ignored Pitt fanbase deserves better – the school should find someone up to the task… Not sure if they can score like they did with Capel but the status quo is no longer acceptable…

    By the way, the band was fantastic – by far, the highlight of the night… In fact, it seems like the fanbase here is pretty knowledgeable – about half the home fans left after the half time show – lol…. Also, kudos to the other team’s head coach for not running up the score… He must of put in the third stringers as the final score ended up 55 -14….

    Like

  476. I’m here after a terrible PITT loss, where were some of you after the PITT win last week? It sickens me that I go on a PITT football blog and only hear PITT being dumped on constantly.

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    1. It sickens me you blame fans instead of the TURD making 3.5M a year. How about you hold someone acxountable and lose your yinzer crush on gorilla arms.

      Like

    2. Then be sick…

      Some of us are sick of watching crap performances by a lunatic who blames everyone but himself.

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      1. Who are you? Let me give you a handle since it seems you can’t figure out how to do that. I’ll call you “the coward so called pitt fan”. or barvo-2.. either one

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  478. so the question becomes:
    Who believes Narduzzi deserves at least another year to turn things around?

    I cant really come up with any legit reasons myself so I’m curious what could save his job because I really do think that after this game, Narduzzi is on the hot seat.

    So outside the fact that Heather just extended him and that the buyout could be a financial burden, why would you keep Narduzzi?

    Like

  480. Keep the snarky comments to ourselves please. Each of us know if we were right or wrong about the team and the program coming out of fall camp.

    And each of us have been correct and also incorrect about Pitt football…there are no glass houses on the POV.

    Of course we also have eight more games to play folks. Nothing says Pitt can’t win a bunch of them.

    I highly doubt they will but I’ve thought that since last season ended. I think Pitt fans get enamored with the ‘big’ wins like PSU in ’16, Clemson and Miami and forget we lose to crappy teams a lot more than we get those big wins.

    All this should come as no surprise. When fans were jumping up and down about how well our defense played against VT & Miami last season…and figured we’d build on that I kept reminding about giving up 34 points to a two win NC team just before that, and that in 2018 we’d have basically the exact same defensive players out on the field.

    And those defensive players were a large reason we only won 5 games last year.

    Its going to get worse before it gets better because every SYR is scoring 49 ppt this year. We may well be 2-5 going into the Duke game.

    Like

      1. I posted some then I did a MMQB.

        However I didn’t think you wanted to hear me say we beat a poor GT team which they are getting their asses handed to them by Clemson.

        GT BTW has 109 Rushing after 3 quarters of play so what we did wasn’t all great.

        Ike, this is what we have talked about all summer. Narduzzi cannot recruit and it has been killing us the last two years. That and our staff, that he built, cannot make any halftime adjustments at all and that is a real problem.

        Well win a couple more games but we are circling the drain with this H C and staff.

        Like

  481. What excuses am I making Mark? NONE! Quit speaking for me and making things up I don’t say. I’m not happy the way PITT played today and thought there was some bad decisions made and at the end MY team came up short. I can call them MY team, can you?

    Like

    1. I don’t support teams that don’t care and zero heart. You can have them just like the Stallings crew. When they get serious about committing to win and caring let me know. My favorite was kicking it out of bounds when they have no return men back to return a kick. Wow Narduzzi you are so smart. Bet we have statistically the worst defense in ACC. I don’t speak for you. If I did it would involve rainbows and puppies

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      1. You kid no one friend. You do not support anything PITT. I’m going to build a nice fire outside as it’s gotten a bit chilly. You guys can carry on so Reed doesn’t close the comments

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        1. Anytime you want to compare what I have given to Pitt personally and physically we can talk.

          Keep supporting the Dead man walking. Remember he makes 3.5M

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  484. PoD, not sure why you think I’m a Narduzzi sycophant. If you read my previous posts, you will see that I have been all over Narduzzi about his recruiting, or lack thereof, and especially about the total absence of TEs. I have also railed over PN’s arrogance and pathetic sideline skills. Now that he has his own recruits on the field, it is clear that his defenses don’t even work with his own players.

    I truly admire ike for his steadfast support of Pitt (not necessarily Narduzzi) during the highs and lows. But after 35 years of this crap with Pitt sports I’m at the end of my rope with Narduzzi.

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  486. Needed to gather my composure. Some thoughts. Made the mistake of thinking Pitt could beat a putrid North Carolina team. For the record Pitt will not make a bowl this year! They will be lucky to win more than one more game this season, Virginia you still have hope for an ACC win. Narduzzi has trouble defending this newly developed play called the forward pass.

    Heather Lyke has officially made her first blunder as our A.D. by renewing Narduzzi’s contract for seven years prior to this season. Because of this she is gong to have to face the music for the rest of this year and all of next season before she can show Narduzzi the door. We need to look for a head coach at a non P5 school that is offensive minded and has a good recruiting track record. No more coordinators with the need for building staffs and on the job training.

    I am very thankful that Pitt women’s volleyball season is concurrent with our football season. It is good to hear the words Pitt and powerhouse in the same sentence. Basketball season cannot come soon enough.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. I was so bummed I did not check on Virginia. Louisvile finally getting what they deserve for hiring their current head coach. I guess Pitt goes win-less the rest of the season.

        One positive for firing someone after next season is that the ACC linear network money will start coming in after next season to help pay for cleaning up this mess of a football program. Feel sorry for the players on the team. They deserve better. After today our recruiting commitments will be flooding to the exits.

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  488. In defense Pitt had QB issues last year but overall played Ok in most games even with that handicap. But I have never been snarky and never made any attacks on anyone. I gave Narduzzi the benefit of three years of coaching these players. My expectations were they were ready to take the next step. If all want to pound me for backing the hope Narduzzi was a coach who has shown he was capable so be it. But I did change my view after PSU due to the state of the program in all aspects. That was telling. From here facing the inability to beat NC hard to make any case that Pitt football is making the progress to be a good program.

    I just felt even Narduzzi couldn’t blow this gimme. Shame he couldn’t deliver and now Pitt football is stuck in a loop due to the buyout. But I make no apologies for my stance on Narduzzi. If all feel good over Narduzzi failing at this point good for you. As I stated before if he wins no one cares about his issues. But he isn’t winning and one has to face the results in any case. But with the erosion of PA football, and stiff competition for shelf space in the city, Pitt football has to be realistic. Narduzzi was their shot, so far it has not materialized into a winning program. But most programs are in this position every 4 to 5 years.

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  489. It’s so silly to blame fans.

    Of course there are more comments after a loss then after a win.

    Pitts been outscored 72-10 in the second half this year.

    I’m a fan of Pitt not Narduzzi and all of the things he does (poor recruiting, poor player development, poor sideline behavior) I don’t have any idea why people defend him.

    We are literally getting worse the more Chryst players graduate. Our best players are Chryst recruits.

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    2. 72-10. Wowser. Let me guess, Narduzzi is going to watch the tape and clean some things up. Maybe narduzzi this week will say every team is stealing their signals.

      The forward pass is not kind to his defense.

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    2. Yes, Jay91, it was St. Marks… What a blowout… If the band hadn’t been good, I would have really been bummed. I am grateful to the St. Mark’s coach for applying the handbrake in the second half. Our kids didn’t need to be completely humiliated.….

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  491. I never thought after the Clemson game I’d be typing this, but I think it’s time to start looking for a new coach.
    1) Lane Kiffin

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    1. need someone that knows how to recruit
      need someone who will hire young, aggressive assistants with high ceilings
      need someone familiar with the conference
      need someone with an offensive background
      need someone with proven head coaching experience
      need someone who can develop players

      I would have a fan committee pick the new coach

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  493. Frankly it’s hard to watch Pitt try to win games when the big wigs at the ACC have the refs fixing the games when we play the blue bloods and when Pitt can’t score in the 2nd half.

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  494. Unlike some, I don’t see a team that has quit or has no heart (yet). I see a team that has average-to-less talent and is poorly coached.

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  495. Chet… It’s important to realize that Narduzzi was NEVER Pitt’s “shot.” Fact is… the Search Committee did not come up with Narduzzi. He called Pitt himself and asked for an interview.

    Narduzzi was Gallagher and Juhl’s BLUNDER!

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  496. I don’t blame Heather Lyke for this yet…she was put in a bad spot. 8-5 1st 2 years and the program appeared to be righted and headed in the right direction, even though they were Chryst’s recruits.

    I say “appeared to be” because who knows what is actually happening with the “media black out”. I do btw blame Heather for not mandating that practices be more open to the press. It cracks me up when I read comments about how good a player is going to be when we have absolutely no evidence of his level of play until they actually play some games. The players are not improving at all.

    Worst defensive coaching I’ve ever seen at this level. I’ve never seen so many receivers run free in a secondary. Oh wait… it’s 3rd and 35… first down again. I don’t think it’s going to get better. I think it’s clear that Heather needs make a change. It’s already bad so one more change won’t make it worse. The next hire has to be a proven winner… not some coordinator guy with no head coaching experience. Don’t need a cheerleader or guy that talks a good game. Need a proven leader.

    The team always looks totally unprepared, and in the 2nd half they appear to get pushed around even more than they do in the 1st half. That amazing strength and conditioning coach is terrible. Clean house. Start over. As for me I checked out at game 4 last year, and I will check out again this year. See ya next training camp… maybe.

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    1. Heather has presided over more bad football than good. Now granted its Gallaghers pick based on a clueless committee’s recommendation but she was the one that extended him after 1 season.

      As far as I know, she asked Narduzzi for no changes thus far. So next year, I would expect there to be changes if Narduzzi is allowed to hang around.

      I just dont see how Narduzzi rights this ship. And for those that say his boss at Michigan State took 6 years to finally turn things around, Narduzzi isnt his boss and Pitt should not have the patience because there is a good chance Pitt loses money with more seasons like this.

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  497. Tomcat… totally agree.

    There was no “quit” in the Team today. They just lacked the Coaching to put them in a position to WIN.

    But it’s also important to keep in perspective the fact that Pitt lost to a BAD team playing without some KEY Players including its Starting Quarterback.

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  498. Just posting so we can set the record for comments.
    I predicted a Pitt loss. I guess after watching Pitt football for 50+ years my optimism disappeared a
    Loooong time ago.

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  500. Well, I for one am encouraged for next year as we only lose 15 starters and have another sterling recruiting class coming in. It could be worse, we could suck and be a school that actually cared about football.

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  501. Looking at the schedule…who (besides Ike) sees another win anywhere? I don’t see one anywhere in all seriousness. Maybe one if another team gives up 3-5 turnovers, like maybe Virginia or Cuse.

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  502. From a perspective that it was the Chancellor who hired him it was Pitts shot. The chancellor tied his building a good program to Narduzzi. So again an extension after a 5 win season reflects that the brass was all in on Narduzzi. Is Narduzzi that good a salesman? Or is Gallagher just that gullible. In any event, that contract is on the books and Pitt is not eating money to change. So they are thinking Narduzzi can deliver. But from my perspective, a good coach doesn’t lose this game. The program is close to sliding badly after UCF kills them.

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  505. I think it’s time to play as many kids as possible. Let’s see if we have anyone who’s a gamer in the rough so to speak. That might at least keep kids interested if there’s ample playing time to go around.

    Won’t happen as coaches will at least try to win, I get that. But whatever we’re doing now just isn’t working. See who’s ready for next year.

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  507. I’m not anti coordinator like some. In hindsight wouldn’t Franklin have been a great hire instead of Graham when he was the oc at Maryland? Tomlin was a coordinator. Difference is you could tell right away when Tomlin and Franklin talk they are head coaches. Narduzzi has no command presence whatsoever.

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  508. To bad Heather and the bot’s will see this as a close game and will be encouraged. My guess they have no idea how bad NC really is.

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  509. OK, in all seriousness, the freshman running back looked good running the jet sweep. He actually knew to cut it up and not jusr run wide. Other than losing another 50-50 (90-10) ball, I thought Jackson played well. Pickett is a sophomore qb, up and down. TAlso, in all honesty the Oline played better than I thought, but only because I thought they would be so very, very, very bad.

    I will say it again Narduzzi< DePasqua. He inherited Christ’s players, Carl got Dave Hart’s.

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  510. One last thought …what P5 team has a sophomore walk on center start every game of his career?
    I watched NC blitz over/under and around Morrison like he wasn’t even there! Bad recruiting starts with the fact you can’t get even a 2 star center to attend Pitt. Pickett was brave in the face of a withering rush by NC and almost no pass protection help from his O line.

    4 years of this defense. A good thing we don’t play Gannon.

    I’ll be there at homecoming to see many old friends…but that is it. Actively selling my season tickets. I’m done with this fraud of a coach and team.

    Don’t see another win anywhere on the schedule.

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    1. Dan – good comment on our WO center – I’ll add that his back-up is actually a 2 star.

      I decided not to sell my season tickets as it will cost me more than I will get in return. Instead I will write a letter to Ms. Lyke and inform her to contact me when she hires a HC for the FB team.

      The only good thing about this season, besides Fran’s Tailgating, is that my golf handicap has dropped 2 strokes. To think I rushed home from the course yesterday to watch that mess. Oy vey!

      Remember folks, it’s just a game. But it is a game the Pitt admin does not understand – go back to 1982 and review the history of blunderous decisions made.

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  512. Dokish has now jumped off the bandwagon. Check out his Tweets.

    Bottomline – this is a game that good coaches win and is a game that Pitt really had to win

    There will be no division title this year or bowl game and next year’s team doesnt look any better and the incoming recruits are mediocre.

    So knowing this and Pitt knew this with Stallings, why not fire Narduzzi at years end?
    Why is football any different?

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    1. and he was absolutely giddy about the hire. He said recruiting would take off. Thought he was the guy to take pitt to the next level, and he hated Chryst.

      I too was optimistic. Decent first class with Hamlin, etc. I liked the initial staff; thought Conklin & Harley were up and comers. Chaney was big league (and so was Canada after that). But now…..Harley seems to be invisible recruiting. Conklin a bust. Watson, Bates, Boberly….retreads. I think the carousel hurts more than helps, but we not have a choice but to jump back on.

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      1. Yeah….and most of us actually thought SOP was dead his first year coaching, lol. I did argue that Pitt stinking in nationally televised game was still an ongoing curse, but figured we left the rest behind. Not in my lifetime…

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  513. Ask yourself why give Narduzzi a 7 yr contract. In order to tell recruits he will be around for their college years he needs 4 yrs. So this means Pitt is giving PN 3 yrs. to produce. They just don’t want to begin a search for a while.

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  514. so with that new contract, he uses it to recruit low 3 stars with offers from Bowling Green, Air Force and Holy Cross. That doesnt make sense. So what is he telling recruits?

    Any smart recruit will know now that Narduzzi’s job is on the hot seat. Contracts can be bought out.

    Pitt should send a strong message that they are serious about winning and are developing a culture to support it. The culture cant be built with mediocre coaches.

    The search for a new coach should begin now. To Hell with stability and continuity if results like today are in the future.

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    1. Threats won’t make Narduzzi any smarter or a better recruiter though. Pitt is destined to be the Buttgers of the ACC if they keep Narduzzi.

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  515. Ike…

    I posted some then I did a MMQB.

    However I didn’t think you wanted to hear me say we beat a poor GT team which they are getting their asses handed to them by Clemson.

    GT BTW has 109 Rushing after 3 quarters of play so what we did wasn’t all great.

    Ike, this is what we have talked about all summer. Narduzzi cannot recruit and it has been killing us the last two years. That and our staff, that he built, cannot make any halftime adjustments at all and that is a real problem.

    Well win a couple more games but we are circling the drain with this H C and staff.

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  516. ODU tied with VT. They have a better QB than us… or maybe just better coaches. And their WR Folgom, is better than any on the Pitt roster.

    How come ODU’s coaches out-recruit (or coach) ours?

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  517. VT quarterback just got injured. Maybe if he’s out, we beat them…. Oh yeah, nevermind.. we just lost to UNC’s backup QB.

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  518. I lost faith after PSU.
    Reed and Upitt have been correct.
    It is time for a new coach. They need to go get Kiffin.
    The only thing that can help Pitt is a buzz hire.
    Kiffin will be all over ESPN for 2 plus years.
    Another no name coach or coordinator will just come in and continue to rot along with the dead corpse.
    The pitt program is dead. The smell is just beginning and when it gets really bad then everyone will know.

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  519. You can’t win throwing roll out passes all day.
    Plus no one is ever open.
    That means no athletic abilities by the players.

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  520. Reed, I’m not quite so sure about that couple more wins after today. This was one they just had to get. They will lose all the road games, and I think Cuse will beat the badly. Let’s just hope my pessimism is as bad as my optimism for this game.

    Are the players good enough to win. If not, it’s on the coaches. Are the players not good enough to win, guess what, it’s still on the coaches.

    I will also harp on my favorite theme, that being the S&C coach has to go. These kids look no bigger or more muscular than they did as freshmen. Someone said they look soft and doughy, in comparison to the other guys. Could perhaps the second half failures be partially due to lack of stamina?? All kids love their S&C coach, but I’ve questioned this guy for awhile. Guess this is just nit picking with all the other issues.

    Remember Pitts new motto “ Stumble along”.

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  521. ODU has TWO WR’s better than any on Pitt’s roster… and maybe better RB’s.

    Is anyone else watching this!?

    ODO would destroy us– and they’ve been playing football for 10 years.

    Game is on CBS SPORTS NETWORK if anybody cares.

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