First of all, what a week for Pitt Sports.

Women’s Volleyball is now ranked #4 in the country.

Jeff Capel landed his first 2020 commit, and while only three-stars, the consensus is that he’s a good one.

noah collier.PNG

And the Pitt Special now has its own T-shirt.  UCF is clearly still butt-hurt.  At least we didn’t schedule a parade.

Speaking of which, just look at the things an upset win over a nationally-ranked opponent on national TV will do for your program’s perception:

AP Top 25 – Pitt received six votes.   This is the 11th most in the “others receiving votes” category.  This effectively ranks Pitt #36. 

Coaches Poll – Not ranked

ESPN Football Power Index (FPI) – Pitt is ranked #42, with an FPI of 4.1.  Utah State and SMU also have FPI’s of 4.1.  Only four ACC teams have an FPI higher than Pitt.  Clemson, Miami, Virginia and Wake Forest.

Not coincidentally, Andrea Adelson has Pitt ranked #4 in her ESPN Week 4 ACC Power Rankings.

Pitt shot all the way up to #5 in USA Today’s Week 4 rankings.  We were 12 last week.

Wait, you mean 2-2 Pitt? Yup. After playing Virginia, Penn State and Central Florida in three of the first four weeks, all future opponents may seem like child’s play to the Panthers. Pitt showed plenty of moxie in its upset victory against Central Florida; now the key is to capitalize on that momentum if the Panthers hope to repeat as Coastal Division champs.

Syracuse.com – 4th (up from 8th)

No team earned a better win last week than Pittsburgh, which snapped No. 15 Central Florida’s 27-game regular-season win streak. The Panthers have played ranked teams in back-to-back weeks, splitting a pair of close games.

From the Rumble Seat (Georgia Tech) –   4th (up from 6th)

Pitt grabbed the ACC’s best win of the year with a home win against UCF. This game was wild. They got up big early with a 21-0 lead, but then let the game seemingly slip between their fingers as UCF came back and pulled ahead 31-21. But, Pitt didn’t come back. They showed resilience and ended up down 6 with 1 minute left and a 4th and goal at the UCF 3 yard line. Pitt scored on a wildcat reverse pass to the quarterback for the game-winning touchdown. Pitt got their run game mojo back and averaged 5.3 yards per carry a week after just getting 1 ypc. This team has had the toughest opening schedule of any ACC team and came out alive and looking better than many expected. They get a bit of a reprieve against Delaware this week.

Shakin’ in the Southland (Clemson) –  8th (up from 13th).  I will add that while these guys come off as a bunch of arrogant pricks, they are pretty much the only blog that has called out Pitt’s second half tendencies, so I guess in this case the truth hurts (or maybe they are still smarting from 2016…)  I will also say that co-opting the Pitt Special into the “Clemson Special” was a classless move any way you slice it, but hey, I guess you have to pander to your fan base.

If you missed this game I’m sorry, because Pitt-UCF may have been the game of the weekend. In typical Pitt fashion, Pitt got a healthy lead, let UCF rally, and then won on a ridiculous play.  After last weeks botched late game playcalling, Pitt hit the walk off Philly/Clemson special to upset UCF, thus making America very happy. Now, Pitt hosts Delaware on Saturday.

What do you think?  What are your ACC Power rankings?

ACC Week 4.PNG

 

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.

174 thoughts on “Pitt in the Power Rankings – Week 4”

  1. People complain about the OOC but if you win these games you get respect and noticed. Pitt just doesn’t win enough but they seem to be good for one noticeable upset each year.

    Just like when you win a bowl game. You have a chance to get ranked or some votes.

    TV and positive media exposure are keys in program perception and recruiting.

    Few people knew the day that Pitt won the Coastal division title and to be honest few cared except a few diehard fans here. The entire nation knew when they beat UCF. That was far more impressive and how they pulled it off.

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    2. “few people knew the day that Pitt won the Coastal Division title”. Yeah, the only people that “knew” was anyone who pays any attention to the ACC rankings, anybody who was a fan of those teams that were still in the hunt for the ACC Coastal title on the day Pitt played WF, all the Wake Forest fans, all the Pitt fans & any TV viewer who watched any college football media coverage wrapping up the college games played that Saturday. But other than those couple million people, nobody knew.

      Liked by 4 people

      1. Did national media say much if anything the day pitt beat wake and won the Coastal?

        Did social media erupt like it did after this weekends win?

        🤔

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        1. The short answer, No. But that answer does not validate your previous presumption either. Winning the ACC Coastal crown was big, this win, especially in the manner that it was accomplished was bigger. I’ll give you that.

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          1. And bigger gets bigger notice and attention. That’s my point. This win did more for the program than winning a division. Winning the ACC championship is the next step. Heck winning a bowl would be progress. Getting ranked at seasons end.

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            1. That’s a valid point. Winning the ACC Coastal is priority #1 though if you want to play in the Championship game again. & of course beating UCF has ZERO bearing on that journey. But what the hell? Hail to Pitt! Anyhow.

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  5. FWIW I am just as encouraged by last week’s loss as this week’s win. Don’t get me wrong, I feel much more euphoric this week … but back to back good showings makes me feel this team is more legit

    And as I continue to preach, early season rankings mean very little. AP Preseason .. Stanford was ranked 25th and Syracuse 22nd. And get this … Mich was 7th and Wisc was 19th. (I wrote here last that Wisc was going to cruise BTW).

    Let things sort out. UNC started out on fire beating South Carolina and Miami then lost to Wake and Appalachia St. Pitt just has to keep improving (but who knows?)

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  6. Wake hasn’t played any ranked team but have gotten out of the blocks 4-0…they look pretty solid…have a receiver named Surratt who is a player…His older brother plays LB for the high Heels-this same brother was in inevvective QB for them last year…

    Love the optimism…one game at a time…Delaware is on the clock !!!

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  7. “TV and positive media exposure are keys in program perception and recruiting”. That comment is totally legit. Soiling the bed sheets with your own excrement in big nationally televised games can be the worst possible national exposure for a program struggling to get positive national hype. That’s the flip side to that “TV & media exposure”. Getting our a$$es kicked last year by penn state, UCF & Clemson cleaning our clock in the ACC Championship didn’t help Pitt’s reputation one bit. Probably why we got no preseason respect from the prognosticators this year but a game like the one on Saturday sure as hell does!
    Back in the “Same Old Pitt” days, those embarrassing loses, often to teams that weren’t that good to begin with was a valid reason for Pitt fans to gripe about SOP. But ever since Narduzzi rolled into town, other than UNC, who for some reason has Pitt’s number, we’ve seemed to avoid those defeats to “meh” teams while giving valiant efforts in our loses to those more elite teams.
    This is yet another signature win for Narduzzi & Co. Now let’s see what they can do with the rest of the season that’s chock full of the ACC foes that the Panthers need to beat in order to repeat as the Coastal Champs.

    Liked by 5 people

  8. We wait all year for FB season and we are already in the 5th week…..I wish time would just slow down…even with all the TV time-out and play reviews the season is flying by…..

    I am feeling “this is going to be a special year” kinda feeling…….this is the year PITT FB pivots and becomes relevant nationally,,,and it all leads into next year’s national ranking at the end of the season..as wwb sez pre-season rankings don’t mean a thing (unless it includes the PITT Panthers!)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Biggie:

      I too have already began thinking about how next year might shape out. We have a lot of talent returning on both sides of the ball. If we can finish this season strong, we may parlay that into a special year next year.

      Liked by 2 people

  9. You guys might right about which is a more important win, division title or the UCF win. I respect your thoughts but I’ll defer to Narduzzi and which one he thinks is more important. My thought is they are both equal. The one thing about the UCF win is that it reminded lots of people back to when PITT beat Clemson which was starting to fade in outsiders minds.

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    1. Does anyone really care what narduzzi thinks? He still is the same guy that passed a brain fart in the Penn State game. Let’s not forget history or begin rewriting it. Not that you would Ike. Just sayin there’s not much thought in the man when his head is full of meatballs. 🍝

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      1. Don’t forget Tx, he’s making 3 and 1/2 million $. He’s not as dumb as you think he is. So he has gorilla calves, gorilla arms and meatballs in his head. I take it you no likey him so much, oh mamma mia..

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      2. Tex

        I care what Narduzzi thinks. He is the guy who is there with the “kids” and knows (way better than you and me) what’s what. Does he make decisions that probably were not the greatest? Yes. So, do I—every day.

        pmdH2P

        Liked by 1 person

        1. I get it. But if he’s the coach that can’t reach ten wins, can’t get attendance above 50k, and can’t get the team ranked, he needs to go back to Youngstown and open a pizzeria.

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          1. Nard’s job is for the team to win a respectable amount of games and keep the boys on track academically. If we play a non-con schedule like this, we aren’t going to win ten games and people should be happy with eight. Additionally, Nard’s job is not to fill the stadium up…that’s the marketing department’s job.

            You are being too tough on the guy. At least he hasn’t lost to Akron and Youngstown like Potato Paul, and Bowling Green, Ohio, and UConn like Mr. Wanny. I will take Nard over those two any day of the week.

            Liked by 3 people

            1. It is his job to fill the stadium. You do that by winning and having marquee players. That’s a job duty split by him and his boss Heather.

              I for one will not be happy with consistent 8 win seasons. I’ll be happy for 8 this year though.

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            2. Sorry ajs32, that argument “no holdie the water”.
              Until Narduzzi can fully scrape that sticky tar off both of his heels, his nemesis will continue to be UNC. FOUR YEARS STRAIGHT.

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      3. UCF peeps were calling out their coaches game calling at the bar after the game…I am guessing that goes on everywhere and much more rampant when you are on the losing side..let’s give Duzz some credit when it is due…

        Liked by 1 person

  11. Coming down from my sugar high of the Pitt upset victory, I’ve seen two types of commentary about the game, neither giving Pitt much credit. First type: Pitt beats UCF: P5 conferences get the credit. Reasoning: UCF not that good. Middling P5 teams like Pitt would beat them regularly. Beat Stanford, lose to Pitt, so it goes in the P5. Second type: Pitt beats UCF: PSU gets the credit. Huh? Reasoning: PSU is a better team than initially thought because they beat PItt. Yoi and double yoi. Can’t win. – Hobie

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Central Florida would not go undefeated in the ACC. They would lose at least a game or two each year. They would probably split with Pitt if in the same division. They are over rated and there is no shame in saying it. I wish Pitt played Tulane every year as a conference for.

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      1. UCF will probably run the table the rest of their season. They are favored by 42 1/2 against U Conn this week. Take UCF and give the points. They may still end up in the top 10 come seasons end.

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        1. They aren’t even in the top 25 now

          No way they are top ten playing in that crap conference. No remaining team on their schedule is in the top 40 of saragin rankings.

          But neither is Pitt.

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            1. Over rated. Mistake. They are trash.

              Won’t even be in top 40 come years end

              They will play in a bowl in Birmingham. Remember those?!

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              1. “They are trash.”

                Did you actually watch that game on Saturday? Because I’m not sure how someone who did could say that with a straight face. The talent on that UCF team was clearly evident. Give it a rest. Go rant on Twitter or something.

                Liked by 1 person

        2. Yep, I couldn’t agree more! UCF is an offensive juggernaut that just happened to get bushwhacked by a really good & improving Pitt defensive squad.
          Nobody left on the Golden Knights schedule are going to man handle them on defense like we did on Saturday.
          UCF is good. Period.

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    2. Hobie, lots of people are giving PITT credit but sometimes the commentary gets lost with the Narduzzi detractors trying to diminish everything he does. Not surprising, it’s been noted that PITT had one of the toughest first four games in the nation to start out this season. Now the screams are those four teams were over-rated. All because he was a bit snarky when he first came to PITT. His personality needs to be pushed aside, forgotten and forgiven. Let’s play ball!! . . . . .ike

      Liked by 3 people

        1. and now we are back to the OOC schedule. again… Narduzzi is way over 500 in the ACC. I think he has the second best record since he was hired as head coach.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. And no bowl wins or final rankings to show for it. Pretty bad if you ask me but you didn’t so I’ll say it anyway. 💥

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          1. At least you have the proper vernacular Ike. It was a title and not a championship like some like to say. I’ll give him credit for the participation trophy. 🏆

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  12. Good post MM.

    I am over the excitement of the win and back to reality. Pitt needs to win at least 8 games this year and hopefully win the Coastal again.

    If they do not suffer any more injuries and get Pinnock and Mathis back healthy. I still believe they will continue to get better and reach that goal. A top 20 end of season ranking would be progress.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. A reminder — last season Alex Kessman was 13 for 17 on FGs with a SCHOOL RECORD 4 FGs of over 50 yards.

    This season he is 3 for 8. If he focuses on the positives (and keeps his head down, literally), I think he’ll get himself straightened out. 👍

    Go Pitt.

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    1. Narduzzi needs to have the soccer coach fix his technical issues. It’s more technical but it’s becoming mental. Pitts soccer coach is one of the best in the business. The best football kickers have played soccer. ⚽️

      Liked by 1 person

  14. I do to John, Alex has me scratching my head as he’s missing field goals from the left hash marks, the right hash marks and everywhere in between. Narduzzi sounded confident they found the hitch in his giddy up though. Predicted he won’t miss another field goal this year..?? That could mean two things and one is…. Kessman may not be attempting many more this year and the other is self explanatory.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. It’s all about the hip alignment Ike. I don’t care what hash Mark. It’s a technical issue. Pitt obviously doesn’t have the competent personnel on staff to help fix it. The kid needs help before it becomes mental. Once mental, you need a shrink.

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        1. It does in sports all the time. You develop bad habits. You stray away from technical soundness. You become complacent. I know. I’ve been there.

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          1. I agree Ike, this is 100% mental, I think most of us know that. Kessman may never recover from this, or he may recover next weekend, I guess time will tell. I think he’s snap out of it next week, like I said before, but who knows.

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    2. One thing that’s troubling:

      —In his first year, Kessman’s misses were all well struck but missed just to the right.

      —He seemed to correct for that pretty well last season.

      —Now this season, the misses have been to the left…

      Dan says it’s alignment and they needs to get out the aim sticks…

      With all the video of his good kicks and his poor kicks, shouldn’t be too tough to figure out where the problem lies…

      Go Pitt.

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  15. What gives me hope is that the defense has come on compared to previous seasons (still giving up the long ball more than I would like though). They are more aggressive, more tenacious. Has Narduzzi found his defensive touch? And Pickett is starting to look legit. If those two factors continue and the OL continues to improve, we may have more and more smiles on our faces before year’s end.

    Liked by 2 people

  17. Alex has not hit a wall or become “stale” as he continues to blast the ball out of the field of play on kick off‘s. He’s made all of his extra points so far… Let’s hope he gets a chance to nail a few next game. I wouldn’t think it’s an alignment issue… Watching our weeks go through his pre-kick mechanics where he extends his arm… He’s been doing that every kick for years… Probably thinking too much… I could never figure out those soccer style guys anyway…I kicked straight on… Seems to make better sense…Been along time since Mark Mosley type took a swing at the ball… I think the last straight-on kick in the NFL was Doug Flutie’s drop kick for the extra point

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    1. BigB — I remember when Lou Michaels, who was a defensive lineman, did the straight-on place-kicking for the Steelers in the early 60s…

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Lou Groza too… I think the Gogalaks Bros started the side-winder style…. I don’t even know if those guys could speak the King’s English… that’s how foreign that style of kicking appeared to the traditionalist….

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        1. first football game I ever saw was at Forbes Field in 62. Groza and Michaels both kicked. Groza had stopped being a DL by that time but Michaels hadn’t. Michaels used a helmet when kicking PATs and FGs which had no face guard

          Liked by 1 person

  19. I found it interesting that Nick Patti was inserted in the game, if I remember correctly, for a play or two before KP got banged up. I remember Patti keeping the ball and making a good run.

    Then Patti did pretty well when needed later – with the TD pass.

    Which raises the possibility that maybe we start seeing more of Patti. Not necessarily in place of KP, but perhaps with a package of plays similar to how the Nits used Clifford and McSorley together last season…

    Both KP and Patti are pretty athletic (even though Duzzer can’t recruit worth a darn…). Perhaps some other Pitt- Special-type plays will be in the works???

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 4 people

  20. Regarding Kessman, Duzz said they know the problem and he won’t miss another one all year. Hey, he called Coastal Champs last season. Until he’s wrong, he’s right in my eyes.

    Liked by 4 people

  21. Yeah John, PITT and Patti had another special planned. This one for him to see the field with his own play package designed only for him. I’m not sure if Patti played before KP was hurt or not??

    Here’s saying UCF will end the season and be in the top 40 and no doubt much higher. Just last week I read somewhere that psu is over-rated because they only won by 7 pts. Followed by comments that UCF is the real deal though. Now that PITT beat UCF they are nothing but trash. Where’s my Steve Miller video?

    Liked by 3 people

    1. I’m pretty sure there were one or two plays in the first half where Pickett lined up at WR and Patti lined up at QB.

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    2. I was walkin’ in town in my white bucks
      Man with a gun, said hands up
      Tried to get away but too slow
      He got me and took all of my dough….

      Your cash ain’t nothin but trash…

      Liked by 1 person

  22. I think Narduzzi should try and run a number of plays to the middle of the field on 3rd down. Most of Alex”s misses care coming from the right or left hash marks.

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    1. Last season Kessman was quoted saying he prefers kicking from the right hash. The middle is where you’d think these kickers would prefer.

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  23. One angle no one is considering in Narduzzi’s assertion that Kessman won’t miss another kick this season, is that he gets benched. Who is our other kicker?

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      1. One would think so by the way he consoled him after a missed field goal–a trait that I really like about Narduzzi. He is passionate about his kids, so it seems. If that passion for his players can be coupled with wins, it would be an attractive combination for the recruitment of young men coming out of high school.

        Liked by 2 people

      2. I would think so, judging by the way Narduzzi consoled him after a missed FG. Narduzzi’s passion for his kids is the thing that like most about him. If he can combine that passion with wins, it would serve as a good recruitment tool for young men coming out of high school.

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  24. There hasn’t been a straight on kicker in college or pros in 30 years now. That’s because the soccer technique is more far successful.

    The kid has technical and mental issues. They can be overcome but I don’t trust any of the Pitt coaches. Should never have reached this point. Have the kid kick a soccer ball. Break up the routine with something different. Place him under the direction of Pitts world class football coach…it’s not Narduzzi.

    ⚽️
    🥅

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  25. Apologies if this has been said, but I hope we all agree that we need to completely take care of Delaware from beginnig to end, all 4 quarters and and in all facets of the game. Needed to maintain momentum both inside the team and with fans and opponents. A close game with a bunch of mistakes, missed field goals and in accurate passing will fill the SOP bucket to over-flowing!!!

    Liked by 3 people

      1. UPitt’s Doppleganger…please explain that..what scenario you talk’n bout????……but I am thrilled to see the name UPitt on the board…….I knew something has been missing besides Emel…..I am beginning to believe Emel and FRANKCAN are hanging out together…miss those 2 guys…..

        Liked by 1 person

    2. I agree htp but then again, one bad play or bad decision the wolves will come a callen even if the final score is 42-10. BTW, some of these players need a little break in the action and maybe get some younger guys some playing time for one of their four games allowed?

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      1. Agree Iek,,hopefully, we play a complete game and can get some rest for those who are dinged and a little more experience for back-ups…KP took a few licks last game-maybe the reason he looked slack in the 3rd period…I would like to see a little more of Patti or JGeorge if the situation presents itself…..obvoiusly, I see Duzz giving Alex some oppurtunities…

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  26. Do not sell UCF short. Largest school in FL and growing.

    VA plays at a very mad ND this week. We need to win Coastal again to boost image.

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    1. All we can do is win out and win our bowl. The rest will fall into place.

      Now can we actually do that. Like biggie says…need to take it one game at a time

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    2. Largest school in USA
      Diploma mill
      Revenue challenged like Pitt but without the P5 check
      They can continue to be swamp garbage.

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  27. Quote from PSN, “Pitt’s only meeting with the Fightin’ Blue Hens was in 2014. The Panthers won 62-0”. Is this our most recent shutout? Think they are looking for revenge?

    Liked by 1 person

    3. Also I assume you were being somewhat facetious… so my apologies if I misread that

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  28. One last comment on the “Pitt Special” game, and then, on to Delaware.

    I’m wondering what recruits we had on the sidelines last Sat, and what were their remarks/feelings on the weekend as a whole. It’ll be fun to see which LOIs harken back to F. U. C.

    Regarding Delaware, I’m looking for a good lead, and another Kessman opportunity. It would really be helpful for him to have some success in (hopefully) a no pressure situation, that he could carry over to the next “meaningful” opportunity.

    Kinda like birding an easy par 4 right before taking on a heavily trapped, water lined par 5.

    Liked by 2 people

  30. One UPitt is plenty. Now you’re telling me he has a double?? Does the commentary come in stereo??

    At any rate, welcome back, Mark. Or is this like Ziva’s return tonight – just fleeting, and then gone again??

    Have been missing your remarks!! Been feeling way too good lately!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m going to try my best next season. I’ll bring my bro and sis. Both Pitt grads. And his younger son might be a student then. He’s a strong Pitt lean.

      My son is probably going to Texas Tech. Chemical engineer. Daughter is probably going to Texas.

      Would love to meet everyone. I’m not the ass most people think I am. 🤠

      Liked by 2 people

  32. Maybe you can get Tex a face to face meeting with Narduzzi if he comes up to see a game. I’m sure Narduzzi would be anxious to meet Tex as well as several other missing in action named POV posters.

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    2. We will send Tex straight to the BoT and athletic administration with his in-depth plans for our future OCS!!! Tex has thought this out in more detail than anyone at PITT that’s for sure.

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  34. There are bad fans everywhere. But I’m glad that most enjoyed their visit to Pittsburgh. I’m hoping most also made the trip into Oakland to see campus.

    Just want to give a shout out to Chas Rich. I know him. I’ve tailgated with him and gone out to bars on the south side with him. I was there during that triple overtime win in west virginia…I recall very little after halftime. I was one of the Pitt fans throwing out F Bombs early on. So I know.

    He really got me hooked on Pitt again and ignited my passion in Pitt sports. He deserves a placard on Pitts OCS when that day comes. Reeds name could go under his. 🤠

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    1. And if you keep this forum going for anoth year Michael, Pitt should have your name on some placard in the new Majors Square or Sutherland Hall. But I’m adamant about where my brick goes. I want to make it a challenge for Doc to pee on it.

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      1. Haha. Well I won’t say it hasn’t been interesting… j/k. No plans to abandon at this time!

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  35. All I want is a brick with my name on it. I’ll donate $1000 dollars for that brick that results in building an OCS. But I want that brick placed above the piss troughs in the new Pitt Stadium. That would be my dying wish.

    Liked by 1 person

  36. As we come back down to planet earth, I read somewhere that our verbal commit RB from Florida, Henry Parrish, I think his name is, will be taking visits to Florida and Ohio State. Not good, but our upset win had to help us…

    Parrish looks like the type of RB we need – can make people miss…

    He’s only 5-9 and 175 and he’s only a 5.5 three-star according to the “experts.”

    Go Pitt.

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    1. And Miami. His mom calls the shots though. There was some Florida article about it. She really liked Pitt and the staff. Education was important to her. Or at least what Pitt did to assist student athletes. That can’t be underestimated in recruiting. And Pitt is one of the better schools at doing it. So a Texas size hats off to Pitt.

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      1. I like your name. Takes me back to the years I lived in Texas. Heard that phrase as often as I hear Bless your heart in South Carolina.

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      2. Miami already has a 4-star RB in their 2020 class — not that they wouldn’t take another RB.

        I’m more worried about Florida or Ohio St. since neither has a RB yet…

        Go Pitt.

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    2. Dokish listed his likely starters for next year and Parrish was listed as the starting RB!! Optimism abounds!!

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    1. The UCF fans who were at the game who said our fans used the F word often in front of kids.
      From what I heard from everyone it was them( UCF )that were the instigators.

      Liked by 1 person

  39. One development that really pleases me that know one talks about is the change in how our D is playing compared to when Duzz started….gives me a reason to believe in him…lost 2 freaking years on the O side of the ball due to a bad hire in Watson….Duzz needs to surround himself with excellent coordinators…I think we are approaching that in the staff this year…

    Liked by 5 people

    2. All I kept hearing that Narduzzi won 8 games his first two years with Chryst players. Hog wash! Peterman was a Narduzzi recruit and was the main reason for a very good offense. Ironically enough, people bitched about how Narduzzi was known as a defensive guru and his defense was subpar… yeah with Chryst recruits and imo, his O-Line recruiting was way way over-rated. History is bass-ackwards.

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  40. Since Mike asked for my power rankings here they are:

    #1 – Clempsum Last Wk.(LW) #1 4-0 Beat Charlotte 52-10 AP Rk. #1
    #2 – Virginia LW #2 4-0 Beat Old Dominion 28-17 AP Rk.# 18
    #3 – Wake Forest LW #3 4-0 Beat Elon 49-7
    #4 – Pitt LW #7 2-2 Beat now AP #22 CFU 35-34
    #5 – North Carolina LW #4 3-1 Lost to App State 34-31
    #6 – Florida State LW #12 2-2 Beat Louisville 35-24
    #7 – Boston College LW #12 3-1 Beat Rutgers 30-16
    #8 – NC State LW #8 3-1 Beat Ball State 34-23
    #9 – Duke LW #5 2-1 Did Not Play(DNP)
    #10 – Syracuse LW #11 2-2 Beat Western Michigan 52-33
    #11 – Miami LW #6 2-2 Beat Central Michigan 17 – 12
    #12 – Virginia Tech LW #11 2-1 DNP
    #13 – Louisville LW #9 2-2 Lost to Florida State 35-24
    #14 – Georgia Tech LW #14 1-2 DNP

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    1. Still big-time disappointed that we lost to UVA. Had we beaten them we’d really be in Fat City.

      I give UVA credit, but would love to see the outcome if we played them again now that some of our kinks have been worked out…

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 4 people

  41. Wanted to give a heads up for the tailgate…the Founding Father, Commander Reed will be in attendance. Come meet the big guy…and us little guys too!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Glad to hear that Reed is coming. I was worried about him as I believe he has been off the board since before the UCF game and there had been no updates on the Blather either as of yesterday.

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  42. As for the premise of MM’s article, Pitt has to be in the middle of the pack in the ACC power rankings.
    GT – adjusting to new coaches and scheme
    Cuse – Pitt’s proven they won’t be affected by the “hurry-up”
    NC – Loss to App St offsets surprise against ‘Canes
    VT – Loss to BC only looks worse when they beat Furman by only 7
    Miami – Surprised by NC but likely still Pitt’s biggest remaining hurdle
    Clemson – ’nuff said
    WF – Beat ’em last year, and our D is much improved
    NC St – close game against 1-3 Ball St and 17-point drubbing by mediocre WVCC
    Fla St – more talented but needing OT to beat La. Munroe makes you wonder
    BC – Beating VT but getting doubled up by Kansas indicates “meh”
    Duke – big wins against nobody and crushed by Ala, but Pitt seems to have their #
    Lou – Only wins against directional schools, ND dominated and Fla St loss
    Va – Well we know they are ahead of Pitt

    Based on above I’d go with Pitt as 4th or 5th in the 14 team power ranking

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Good analysis, but without being a homer I’d say Pitt would beat Virginia this Saturday. Power rankings are fluid, not static.

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  43. as far as Henry Parrish goes … he has been opening eyes since August 21st when he opened the season with 324 yards, and he has continued to shine against good competition. Since then he has gotten offers from the likes of Florida, South Carolina, Mich, PSU and hometown Miami. Not bad for a 5.5 3-star

    OSU has not yet offered but is interested. Sadly, I’ll be very surprised if Pitt can hold onto them …. but this is part of how Pitt must recruit — find the diamonds in the rough.

    Liked by 1 person

  44. Correction meant to say Pitt should be ranked in the top 5, behind Clemsuck, The Hoos, BC, and ‘Canes

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  45. Women’s ACC BB schedule came out — seems like somebody up there doesn’t like us… 🤔

    We get to have home-and-homes with the two perennially powerhouse teams and last year’s 30-plus win teams, ND and Louisville.

    We also get a H and H against Syracuse who finished 5th in the conference last year.

    Coach White will be facing this schedule with 7 new faces on his 12-woman roster…

    Go Pitt.

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  46. Watching Big10 network… did you know Wanny is an analyst on the station???
    Just watched an interview with Wisconsin HC “ Potato Sack Pauli’s.” After watching him mumble through his time in front of the mic, I reminisced back to the POV during his tenure and thought “ who would ever want this guy as a HC???”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Just saw some Pitt highlights on the local news. Reminded me about a play that I didn’t like — even though we scored a TD.

      It was our second TD. We had a first and goal at the two. On first down we drop to pass, KP gets pressure, and he ends up passing the ball sideways to Ffrenchy.

      Ffrenchy catches the ball on the 7 yard line (!) and is nifty enough to evade a couple tacklers and score.

      Could have been a disaster.
      Was way too complicated for how to score with a first and goal at the two.

      Scratch my head with a hacksaw… 🤔

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Agree majors. If French doesn’t make a big time play that would have been disaster. Would have forced us to kick(miss) a field goal.

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      3. They ran the exact same play against PSU and the only reason it failed was because Ffrench slipped. It puts him one on one with a LB in space. I’ll take that match up every time.

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  48. The ACC set up UVA with that first game. They gave them a huge advantage and the league knew it when they scheduled it.

    Liked by 1 person

  49. C’mon now, you put the ball in the hands of your play makers, Ffrench waltzed into the end-zone on his feet. Great play call, imo.

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  50. I agree with ike. Get the ball to your playmakers. Going to Ffrench is never a bad idea for the exact reason that he scored.

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  51. My son reminded me that 30 years ago this week he and I saw Pitt beat Syracuse 30-23 at Pitt Stadium.

    What was memorable about that game was that on their first offensive play, the Orange QB handed off to a WR who then threw a pass to another WR for a 70 yard TD.

    Then on Pitt’s first offensive play, freshman QB Alex Van Pelt hit Henry Tuten with a 60-yard bomb to tie the score.

    Years from now, if I’m still around, my son and I will still be reminiscing about the “Pitt Special” game…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Even that team 30 years ago played a hard schedule and finished 7-3-1 in the regular season. I remember watching that game in Youngstown as a high schooler. Van Pelt’s breakout game and the defense had eight sacks. Nothing like playing Cuse and WVY back to back, both top 10, then later in the season ND and Miami, ranked 1 and 2, respectively.

      Liked by 1 person

  52. There’s been a lot of comments on various threads here about the strength of Pitt’s OOC schedule so I thought this was worth a mention:

    I received a b’day email from the school of engineering today with some old time pics. One was a shot of the 1971 home football schedule that hung over gate 1 at Pitt Stadium.

    Oklahoma
    Navy
    Syracuse
    Notre Dame
    penn state

    Oklahoma, ND, and psu were all top 20, ND and psu were top 10.

    And we opened the season with top 20 ranked UCLA on the road.

    Scheduling insanity is a long standing Pitt tradition.

    Liked by 3 people

  53. Forcedkman….
    Felt the same earlier, and said they did that to prevent us from a Repeat!

    We’ll have to kick some serious ACC butt for a few years before we get any respect! Not love, but respect.

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  54. ^^ Pretty sure in 1971 PITT was an independent (actually sure) but your point is well taken. Just pointing out the difference between then and now.

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    1. You’re right Ike. Pitt was independent back then. But the schedules were killers. Lots of ranked teams and Heisman candidates. Too bad the Pitt teams at the time were not up to the challenge.

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  57. Those tough schedules of the 70s reflect the aspirations of the Pitt football program back then, including eventually a national championship. I would gladly support that type of schedule if a total commitment to excellence was made today. That type of national visibility would be good for Pitt athletics

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  58. Interesting how many teams from “76 are on our current schedule.

    https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/pittsburgh/1976-schedule.html

    I was also on campus in 1971 and it wasn’t any fun getting killed every week.

    You want to talk about empty stadiums and almost no TV money.

    Splinters in your hands and butt from the old wooden benches. Epic lines at the bathrooms and only hotdogs to eat. The only positive was no security and you could bring your own booze.

    I’ll take today’s ACC and an easier OOC any day, and Heinz over Old Pitt Stadium.

    Let’s be honest, UCF beats us 8 out of ten times. It was a big upset and it took some heroics for us to win.

    Their QB is a freshman and he is going to be very, very good. Glad we don’t play them next year.

    Next year’s OOC is what it should be with ND and FL State on the schedule.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Talking about this year, not the last two years or next year, but this year I say we beat UCF 5 or 6 out of 10 times. Why? We were the better team Saturday and we beat them, and that will be our only head to head sample this year. Yes we were at home and had to come from behind, but we missed 2 easy fields and were the far more physical team. This is a very subjective issue, but I watched the entire game and that is my opinion, the better team won that day. We were also coming off of a very physical, very equally played game against Penn St. the week before. UCF was extremely lucky and benefited big time from 2 of our top 3 corners going down to injury. Thank God they will be back and the injuries were not serious.

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      1. You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but 31 unanswered points tells me we were very lucky to get away with a win and it did take a final trick play at that.

        We shocked them early with a good pass rush against a QB that had not seen it before. I think they/he would be ready next time.

        By the way, they really never took advantage of our corners going down and in fact ran the ball, which the announcers questioned.

        In any case it is subjective, and I am very glad for the win.

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        1. We didn’t “shock them” early with our pass rush, our defensive front dominated the game, right up to the end. There’s nothing they can do about that, we are better and more physical up front. And they took advantage of our corners being down on multiple occasions, no idea what the announcer comment was, that’s nuts.

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    3. UCF doesn’t beat us 8 out of 10 times if Pitt adds both Weaver and Camp back into their roster. If you thought Gabriel was under pressure last Saturday he would have been under even more pressure with those two named above in uniform.

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  59. Great to hear that our corners will play this week. Still think they should rest as much as possible.

    Really a little late for our warm up game this week and I agree that the ACC screwed Pitt with VA in the opener. There were no other ACC games of consequence that week tells me it was sabotage. Should have been a crossover game like most of the others.

    Hopefully Pitt is getting better and will avoid the mistakes.Pitt is still a flawed team with a few weaknesses, but if the O-line continues to get better it will be an exciting season. The defense really is living up to expectations, finally!

    As I see it Pitt will still need to play with an edge to beat most ACC teams because talent levels are pretty equal, except for Miami. If KP gets a little more accurate and receivers drop fewer balls, we will be hard to beat.

    Hopefully Narduzzi’s post game emotion will be seen often.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I seriously hope they sit him. Those types of injuries need time. We are going to beat Delaware no matter what and M Williams can use the experience

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      1. I think CB Williams can play. Though not very tall, he’s quick — reminds me some of an Avonte -Maddox-type player…

        Go Pitt.

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        1. Just doesn’t have the coverage skills that are polished like the upper class man . That’s the diff between 1 year and two years in the program. Extra reps

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  61. That’s what I thought too Ike. Narduzzi says otherwise. I hope they are smart with him, hammys can take a long time to heal, and they were irresponsible with his playing time in my opinion during the UCF game. I sure hope they use better judgment going forward.

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  62. It was 15 years ago today that Pitt had to mount a big comeback to beat Furman in OT 41-38. Pitt scored 21 points in the 4th quarter to tie the game…

    Sophomore Tyler Palko was 30 for 36 for 380 yards and 3TDs. He completed his first 11 passes that day. Go Walt Harris!
    (More details at “PGH Sports History” twitter site.)

    Strangely enough, I remember this being a very enjoyable game to watch. We were down 31-17 at one point, but I remember having the feeling we would comeback…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

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