Hail to the 11 a.m. kickoff.  Ohio now a 4 point dog (down from 5.5).  A convincing win today will do a lot to put things right in the world.  A close win would be just okay.  A loss will put the message board in shambles.

Lets go Pitt!

 

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.

448 thoughts on “Ohio at Pitt Open Game Thread”

  1. I wish my daughter was as dedicated to tailgating as Fran, Scotter, & company. Said leaving no later than 9. Its now after 10. I’ve bee6 ready since 8. Drinking in driveway. Game at noon but U got my Sirius to listen to PITT game if we ever get there.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. this site will meltdown with a Pitt loss
    lets hope for a victory
    again, if Kenny runs for at least 60 yards, Pitt wins 35-20
    if he doesnt, Ohio 27-23

    Like

    1. On the contrary. If Kenny runs … that means he’s under duress. I predict the opposite.

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      1. I’m assuming Whipple is as ‘smart’ as me and has designed roll-outs and runs

        But you’re right, if its under duress, Pitt is in trouble. I think the line will rebound today,

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  3. The game starts at 9 AM here and I will be at son soccer game. Play by play type commentary is greatly appreciated as i will be tuning in to the POV!!

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  5. No pressure and he steps into non existent pressure.

    … Make that 2nd and 3rd down. SMH.

    Neither on O-line.

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    1. “They’re really going to have it ugly it up with that defense to win six games this year”

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    1. TT – you nailed it. Seems like he is hard wired to panic. Can’t coach that out, that’s DNA.

      We will win this gane, but you are seeing what this team really is….

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  14. Well that should have been an INT. We will be lucky to get this three points

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  19. Hey Rocky if you are following…things have not improved very much.

    Got a field goal

    Drive summary by the 2’s

    2 dropped passes Nakia Griffin Stewart and Ffrench. it was a leaping attempt. Still hit his hands though. You want your all-ACC guy to catch this.

    2 pre snap penalties
    2 good short – med passes by pickett
    2 two needless times pickettt left the pocket
    2 decent runs by AJ davis. Then they went back to the pass.

    Liked by 1 person

  20. The guys catching the ball have to actually catch the ball too, but Pickett also needs some touch. Not every pass should be a fastball.

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  21. How often does a QB pass over the scrimmage line? Doing so shows lack of awareness under pressure. So far I am underwhelmed. Pitt defensive backfield seems to be the class of the field. But its early.

    Liked by 1 person

  22. Yea the offense is still pretty bad. They needed an FCS tune up as the opener badly. Development stunted by the UVA opener for sure

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  23. Defense keeping us in it. Really nice open field tackle by Pine on 3rd and 3 to stop that quick dump off to the back and prevent a 1st down

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  25. Baaahahaha Ffrench muffs the punt. (but fell on it). AANNNNND a holding penalty on Pit.

    NOT. READY. TO. PLAY.

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    3. RB has to pick that pass block up in the end zone. He never turned his head. Yes, run blocking not great tho.

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  29. Ohio is basically dominating us. If Rourke didn’t have strep throat we’d probably be down by a touchdown

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  36. Next week is going to be ugly. This Pitt team is so much worse than I thought it would be before the first snap of the season. Even the defense is inferior than I thought it would be.

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    1. Well the defense is actually pulling their weight. Ohio is going to complete some passes and get some runs. They are good. But damn the offense is such a disaster that it’s going to bleed through and affect the defense against a really talented team like PSUX. Yea next week will be ugly. Ugh.

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  39. Crowd of 20,000+ getting loud on third down! Caused a false start on 3rd and 14! (haha)

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  40. Pitts D will tire if the offense doesn’t sustain drives. Pitt needs to score more than 13 points to win this game. Doesn’t look like it so far.

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    1. Yep. I was willing to give the O Line a pass last week but not this week. .

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  44. AJ Davis is not good. All he had to do was cut it outside once he got to the 2nd level and he’d have had 20 yards. Was perfectly blocked

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  47. I predict major changes after a blowout to PSU. And if this team doesn’t get it together after the first four games, Narduzzi’s seat needs to get hot fast

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      1. Heck even Matt Canada wouldn’t take the job. (i’m joking. Have no idea if he was even offered)

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    1. Then we will win. He’s got strep throat. He was on an IV all night. I bet he feels like death warmed over.

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  59. So Deslin Alexandre now with two sacks in two games. I’m not going to say “Rashad Who?” but he’s filling in nicely.

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      1. Are you at the game? Your posts area good three plays ahead of the game feed on hulu lo

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  62. Reed after last week, I’m going to take this game one quarter at a time. I actually had a note after Pitt scored the second TD against the Hoos…”Whipple and Nariduzzi high fiving, use this as the featured image if we win”. Well we all know how that went.

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  68. Well…these guys are relaxing into the offense and it’s showing. OL is blocking better. Kenny is making good quick reads. People are catching balls. Blocks are being made down field. Running lanes are being opened. Lets keep it up Pitt!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. … thanks for keeping things in perspective Reed.

      Joking aside, Pitt needs to two two thing

      1. Not let up / get complacent in the 2nd half
      2. Keep relaxing out there and playing within themselves

      If they go into PSU with some confidence Im not so sure it will be as ugly as we think…but they that’s why they play the games

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  82. Actually looks like it was tipped by the LB first. Just a good defensive play all around when it mattered

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    1. All I can say is that the o line on these last three drives has been much better than the previous 5 quarters

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    1. yea that was a bs play call. We lost yards, put the ball on the hash and kessman shanks it.

      Kessman now 0-2 on the season. Holder?

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  93. Say what you want about our defense. Randy Bates has taught them how to defend the option

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  94. Zero defensive linemen with their hands up on the 3rd down conversion by Rourke

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  97. Matthis is just the real deal. Has showed up big all day, and for most of the day against UVA. Young guy too

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  101. Hey we didn’t turn the ball over on the last possession and we got a first down on a ground. Our defense is dominating their offense for the most part. Our offense has shown they can move the ball.

    The second quarter is definitely our quarter. Lets see if we can make the third and fourth quarters our quarters as well…

    Liked by 2 people

  104. I think Whip has to be expecting Ohio to blitz. Lets see if he can counter it.

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  106. Now I know what Tx does for a living………… He’s an announcer for the ACCN games. Every good QB that PITT plays well against is either drunk, hungover or is dying from a sore throat. << I’m not buying all this sickness bs, PITT never does anything good it’s the other team playing like crap.

    Not saying this game is over either. Watch Rourke come back strong in the second half. PITT better be ready to score more points!

    The O-Line played crappy early on but Pickett was still too jumpy. He settled down and the O-Line looked better. Coincidence?

    Bates and Whipple look like they know what they are doing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ike
      Give the kid some credit. He probably feels like crap. It’s a credit to him for playing. Has nothing to do with not giving Pitt credit.

      If I knew the QB had broken ribs, I would target his ribs. If I knew the QB was sick, I wouldn’t feel sorry for him

      But as a fan I admire players who gut it out.

      Like

    1. I guess the Steelers getting a 3rd & 5th rounders for him wasn’t such a bad deal after all.

      Of course he’ll go to the Pats now and be a saint for the 8 years….

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  111. Talent trumps coaching. Most coaches say their primary job is managing. That’s why being head coach is so difficult. Because you are managing staff, players, media, boosters, administration. Very political.

    Scheme or system matters. That’s up to your coordinators following the head coaches vision or strategy. Tactics are important.

    Players then need to be more talented than the other team. But they need to be utilized correctly to maximize strengths and reach their potential. That’s where most failure happens.

    Holgy was an underperforming coach. He will do well in Houston with all that Texas talent in the area.

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  124. That’s it. Let’s hand Ohio momentum! Unreal. We haven’t moved their D line all day and all of a sudden we’re going to get 2 yds vs stacked D???

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  128. At the very least take the penalty and pin them in their endzone if you don’t get it. We have a 14 point lead for crying out loud

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  130. Kylan Johnson is just a beast. I don’t care what you say about grad transfers. I’ll take that guy any day

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    1. Mike:

      I spent the pregame last week with his girlfriend. She says he loves Pitt, and really likes the coaching staff. He had some injuries that bumped him down the depth chart at Florida. He’ll be terrific for us.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Also what a great recruiting advocate for those Florida guys we are chasing. He’s seen both sides of the fence

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  133. We are sooo bad a run blocking. These dudes just need to man up and put a hat on a hat. Zero agressivelness

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  135. Pickett seems confident but he’s still not that accurate. A better throw to Mack would have netted some YAC

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  143. Kessman makes it a three score game. Would have liked a TD, but I’ll take it

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  146. Yep, and Hamlin piss poor in coverage on the play right before that. In fairness it was a true freshman SirVocea Dennis (a linebacker) that got beat on that last play. I htink if a first or second teamer is in there we have a shot at defending it

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  149. Piss poor run defense on that Ohio TD. Next week is going to suck and we aren’t out of the woods this week either

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  154. I begin to question if Pitt covers the spread

    That 4th down go for it might have swung this game

    I guess coaching does matter. Bonehead coaching. Coaches with meatballs for brains.

    Liked by 1 person

  156. Need that run by Davis. He’s got some power when he gets rolling!

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  158. Not sold on Griffen stewart. Two drops and a false start in two games…

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  161. Pooch punt…after those two runs it was the best offensive play of the 3rd quarter

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  165. Very very sad to see our O line man-handled by a MAC team. Someone said it earlier – soft with no aggression

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    1. That was me…

      Yea next week going to be real ugly if they don’t develop some attitude

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    1. It’s fine with me as long as they are beating someone besides Pitt!

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      1. Pitt schedule makers are as dumb as a hoopie who flunked out of WVU’s moonshine making class, but they aren’t dumb enough to schedule a team that regularly beats Navy.

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  167. GREAT Play by Dane Jackson on that ball to put Ohio into 4th down baby!

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  168. Rourke looks miserable. This game would be a lot closer if he was 100%

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    1. Because we can’t punch it down their throat. For me it’s WHY WHY WHY can’t our best WR hold onto that ball? That’s two drops this season by Mack

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  176. I think the O-Line has played ok since the first quarter. imo. Not so much in the run game but a couple of nice draw plays. PITT cannot afford to get behind the sticks though. Too many penalties and negative plays to start series.

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  178. If you told me that Kenny would have over 300 yards, complete 70 percent of his passes and have a QB rating of 150, I would have thought Pitt would have scored at least 40 points.

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  179. Sacks? Runs longer than 10 yards. If only we were playing a p5 team…

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    1. our defense is good. Our offense is mediocre at best. Hold judgement until next week to declare suckiness. I have feeling you’ll get a chance

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  183. Pitt winning is helped by field position today. Is narduzzi going to use that obscure field position stat again at his presser. Or does he only pull it out in losses.

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  184. Not sure why they are running 170 lb vincent davis up inside. AJ running pretty well today. Where is Sibley?

    Liked by 1 person

  186. This Ohio defense is not good. And, so far, we can only muster 20 points… We’ve got problems if things don’t improve.

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    1. Lets put it this way… if we don’t score again, the Rhode Island Rams will have scored more than us

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  188. Soooo…Maurice French dropped 2 punts today. No turnovers but damn man

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  190. We would all like to see Pitt step on the gas and somehow just blow out someone. But with this bumbling team, we are always so grateful for a win.

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  192. KP is 25-36 for 313 yards and a 151.6 QB rating. Only 109 yards running.

    How many do you think we’ll get against the pedos next week?

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  194. I’ve seen two players make guys miss on this drive. Both for first downs. Gragg shook a guy and then V davis on that run

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  195. Pitt wins 20-10 at Heinz.

    The Rhode Island Rams scored 21 at Ohio.

    We essentially have an FCS offense at this point

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    1. Yea I guess I owe 6&34 a bottle of Jack.

      If Rourke is healthy i think we win by 3. Or maybe not at all…

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      1. There was nothing wrong with Rourke, Ohio called designed running plays for him in the second half. They went nowhere. PITT stopped Rourke not a common sore throat. Give the kid a Smith Brothers cough drop. Since when to coaches send college players out onto the field with serious health issues these days? and yes, I’m being serious. The game was meaningless to Ohio.

        PITT’s defense stepped up big time.

        Liked by 2 people

    1. 25-37, 70.3% completions, 321 yards, 152.1 QBR

      321 yards passing. That’s like Big Ben running for 100 yards.

      Sibley only got 3 yards running on 3 attempts against these shrimps.

      Liked by 1 person

  199. I saw some good things and some stupid things in this game. I think the offense is learning, too slow though. Defense, is pretty good but still letting runs through.

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      1. We didn’t barely beat that team. We totally dominated them. We had about 250 more yards than them; sure we should have put up more points, but the outcome was never in doubt.

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  204. A win is a win.

    Some good plays made by a few guys but overall very sloppy play and coaching.

    Too many third down throws behind the line of scrimmage.

    Best news is that KP was much better this week.

    Bad news is this team has a long way to go to even be average.

    Very lucky to play a sick QB.

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  207. The fact that we are only favored in three of the rest of our games and one is Delaware tells me two things.

    We have a pretty tough schedule

    We are not very good right now.

    Not a good combination

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    1. KP improving is a nice thing, but will he get happy feet when we play ACC teams and next 2 games again when he looks at a better pass rush?

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    2. Yes but that’s also an espn algorithm that is constantly being updated. Syracuse got spanked my Maryland today. They are not as good as espn’s computers (or anyone else for that matter) thinks they are

      At least we were somewhat respectable against UVA

      Liked by 1 person

  208. Big b ask why I don’t post. The reason is that I’m actually more positive then ike. Everyone here sees a win as a loss. Sorry, but we won. Covered the spred. We are learning a new offense. Defense is doing pretty well, even with our two best linemen down. I’m very optimistic for the rest of the season!

    Liked by 10 people

    1. Good thoughts Ville. If the offense can continue to improve and really make some strides by the time we get to the acc schedule we have a shot to be decent. But if they stagnate we are in for a long season. I think they will improve but the question is by how much?

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Matt, PITT started the season by playing two teams picked to win their division and conference. Held their own yet didn’t play great against UVA and beat down a determined team in Ohio. (cough cough my throat hurts) As always, it’s a wait and see game with PITT. The proverbial box of chocolates of college football.

      Liked by 2 people

    3. Agree.

      They looked good in the win.

           New offense has to take some adjustment period.  It's coming.  

               I like Coach Whip.    

                      Glass half full.

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  209. Some good news

    The O-line protected better. Too many procedure penalties, but those can and should be corrected.

    The D-line held it’s own even after the loss of two of it’s best.

    The lines will really be tested for the next two weeks.

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  210. Narduzzi is a pathetic head coach. We made enough mistakes today to lose 3 games. He made at least 3. I make the line next week Penn State -21.5

    But a win is a win. It will be 1 of 3 this year. H2P

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    1. Although they had to double him to stop him. Every time he was 1 on 1 he got pressure.

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  219. The reality of it for me is that I am big-time relieved. I thought this game would be as tough as it turned out to be and happy PITT stood up to the challenge. Did they blow my socks off? No but it was a very good effort and I’m encouraged by the defensive effort. Do I think they have a chance next week? Right now, I have no idea and most likely…………… hell no!

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  220. One thing that this game drives home for me is that the OOC for Pitt needs to help rather than hammer any potential development.
    Big if, but if we were 2-0 with a little momentum and had the chance to work out the abundant bugs don’t some of us think the whole team benefits in ways you can’t possibly predict.
    Until we are solidly established, that will kill us.
    Looking forward to next week with no expectations but a smidgeon of Hope

    Liked by 2 people

  222. I thought the linebackers played very well today. Kylan Johnson maybe the best transfer ever after Peterman.
    Pine, Bright, and others made big plays.

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    1. Reynolds, Campbell, Davis all made tackles.

      This is a very positive development. Helping out the depleted D-line, which is also playing pretty well.

      Liked by 1 person

  223. More than twice as many yards and winning by 10 without 2 key defensive linemen, new offense, new running backs, and new offensive line against a good mac team. I will take it. I sure wish the score would have been a lot more sexy though.

    Liked by 1 person

  224. Hey all you pitt/Syracuse fans that said they were so great after a 10 win season last year. Do you think maybe the reason they seemed so great was because of their pathetic nonconference schedule? Asking for a friend.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Don’t think anyone said they’d do well this year. They lost their fifth year hung over QB

      But they will beat Pitt in the Dome

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  226. While the offense had a ton of miss cues today. I think there’s a chance that they could be pretty decent by mid season. We really didn’t start running the ball great last year until the Syracuse game. It seemed like it took a while for the offensive line to gel last year. Hopefully it can gel again this year as the season progresses. And the good news is they are young and will all be back next year so maybe we won’t have these growing pains at the beginning of the season again.

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  227. The score should have been worse but too many self-inflicting plays that I’m going to say will not get cleaned up any time soon.

    Van Lynn to LT and Warren to RT. Ulizio is going to get Pickett killed.

    The lack of offensive playmakers is scary.

    The secondary needs to make more plays. Better passing teams will eat us alive.

    Shout out to the front seven on defense. Lots of activity by those guys, and lots of young guys, too.

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    1. 0 in two games. Though we should have had a pick 6. On the other hand they dropped at TD in q1 so it evened out

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    3. B, you counter not getting turnovers by not giving any up. That tipped passed that should have been picked off was pretty much a turnover in downs.

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  230. Mathews looked good early then wasn’t used, but overall good day by the receivers and tight ends.

    Ffrench better use the fair catch more judiciously in the next two games. Also saw him fail to make a first down while looking to make a big play. Needs to use his head as well as his physical skills.

    Lots of correctable mistakes by players and coaches today. Still need more work on run blocking although some improvement was evident.

    Liked by 1 person

  231. Turnovers will come, hard to intercept accurate passers. Came close to an INT and a fumble recovery today.
    Lucky we didn’t give more up on a couple passes and Ffrench’s adventures.

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  232. The game is “too big” for Narduzzi. No one would say this is a well coached team. And the huge mistake going for it 4th and 2 instead of taking the ball 3rd and 6 was one of about 5 in game coaching errors.

    It’s that “attention to detail “thing .
    Good coaches have it, others don’t.

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    1. ^^ Dan, not having a kickoff returner in Narduzzi’s first or second year takes the cake for me……….. of all time!

      Having said that, I was bitching like hell when PITT took the 5 yard penalty for delay of game but then punted pinning Ohio back deep. Sometimes you get the bear and sometimes the bear gets you!

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  234. It’s fun to win. And winning today was fun but learning really how bad the team is is most concerning. Can the get better? Well the defense is already OK – maybe even better than OK. Whipple is much better than SW and that’s a very good thing. The OL is about as good as I thought it would be (bad) before Borbely talked them up re-start of the season. But QB is so important and Pickett did not impress me today. But he was better than he was last week. All in all despite the win the team is worse than I thought in no small part because PN is worse as a game coach than I thought he was. Miscellaneous comments: I love watching the human gyroscope, Vince Davis. AJ did well as did Aaron Mathews. Damarri Mathis is a baller. I hope V’lique and Rashad are OK especially V’lique because of the nature of the injury.

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  235. Was at the game, as always, yeah some strides were made offensively, but miles to go. Run game was non existent other than a couple nice rips by AJ Davis. Why oh why does my birthday have to be next Saturday. Looks like my 43rd ain’t gonna be a happy one, you only get so many…

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  236. Injuries piling up…. Missing Weaver and Camp will hurt PITT next week. Wheeler and Carter missing will hurt as well. At the moment I’m just hoping PITT can keep it close. Yes……. I’m a big-time page turner.

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  237. My guess we score 13 (all in the first half) against PSU and the final score is 38 – 13. Could be worst if Franklin gets a chance to humiliate us again.

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  238. We aren’t a bad team… they will progress as the season goes on and hold their own in Coastal play where it matters. My biggest concern has been the total lack of getting top notch OLmen to commit…..we still produce a few of those in WPA but they have been leaving town….

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    1. Went well Bernie. Smaller group, you were missed. Beer, Bloody Marys, bagels, sausage, and donuts were the breakfast fare. I’m sure some pics will surface soon.

      Like

  242. If you add in Weaver and Camp this Pitt defense would be considered not just good but very very good. Looks like we are down to two RB’s AJ Davis and Vincent Davis if V’lique is injured. Sibley shows me very little and has probably lost out to Vince Davis as the number @ RB.—Anyone hear Narduzzi comment at half time something about coming out and blasting Ohio in the second half? So far we have scored a grand total of 3 points after halftime this year.

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    1. I heard on the radio before the game that Sibley was a game time decision, so he may have been hampered. Nonetheless, we need breakaway speed IMO

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  243. OT: Antonio Brown signs with Patriots after his release by the Raiders today. Don’t know if he’ll be in uniform by tomorrow just in time to burn the Steelers.

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  244. Just home from game. Now, I’m not exactly Mr. Optimistic, but I’m wondering what game they showed on the ACC network. Even I was calm. Pitt was in NO danger of ever losing this game. Sorry, they caused my blood pressure to not go up one iota!
    I guess the Ohio QB was sick? Well, their entire O was sick from my vantage point. They really did nothing. Our D was pretty solid, with obvious exceptions.
    The Duzz made one of the all time bonehead moves I’ve seen. That decision alone should cause him to lose one year on that extension. He could have asked for a measurement, gaining time to get a grip, simply stunning.
    If ?I nit pick on loses I should be consistent, what is going on at halftime!? They actually made a small adjustment with the backfield sets, but 3 second half points?
    Gee, I’m sounding like Ike, but some of you guys need to chill! They have a lot, and I mean a lot to clean up, and they will get smeared the next two weeks, but this was an easy one.

    Liked by 2 people

  245. Oh, And I thought we’d lose 34-24. Ha, ha ,ha what a maroon! 10 was about the least we should have won by. And the o line? Well, by the end of that game the OU d line wanted no part of them. That’s the truth from a big time critic.

    Liked by 3 people

  246. Biggie, Irish coffee at 6:30 followed by bloody Marys and Mimosas.
    Dr Tom brought shots of tequila and a good time was had by all.

    Liked by 1 person

  247. If they had beat Ohio by 30+ it would be a score that they should have been beaten them by…. and we still wouldn’t have learned much.

    Instead, Pitt beats Ohio by… 10. 10.

    That is more telling. I hate it that next week is going likely be as bad as last year. I hate it. I will stop hope that I am wrong, but Jesus this is discouraging.

    Like

  248. This game, like any other competitive game, had a lot of if on both sides. But two real positives are (1) Ohio’s TD came when a handful of back-ups were on the field, and (2) Pitt was able to runout the last nearly 6 minutes – somewhat reminiscent of last year.

    3rd and 5 vs 4th and a long 1 is pretty debatable IMO. Face it — if Pitt fails on 3rd and 5 and punts, knowing many here, some will be complaining that PN didn’t select 4th and 1.

    Last season vs UVa late in the 1st quarter, PN actually went for it on 4th and 1 on Pitt’s own 9 yard line. Pitt made the first down, so there was no 2nd guessing on this site. I could only imagine what would be posted here if Pitt failed

    Liked by 3 people

  249. Reason No. 1,431 why Pitt can never be a factor again. I just turned on Channel 11 News on at 6:20. After commercials, the Sports came on and predictably it was all about Antonio Brown and tomorrow’s night Steelers game .. not one freakin word about Pitt.

    Not a surprise — Channel 11 has something about the Steelers on its sportscast 24/7/365.

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  250. I don’t question the decision to go for it on that 4th down, what I hated was the play call. Handing it off to a RB 5 yards deep in the backfield on a short yardage play is not a recipe for success.

    Overall, I was very happy with how the defense played, but the offensive output was again highly disappointing, despite Pickett’s stats looking much better. The lack of a consistent rushing attack against a MAC team does not at all bode well for the remainder of this season.

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  251. I am not over the moon with pitts win today, but I just don’t understand all the doom and gloom. We knew the beginning of the season was going to be a struggle on offense. But the defense lost two crucial lineman and still played very well today. With waiver and camp this would be a really really good defense. And there is still time for the offense to be decent

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  252. The best story today is that Christofolu parents traveled 24 hrs on 3 different flights to see him play for the first time. Thankfully, they didn’t come to the PSU game last year

    Liked by 1 person

  253. Watts had one tackle. So much for stepping up. With Sibley out, Salahoudin would have seen a lot of action today. Too bad. Pickett still makes bad choices like when he overthrew a receiver at the back of the end zone. He had a clear path and could have run it in for a TD.

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    1. In still not convinced salahuddin is the same guy he was before the knee injury. Has he landed anywhere yet?

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  254. Not sure if it’s already been answered, but Ill bet Narduzzi blames a player for declining the penalty, bringing up 4th and 2. I can think of no logic making that the right call. On another note, any chance secret squirrel was still playing a conservative game plan, to save a bunch of surprises for Jimmy One Finger?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That;s what I was thinking. Franklin will have them fired up for next week. Maybe it will be the pedos who will start 1-2 and not us. Wouldn’t that be sweet…

      Like

  259. I hope our Mensa coaching staff is paying attention. Buffalo is dominating Penn State w a mix of passes and runs. Their O line owns the Peds defense.

    Like

  261. If Meetchicken can barely beat Army, how is 8M-a-year Harbaugh gonna beat the Nits?
    I worry about such things.

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  262. Buffalo QB has all day to throw. They are dominating the pedophiles!

    Pickett will have no such time next week.

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  265. I was planning to go to a local (Columbus) game watch next week, joint with Ped fans. Instead I’ll go to my 8 year old grand daughter’s soccer game. At least that will be a good game.

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  270. How did Buffalo, yes, Buffalo get better than us in football AND basketball?? I suppose there is hope for Pitt after all. But seriously, Buffalo?!? Look for Nitters to make halftime adjustments. If not, look for them to screw them.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. This is going to sound weird but I do not want penn state to lose to Buffalo. The last thing we need is for them to be extra motivated

      Liked by 1 person

  273. Buffalo does everything well that we don’t. Mike, it will not matter in the least. Next week will be a beat down, and I’ll be depressed until I go on vacation. I’m just so impressed with Buffalos’ skill as well as schemes. How the heck do they do it in both major sports? No real recruiting base, facilities, funds. Maybe, just maybe they know how to hire coaches. Maybe

    Liked by 1 person

    1. If the beat down occurs, I am so glad this series is over. Walt will have done better against PSU than Narduzzi. I hope I am wrong, but hard to see how we win. Pitt has not kept up with Penn State. Blame that on the ego-driven egg heads who have always reveled in taking a dump on Pitt football.

      Like

  276. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what is supposed to happen after halftime. Next time we do so will be the first.
    Unfortunately, next week you will see the difference between 2 and 3s and 4&5s.

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  280. That’s the difference between Narduzzi and franklin. 3 minutes, up 25 and ped st throws a bomb for a touchdown. Scumbag. No class.

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  281. If Franklin can score 100 next week he will, and the cult will love him. I really don’t think the Duzz knows how bad of a beating he’s gonna get. They are classless jerks, but a far superior football team. It will be very, very, bad. That’s not blowing smoke, we’ll see what talent and a jackass can do. Early score prediction 56-10.

    Liked by 2 people

  284. Franklin is a complete disgrace to the college game. He would run up the score if his own mother was on the other sideline. That said, Narduzzi will be hard pressed to avoid a beating next Saturday

    Like

  285. and the high- Heels handled Miami… no easy games this year for PITT and we seem to have come down with a bad case of the “ injury bug.”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. you may remember that Pitt did the same last year. They scored nothing in the 2md half vs Albany, PSU. and only a FG in the 3rd quarter vs GT. Against UNC, they scored 28 in the 1st half but scored their first 2nd half TD in the 4th. The won the 4th qtr and OT vs Cuse but the only score vs ND in the 2nd half was a kickoff return by Ffrench at beginning of the 3rd.

      Like

  287. Greetings from central Spain via high speed rail!

    Just watched the condensed version of the game and the from Narduzzi and Pickett. Listening to Chris Peak now. Mobile technology is amazing.

    Some comments:

    I will channel my inner-Reed and remind you that I correctly predicted a Pitt win by at least 10.

    Kudos to Tx/Tex for correct prediction that the first play would be a false start. Haha

    Kenny made better throws yesterday, but his WRs did a better job of catching the ball. Great distribution to multiple receivers and how about the # of throws to the TEs. Saw Griffin-Stewart drop one he should have had, but he and Gragg had decent games. And BTW, Kenny just flipped a few of you naysayers off. Spare me the “but it’s Ohio” nonsense please. As Reed pointed out, it’s a good team and even Narduzzi predicted they will win the MAC.

    But it’s only game 2 and tougher challenges are ahead. Hopefully the team will continue to improve.

    Let’s hope the OL improves on pass protection- clearly the weak link on the O, imho.

    Happy with the scheme – draws and screens….finally!

    Ffrenchy made me nervous on those punts…lose those and the game might look a little different.

    On the other hand, there were a couple things on the Ohio side that could have made the winning margin even larger. Almost a safety and a pick six.

    Defense looked really good against a good Ohio offense. Some really great plays.

    Narduzzi not happy with the pre-snap penalties and some other things. Thought he had yet another good press conference. Kenny’s post-game was all business. He is a poised young man with the right priorities. His postgame plan was to relax with family and friends and watch the game on tape. Good for him.

    Every time the ESPN said the Ohio punter’s name – Farkus, I kept thinking about Jack Bogut, Jon Cigna and farkleberry tarts. Oldsters will get that.

    Aside from the OL, the only frustrating thing is that we could have beaten the wahoos last week and what we saw over two games shows that. If the offense can continue to improve, this could be a fun season.

    I’m making a deal with El Diablo…we beat both UNC and Miami in return for a loss to Ped State. Fair trade in my mind.

    Vaya con dios, folks!

    Liked by 7 people

  288. Have a great time JoeL.. safe travels….

    Caroline turned their starting QB from the past 2 years into a LB… he leads the team in tackles.. obviously his offensive insights translated to the D….

    Hopefully no one was banged up on the D and all are ready to go next week…. Fast D that I can remember at PITT…

    Agree with JoeL, PITT could have put up 30-33 yesterday… blown pick 6, almost safety and missed FG. O has some nice moments yesterday passing and running the ball…how the OLine performs will determine how well we do as the season progresses….

    Liked by 1 person

  290. James Franklin is all about recruiting. High scores / show no mercy / act like the cool guy bumping bodies with his players as they come off the field / helicopter rides to HS games …. you name it.

    He knows where his bread is buttered. However, none of this is helpful when he actually has to coach in a tight game. Except for games vs Wisconsin in 2016 and Iowa n 2017, PSU has lost every close its has played …. even with the likes of McSorely, Barkley and Godwin.

    Liked by 1 person

  291. OT – For people who don’t have the ACCN and are interested, the women’s volleyball match against undefeated Oregon will be shown on ESPNU on Wednesday.

    H2P!

    Liked by 1 person

  292. Of all seasons, Pitt really needed its first four games to be patsies in order to iron out the offense. This schedule makes the progression more difficult.

    The Pedos will be ready for Pitt but I did notice some weaknesses. I view them as beatable. I’ve already sold my soul for a Pitt win. It was a tough bargain with Paterno. I have to bring him clean underwear.

    Liked by 5 people

  293. Just got home from the tailgate…kidding.
    Had a blast as usual and feel good today…like Big B channeling Joel Mccrea singing ” O what a beautiful morning ”
    Highlight for me was Annie and Mark / PittPT joining me in our seats for the game.
    Cant add much to the many posts above but was impressed with Kennys numbers.

    Will NOT watch the psuX game with anyone but Pitt fans…but will find their candy a$$es post game to celebrate our win…glass TOTALLY full. Haha.
    Already looking forward to seeing the POVert crew in 2 weeks for UCF.
    H2P.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Pretty sad if me sitting with you was a highlight…. but I was happy you let me sit with you and Scooter. It’s much more fun than sitting alone!

      Liked by 1 person

  294. Some random thoughts:

    —Every time we force a punt it’s going to be an adventure this season with Ffrenchy back there. I think he giveth and he taketh away when all is said and done… But he certainly has no fear.

    —We played a ton of players yesterday…. That should be a good thing, I guess. And it was warm out there…

    —Went to the pre- and post-game tailgates. Thanks to Fran and Wolfe and Scooter and everyone who makes this the place to be. Plus we had appearances by Doug and Dr. Tom!!!

    —After the post-game tailgate, I was walking into town with my son and I had noticed a tall, athletic looking young man walking near us with some friends. I suspected who he was because I had said hello to him at the spring game. It was QB Beville. I wished him well again.

    —Don’t know what to think about the offense. We are seeing extremes of good and bad and not enough “solid,” IMHO…

    —A Pitt DB made a play on a ball! Are you allowed to do that?

    —But the defense played pretty well. Lots of youth across the DL now – so maybe they get even better. Plus it was warm yesterday so they need to sub a lot…

    —Too many drops. Too many off-target throws. Too many running plays with nowhere to go.

    —Our punter seems to lack any urgency to get the ball off….

    —Looked like Kessman hit that FG a little fat. If it’s like my golf swing he moved his head a bit too much…😊

    —What the hell was Duzzer thinking declining that penalty? Bizzarro…

    —Nice to see Kylan Johnson playing so well among the LBs. Pine was active too at MLB. Seemed like Brightwell played some – need him back.

    —I find all the double numbers confusing as hell — but I’m old…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Agree with the double numbers… heck, I get totally confused when Dlineman are # 10 or 34 and linebackers are wearing 20’s …..

      Let’s hope for a great effort vs our hated rivals and they will always be, until the end of days, our hated rivals…. to me, they used to be our #1 rival… now I hate those pricks!!! H2P WUPsome!!!!

      Liked by 2 people

  295. Great thoughts John, thanks to Fran and his posse for their great tailgates. I hope to make it to the UCF soiree.

    JoeL, stay thirsty my friend and be safe and btw, great post.

    PITT had 481 total yards or something like that, Ohio 212. If nothing else, PITT did what they were supposed to do. << The score didn’t indicate the dominance.

    Pickett career high 321 yards and 160 yards rushing from the running backs. Not a bad day at the office.

    Hope little Nathan’s throat is feeling better now that he doesn’t have to play PITT next week.

    Although PITT’s d-line played well with the pass rush they still missed Weaver and Camp and will really miss them this coming week.

    Early thoughts on the psu game…… not feeling very confident just yet…… .. ike

    Liked by 1 person

  297. Thanks Fran, I loved sitting in 536 w you folks and appreciate all the work of the tailgate “committtee”. I’ve said it before but I look forward to Pitt home games now like I used to look forward to Belle Vernon Kennywood day as a kid.

    Liked by 3 people

  298. So this starts the last Pitt-Penn State week for the foreseeable future. I used to think the PA legislature should require the game to be played like they do in other states, but no more.

    It is time for Pitt and it’s fans to focus on the ACC and ND as it’s rivals. In fact, I would be very happy if Pitt dropped WV from all future sporting events.

    Next years schedule is perfect, ND, FL ST, plus the normal Coastal rivals and Syracuse. The way it should be. In the years we don’t play a Clemson, FL ST or Clemson, we should play one tough OOC game, never two.

    Playing WV and Tenn in future years is begging for losing seasons and no or very lowly bowl games, continuing mediocre recruiting results. What elite kid wants to play for a team with a losing record and crap bowl game?

    Did Syracuse help themselves by getting pummeled by Maryland yesterday?

    Wise up Heather.

    Liked by 1 person

  301. Amazing that the Patriots have cap room for Antonio Brown. They are an incredible organization.
    Too much to ask that Brown be the rotten apple that spoils the bunch?

    Like

    1. GC – don’t the Pats fudge how much they pay Brady by hiring Brady’s company to do something for them?

      The Pats find a way, one way or another, to get what they need to win Super Bowls. So hats off to them…

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 1 person

  302. Shouldn’t the NFL be concerned about teams tampering w players under contract. This sounds a lot like when LaGarrett Blount got himself cut by the Steelers and signed quickly by the Pats.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. With Brown’s erratic behavior, don’t you have to suspect brain problems from those hits he’s taken?

      I know $ is a big factor, but I wonder if AB’s brain isn’t right…

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 1 person

  305. I don’t think that’s right, Bernie. Off the top of my head, Miami lost to Florida, Syracuse lost to Maryland, and Duke lost to Alabama.

    Like

  306. The Pats have no scruples led by their owner. If you don’t think Brady is getting more than what is reported to the NFL …. then what’s you preference …. Liberty, Fort Pitt or 6th St?

    Like

  309. Big Ben accused of raping not one, but two women.
    Sure, we’ll take a chance on Michael Vick.
    James Harrison, let that wonderful fellow back in the locker room.
    Steroids for the 70’s champs? May as well put a Pez dispenser in the locker room.
    Ernie Holmes shooting at a police helicopter…a misunderstanding is all.

    The NFL is filled with hypocrisy…the beloved Stillers included.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. yea but remember the Pitt OL back in the 80s who illegally received a used Pseugot from an agent (forgot his name)

        Like

  311. Wanted to mention that the Ohio Bobcats marching band was excellent. They did some good stuff during the halftime show.

    It’s a big band. Nice gesture by Pitt to find a way to find enough seats for them…

    😊

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 3 people

  313. Box score says 42k attendance. I have a hard time believing that many. Maybe my eyes deceive me or maybe Pitt is counting paid attendance again.

    Like

    1. It looked like 30k with butts in the seats

      11 am starts will do that along with the opponent and just no buzz with this team

      Tough to market a team that doesn’t score in the second half of games. It’s like the offense pops sleeping pills in the locker room at halftime

      Liked by 1 person

  315. It’s tough to beat ANYONE when no points are scored in the second half. Narduzzi has to do something about this. It appears that other teams make halftime adjustments but Pitt does not.

    Like

    1. don’t confuse schemes versus execution. Against UVa, there were 2 long passes dropped and as well as open receivers overthrown.

      Last year, Pitt scored only 2 offensive TDs in the 2nd half of the first 4 or 5 games … and then all of the sudden, they began to dominate the 2nd half when they start overwhelming everyone with their run game except for Wake. Then they went back into the 2nd half slump vs Miami and Clemson … much more because of (lack of) talent than scheme

      Like

  317. Regarding 2nd half scoring…maybe Narduzzi could have aired it out instead of running the clock out the last drive. That prick franklin sure did that last night.
    In all seriousness. I prefer some class to that garbage. Franklin is scum

    Liked by 1 person

  318. Something not being discussed was putting a true freshman Dennis in at lb after we went up 20-3. Gave up an easy wheel route that led to their easy td. Bad move to put him in.

    Like

    1. I was wondering who was supposed to pick up the RB on the wheel-route on that play. Seemed to me the RB ran right past the LB and Stocker….

      We will likely be seeing several wheel routes in the next couple games…

      Been a weak spot for a while (and how come with our speedy backs we rarely seem to run the wheel-route ourselves…).

      Go Pitt.

      Like

  320. ^^ Pittman, Kenny is still dancing around in the pocket but guess what? He got decent pass protection from the o-line. It looked like the run blocking was subpar but 160 yards rushing including KP’s minus 2 yards makes me go hmmm.

    Like

  321. has tis ever been discussed here? On Thursday Nov 14, Pitt plays host to UNC at 8 pm. 20 minutes later, Steelers play at the Browns.

    No conflict for me here but sadly also no conflict for most Pittsburghers

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    1. I will be at the tailgate and bringing my high Heel fans with me … get you butt there… by Blather/POV standards you are a relic… want to meet you( speaking for many)

      Like

  322. Speaking of the good folks at the POV tailgates…Altoona Josh, Zach, and Chet if you are still on the board let us know if you all are ok. Hopefully you all are healthy and happy and haven’t been co-opted by a certain cult in your neck of the woods….

    Like

  324. Where is the replay on ESPN3?
    In past years you could watch the full game replay on ESPN 3. I have you tube TV but there is no replay just highlights which are not very well put together. Am I missing something?:So even by subscribing to the ACCN and ACCNX, you’ll have to wait until the full game is put up on you tube to see it.

    Like

  325. from Dokish:

    Next 2 weeks OOC

    Pitt: at No. 13 PSU
    No. 17 UCF

    VT: Furman

    BC: Kansas
    at Rutgers

    UNC:App St

    WF:Elon

    NC St:at WVU
    Ball St

    GT: The Citadel

    Miami: Bethune-Cookman
    C. Michigan

    Syracuse: W. Michigan

    Louisville:W. Kentucky

    Duke:at M. Tenn

    Clemson:Charlotte

    UVA: ODU

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I might jump on that. I watched Buffalo manhandle the psuX O-Line. Their road graders are worse than Pitt’s.

      The QB took some nasty hits as well / Franky kept him in the whole game to run up the score.

      Pedo enabler fans are concerned about their D too – they claim Buffalo should have scored a bunch more but their mistakes cost them.

      I enjoyed hearing the shower talk of concerned nitters.

      Cat fight in Creepy valley – anything goes – I’ll take the 17.5 and make some easy money.

      H2P!

      Liked by 2 people

  327. if you look at all those ACC opponents, since WVU is so bad so far, I would favor Ohio by at least a TD against any of them

    Like

    1. Possibly they could, since it seems Big Ben has been studying the Kenny Pickett playbook—throw a 2 yard out on a 3rd and 18.

      Like

    2. Possibly they could PoD, since it seems Big Ben has been studying the Kenny Pickett playbook and throwing 3 yard out patterns on 3rd and 18.

      Like

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