Pitt’s bowl game is a little more than a week away and the PR train has started rolling.

First and foremost, if you haven’t read Brian Batko’s excellent piece about the 2008 Sun Bowl, aka the “Worst bowl game in History”, stop what you are doing right now and give a read.  It’s literally all anyone is talking about.  Also, Paul Zeise was there.  He weighs in as well.  The halftime show at the game did set the record for the largest YMCA dance ever, so there is that.

Sun Bowl EmailSecond, if you can’t make it to the Sun Bowl but you do want to support Pitt, you have the opportunity to buy a ticket that will be donated to an Armed Services member in the El Paso area.  That service member will get a Pitt T-Shirt and sit in the Pitt Section at the Sun Bowl.  If we play well they might even cheer for us!   In all seriousness though, given the POV’s deep-rooted interest in supporting service members, I think this is all something we can get behind.  I bought two, and it felt great.  Here is the donation link.  If you’ve never bought tickets through the Pitt Box office (But you have…right?)  you’ll have to set up an account which is quick and easy.  The link again is:  https://t.co/6aSYmaax6YHere is a Stanford fan’s take on the game.  Along with a nice piece of history.  Did you know Pop Warner and Jock Sutherland coached against each other the last time Pitt played Stanford.  Well they did.

Editor’s Note:  I removed Stanford Sun Bowl preview link due to possible malware activity.  Thanks to OhHowIHateOhioState for the heads up.  The factoid is still relevant though. 

Also noteworthy, Stanford’s top Running Back is sitting out of the game to prepare for the NFL draft.  Our “Thunder and Thunder” RB duo of Quadree Ollison and Darrin Hall never even considered such a move.

Lastly, if you are going to the game, the Pitt Alumni Association is hosting a pre-game event.  For just $15 you get lunch and two free drinks.  I attended the ACC championship pregame event (which cost $25) and it was well worth it.  You’ll likely need to pre-register, and you can click this link to do so.

Well that’s it until after Christmas.  Hold your predictions folks there will be a “fun” predictions thread published after Christmas.  Enjoy the Holiday everyone and Hail to Pitt.

Michaelangelo

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.

152 thoughts on “Sun Bowl Link Clearance and Other Cool Stuff”

  1. I also donated a couple tickets. We need to get the service men/women the proper lyrics to the Pitt Victory Song!
    When I clicked on the link to the “Stanford fans take on the game”, Malwarebytes gave me a warning, “Website blocked due to possible suspicious activity. We strongly recommend you do not visit this site.”

    Like

    1. Thanks OHIHOS I will take down the stanford link. Probably need to check my computer…

      Like

  3. Thanks, MM. I’m not going to El Paso so I likewise donated a couple of tickets a few days ago. That is a good idea on the part of the Athletic Office and I hope that the ticket recipients do go to the game and sit in the Pitt section. High temp on game day looks to be 50, so they probably won’t be sitting in their Pitt tee shirts without at least a jacket. I am curious as to whether the ticket donation will be tax deductible. I know the Scholarship Seating Membership Fee (there’s a euphemism if I ever heard one) is not because it is mandatory to purchase tickets. But the military ticket purchase is purely voluntary. Clearly not a big deal but maybe a little incentive.

    Speaking of incentives and bowl games, I’ve long thought that Pitt should award a couple of Priority Points to any Panther Club member who purchases bowl game tickets through the Pitt ticket office. Heaven knows we need as many fans going to the bowl games as we can get and Priority Points cost the University nothing. They award a point for every $50 non-mandatory donation. Seems to me that putting fans in the seats at bowl games is as important to the program as a $50 donation. And it’s also important to encourage Pitt fans to buy from the University’s ticket allotment rather than the secondary market. I submitted this idea in Athletic Office surveys but, to my knowledge, nothing ever came of it. I’d be interested in knowing whether any of you agree.

    Liked by 5 people

    1. I agree that there should be an incentive for Panther fans to purchase through the Pitt ticket office for all events. Loyalty systems and points go a long way in this world that is basically oversupplied with everything.

      Like

  5. I kicked in for two tickets for the serviceman at El Paso

    As far as people feeding info down on the south-side, imo, it depends on who’s doing the feeding. Seems like this PITT football team was very tight and got along well with each other. Whoever fed the info they didn’t get along held a prejudice against Narduzzi and it was false information. ……. and that’s my problem.. Not talking about you Reed but if you receive info from someone who doesn’t like Narduzzi and I can see how he could piss many people off, you’re going to get slanted opinions.

    BTW, I think Peak and Jerry D like Narduzzi and have fostered a good re-pore with each other. Not everyone hates the guy.

    Like

  6. Just a few random thoughts from Pittman4ever Jim:
    1. My understanding is there is still a beautiful Mexican girl “down in El Paso” named Maria (note: if you are under 60 this may mean nothing to you, google “Marty Robbins”)
    2. Whatever approach the Duzz took for the first 2 bowl games it is imperative for this game he do the EXACT OPPOSITE! We looked totally unprepared for both embarrassing losses.
    3. It is imperative that we win this Sum Bowl game – for Maria’s sake and all us POVers! To lose 3 in a row to end the season will look like when Darth Vader threw the evil Emperor over the rail and he spirals downward into the vast darkness of nothingness. WIN THIS GAME DUZZ!!!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Pittman4ever — that’s a great song reference. I think the girl was “Feleena” — but I was about 10 when the song came out so I could be wrong. Still a favorite song for me…

      “Out in the West Texas town of El Paso, I fell in love with a Mexican girl…”

      Go Pitt!

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Kentucky and North Carolina about to tip off on CBS. Hope the Tarheels don’t overlook the Wildcats with the big ACC opener against Pitt just around the corner. This would be a nice interconference win for the ACC.

    Like

  8. There’s also the Kinky Freidman gem in response to Merle’s “I’m Just an Okie from Muskogee” entitled “I’m Just an A$$hole from El Paso”

    Like

  9. Pitt and Sun don’t go together. That could be part of the problem.

    I said this on the other comment, but bowl games are becoming a little more difficult to interpret. For instance, in the Houston game, they have a 1st round top 10 pick that decided not to play and I think they have one on offense that did the same thing. For non-football factories that can’t easily replace a 4 star with another 4 star, the games take a different slant and mean something different. To me, it doesn’t mean Army is better against Houston this year, they are just better against the guys that are substituting in for Houston…..so far.

    It would be great if someone nationally did research and published it on top picks that sit out, like Bosa. Makes it more difficult for fans to buy into the game. just sayin.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Awesome Ike. Thanks! That is such a great song. I use to sit with my grandfather on the top of Josephine Street( on the Sas Side) and listen to that song for hours at the house my mom grew up in.
    …….and yes Major Majors, my memory had “Maria” but her name was “Felina”!

    Like

  12. Guys: I posted a late post to the previous thread. It’s worth reading. It has a 12 Days of Christmas theme, specific to the POV. Head over there and check it out. Specific references to Reed, MM, Lastrow, Big B, Richman, UPitt and Erie Express. Also to Heather and Carrick Third Graders. Enjoy.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Reposting so people don’t have to leave the thread. Nice post WLAT:

      Twelve four or five star football recruits (Ok, I know this is delusional)
      Eleven Mulligans for Erie Express
      Ten (not Nine) National Championships in Football
      Nine Packages of Grecian Formula for Richman’s moustache
      Eight TJ Maxx gift cards for Heather to buy some new blouses
      Seven plane tickets for UPitt, so he can attend ALL POV tailgates in 2019
      Six ACC basketball wins, enough to get us in the NIT
      Five Carrick Third Graders to paint a new LARGE Pitt script logo at midfield
      Four Touchdowns in the Sun Bowl, enough to beat Stanford 31-24
      Three Red 5a Parking Passes for Lastrow, to allow for expansion of the POV tailgates
      Two Fishing Rods for Big B (so he’ll have one for me when I come visit)
      One Bottle of Dom Perignon, which I will open so that I can toast to Reed, the founder of this tremendous blog, and MM our new host. Cheers fellas!!!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. WLAT. Great 12 days! Thanks! In honor of Upitt Mark, (he said it was the Carrick 5th graders art class, not 3rd grade).
        See, who says UPitt wasn’t gracious. :>)

        Like

  15. In staying with the theme Follow-up on wwb’s Ahole from El Paso…we all have a little bit of “ it” in us…’crept our lady Annie!!!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thought I also saw where Urban is going to help teach a course. Maybe something related to leadership…

      Bet there are a lot of FB players in that class for the easy A….

      Go Pitt.

      Like

  17. Here’s a passing thought I had this evening. For all the people that are complaining about PITT’s and Narduzzi recruiting………….. Without looking it up. How many freshman that were red-shirt this year can you name right now? How many already red-shirt freshman played this past year?

    Like

    1. My guess, all freshman redshirted except Carter and the WR with the French name. Can’t name them and I recently looked at the roster. LOL.
      RSFR that played…Bright, Danielson, Pinnock, Carrigan. Total guess.

      Like

  18. I think we have a real shot at beating Stanford. What little information I can pick up (mostly from here) appears to indicate that our guys are taking it seriously and Stanford’s maybe not so much, at least the guys with a shot at going pro.
    Merry Christmas to everyone who celebrates it and Happy New Year and Happy Holidays to everyone. H2P, Soccer Gramps

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Here’s a short list of players that you may or may not remember who we really don’t know much about that could be a big help come next season. My point is, we really don’t know if Narduzzi is recruiting all that good or bad.

    Jason Edwards
    Mychale Salahuddin
    Cam O’Neil
    Kaymar Mimes
    Jake Kradel
    Wendell Davis
    Paris Ford
    Marquis Williams

    Like

  22. Winning the Coastal got Pitt a real bowl game this year, let’s hope they take advantage of it and beat a West Coast team. While the Military and Pin Stripe bowls were nice except for the outcomes. Bowl games you can drive to just aren’t the real thing.

    Looking forward, the addition of Belville gives Pitt the deepest QB group in recent, maybe distant memory.
    Should be a real competition at the position and depth for the future.

    Regarding recruiting, I still don’t think Narduzzi has recruited the truly elite players, he has stockpile a lot of solid players and good depth at most positions. In the latest class Belville and Carter have star potential.
    Too bad we lost Mack, not as concerned about the lost Tight End except for how we may have lost him. Devonshire and a couple transfers and JUCOs could help.

    Still have major concerns for the O-line next year, but feel pretty good for the rest of the team and that is with losing a ton of seniors.

    I think a Bowl win helps sign a few more good players and makes for a much brighter off-season.

    Pitt’s overall Bowl record is abysmal for the last 30 years so Narduzzi is really fighting SOP and needs to get off the schneid.

    Like

  23. Thanks wwb – every time I hear the name Kinky Friedman & the Texas Jewboys, it brings back memories of the summer of 1973 that I spent in East Texas. My uncle had just bought a recently built “separate but equal” black elementary school. My job was to help in gutting the building to make it ready for a manufacturing facility.

    One day during a break, I picked up a Texas history book from the 50’s. (Separate but equal -my a**). Turned to the chapter on the Alamo & the line I remember was the countdown by race of the heroes. The last breakdown was – ” and one Jew boy”.

    That summer solidified my love for living in the country. The next year I moved to East Texas & started on a life after college that eventually lead to semi rural South Carolina.

    Like

  24. Winning the Coastal division broke one SOP jinx. It would be great if the Panthers could win the Bowl game and break a second. Hopefully the fact that everyone who can play is playing, and we don’t have to make any last minute coaching substitutions will help as well.

    Liked by 2 people

  25. If your freshman and Sophomores are not taking meaningful snaps from your juniors and Seniors, than hypothetically, the team is not getting better. It is remaining stagnant, assuming the coaches are playing the best talent.

    That said, i don’t think Narduzzi plays the best talent. My first example is playing Briggs over Ford. All reports suggest that Ford is more talented, yet Narduzzi played Briggs.

    Along the OL, we don’t seem to have any FR, Sophs or redshirt freshman or sophs, beating outthe Seniors. Why? Bad recruiting, bad development, or….rewarding those that stayed. Narduzzi rewards those who stayed instead of those that can play better in my opinion. Going forward, we have no experienced OL except a walkon center going onto next year. Who did he beat out for that playing time? Anyway, more examples for sure.

    Recruit talent and play them.

    Liked by 4 people

    2. Ford is definitely a head-scratcher case. I suspect it has to do with how easy it is for a mis-read by a safety in Coach Duzz’s defense to result in a long TD by our opponent… Hopefully Mr. Ford will be a fixture back their next season.

      And to me, it doesn’t mean that a sophomore is a failure if he doesn’t beat out a 4 or 5th year guy. We are not able to recruit the physical freaks that other schools do – or that we used to do – and with our 3-star recruiting classes, players emerging in their junior and senior years is to be expected, IMHO.

      I’m all for recruiting the quick-twitch freakish athletes, but, unfortunately, I don’t see why they’d come to Pitt with what we have to offer versus the FB factories.

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Next year is Ford’s year; it has to be. He’s way too talented to be on the bench. If he doesn’t grasp the nuances of the defense next season his time will have run out. However, I think he’s going to be a big and important of the D next year.

        Like

  26. Narduzzi definitely favors experience, but I am sure he plays the guys he feels give him the best chance of winning. I’d say the senior O-line and running backs came through this year. If a guy deserves to play, like Carter, he plays them. Unfortunately, he isn’t recruiting the kind of guys that win jobs as freshmen so far. It is disappointing that Ford didn’t get on the field, but my guess is that it was more on him than Narduzzi.
    Case in point Jacques Louis was given opportunity ahead of upper classmen.

    What I would really like to know is what is the deal with not getting plays in to the huddle in a timely fashion?
    This problem must be corrected and would go a long way to improving the offense. KP has enough problems with poor protection to have the added stress with the clock running out on him.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. All on OC Watson. He is the O leader. Should have been fixed the first game the issue popped up. Early in the season during the bad blowout losses, the delay of game penalties were occurring. In game #’s 12 and 13 they may occur once per game, unless the OC does not know what he is doing…

      One man’s opinion.

      Like

    2. What puzzles me about Narduzzi is how he tends burns redshirts for a few plays. He favors experience but then takes away a whole year of development from talented frosh for almost no appreciable roi. This has been an issue of his since season 1. One reason why he will never be a top flight coach imho.

      Narduzzi has just about reached his ceiling as a head coach… why a bowl win is critical this year.

      H2P

      Like

  27. I agree EE and I would like to see Narduzzi cut his losses with Watson sooner than later. Pickett has two year left with Patti and Beville waiting in the wings. Do I think that will happen? Noop. I think the best we can hope for is a designated QB coach with an established offensive background in passing the football downfield.

    and I meant to misspell nope.

    Liked by 1 person

  28. Random thoughts,,,Watching the leaders of the AAC (Houston and Memphis) lose yesterday (actually Houston’s loss was a true beat down). It dawned on me that if Pitt had not joined the ACC, they probably would be part of the AAC, look what has happened to UCONN! Memphis beat UCLA, split a series with UCF, and lost to the 3-5 Wake Forest team that Pitt dominated. The Army defense shutdown the high powered Houston offense, Pitt coaching staff should look at the scheme Army used. Houston’s defense was no match for the Army rushing attack!

    We entered this season with a pretty negative view of Pitt’s chances to have a winning season, yet finished 7-5 against a schedule that had 10 teams that were ranked in the top 25 one or more times. I myself (as markp) predicted 7-5, but changed to 4-8 after the start of the season. Even though we had bookends lousy start/lousy end, you have to admit they played better than most of us thought.

    Looking forward to seeing how the O-line performs against Stanford, as I don’t anyone realized how valuable Morrissey is! Also looking forward to seeing how Ollison performs, as he hasn’t looked himself since the flip against VT!

    Liked by 2 people

  29. I’m not one to say an eighteen or nineteen year old young man should definitely beat out a 5th year senior who is twenty 22 or 23 years old. In fact, I think just the opposite. Why?? Because of who and which type of player PITT is relegated to recruiting. They just ain’t Alabamie!

    Liked by 1 person

      1. LOL Richard……. When I first moved 10 miles down rt 30 to Latrobe from Greensburg and when my friends would visit, they called it little West Virginia. Redneck heaven for sure at the time and a good place to raise your kids. Not so much anymore. 😦

        Like

  31. Ike – I was not writing that ALL 18 year olds should beat out a 22 year old. But we should see a couple freshman a year at a minimum getting meaningful snaps or else we are not recruiting better. And if you are not seeing the field as a rs soph (3rd year in program), the chances diminish significantly to make an impact in your Pitt career. As a recruit, Pitt has sold early playing time, yet we don’t do that across the board. At some point the message will be viewed as misleading in the recruiting process.

    Or, Salem can always just go out and tell potential recruits that he just doesn’t see them being used at all in the pitt offense or defense for the next five years. Oh gee coach, where do i sign up for that?

    Like

    1. I don’t disagree Huff, (getting tired of typing the third) jus saying that different positions require a little more ageing than others. Without researching these players all used their freshman year status up first year……… Shockey, Carter, Pickett, Hamlin, Weaver, Davis, Watts and I believe others?? With all respect naturally, I really don’t see the point…. PITT recruits 3* players that aren’t exactly ready to play P-5 football. They ain’t Alambamie…

      Liked by 1 person

    1. This could be the reason for the delay of game penalties too – hard to chose which of the four plays to select…

      Like

  33. Pitt will probably pick up a 5th QB for another arm to use in the Spring and Fall camp. So far, though, it doesn’t appear Pitt has picked up a single new recruit based on the Coastal title.

    Like

  35. I know this is a football thread but I thought I’d post a basketball comment anyway. The NCAA is no longer using RPI as a criterion for selection to the NCAA tournament. This year it is using the NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET). Its formula includes game results, strength of schedule, factors in home or away, margin of victory (up to 10 points), and offensive and defensive efficiency. The NCAA updates the NET rankings daily.

    As of today, of the 353 D1 teams, Penn State is ranked 72nd, Pitt is 90th, and West Why God? Virginia is 123rd. So none of the three would make the tournament but I found it interesting that Pitt is closer to tourney selection than WVU, although WVU beat us at their place.

    Here is the NET ranking today: https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/basketball-men/d1/ncaa-mens-basketball-net-rankings

    In this discussion of the NET, Mark Few, who was on the development committee, is quoted as saying it will keep teams from gaming the system like they did with the RPI.
    https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2018-08-22/net-rankings-what-know-about-college-basketballs-new-tool
    I seem to remember Jamie being criticized for scheduling in a way to improve Pitt’s chances of making the tourney. No idea how that was and it could be that my memory is wrong.

    Liked by 1 person

  36. Jamie scheduled to go 12-0 or 11-1 in the out of conference and then .500 10-10 in bigeast, which led to 21-22 victories each year which was hard to overlook for a major conference squad. 18 wins is usually the low point for NCAA consideration.

    Ike, we actually agree. If our new recruits don’t unseat our experienced players, we should expect more 7-5 seasons and 8-4 if scheduling gets a little easier.

    However, I did note that future same year foes Tenn, ND and WVU out-recruited Narduzzi in average stars. Call me crazy!!!

    I am keeping III until Capel III gets us to the elite 8

    Like

    1. ND gets 90k per game, WVU sells out its games, and Tennessee got > 100k vs Florida, and its lowest attendance was 86k vs Charlotte. They always out recruit Pitt

      Like

    2. LOL Huff, you can keep the III it’s me that’s too lazy to keep typing Huff the Third.. 🙂 Merry Christmas

      Like

    3. Problem is Narduzzi has a track record of burning redshirts late in the season – then for only a few plays. The kids lose a whole season to develop, but don’t get the in game reps to make it worthwhile.

      One of Narduzzi’s biggest flaws as a HC imo.

      Like

  37. Aaron Donald, with 18.5 sacks, sets a new NFL record for most sacks by a defensive tackle in a single season.

    And guess what … Larry Fitz threw a TD pass today. Likely his last home game

    Liked by 1 person

  40. And oh, by the way… Steelers about to miss the Playoffs after losing to the Saints.

    Fans get used to it. Once Roethlisberger retires winning eight Games is going to become just as DIFFICULT for the Steelers as it is now for another Team that calls Heinz home.

    Like

  42. @xwwb – Not so with WVU High although Tenn and ND regularly recruit better according to rivals. Pitt most likely will not be favored in at least 3 OOC games in 2022 or 2023. And we just recently scheduled Tenn.

    Liked by 1 person

  44. FWIW, a 9th grade WR from Steel High (near Harrisburg) was offered by Va Tech before having ever playing a varsity game

    Like

    1. correction … he played on varsity this season, but was offered by Morgan St prior to the season. VT was his 2nd offer

      Like

  49. Wishing a Peaceful Christmas to all here on the POV.

    Maestro – great job in picking up the baton from Reed.

    Reed – kudos for developing one of the best sports blogs on the net – you rock.

    Peanut gallery – thanks for providing a great sense of family and welcome – the POV feels like that favorite warm robe you put on first thing on a cold winter’s morning. Comfy and warm.

    Seems apropos to being a Pitt Fan…if Pitt ever wants a new song to replace Sweet Caroline then I’d recommend this one.

    “Oh no, not I, I will survive
    Oh, as long as I know how to love, I know I’ll stay alive
    I’ve got all my life to live
    And I’ve got all my love to give and I’ll survive
    I will survive
    I will survive”

    H2P

    Liked by 1 person

  50. At this time when we should count our blessings, POVers only has to think where Pitt athletics were just a year ago compared to now. And the good part is that the many teams are only going to get better. And yes, that goes for FB too ….. it will likely not get to the level that many here may aspire to, but it will improve.

    Like

    1. Agree wwb, a lot better than the end of last year. A Coastal trophy and real bowl game and a basketball team with a future. Things are definitely trending better. However, history tells us with Pitt it is always a rocky ride and there will be plenty of big bumps along the way, but small victories should be appreciated along the road.

      Liked by 2 people

  51. Does someone have a favorite holiday drink to imbibe to bring good luck to Pitt in the coming year? I’m looking for a good send off to 2018 and toast to good fortune for Pitt athletics in 2019!

    Like

  52. Happy Holidays to ALL.—Dapper Dan 2018 winners: James Conner Sportsman of the year and Heather Lyke Sportswoman of the year. Pitt hit a Daily Double win here (with a former and a current member) in the winners circle.

    Liked by 2 people

  53. Great news about Conner and Heather being celebrated by Dapper Dan. One of my bucket list items to attend that dinner.

    Merry Christmas to all POVites. To all fellow Steeler fans, Ravens will give us aChristmas present with a loss to Cleveland Sunday.

    Like

    2. danh72, I believe the “fat lady” sang the Steeler swan song late yesterday right after JuJu fumbled the ball on the Saints 35 to end the game.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. At this point I’m rooting for Cincy so the Steelers learn a good lesson and so they get better draft choices next year. Looks like NE hit the lotto this weekend and will have home field again throughout the playoffs where they never lose.

        Like

      2. Guarantee a Ravens loss vs Cleveland and a Steeler Super Bowl run after a near death experience. Ok …I’ve had a few drinks post church. Going to the Ravens game and wearing my lucky Steelers shirt.

        Like

  54. PittofDreams, Dokish is all but calling for Tomlin’s firing now. He wasn’t back in early November. Same thing for PN …. in late Sept, he was talking about him being let go, then it was nothing but praise, but lately the tide has turned again. That’s what he is …. a fan that goes with the flow.

    As I have said, the only reason I follow him is for all the information he tweets and attaches about Pitt …. which is up-to-date and informative I sometimes agree or disagree with his opinion, but it is mostly not that important to me.

    Liked by 1 person

  57. Merry Christmas one and all I agree with Gordon that the POV feels like family to me. Have a blessed Holiday season.

    Like

  58. I started my writings on Tomlin last year and said he would be terminated after this season. It was going to be completed last year but the replacements were fewer than this year, but not by much.

    With the amount of talent and cash that is paid to the offensive star power, they should be able to win at least 8 games if he would get out of the way. He made some terrible calls. You don’t fake a punt and run up the middle behind your 210 pound long snapper when you need 5+ yards. You matriculate the ball through the air on those occasions. We ran behind our weakest player/blocker.

    Faking is not a bad call, How they faked was awful. He is considered a coaches player and the problem with that is it leads to a lack of discipline (penalties, individualism, whining, etc.). The Steelers needed a coach and not a player’s coach. They have wasted the Ben years.

    The new coach will be in place to go with our new qb.

    Like

  59. To my dear POV family,
    May you remember this Christmas – the reason for this wonderful season: ‘For God so loved the world, He gave (sent) His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him (Jesus) will not perish, but have eternal life’ (John 3:16)
    Have a Merry and Blessed Christmas this year!
    Pittman4ever Jim

    Liked by 7 people

  61. as the site’s devil’s advocate (even on this blessed day} ….. be careful of what you wish for!

    Merry Christmas

    Like

    1. Huff,
      Interestingly, in biblical terms the #7 is known as the perfect number or number of completion. Merry Christmas!

      Like

  63. Hate to say it but I can’t remember the last time a Steelers running back finished the season with a good game, or most of the time finished the season. I guess Conner was hurt more than we thought with him out for a crucial final game. Following the LeVeon Bell tradition of not finishing seasons.The major reason I wasn’t too disappointed to see him go although it would have been nice to have him yesterday.

    Mikey, I rooted for the Igs last year, great season. Had a Pitt roomate who was an Igs fan, we had a good time the year of the first Steelers SuperBowl.

    That video of AD and Fitz was great a future HOF and a probable one. When you see how small in stature AD is next to Fitz it makes him even more amazing. Wonder if Narduzzi would have passed on him because he was too short? Still think he should grab Hardy from Penn Hills, worth a shot.

    Liked by 1 person

  64. Anyone else eat too much last night? I have a food hangover this morning. Is that a thing? Anyway, got to get back on the Horse today.

    Merry Christmas!

    Like

  65. Count me in that group Gordon..
    Been going to Hoffstotts in Oakmont for Christmas Eve dinner the past 25 years or so. ..

    Like

    1. Nice, I remember that place from when it was just a bar that had good fish sandwiches.
      We eat there several times a year, never disappointed. What were your seven fishes?

      Like

  66. FWIW, we had 4 fishes (haven’t had 7 since I was young) … smelts, linguine with clams, cod and sea bass.

    Like

  68. Still know a few families that do the seven fishes. Not being Italian, I always found it too challenging to prepare seven. Now that my kids are adults, if they prepare some we could give it a try. We had baked salmon, linguini with clams, and several types of appetizers with shrimp. Haven’t had smelts in a long time, I remember when they were available at the bars in town for happy hour.

    Like

  70. Merry Christmas to all of you…(been away from the POV and the cell phone for 3 days now…)

    Speaking of seafood..just finished making a BigB sized batch o’ homemade She-crab soup (always wondered why She-crab and no He-crab) to carry with me tomorrow on my “Over the river and through the woods to Grandmothers, Ike’s and Fran’s house I go”

    Watched the ESPN Big !) channel yesterday featuring Northwestern’s greatest game…and guess who they were playing..you got it..only caught most of the 3rd and 4th quarter but saw Dinucci toss 2 ints, Ordorff drop a TD pass, QH lose a fumble (again) which NW turned into a go ahead TD, NP take a shot to the head to join JC and DJ on the bench and lotsa piss poor tackling….but I still watched…

    Liked by 1 person

  72. I’ve been busy making gingerbread house and baking cookies since Thanksgiving. Merry Christmas to all – and I wish all of you a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2019!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I had a work colleague who once sent our staff in Puerto Rico New Year’s greetings.
      Meant to type, “Feliz año nuevo”, but instead typed “Feliz nuevo ano”

      He received quite the reaction.

      Like

  73. Hope everyone had a great holiday!

    I donated some Sun Bowl tickets as well and hope the donees see a good game.
    Lets hope our kids have some fun and play a good game.

    Saw EJ’s tweet of the San Francisco Chronicle from 95 years ago with the headline stating the Pitt Panthers have arrived in San Francisco to play Stanford. Pretty cool.

    Like

  74. Thanks Joe and I hope Santa and Christmas was good to you and yours as well.

    This could very well be the last football weekend this year that I’ll watch in real earnest. This winter is starting to look real loooong!

    Like

  75. Pitt Football Team has arrived in El Paso this afternoon. Not much time left to get their practices in prior to the game next Monday. I wonder what Narduzzi will do for privacy when it comes to the Pitt practices. He probably made some arrangement to go indoors at a facility near El Paso.

    Liked by 1 person

  76. Before I read another post on this site on just how important these non-play-off bowls are, just note that after a little more than an hour’s delay, the First Responder’s Bowl has been canceled today. Oh my!!

    Like

    1. Well wbb, I guess there was a pretty good reason with the weather going forward a real problem in getting the game in.

      Like

  77. ^^ Having said that wwb, I’ll counter with if the Sun Bowl is played, which I’m sure it will be, it is really extra important that PITT comes away with a win. imo

    Like

    1. of course, I would love to see Pitt win … no doubt … but I honestly don’t think that most of these bowl games are more important than a regular season game. In fact, I think they are less important than a conference game or some of the OOC games.

      Like

      1. Agreed, only pointing out this particular bowl game (Sun Bowl) is more important to PITT than a lot of the lesser bowl games played this year.

        Like

  79. Jerry Carino@NJHoopsHaven
    College football’s bowl system, in brief:
    -A game gets canceled and not made up.
    -Some coaches leave their teams beforehand for other gigs.
    -Some top players sit out to avoid injury (can’t blame em)
    Is there a bigger waste of time in major American sports?

    Like

  80. Bigger waste of time?

    How about watching the Pirates and believing they ACTUALLY have any chance of winning another World Series?

    And the same for the Steelers and their chances of another Super Bowl SHORT of a Head Coaching change?

    Just two off the top of my head.

    Liked by 1 person

  83. These days we just hope to keep the dream alive for the Pirates until July when the Steelers camp starts. But clearly time is running out for the Steelers to win a SB before Ben and Company age out. Tomlin won a SB with Cowher’s players but can’t seem to get it done with his own players despite having s HoF WB.

    Like

  85. Watching Jamie run his same tired offense vs an outmanned Bucknell team. I can still call every screen and play. So can Bucknell who’s within 10.

    Like

  86. Jamie was never a creative genius, Dan. He milked Howland’s Methods for many years and they worked in the Big East with a muscular brand and average talent. It the ACC however, he was literally out of his league.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. VOR & danh72 – disagree with you both. Dixon’s style could’ve easily worked in the ACC & Bennett has already proven that at Virginia. The problem was that Dixon could not recruit and lost his key recruiters but was never able to replace them; it may be true that he also tried to recruit a different style of player, but if so that was a mistake because he doesn’t know how to coach that style. Imho, if Dixon had been able to continue to recruit his type of players, he would’ve continued his success in the ACC. I was never sure what prevented him from hiring good recruiters, whether it was budget or if there were other factors involve, but I bet there are some insiders that could shed some light on this. It does help if your HEAD coach can recruit though.

        Like

        1. The problem with Dixon and Bennett coaching philosophy is that when you get into a big game, they did not have someone they could rely on to carry the team (a star). Secondly, in order to win during the regular season, those type of teams had to give 100% effort to be successful. Unfortunately, when they get into the tournament, Pitt and Virginia didn’t have a “next level” to propel them to victory.

          Makes for great regular season records,but a big struggle when it got to the big dance!

          Great guards individually that step up in the tournament, lead to tournament victories.

          Like

  87. I finally got around to donating a couple of Sun Bowl tickets. Go Panthers!

    POVers — Please make a New Year’s resolution to count your blessings and not take them for granted.

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 4 people

  88. I suppose if a hoops guy from Asbury Park tweets that the college football bowl system is a waste of my time it MUST be true..
    Guess I’ll just watch the tape of last years NFL Pro Bowl instead.

    Like

  89. I certainly am going to watch the Sun and hope Pitt wins, but I’m just inferring some perspective is required. Some teams have more incentive on winning than others for various reasons. There are also many extenuating circumstances …. how many Pitt teams in this past decade have played with interim coaches, for example?

    Like

    1. How about yesterday? It looked like GT was just going through the motions, You think they might have been fired up since their HC was retiring, yet they looked very uninspired … from what I was able to see.

      Like

  91. The Sun Bowl should mean much more to Pitt than many previous bowls since losing means finishing with three straight losses, the first two being whitewashes. A loss also adds to the OOC futility and removes any momentum gained by the Coastal Title. A loss also continues Pitt’s abysmal performance record in bowl games over the last 30 years and continues Narduzzi’s bowl failure. No coaching changes to blame this year.

    So while most bowls are meaningless, for Pitt, a team that is trying to crawl back to national relevance it is pretty important. The most important thing being recruiting, and another bowl loss is another reason to add to the long list of why kids don’t choose Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

  92. 1618mt, remember that Dixon lost his recruiting touch several years before leaving. He could never recruit a big man after Adams left, and I think that Adams himself explained why in his book. Big men want to step out and shoot these days. The game was starting to pass him by. Dixon could recruit above average forwards, but could not get bigs or skilled point guards who could take the ball to the rim. We have seen this year how important that is. Howland started out the same way, but tried to make up for it with guards who could shoot the 3. We will see how well Dixon does over time at TCU with his own players.

    Like

    1. Jamie couldn’t recruit any ACC level guards either, which was even more problematic.
      Capel has already, coming in late to a recruiting season. Really hoping he can fill in some of the remaining personnel needs with top quality guys.

      Like

    2. Well, I agree, his recruiting had gone way down hill years before he left, and frankly he didn’t leave the program with much of anything, but I don’t think it was Dixon personally that went downhill, he was never a good recruiter even in the beginning of his tenure, he relied on his assistants and that was the problem, losing his good assistants. I think TCU recognized this and made sure he had the recruiting support he needed before they hired him, I doubt TCU would’ve hired him if he brought those same assistants with them.

      Like

  93. Can’t wait for a Sun Bowl article. I don’t have the time right now but some ideas it could include.

    Scale of 1-10, how important is this game to win?
    Do you think PITT will win the game?
    Will this PITT team look un-enthused in the pregame warmups by the media in the booth?
    Do you think the game will be canceled after ten minutes due to heavy cross-winds?
    Will the PITT passing offense look a lot better?
    If PITT wins, will you finally be happy with Narduzzi has done after 4 years?
    If PITT losses, will you be jumping up and down for joy or bummed out?

    Can’t wait for this bowl game, lots of questions I want answered.. . ike

    Like

  94. ike, in my opinion a win is tremendously important for recruiting reasons. It could help with 5th yr. transfers and JUCOs, which are desperately needed for next year. Pitt should pull out all stops to win this one for Naduzzi’s first bowl win and a serious boost in recruiting for those last few available scholarships.

    Like

  95. PSN has a good writeup today on the futility of the Pitt passing game this past season. And they don’t mince much about the frustration of the Pitt fan with Watson’s play calling. That said because Pitt and Pickett finished the season so badly again Clemson and Miami I do expect a renewed effort by the offense to involve the passing game in El Paso. Whether they are able to much much progress on that front remains to be seen.—So I guess what I’m trying to say is that I believe the Pitt players will try to get the bad taste(from the Miami and Clemson games) out of their mouth and be really be focused against Stanford next Monday.

    Liked by 1 person

  97. Major Majors (John) posted this comment. … “POVers — Please make a New Year’s resolution to count your blessings and not take them for granted”.
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    First off John, great advice and hope all is well with you and your family. Just like I wish for all the POVer’s and their family. Trouble comes and trouble goes but we can only control what we can control. In the meantime, we have to be thankful for what we do have.

    Want to mention Reed, the man who started this all. If it wasn’t for you Reed I wouldn’t know so many of these fine people that I’ve come to be friends with. True Friends! Thanks Reed and I wish you and your whole family a very Happy New Year!

    Speaking of blessings, It’s BigB’s birthday today!!!!!! Funny part is, he stopped by our house and he was the one bearing gifts. I have a handful of childhood friends I keep in touch with but the POV has opened up a whole other world for me and my wife. You just don’t meet people like that in the everyday world. Like Major Majors said.. Count your blessings and be thankful for what we have! ike

    Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.