What would have been a small game has now turned into a big game due to Pitt’s ACC winning streak which now stands at three and counting.  Pitt’s Panthers (6-4) will be travelling to North Carolina to play the Demon Deacons (5-5).

Now we are playing for  a conference championship and what might be the best bowl offer we have had in ages…

I can’t see Pitt losing this game to Wake Forest after the way we have won the last three games with our strong run game and a defense that has really solidified.

I’ll call this one:

Pitt 35

WF 21 

What do you think?

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.

131 thoughts on “Pitt vs Wake Forest Predictions Thread”

  1. Picked Pitt to go 6 Wins and a Bowl. With that, specifically picked Pitt to beat VaTech and Wake.

    Well, considering how VaTech turned out… it looks like the 6 Wins could be in jeopardy.

    Something’s gotta give.

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  2. I can see us easily losing to WF if the defense that played against Duke shows up this Saturday. However I’m betting that our offense absent turnovers can put up another 40 point plus game against WF. That should be enough to beat them 42 to 31.

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  3. Ok, Wake is playing for two things. Being the spoiler to Pitts chances for the Coastal Championship and even more important to them being bowl eligible. Those two things and possibly it being senior day will have them pumped up more than the Goodyear Blimp. Pitt has to come in here with an emotional edge, not flat but not to much to make those stupid non-excusable errors that usually haunt us and bite us in the ass. If we come in with enthusiasm and not flat and make minimal penalties or turn overs I see us winning this game (took me long enough didn’t it) not by much but by 10. So 34 to 24.

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  4. D confuses the young QB and blitzes effectively…strong running game powers a 38-14 win for the good guy.
    General BigB Sherman orders his troops to burn the dumpster in the tailgate lot to send a message that our march to the “C” (championship) continues.

    Liked by 4 people

  5. I too am looking for another convincing Pitt win….38-28. Safe travels, have fun, and bring us a win shout outs to our POV Road Scholars !!!

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  7. This is a game that’s caused me concern since it was scheduled. Wake is a team much like Vandy. You should beat them, but they can be an incredibly difficult out. We’re kinda lucky they’ve had so many injuries, but that said, they play so fast if they get on a roll it will be tough, especially since I feel Pitt has never really stopped a spread since the Duzz has been here. Highly anxious over this game.

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  8. This is the 2nd game this year where Pitt has been a road favorite. The first one was UNC. Long time bettors will tell you that usually the best teams to bet are home teams who are slight underdogs.
    WF 34-27

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  10. Pitt wins 45-28

    The D holds W_F to one score per qtr and the Pitt O shows a more balanced attack. The RB’s get 3 TD’s on 350 yards rushing and KP throws for 2 TD’s and runs for 1 with over 200 yards passing. The ST’s get a TD and “Kick” Kessman boots a 50 yard FG to stay sharp.

    Jay91 and I have a vehicle filled with cheerleaders and golf clubs heading south on I81- actually he and I are the cheerleaders…

    H2P!

    Liked by 3 people

  13. By the way Central Arkansas had some guys that could play. Wish I could put up McGowen’s last dunk, it was something we haven’t seen at the Pete in a long while, maybe ever.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Well I for one do not think this a PITT lock to win. WF plays a very particular style of offense that is hard to simulate in practice. I keep thinking in the back of my head that how long does PITT expect to run the ball so successfully when KP only throws the ball 11 times in a game?

    So my keys to the game are: PITT and KP will have to throw the ball and throw it downfield. I also am thinking Carter will have an impactful game again this week. If both things happen then the running game will once again be unstoppable.

    Second key is stopping WF run game. This includes their QB. Also, PITT has got to keep the big splash plays from happening.

    Well wasn’t that enlightening Captain Obvious? 🙂

    I’m going with Rick on this one and saying PITT will pass the ball and KP will have one of his best games of his short career. PITT wins and wins the Coastal

    PITT…. 38
    WF…….28

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  16. Dunk rankings by me –

    )1. Jerome “send it home” Lane
    )2. Julius Page
    )3. Gilbert Brown
    )4. McGowen (impressive for a FR)

    Just one man’s opinion…

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  17. Also loving Frans idea concerning General BigB orders. LOL!

    Send pictures troops. I think PITT will be well represented at the game. ike

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  18. All kidding aside, this looks to be a high scoring affair. Both teams racking up the yardage and not having shut down defenses. Hopefully the Pitt run game keeps the Wake offense on the bench for long periods of time. Pitt needs to keep the WF QB under wraps, something they haven’t been great at.

    Just learned that this is the first ever meeting between the two schools, somewhat surprising.

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  19. I am super nervous about this game and could see us pooping the bed with so much on the line. With that said, if we win, it will be an unreal accomplishment that most of us never saw coming and I will PARTY…anyone have a good bourbon recommendation?

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  20. Pitt 42 WF 38

    Wake can throw the ball around. They run a rub route to perfection. Their recievers appear to be smaller, quick and have good hands. This will be a game.

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  21. I want to be clear on this point. PITT can lose this game without crapping the bed. Then again they could lose while crapping the bed, see the difference? Wake Forest is a good enough opponent that could actually win this game and PITT not necessarily lose it. Either way a loss is not expected and would hurt to the bone.

    Liked by 1 person

  22. GO WIN THE COASTAL!

    I say run the ball. Hall and Ollision go off again.

    They kill SOP once and for all.

    PITT 42
    WF 21

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  24. In August I predicted that we would win the Coastal. I think it was because the schedule would be easier after losing to PSU, GT, UNC, UCF and ND. We did beat GT and that really helped. Sometimes you get lucky in prediction but we still need to beat WF or VA losing a game

    WF will be close but the 4th quarter should make running easier because of WF fatigue. Pitt 35 WF 24. H2P

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  25. My wild guess: Pitt 38; WF 34.

    I think we get a big TD pass play from a surprise player — I don’t want to name him to tip off WF, but EE will be pleased. 🤔

    Need to take care of the ball, which is why we’re being pretty judicial with the pass plays — trying to avoid INTs, strip sacks, and big losses from sacks. A good strategy right now, but we have to make the few passes we do throw be impactful…

    H2P!

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  29. This is not the team that lost to UNC, O-line hadn’t asserted its power.
    NCST had no film on the new QB, we do, should help.

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  30. We have had film on a lot of QB’s and it didn’t seem to help much from where I watched. How do you get pressure on a QB that gets the snap off in less than 10 seconds? I don’t think you can sneak any oxygen on the field for our D line in that time span.

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  31. I really want to believe that the 2018 Panthers have made enormous strides over the course of the season and are a legitimate force to be reckoned with at this point in the year, but there is always that thought of SOP lurking in the back of my mind (or at least a fear that we really might not be anything other than mediocre-to-good, but not heading toward something greater like I want to believe). We have been benefited by an ACC schedule that, up to this point, has been “home heavy,” only playing 2 ACC road games versus 4 home ones. And we are 1-1 in the road games; if we lost to UNC, we can lose to anybody. Plus WF looks like a solid team this year, and they have a lot to play for with bowl eligibility on the line.

    I keep saying this every week, but let’s hope we bring our A game again.

    Also, I’d loved to know the identity of the officiating crew — hopefully the game is called more along the lines of what we have seen recently, as opposed to what we saw earlier in the year. Anytime we head down south for an ACC game, that worries me.

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  32. PITT wins 41 – 27. PITT’s o-line, TE, & Aston dominate. Freshmen who are ready to play, play in 4’th qtr.

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  33. I can see Pitt getting down early in this one because of the D. That scares me. They have not stopped an offense like WF runs all year.

    Pitt doesn’t lose because they are SOP, they lose because of the defensive scheme and coaching.

    WF 37 Pitt 31

    I hope I am sooooo wrong. If they do win, PN has gotten over the poor D hump.

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  34. They won’t be able to stop our running game, but we won’t be able to stop the pass.

    Kessman is the difference maker.

    Pitt wins 45-42

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  35. I thought PITT played good defense against Syracuse, who runs a very similar offense as WF. Didn’t they hold Dungey down to under a 50% completion rate and low yardage?

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    1. Yes they did play pretty well again him but I’m wondering if he had an off day. He was struggling for a little bit mid season I belive.

      With that being said, Fuente’s offense at VA tech is also a spread and we handled that pretty well.

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    2. Dungey looked and played like crap against Pitt. Here’s hoping that was Pitt’s defense and not just Dungey having a bad day…

      I do have some confidence in Coach Bates, but the quick slot receiver for WF scares me. Do we try to bracket that guy?

      One good thing is that Idowu has been playing better the last couple of games – making more tackles…

      Go Pitt.

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      1. WF’s receivers are quick and with good hands. They often line up with two receivers to one side of the formation and the outside receiver rubs or picks the inside receiver’s DB. The inside receiver runs an out route to the sidelines is often wide open due to the pick. Pitt will need to bump the outside guy to delay him as he comes off the line of scrimmage.

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  36. Since my track record of predictions this year is virtually 100% (in this case 100% wrong) for ACC games, I hope to keep the streak intact by predicting:

    Wake 35
    Pitt 31

    Liked by 1 person

  37. I remember John and that’s how it’s gone for PITT. They don’t win, the other team loses and are terrible. I don’t buy it. When PITT wins, PITT wins in my book and also, the defense has played well since that game. So to me, that means it was PITT ‘s defense and not so much as the alleged hangover for Dungey.

    BUT! For good measures BigB, buy a couple rounds of Jose Cuervo for the Wake Forest team if you happen across them..and ten rounds for the QB.

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  38. Pitt struggles against this type of offense. I’m afraid to make a prediction. Haha. I was confident with UVA and VT but not Wake. I’m less worried about Miami. Traditional offense.

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  39. Pitt 35
    WF 31

    Prepare for late game tension
    Hope WF an is as inconsistent as Dungy, if so we will blow them out.

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  41. Victory Saturday:

    The O-line likes pounding people, and they set the tone for a big day of smash-mouth football.

    The Pitt ‘HO’ train barrels down the track and runs for 350 yds. Pitt’s Ball control will wear the Deacs down and give them less scoring chances and that will be a huge difference.

    Pickett seems like he is finally starting to get some confidence & rhythm – and time – he goes mobile and the line and Big George facilitate him; something tells me he is going to have a good day throwing from the pro set, especially play action and passes out of the run/pass option. The coaches open up the playbook just a bit more, but extreme trickery will not need to be called much at all.

    The D will give a bit – but will Lock The Gates in the 4th. I feel Wake’s backup QB is going to have happy feet, and though he will complete a few big plays and scramble around a lot, the defense will hit him hard and often, enough to force him into some mistakes that they will capitalize on. They will have an early Turkey Day feast on Wake’s run game.

    Special teams should be ok – the 50 yarder against VT in bad weather shows that perhaps our punter from down under has finally figured out that things like wind, water & footballs spin counter clockwise coming off the foot in the Northern Hemisphere. (Well not really, but trying to give him some slack lol 😉 )

    Biggest concern is the young Panther;s getting too cocky – but I think this team has grown above that this season – their maturity, attitude, enthusiasm and dedication to each other will see them through to Victory.

    Pitt – 37
    WF – 27

    H2P

    Liked by 1 person

  43. Sorry about this, off topic, but before I forget. Pitt bb will struggle as teams press them. I think they will have trouble handling pressure. Better coaches will have seen this. How they adjust will tell us more about Capels coaching.

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    1. I disagree. With this backcourt, Pitt is more adept at handling the press than any team in recent years. But….if Pitt wilts under the press, the best remedy is the one Capel employed at VCU…press back and make the opponent more miserable than you.

      Liked by 1 person

  44. Wake’s D was made for us to roll right over them.

    #102 in Rushing Defense
    #120 in Total Defense (opponents avg over 6 yards per play)
    #125 of 129 in RedZone Defense. (opponents have scored 30 times in 32 RedZone trips)

    Pitt 48
    Wake Forest 24

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  45. Dungey looked off because I felt like we got some nice hits on him that I’m sure he was still feeling by the time the game ended (he may have had some bumps and bruises going in to the game as well). We need to get after this QB and hit him (legally, of course, which gets back to my concern over who will be officiating this game; hopefully there isn’t a flag thrown against us for every borderline play).

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    1. Last game was officiated pretty fairly and the ESPN announcers were actually ‘talking up Pitt’ and such.

      So maybe this is the sea-change…we’ve been hoping for…..for so long.

      Catch 22 is going to run for over 200 yards tomorrow !

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  46. Should be a really intense and exciting game! Here’s my take:
    #1 we struggle mightily against very fast spread teams
    #2 we should be able to run with authority
    #3 the game will come down to the wire (FIELD GOAL IN PLAY)
    #4 SOP will be hovering over………………………………………..
    …………..BUT IN THE END PITTMAN4EVER PREDICTS:

    PITT: 34
    W. F.:31

    LETS GO PITT! LETS GO PITT! LETS GO PITT! LETS GO PITT LETS GO PITT! LETS GO PITT!

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  47. I am thinking the ACC refs will back off this week. It is better for all involved if Pitt makes it to Charlotte at 8/4.
    College refs always give the big boys the calls.
    We are far from a big boy, but the conference looks a whole let better for the national tv championship game with Pitt at 8/4.
    The refs wont favor us, but I don’t think they will screw us like usual when playing the traditional ACC schools.

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    1. I’m not trying to be a conspiracy theorist or anything, but by that line of thinking, optically for the ACC probably the best thing to happen would be for Pitt to lose its last two and for UVA to win out, getting a 9-3 Cavaliers team into the championship game.

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      2. Yea…..but the Hoo’s from Hootersville ain’t Pittsburgh STRONG. (notice the Pittsburghuese thrown in there too…… for good measure.

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  48. Wake’s defense both run and pass are very suspect.

    The Pitt defense isn’t overpowering but I look for the Pitt offense to make a few more plays than the Wake defense and the Pitt defense to make a few more plays than the Wake offense.

    Can we rush for 500 and clinch the coastal?

    Pitt 35

    Wake 17

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  51. If Pitt loses at WF, it is likely that they will lose to Miami as well. That would mean a 6-6 year with a poor finish and a low bowl game. So this WF game is shaping up as a must win. I predict a Pitt win- 31-28.

    On the BB side, this young team is good in many respects, but does not set up and run the half court well. Without a big man at the high post, they cannot keep the other team’s guards from covering the 3 pt shot, so as much as they run and press well, they must get a big man going in the flow to win some games with better competition. Do you agree Dan?

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    1. I disagree on the BBall. The weave is designed to open up attack lanes and cuts if the defense is not wary. Lack of a true big man is somewhat mitigated in the high post weave imo. Pitt has some athletic players with hops, quickness, vision, good agile hands, and the right attitude. A team can be successful in D1 if they have guards who have those qualities.

      This team has run the half court sets pretty well considering the (cough) offense they were ‘coached’ to run the last few years. It is truly amazing to sit in the Pete and watch it develop after years of JD’s very conservative pound the ball in style and ‘He who will not be named’ pass the ball around the perimeter then chuck up any shot as the clock expires set.

      I have had more fun watching the young players run the weave and run the court after d rebounds the last 3 games then I have had in many years at The Pete. Yes, the frosh guard’s are tending to drive a half step too deep at times and let the D close down the passing lanes, but that tendency will go away with experience. I think the young players are running Capel’s half court style pretty well all things considered.

      The young men are well coached and motivated and it shows.

      H2P

      Liked by 1 person

    2. I think Terrell Brown is a future superstar at the post and said so last yeArs end. How quickly he develops is the key to Pitt’s success vs the big boys this year. But…Pitt definately needs better bigs if they are ever going to challenge Duke or NC. The rest, including Cuse and VA are fair game for this team.

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  53. Wake Forest: Where SOP goes to die.

    The ground game keeps rolling on, the defense does just enough, and the POV is well represented at the post game performance of the victory song.

    Pitt 31

    Demon Deacons 23

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  54. Right on Missingwlat. I’m starting to get a good vibe about this game.

    I believe this PITT football team is a little special. They take care of business.

    BTW Missing, you know Derry is in the WPIAL finals at Heinz tomorrow at 2:00. First time since fire was invented.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. My uncle was the head coach at Derry for many years around the time fire was invented. Had a lot of success. Bill Oleszewski.

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  56. Oooh, Dan. Have you watched them struggle so far with even token pressure? Guess we’ll see. Think they have depended on sheer athleticism so far.

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  57. I’m thinking like LastRowofSection4, but am giving both an additional touchdown.

    Pitt 42 — Wake 21

    —Neil

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  60. I guess you can tell I’ve been doing everything to avoid talking about this game, from bringing up hoops to changing the subject. I’m very, very concerned. I feel that if they lose this one they will also fall to the U. I will not pick this game. I will watch as long as ?I can. I will hope to get to Charlotte. H2P.

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  61. I’ll be in our seats at the Pete at noon on Victory Saturday watching the men BBallers – will try and keep up with the 1st half as best as I can – expect a lot of cheering as the football team builds it’s lead early and rolls past Wake.

    H2P

    Liked by 1 person

  63. Not only will I miss watching the game (watching volleyball instead), I can’t even DVR the game. We have no electricity and it is not expected to be back on until possibly Saturday night.To add even more insult to injury, PCN usually televises the PIAA girls volleyball championships on tape delay. They aren’t even televising the AAA contest, and North Allegheny is trying for its second consecutive championship! I guess I should just hope we even have electricity when we get home Saturday night. It will be REALLY cold if not… Bring home a victory guys!!! Pitt 30-27.

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    1. Yikes, Annie. Sorry to hear that your electricity is out. We do take so much for granted, but hope you get it back sooner than later….

      Hope all the teams you root for have you smiling (and feeling warm and fuzzy) this weekend.

      BTW, The Pitt women’s BB team beat Cincy tonight…

      Hail to Pitt!

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  64. I would love to know the record against the spread when Pitt is a road favorite in conference. My guess is that it is not good. It would be great to see Pitt win the next 2 games on the road to Charlotte. Crazy to say this, but I think Wake will give Pitt more trouble than Miami. I would take Wake +6 all day long. A lot of pressure on the defense in this one. Prediction: Wake Forest 31 Pitt 27.

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  65. Note: I used to be LA Panther. With this new log in, I became a couple of minimalist Soroyan poems. Not the arrow of change I was looking for, but oh well.

    The arrow of change, however, IS with Pitt. Yes, they could get whipped or robbed tomorrow. My left coast team, the Trojans absolutely sucked against Cal last week, and they never should lose to Cal…at home or anywhere. Also, I’m pretty sure we’ll see a new mix in the box of chocolates this week….because that’s the nature of college teams. A new mix of hero’s. We COULD lose, but, to repeat a theme I’ve laid out here before, we’re supposed to beat the wake forests of the football world. We’re Pitt. And given the arrow of change, I think the probability of a win is way higher than the 52% ESPN gives us. We might let them come back more than we should, but given our superior O and their not so hot D, I think a spread of 13 is more realistic than 6.5.. So, I see 37-24 in Pitt’s favor the words “it wasn’t that close” in the recap, and some griping about “points left on the field, “ here. Say safe, Yinz.

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  66. Pinnock, Mathis and Dane Jackson should never leave the field against the spread quick paced offense of WF. All 3 are pretty decent cover guys and will be needed on those dreaded slot passes Pitt seems to give up easily. Bates and Narduzzi need to go to a 4-2-5 defense for most of the game.

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  67. Annie, hope you get power asap.
    Tommymac, I’ll be at the Pete too…my nephews son is part of the halftime show.
    Hail to the Road Warriors at Wake.

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  68. I understand a hurricane is bearing down on the Winston -Salem area later this morning dubbed “Hurricane Bernie” accompanied by small tornado’s dubbed “The Jets”. Bernie and the Jets have arrived and they are there to bring the ACC Coastal Division Title to Pittsburgh. The BigB will not be denied as he brings some Heavy Heavy Fuel to get the job done. Go get em boys.. A little ditty I like to get my morning started with.. LET’S GO PITT!

    Liked by 1 person

  69. Just to give a little insight here. If this game was being played at Heinz Field today, Fran would already be headed down to Red 5-A parking lot setting up for the tailgate. PITT may not have the most fans but they do have the most dedicated and loyal crew going.. ike

    Liked by 2 people

  71. The ride down was long,
    The accidents were many.

    Crank up the Pitt fight song,
    As we celebrate TD passes by Kenny.

    When we walked into the hotel last night,
    What did we see?

    WUP’s there was quite a partying sight,
    The jubilant & ever-famous BigB…

    Down the demon deacons!

    Liked by 4 people

  72. Have the two TV setup all ready to go in the sports cave. Can’t remember ever having Pitt Football and Pitt Hoops games on television at the same time. Should be a fun day. Hail to Bernie, Rick and Jay for making the trip.

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  73. I’ve seen more Pitt fans than W_F fans.

    Looking forward to a charged up, energized Pitt contingent as the Panthers pound the ground to VICTORY.

    H2P!

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  77. Great poem, Rick. I can see you reciting it at the tailgate, with Jay playing bongos accompanying you! Enjoy the festivities gang!

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  78. Wish I could be with the POV Posse at Wake. Celebrating my 44th wedding anniversary tonight at the William Penn. Hoping I’m celebrating a championship as well.

    Let’s Go Pitt!!!!

    Liked by 3 people

  80. Hope Bernie sees the PITT team bus pulling up to the stadium this morning, he will fire those young men up big-time!

    11th game of the season that means so much??? Who would have thought that a few months ago? This PITT team has some guts.

    Hey Eric (misswlat) I will have two 55″ TVs on as well but they both will have the football game on them. One will be recording the hoops game for later. My full or foolish attention will be 100% directed on the football game. ike

    Liked by 1 person

  82. Two lines from the Alma Mater are calling to Pitt fans today:

    “Over fate and foe victorious” (and we all know what three letters the “fate” is referring to…).

    And “Thou shalt conquer as of yore…”
    (so we’ve been there, done this, but not for a long while…).

    Here’s to “Dear old Pittsburgh!”

    Hail to Pitt!

    Liked by 1 person

  87. Oven at PSN a nice photo of the Pitt team coming off the bus led by Narduzzi. Also listen to the 12 second video attached on that web link to fire all you POVers up for this game.

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  89. I am so pumped up for this game. It’s been a long time since Pitt has had a chance do really shine and get some national props for really winning something. Not as an upset, not a situation where an underdog upsets a big favorite. But moreso as a favorite on a winning streak with momentum in their favor. Even though SOP haunts me like it does every Pitt fan, I expect a win today for the Panthers. I really expect Pitt to win the next two games though I worry that if we win today Coach Narduzzi will play a more conservative game plan against Miami and we lose a game we should have won. But I digress, it’s all about today and the opportunity for Pitt to be 1-0 this week. I can’t sit still!!! LET’S GO PITT!!

    H2P

    42_31

    Liked by 2 people

  91. Offense will not dominate but will be good enough.
    Defense, especially slot coverage is key.
    Pitt wins 35 – 28

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  92. My paranoia keeps creeping in. I envision lots of big plays called back due to holding. Lots of talk after last weeks game on VT side.

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  93. Hey Joe, that would make a good title for a song ….. anyways, there comes a time for everyone to have their day. PITT’s day and time has come today.

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  95. Thanks for all the good thoughts.

    This is the most meaningful Pitt game since Cinci.
    Our first opportunity for any kind of trophy in a long time.

    Will we witness the end of SOP today?

    Funny that the first ever game vs Wake would be this big.

    Maestro, we need a game thread.

    Liked by 1 person

  96. Hey guys Game Thread is up. Sorry for the delay. Protocol will be at least 30 mins prior to kick going forward.

    Like

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