in Pitt Football 65 Words

Checking Out

Hello everyone.  I’ve put a lot of thought into this lately and I want to tell you that I’ve reached a decision to not write anything for the Pitt POV anymore.

..for at least a week….

But it’s only because I’m on vacation.  🙂

Enjoy the week and please remember no politics, no religion and no swearing rules are in place.

Hail to Pitt

Michaelangelo Monteleone

370 thoughts on “Checking Out”

  2. I’d wish you a happy vacation if you hadn’t scared me so bad! Oh, hell, happy vacation anyway—-you deserve it.

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  4. you bastard!
    never saw that coming, unlike pd2 I’m too pissed off to wish you happy anything

    NEVER do that again

    oh, wtf, relax and enjoy but hurry back

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  7. Yes, GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE Michaelangelo, enjoy your vacation and some family time. We’ll keep a light on for you.

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  9. Whoa! One week of anything goes. This should be interesting. What could possibly go wrong?

    Enjoy your time off, MM!

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  10. How about sex, is that OK to discuss or is that off limits too. Asking for a really talented golfing friend of mine named Paige Spiranac.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. google images time

      extremely talented! men’s tour guys wouldn’t stand a chance paired up with her 😉

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  13. the QuickLane Bowl is on ESPNU right now (6:30 -10) and it’s halftime

    It’s very easy to see how bad the OTs are in pass protection. Both Warren and Ulizio were like sieves; their men were continually pressuring Pickett.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Enjoy the time off and safe travels. The mind and body always needs some R and R.

    My vacation plans depend on whether states require us Texans to quarantine. Can’t visit friends in New York since I’d have to stay isolated for 14 days. Not sure how the state can even track or enforce that though.

    And with the parents in PA, I’d have to get that instant test right after I touch down at the airport. Is that even possible.

    I’m probably holding off on my travels until a vaccine is ready that the Russians are trying to steal from us.

    Tex whose a F-ing left of center spiritual Pitt fan who enjoys sex

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  17. Well, Lucas Krull has made the Mackey Watch List. The attention and accolades keep piling up for Pitt football. Lots of pressure to win now. Anything less than a Division title would be a major disappointment.

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  19. VoR……… How can you have such high expectations for PITT when I’ve had my ears beatin in that Narduzzi can’t recruit or coach worth a dam? All of a sudden it looks like he may have more than 7 players drafted next year.

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    1. All the more reason to fire him if he can’t win with 7 pro caliber players

      I don’t see any as being first round talent however. Pitt did have first round talent in my day. Coaches couldn’t win enough. Coaches got fired. Narduzzi is kept because his players save kittens.

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      2. Lots of players could blow up this year. When you’re surrounded by really good players it makes you all the better. Camp and Tywman will feed off each other with the D-ends crashing in from the outside. Not to mention teams won’t be able to throw on this D-backfield. It could be a record breaking season? Also. Pickett gets drafted.

        Liked by 1 person

  21. MM – ENJOY! hope you take time to pass on some family traditions to the kids – either:
    1. Ceiling Painting 101;
    2. Sculpting.

    I would think sculpting would be in for this year – there is a huge market developing for new statues! 😉

    Liked by 2 people

  22. ike, the hesitant posters on this site are finally coming around to the inescapable fact that you are the Pitt football guru, and Tex is just blowing smoke. Tex will always find a reason to go low where Naduzzi is concerned. Three star players will get better with age and playing time, and if the good ones stay 4 years, as well as the coaches, Pitt can build a good team which is what you have been saying all along. This is why I have always said that Narduzzi needs a 10 year running time to build the program.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Nobody needs ten years to get ranked and win ten games. Far lessor programs and far more unstable ones have done it. You guys think this will be the year. Well football probably won’t be played. So next year, the D is depleted and you’re breaking in a new QB. Narduzzi should be reloading at this point. Not rebuilding. You don’t give a Guy making top 25 pay more time to get one top 25 final ranking. Time to cut bait. Narduzzi is chum. You need a nice lure to land the prize.

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      1. He’s not rebuilding, he has one of the best team in the country coming back this year. Plus Tex, Narduzzi hasn’t been at PITT anywhere close to ten years. By the time it’s all said and done, you’re going to have to eat your Texas hat. Maybe you should switch over to a derby or fedora?

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        1. Ike: I’m with Tex on this. If there is no season this year, it spells big problems for Duzz. Next year we will be lucky to win 4 or 5 games. 7 guys will get drafted and we have zero to show for it. Those 7 produced a seven and an 8 win season, with one very mediocre bowl victory. Plus, other Coastal teams will be on the rise (UNC and Miami for sure) and the window for us will close nearly shut. I’m a believer in Narduzzi, but it’s not a good situation if the season is cancelled.

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  23. Well thanks VoR but I sure as schitt do not feel like I’m any kind of a guru, I just think it’s as plain as the nose on our faces to see what’s going on with Narduzzi and PITT. I’m not a kool-aid drinker.. (not a big fan of sugar) I just don’t have an agenda against this administration and feel the stability is working. My apologies to all the posters out there without a nose.

    I’ve done my fair share of bitching concerning PITT football in the past so I do not think everything is love and roses but the attacks on Narduzzi and Heather, just imo, are unwarranted. Just because PITT didn’t hire Tressell doesn’t make Heather a bad AD. Plus facts are facts if we are indeed talking facts? Narduzzi’s record is one of the best since the early eighties and has a team in place for success……… Let’s see what happens this year then will talk folks.

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    1. My attacks are criticism backed by facts. My grades based on various metrics across my scorecard.

      The only reason Narduzzi doesn’t get tgecwalt treatment is because the BoT values a clean program with good graduation rates over on field performance. They are fine with crappy bowls every year and the occasional run at the division title. They don’t take football seriously enough but more than gladly spend top third ACC money for consistent 7-8 win seasons and no rankings. That’s wasteful spending to me.

      And again Ike if heather was so wonderful why did we finish last in the Cup? Why does Pitt have rock bottom revenues among P5 schools? Why does Pitt have one of the lowest donation rates in the ACC? Why do we have a yellow seat issue? Why does our track team play and practice without a track? Why did two probations happen under her watch? Why did Pitt get mocked mercilessly by the national media about free pop to stay and sleeping fans? Why is the ooc not like 95 percent of savy schools who know how to schedule? Why is Pitt building a high school gym on valuable and precious land to support three programs that lose money and few people attend?

      Yet she’s done such a fine job? The jury is still out on her coaching hires like Capel. She’ll bankrupt the program if program cuts never materialize unless she knows where the pot of gold is hidden in the bowls of the Cathedral.

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      1. You’re wrong here Tex, you’re one of the biggest complainants of the OOC schedule. (that Heather didn’t schedule) and Narduzzi has one of the best ACC records the past 5 years. Those are facts my Texan friend.

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        1. She can break contracts. Contracts are meant to be broken. Ask any lawyer.

          Narduzzi plays in the weakest P5 division when you look at saragin and RPI rankings. Seriously worse than any PAC 12.

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  24. I posted this last week on another thread but it may be more appropriate here. College Football News just rated all 130 FBS schools and has the Panthers pre-season rated #18 in the nation. Their explanation is: “The Panthers are going to be the absolute real deal. The defensive line will be among the statistical best in the nation, and the offensive front will be a massive plus. Start with the infrastructure, and everything else is good, too.”
    A lot of optimism for the OL. But unfortunately both UNC and VT are ranked just ahead of Pitt by CFN.

    https://collegefootballnews.com/2020/07/college-football-rankings-2020-cfn-previews-130-teams/5

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Optimism for the Pitt OL is puzzling. I can see the middle 3 being pretty good, but you can’t have a decent passing game without decent tackles.

      Our tackles are a gigantic question mark. Maybe Van Lynn and the transfer or and one of the sophomores can do the job, but this is the key for Pitt’s success.

      Though I still don’t see there being a college football season.

      Go Pitt.

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  25. Maybe I’ve been saying it wrong, ike. But what I mean is you are good at applying some good old common sense to the problem; whereas Tex just wants to sh%t can the whole staff and start all over if any Pitt coach fails to win 10 games in 3 years. If Narduzzi’s replacement fails to do so , well let’s just start all over again. We have all documented the many limitations that the Pitt program has whether financial, geographic, OCS, or ethical. These things won’t change by firing the coach.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. He’s had five years. Is top 25 in pay. Pitts spend is top third in the ACC. Only Miami in their division spends more. He’s hired poor assistants and his ceiling is 9 wins. A on campus stadium won’t help him win more games. It won’t help him better recruit because he doesn’t know how to sell. He’s not that ethical because he was caught for cheating. It appears to me that he’s too rigid and stubborn in his approach. Runs his program like a military academy but has a team that is highly penalized and mentally soft.

      Any coach on my list would achieve ten wins and a top ten ranking after 4 years. I would resign as AD if it didn’t happen. Heather would just go out and buy another yellow blouse.

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  26. Tex, don’t beat around the Bush, tell us how you really feel.
    For me the major concern is will we have any season at all. It all the more frustrating because for the first time in many years the stars are in alignment.
    As for Heagher she has strengthened every team and deserves credit
    .
    As for MM you have earned a joy-filled time with your family. Your writing and insight are both thoughtful and provocative. A perfect blend.

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    1. I’ll never beat around any scrub bush. I’m as straight as wilt chamberlain. But how can you say lovely heather has strengthened every program when pitt finished dead last in the Cup last year and would have finished near bottom again. Pitts two most successful programs have nothing to do with her hirings.

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  27. Dionjag- looks like the CFN either totally ignores ALL Tex posts, or doesn’t read the POV altogether! Guess they don’t know how little talent we are able attract.

    Savannah, who’s hopin’ for football this year

    Liked by 1 person

  28. Looks like Narduzzi is good for another 7 win regular season. Do we honestly think $4 million dollars is fair pay for real results and these projected ones?

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  29. 1991 to 1998 was pretty bad. I’m class of 93 and attended games until 2001. You’ll find it fun and interesting.

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  30. Tex, you must have forgotten Frank Kush at Arizona State, or Earle Bruce who used to punch his players. Lou Holtz practically ripped the helmet off his players’ heads to get their attention. Those programs were run like military academies. And Holtz and Bruce won national championships.

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    1. I’ll take Lou holtz as coach. I remember him from the late 80’s. No better coach at that time. Some players need more than a helmet ripping but I’m old school. I’m also a big believer in allowing young adults to have some fun. Just not during my practices. I’m a firm believer in drinking, smoking, sex and C grades. But you better not play undisciplined on the field. And you better be mentally tough. Work hard, play harder.

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      1. How about proper edicate for protesting? What is your belief?

        Violent & reckless destruction or peaceful MLK demonstrations?

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    1. Woody was a prick. Just like Bobby knight. A big bully. They can both rot in Hell with Paterno.

      Name me one player other than Franco that liked poppy pants. They all hated his crappy guts.

      Tex who will talk ill of the dead. Worms got to eat.

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      1. I know many players that considered Paturdo as a father figure.

        Sandusky, not so much…

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        1. So a Nitter who worships the false god JoePa and is a lifetime member of the Pedo cult. He can burn in Hell as well.

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          1. LOL You put words in my mouth Tex. He never told me he worshiped joe but he liked him, which was your question. I haven’t spoken with him since before the Sandusky debacle. He’s a friend of my oldest son.

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        2. Uh, no Ike. Don’t even think he played much that year, maybe special teams. He was only a Fr or So that year. He could have possibly captained ST but I don’t think so. His better years were 87 and 88 if I recall.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. You’re right JoeK, Missed that one by a mile. I do know he was brought back by joe p as an honorary captain later on. He still may have been a captain in 88.

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        3. Uh, no Ike. Wrong year. He barely played that year, but was a ST ace. Better years were 87 and 88 if I recall. Could be wrong, but he was a Fr or So, and they had 3 really good lb that year. But as far as loving Joe, two of my really good friends ( both actual PSU captains btw) loved, and I mean loved the guy.

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  33. those CFN ratings curiously had … 16. UNC 17, Va Tech 18. Pitt and 19. Miami … that’s four Coastal teams in a row. Not sure what to make of it except for the fact that 4 teams ranked in the Top 20 is more respect that we have seen for a while.

    Per Tex’s post above, ESPN has Pitt underdog in 6 games and the team they are most likely to beat has already canceled. I say that for the 3rd year in a row, Pitt will beat expectations.. 2 years ago, they were projected by ESPN to win 5.5 (they won 7); last year projection was 6.5 (won 8). I don’t think Pitt will win 10 …. but definitely expect more than 6.7

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    1. In a full season I would expect at least 8 wins

      But this won’t be a full season. And will be one with an asterisk. No season will be like this one. It doesn’t count for me. Give it 4 weeks, then they will shut it all down.

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  34. Formerlywwb, What I got from CFN’s rankings is that 4 teams will be fighting each other for the Coastal, assuming there is a Coastal. Could be that the four beat up each other and tie breakers are needed to determine the Division champion.
    However, speculating on win totals this year without a real schedule is just an exercise in what might have been. I’m holding my water until the schedule is released. Then we can speculate win totals and division champion(s), maybe.

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  35. PITT won’t win ten games this year for the simple fact,,, they won’t play ten games… it’s a crying shame.

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  36. So Tex, now they have to “like” the coach instead of just playing for him? You stated that Narduzzi runs his program like a military academy. When I pointed out that these types of programs do win, you now say the players must “like” their coach. Once again you are talking in circles just to make a point that Narduzzi should be fired.

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    1. You don’t have to like your coach. But you do have to respect him. I’m not a big fan of running public schools like academies. There’s more to life than books and sports. But to honor your scholie, you must show up, be receptive to coaching and give 100 percent. What you do on your free time is up to you. And I don’t expect you to save kittens or pull anything more than C’s. But Narduzzi runs a undisciplined team based on their penalties. I’m very consistent on this. As a player, I want to play for someone who is smart and not a prick. As a coach, I always coached this way believing in a proper balance and respect works both ways. I’ve had proven success. So booby knight despite despite his success is a prick. Same goes for woody Hayes. Aweful human beings of excrement in my book.

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      1. I want and expect the players to get better than Cs in classes. Let the non-student athletes go to WVCCC. Sorry Tex, I am sooooo not with you on that. I want high- character kids who, (as you say), rescue kittens from trees. I want players who will become productive citizens after their playing days are over. Face it, most WILL be going pro in something other than sports. I think the university does them a great disservice by ignoring the academic and character issues of the players and facusing strictly on athletics. How quickly that athletic ability can vanish with one major injury or medical complication. Then you end up with a kid who was a promising player but never developed into more- and winds up in a minimum wage job. IMO the university has failed him.

        Liked by 4 people

          1. Remember Rich Hall on SNL – was always sharing “sniglets”.

            Facusing – its what a fact checker does to a writer when they detect BS.

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            1. Rich Hall isms

              Askhole — someone who constantly asks for your advice, yet always does the opposite of what you told him. (

              anticiparcellate (an ti si PAR sel ate) – v. Waiting until
              the mailman is several houses down the street before picking
              up the mail, so as not to appear too anxious.

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        2. The university diverts your attention to grad rates, gpa’s and community service because on field results are mediocre at best. I want Pitt to be Stanford. World class in both academics and athletics. Pitt is closer to wvcc than you want to believe.

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  37. If the ACC goes to three 5 team pods, many have projected Pitt in a pod along with ND, Syracuse, BC, and Louisville. Going with Ike’s less than 10 game season (which I agree is a most likely possibility), each team plays an 8 game schedule. With just home and home games with their pod teams, what do you predict for Pitt’s win/loss record?

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    1. Loss Notre Dame
      Win Syracuse
      Win BC
      Loss va tech
      Win Virginia
      Loss louisville

      If they play twice, va tech is a win at home and Louisville. All others stay the same. That’s best case. Ten wins. Worst case 6 wins. Split the difference you have 8 in a asterisk season. Bowl win makes 9. Narduzzis ceiling. And he’s paid 4 times more than atom counter. That’s a crime.

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  38. Anyone else receive a questionnaire from Pitt Athletics recently?

    Found it interesting that one of the questions listed each of the Pitt athletic teams and asked – I don’t remember the exact wording – but essentially which ones you are most interested in… Probably some cuts being contemplated…

    Go Pitt!

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    1. They don’t need to ask fans. They have the numbers. It’s strictly profit and loss. And they also know through the eye test, the attendance figures. And they know who their donors are and what programs are gifted. It ain’t rocket science. Heather needs to go down to 12 programs. Why the delay? Does she have a soft heart and feelings? This is a business decision.

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  39. the NBA just had 0 positive tests out of 346 tested; the NHL has 2 positive tests over the first 5 days of training camp. Players who were previously positive had been quarantined. Note that both are operating in a controlled environment (bubble).

    Keep your eyes on MLB which has just played ball games after short travel. Now these guys are tested frequently, much more than the average citizen, but will lead a more normal life because they will go home to their families.

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    1. Premier league has been doing this for a few weeks now. Their health protocols seem to be working. Again no fans allowed. They pipe in fan noise.

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  40. “ . . . Now these guys are tested frequently . . .”

    Question: how/why is it possible that these guys can be tested frequently, but for an “average citizen” it takes hours of standing in line to get a test and a week or so to get the results? Something is seriously wrong with this.

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    1. Money.

      Testing is only effective if you have instant access and same day results. Along with accurate testing.

      Evidently the pros have the money. Most schools do not.

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  41. Nice article on the Lair by Peak regarding Pitts previous decommits and how they fared.
    Cant link it from my phone for some reason.
    Sorry.

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  42. Maestro – enjoy your time with the family and thanks for all you do.

    I was supposed to be in Scotland this week playing golf with a group of HS buddies. Today would have been North Berwick for thse of you who are golf fans. Ugh.

    Instead, I decided to keep the week off in place and come to Pgh to visit my sister…do a few chores for her. Weather permitting, I am looking forward to a round of golf tomorrow with Fran and Farmers (with a side trip to that thing called the Oakmont Bakery so I can see what all the excitement is about ). 😉

    Also looking forward to some evening cocktails with Mr. and Mrs Richman later in the week.

    So, making lemonade folks. But certainly a nice batch of lemonade in its own right.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. JoeL, just reading your ambitious itinerary has made me so tired I just might have to go back to bed. 🙂

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  43. Michael, your just like my wife… Every once in a while she leaves me…but always comes back….Have a great vacation and thanks for all your hard work giving us old peeps something to look forward to…

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  44. This just in: As their #1 ACC upset in 2020, Athlon Sports’ Jon Kinne is predicting Pitt to upset NOTRE DAME this year! Couple that with Tex’s reliable other 2020 W/L predictions, the Duzz gets to 10 wins this year!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. If Pitt plays the domers twice, I can see them winning one of the games. Pitt always plays them tough.

      It’s good that Pitt wouldn’t have to play Miami or NC. Cuse and BC are just trash. They have legit excuses why they can’t recruit. You ever been to Syracuse?

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  46. PITT can beat Notre Dame not once but twice. Book is over-rated. That kid QB down in North Carolina couldn’t beat PITT last year, he ain’t beating them this year either. Supposedly he’s dumb as a box of rocks?

    How are you all going to feel IF some PITT players decide to kneel during the national anthem? Narduzzi has to get ahead of this. PITT can’t afford to fracture their already small fan-base. All for one and one for all.

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    1. They will kneel then. I wouldn’t be surprised if they had some decal on helmets or badge on jerseys.

      And no fan will be in the stands.

      And I’ll bet my finest Texas bourbon that pitt won’t beat the domers twice.

      My school district will virtual learn until at least end of September. We expect to peak or reach the apex in a few weeks. Hopefully in 75 days we’ll be near bottom of hospitalizations in the county.

      Colleges are going to make those same decisions.

      Waiting on heather to cut 7 sports programs. I expect lacrosse to be delayed along with Victory Heights.

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    2. Ike – why do you think fans would be offended. No fans in the stands anyway.

      I’d applaud that stance. Do it first game. Get it over with. Maybe place a permanent decal on helmets – BLM

      You do know over 70 percent of the players are ‘black’

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    3. If they get into the political BS then I am done…that’s why no political BS is allowed on here (most of the time) At my age I don’t need AGITATED……

      BigB who takes BP meds and has an anger management problem.

      Liked by 3 people

      1. But it’s not political BS to black players. That’s why I say do what you got to do first game. Get it over with. Otherwise Pitt probably doesn’t field a team.

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  48. BTW, did you guys hear that PNC park may be the new home of the Toronto Bluejays this year? It could happen.

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  50. Biggie is a large man, I weigh in around 200 lbs and I feel tiny standing next to him. He needs to be a big guy to fit that large heart of his into it.

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  52. hey guys to change the subject matter to FB for a sec…check out the Coastal Div rankings if you haven’t already done so…Under Pittsburgh the last line about KP caught me off- 2nd to Sam Howell in passing yards and yards per game- if he can just break throw for about 20 TD’s this year….that would be nice…who knows, maybe we get a running game….Tex, if we can get 2000 yards running this year I would’t care if the had BLM, MAGA or rainbow ribbons on there helmets…whatever floats their, your’s and my boat…..
    aigB ’cause TD’S MATTER… you can take that to the bank !!

    http://www.southernpigskin.com/acc/acc-coastal-power-rankings/

    Liked by 3 people

  53. sorry for the typos have to get back to work…..I picked up a little “FRANKCAN” back in the day …

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  55. First things first, we need a Donald commitment on Friday. If Pitt loses out on Donald Tex will have a field day posting on that subject.

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  56. just saw on the news that Pitt students will be coming back to campus beginning Aug 11. It will be in phases — 1500 students at a time. On-campus students have to quarantine 14 days while off-campus have to do so 7 days at home and 7 days in Oakland — whatever that means I probably have that wrong (I hope)

    And no Tex —- this wasn’t a Heather decision (I hope)

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  57. well, it looks like there’s a chance of a DL in the near future of D Hayes (Westinghouse), E Donald (Central Cath), N Johnson (West Mifflin) and D Ford (Baldwin) …. three 4-stars and a 5.7

    Liked by 1 person

    1. But what good is it if you can’t outscore the other team. Need more talent on O. Expect a bunch of 13-10 losses in the future. It’s O that wins games. D just keeps you in it.

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      2. I agree Tex…you got to score points and we weren’t very good at putt’n the pigskin in the end-zone- the highly praised D also had some lapses….. it’s been 37 years of “ wait n see” for the PITT die-hard…. so I am waiting to see if….( you can fill in the rest of the sentence

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      3. Ford will be an O-linemen, joining a young group of movers and shakers Narduzzi is collecting and we are going to just mow teams downs. Unlike in 1982 when Covert, Sweeney and Fralic for some reason didn’t. That’s right, Foge was on the sideline. I knew there was an excuse for underachievement at Pitt.

        Liked by 1 person

  58. So Tex, you’re predicting PITT’s offense will only score 10 pts a game this coming season? I’ll double down on your bet you offered up last night.

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    1. I’m saying after Kenny unless there’s a major upgrade of talent. Football rules favor the O. The D always reacts to the O. In college like the pros, it’s an offensive league. QB is key. Very little experience behind Kenny.

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  59. Yeah B but PITT averaged a lousy 21pts a game last year with another brand new O coordinator. Picketts third in four years. PITT’s offense will be good, at least good enough with that defense.

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  60. Is Nutting going to make a profit if the Blue Jays play in Pittsburgh or is this an altruistic gesture on his part to help MLB?

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    1. don’t see how Nutting will profit from this. However, the stadium employees, and local hotels and restaurants may do well. In fact, there are are supposed to be 7 coinciding dates where (I guess) the Pirates will play in the day and the Jays will play in the evening (or visa versa.) I assume that hotels near the park will house the visiting teams and possibly the restaurants on the North Shore will feed them.

      I’m wondering about coinciding dates with Pitt and the Steelers … especially if either allows fans

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    2. Of course. He’s purely transactional. He’s not doing this out of his heart. His doing this because it helps fill his wallet. He needs to go back to West virginny and rape a sheep.

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    1. It takes time for talent to shine. I’ll take experience at QB any day. Talent is only on paper right now. I can use paper to wipe my butt.

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    1. Interesting reason for the recommitment of this 6’1” 180 lb CB prospect from Ohio

      “With all the stuff going on in Minnesota right now with the riots, I had some thoughts about that,” Crumpley added. “Stuff goes on everywhere, but it happens to be in Minnesota right now. I felt like I was going to weigh my options more, and that’s one of the reasons why I stepped away from Minnesota.”

      Smart young man…

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Decommitment, not recommitment

        He did recommit to the fact that he can “row the boat” in another town.

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    1. Went he went down in the WF game a couple of years ago on a trick play we clinched the ACC title. The remaining games without Jimmy- well, we know the rest of the story! Jimmy has been an extremely strong position player… not to mention a LEADER… he is the QB of the O line…. now if KP can up his game to Jimmy’s level then BigB thinks PITT will do well

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    2. a lot of 17-18 year old kids don’t physically mature as fast as other kids and this is especially true of lineman….I met Jimmy’s Dad and Mom a couple of times- amazing Jimmy is the size he is…Dad is small framed 5’10” or less-son Jimmy is 6’2” or 3” has worked his ass off to become a 300lb starter….

      BigB who prefers to be carried off the battlefield on his shield by big mean and lean smart kids with a great work ethic and good footwork!

      Liked by 1 person

  65. I remember very vividly, Narduzzi being made fun of Morrissey’s redshirt freshman year when he became PITT’s starting center. Who’s laughing now?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. He’s more the exception than the rule

      You don’t want to build your team every year via transfers and walk-ons. Tells me your recruiting is suspect and you’ve failed to develop players.

      But don’t take my word. As a coach that’s not on the Pitt staff.

      Like

  66. fwiw, I wrote the above not to praise the staff or to point out how off recruit rankings can be … I wrote it because I remember how much admiration was shown towards Aston here (me included); enough to call him
    The Legend’. But what Morrisey has done (off the field also) has been exemplary. If he continues this year, and is named an All-Americans (1st, 2ndm 3rd team) ….we’re talking an all-timer who merits serious consideration as one of the best ever. (and maybe the 2nd best Pitt player of this past decade)

    Like

    1. Boyd and Conner are ahead of him. And AD obviously. And that other OL guy who is a stud for the Vikings.

      Way too much love for a center.

      Tex whose less drunk than wwb

      Like

  68. The ACC should announce their plans next week. When is fall camp scheduled to begin? Getting very close to rug cutting time. Without OOC games start of season can be postponed for a couple weeks. Haven’t seen many updates on how team infections are going. Not sure anyone would want to travel to Miami right now.

    Like

    1. Or would want Miami traveling to their town or campus. You don’t want this Texan on your campus. 🤠

      Like

  71. Tex, this will be my last comment with you about Narduzzi. VoR is right, it’s like bashing my head against a wall. If you are not willing to turn the page I will.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You know where I stand on Narduzzi. He’s a B minus to B coach. That shouldn’t offend you. I’m very fair on my grading.

      You and I completely don’t see eye to eye on that yellow blouse wearing compliance incompetent. But that’s fine. It’s not personal. It’s business.

      I’ve pre paid her plane fair for Michigan State.

      Tex who has riddick on speed dial.

      Like

      1. wow, I would also give Duzz a B yet we seem to have an entire different perspective of that grade

        Like

  72. A PITT head football coach who grades out a B and he has meatballs for brains? mmmm? Interesting. Wouldn’t it be prudent to fire hairy arms and start over from scratch? ….. again…. brilliant!

    Do we have any thoughts on why Mack went back to UNC? Maybe that question mark should be a $ sign. BTW, when Stevenson said he was 1000% committed to PITT and nothing could change his mind then left within the week tells me more than I need to know. Not that I need any more convincing. No going to classes and a back door paper bag filled with money…. brilliant!

    Narduzzi does way way more with much much less.

    Like

    1. He’s a thief. Top third ACC spend. Top 25 in compensation. Ranked in the 50’s in saragin and rpi. Send the man up the Allegheny.

      Tex

      Like

  73. Some sad news to report, Pitt Johnstown standout wrestler and Steeler All Pro guard Carlton Haselrig passed away today at the age of 54. There is a tremendous story behind this talented athlete that seem to come out of nowhere to go onto great success.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Amazing! At UPJ, he won both DII and DI wrestling championships and in fact was the only wrestler in NCAA history to win 6 individual titles. Haselrig was inducted into the Pitt-Johnstown Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009. He is also a member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Division II Wrestling Hall of Fame, among other honors.

      He never played a down of college FB but played 5 years in the NFL, and made the Pro Bowl one year.

      Like

  74. BTW, Tex’s favorite AD, in written testimony, asks Congress to prohibit legalized betting on collegiate sports.
    There are several college officials testifying to congress either by letter or online.

    Hope that this doesn’t cross any lines ….

    Ross Dellenger@RossDellenger
    ·Sen. Lindsey Graham presiding over the Senate NIL hearing: “We cannot have a bidding war for recruits.”
    Who wants to tell him?

    Liked by 1 person

  75. I have no problem with a regulated and well overseen sports betting authority. Those against it are wrong. Life is one crap shoot anyway.

    Like

    1. Well Tex, we have found common ground. Life is indeed a crap shoot. The sooner we all understand that then the sooner we understand life itself. No one is guaranteed anything out of their lives. I’m not a hard drinking man but I’ll raise a small glass of honey Jack to you tonight (courtesy of Mark pt)

      Like

  76. FWIW, Phil Steele was on ESPN U radio this AM and said that the ACC was the most improved P5 conference and the Coastal Division the most improved P5 division this year. He mentioned that any of 4 teams could win the division, with Pitt among them.

    Liked by 2 people

  77. This player Stevenson reminds me of several players over the years who couldn’t make up their minds and basically ruined their careers jumping from college to college. What are the odds that he actually finishes his career with UNC?

    Like

  79. Pete Fiutak of College Football News picked ” 20 Potentially Awesome College Football Games If There’s A Conference Only Schedule”. His number 14 game in all of FBS is wait for it, wait for it…

    “14. Clemson vs. Pitt
    You really, really want this game.

    Clemson doesn’t fear any team – it’s been through too much to get into a twist over anyone who isn’t Ohio State or an SEC champion – but it’s not going to want anything to do with a Pitt team whose defensive front will probably lead the nation in sacks again.

    These two have only played three times, and one of them was a 43-42 Panther win to hand eventual national champion Clemson its only loss of 2016.

    And the Pitt star quarterback was … ?

    Nathan Peterman. By the way, Deshaun Watson only threw for 580 yards in the loss.”

    Do you really, really want this game like Pete Fiutak does?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. sure, it would mean (1) there was college FB and (2) Pitt won the Coastal. I would expect Clemson to win this time 30-9.

      Like

    2. So this letter is from the same NCAA that didn’t punish NC for fake classes.

      Ok Ike.

      This letter is a shiny object to divert your attention and make you feel good about pitt football. When you should really be peed off that after five long years, Narduzzi still doesn’t have a top 25 team despite a top third spend in the Coastal.

      Wanny did far more with far less and was paid peanuts. And a boss that hated his guts.

      Narduzzi has heather over for meatballs every Sunday

      Like

  88. Haselrig deserves a lot of credit for what he accomplished in the sports world for sure. What strikes me is when he says, Paraphrasing “I’m proud of what I did in sports” “Not so proud of what I did away from it” .

    Agreed Fran, I look for a big difference this year and wouldn’t be surprised to see Brandon George in goal-line packages at the goal-line. No more settling for 3 points.

    Liked by 1 person

  90. Narduzzi team avg finished rank: (Zero top 25).
    2019 Athlon #40
    2019 College Football News #49
    2019 RPI #48
    2018 RPI # 69

    Narduzzi Record 36-29, a .544 winning %

    Narduzzi 1-3 in Bowl Games 25% winning %

    Narduzzi Recruiting Ranking (29, 38, 36, 49, 44) Average 39.2 out of 65

    Hardly an A or a B in my book. C+ at best in my opinion….but hey, he did cheat and our compliance AD didn’t catch it for awhile, so an “A” for effort there. He won’t win 10 games this year. He won’t lose 10 games either. He is the second highest paid coach in the coastal division.

    With those arms, he would be the highest paid coach in the postal division.

    Like

    1. Here are the key points from Mike White’s WPa recruiting decline from October 2018:

      *Only 5, maybe 6, WPIAL kids will sign P5 offers this year..
      * 10 years ago, 24 kids signed P5 offers.
      * 20 years ago, 31 kids signed P5 offers. Think about that, that is 25 more than will this year.
      * Next year or the year after doesn’t look much better.
      It is not just P5 level kids, the top kids……
      * From 1988-1997 there have been at least 31 FBS level kids, with a couple of years around 50.
      * This year, there will be less than 20.
      * PA is 11th averaging 61.5 FBS recruits over the past decade, but Ohio (same demographics) has averaged 138 recruits!
      * The WPIAL started to drop appreciably 10 years ago, with a severe drop starting over 6 years ago. Yet, the colleges are giving out the same number of scholarships and while participation is down, it is nowhere near as down at the same rate.

      and of course, only three 4-star recruits in the entire state of PA last year (Pitt got one)

      And if you don’t think local talent means anything to a program like Pitt’s, take a look where 15 of the 18 commits in UNC’s current top 10 class are from. (and the other 3 are from adjoining states)

      https://northcarolina.rivals.com/commitments/football/2021

      for the umpteenth time …. THE 1970s WERE ALMOST 50 YEARS AGO. This program has only been
      slightly above .500 for the past 30 years

      Like

      1. I don’t think you can underestimate how much more difficult that makes recruiting.
        Very few P-5 schools are in that boat. I can’t think of another one. WV probably comes closest.

        Like

        1. Most P5 schools are in that boat. Unless you’re a state school from Texas, Florida, Georgia, Alabama or Louisiana. Michigan even finds it hard to recruit. And now So Cal since they stopped blatant cheating.

          Like

          1. Michigan has no problem recruiting. I think they had one year in the last 5 or so where they weren’t top 15.

            Like

      2. 20 football years ago, i think we were 2-9, or 5-6 or 7-5…..that wasn’t the problem. The kids were there. Maybe the coaches and administration wasn’t. And now, maybe the coaches, administration and talent is still not….. hope not!

        I like recruiting Georgia and FL. Too bad we are asleep behind the wheel on scheduling OOC games with florida and georgia teams that we should beat so that our kids can play in front of their folks abd families and friends. Keep scheduling Iowa and Tennessee and WV. Those games pay such great dividends on the recruiting trail….

        Like

      3. All the more reason a program like pitt needs a great recruiter, great coach and great system. Narduzzi is mediocre on all. And vastly overpaid unless you over value gpa’s and saving kittens.

        Like

      4. One big excuse.

        Not acceptable in my book

        Find a different coach

        Schools like Minnesota have it much harder but look at what a good coach can do.

        Like

      5. Nobody is saying Pitt can become elite again. That takes more than just recruits. The issue is lack of leadership and utter incompetence that has plagued this program since Jackie. That has produced mediocrity and moments of SOP. It hasn’t been H2P since 1982.

        Like

  91. Huff the Third, you are the leader when it comes to pointing out how difficult the PITT OOC schedule has been. Are you going to leave that part out now?

    Like

  92. naah, i didn’t want you to think i was taking a pot shot at the adorable AD for not changing those games and scheduling Tenn, Iowa and WVU when we got nothing coming back but inexperience.

    Liked by 1 person

  93. Also, UNC:

    2021 currently, unc has kids from VA, TN, SC and NC. Those states have increasing populations and availability of talent.

    2020 – unc landed recruits from 7 states. FL, Arcansauce, PA, GA, SC, NC, VA. Majority of kids from NC, but 11 out of state.

    This is why you put ga schools and flurrrida schools on the OOC schedule if you are a solid AD. You help support your coach with potential recruits. OR, you sign deals with Iowa, Tenn and WV because we get so many kids from those states and their populations are skyrocketing…..in the retirement age space!

    Like

  94. May have been mentioned before but the NFL has cancelled pre-season games. PA says no to the BlueJays at PNC Park. Pitt kids to start Aug 11, going to be interesting to see how that goes. Will they send them home with Covid or do they isolate in place? Should be a real test of contact tracing. How do you mingle when everyone has a mask on? Adapting to a new environment.

    Like

    1. My son has to attend only one class in person…history. All others are online. He’s engineering. He gets to stay on campus. But seriously he could do the online at home and save money. Although he’ll get the experience of a roommate, cafeteria food and some college clubs and associations. Make new friends and learn outside the dorm. I still think it’s a waste and bad idea being housed on campus. Good luck social distancing in dorms. No break in tuition for this learning for most kids. That’s not right.

      Like

    1. Ike – Richmond cancelled on us – so we are down one game at this time.

      Fingers crossed that we get to see what this team can do…

      H2P!

      Liked by 1 person

  96. Color me not surprised that most of the posters have had zero comments on the congratulation letter sent to Narduzzi, Heather and the entire PITT football program for the academic success of the PITT football team. I guess it doesn’t fit the narrative?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I watch sports to see wins and be entertained. I frankly could care less about what grades a kid pulls. That’s like asking how’s your sex and drug life? If Pitt wants nerd players, might as well become fake Ivy. Real men who play sports don’t achieve high gpa’s. Those that do are found at Ivy’s and military academies. And those that do at Pitt are two stars that play like three stars and become engineers. And these brainy kids have produced no top 25 rankings, only one crappy bowl win and a record barely above .500. And the blind squirrel got lucky against clemson in 2016. They are getting athletic and not academic scholies.

      Like

    2. When you understand how the percentage is calculated and that the majority of the 130 teams are within 100ths of a point of each other, it’s just not impressive to me. But everyone else can celebrate away. Read and understand the entire process and then look at the rankings. Also, when you read the letter it says something about how successful pitt has been on the field as well…..i guess it must be true if someone wrote it.

      Like

      1. One of my favorite sayings is……… if it makes the world go round and round, I’m down with it. I’ve got problems with many things of my own opinions. Since it’s Christmas in July…. it’s time for the airing of grievances

        Like

  98. Pack 8-10-12 is talking about a 10 game schedule playing 5 gains in their own division and 5 crossover gains with there are other division… That would work for me… Make sure we get Clemson is one of our crossover games… Go unbeaten and declare ourselves national champions… Doubt they will have 60 useless bowl games this year….

    I will go ahead and name lastrow’s new addition to his house “Red lot 5A 2020.” perfect timing Fran! Some of the people are asking if he will have a large party hot tub? don’t see us being allowed in Pittsburgh… It’s a wonder we are allowed to gather in more normal times….

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Pitt plays Clemson next year so zero need to add them to this year’s schedule. Pitt needs Ws not Ls. If Pitt wins the Coastal and plays the Tigers in Charlotte and loses, fine.

      Like

    1. I figure we will all be meeting at the founder’s house if the real Red5A is off limits or we could go to Wolfe’s (I don’t know the way to his place YET !)

      Like

  101. This could very well be a year where there are actually more bowl games under some formula where home vs. away bowl games could be awarded. If COVID-19 is under control, It could be one more opportunity for colleges to bring in some additional revenue.

    Like

  102. If you guys have a tailgate at Frans for a PITT game I will have to be there. Question, is there a hotel nearby? 😉 The Freeport Motor Inn will do.

    Liked by 1 person

  103. Spent many a night in a tent camping, so I’m down with that. A post game celebration down by the river with a big ole camp fire ablazin sounds toasty.

    Liked by 1 person

  104. If PITT football players being recognized for good grades doesn’t turn you on, then you’re rooting for the wrong team. If anyone is hell bent on being disappointed then root for the team wearing burnt orange and white colors. PITT would kick their asses this coming season if they played and PITT players would have better grades at the end of the day…. I raise a glass to the PITT football program, coaches and AD.

    Liked by 2 people

      1. I’ll take Texas as a program over Pitt any day. They aren’t a cult like the Aggies. They are located in Austin. That orange is the color of Longhorns. They love their football but also love the tailgate more. Their identity is defined by overall excellence across both academics and athletics. Very similar to Stanford and whisky. They get it and don’t protect pedophiles. But Pitt still struggles at balancing sports and academics. Louis riddick for BoT and then AD.

        Tex

        Like

  105. on the way to golf course this afternoon, I listened to ESPNU radio. A guy named Chris Childers brought up Heather’s odd request for Congress to outlaw gambling … “Good luck with that” But then, he immediately went om his “Stallings was the worst hire ever” diatribe. Something I haven’t heard in a couple years now. Boy, does he hate Stallings … even more as a person than as a coach. (something I had brought up here when KS was hired)

    Could you imagine the comments here if Heather would have hired someone so incompetent!

    Like

  106. Heather needs to stick to her job and stay outta DC… build that PITT FB team to the point I feel good about placing a wager on them….

    Liked by 1 person

  107. This coming week the ACC will lay their cards on the table. I would like to see a mandatory conference schedule but leave the OOC to the discretion of each team. With the start of college football only about 5 weeks away, the non- P5 teams on ACC schedules would really be screwed with cancellations this late.

    Liked by 1 person

  110. ok, today is supposed to be D-Day … when Elliott Donald announces his commitment. Both 247 (.9470) and Rivals (5.9) have Pitt as the fave.

    If indeed he comes to Pitt, it will help counteract the Rivals 0 rating of Pitt’s previous rating commit, the TE who has been on a mission.

    Like

  111. Pac12 expected to announce a 10 game all conference schedule next week. Just more evidence that it’s much more a financial decision than safety decision. No payouts to OOC schools playing in an empty stadium

    Like

    1. Whisky could lose up to $100 million if no football or Fall sports are played. Per The Godfather Barry.

      Pitt stands to lose at least $40 million based on my rough calculations.

      The time of reckoning is upon you heather.

      Like

  112. UNC will get busted within 3 years but fight it in court until the NCAA gives up and lets them slide.

    Like

  113. Maybe E Donald’s uncle will report on all the schools that offered his nephew $$$$ to sign!

    Like

  115. it looks like the 10 league games plus 1 OOC game for the ACC is gaining traction. There is even talk of Notre Dame participating in this.

    Like

  116. Wouldn’t that make Notre Dame a full fledged member of the ACC football conference?

    E Donald may be the only recruit in the country that isn’t looking for a money payoff to commit? Although I’m sure he would take it.

    I like the new hire, Marcus Bowman, yet then again, he’s not Jim Tressell. So we all no how this will go down.

    Like

    1. If Tressel was at Pitt now instead of yellow is the new black, pitt would be on an accelerated path to sports excellence. Instead, we’re less exciting and less important than a dung beetle. Time for me to crap. 💩

      Like

      1. But we know the administration doesn’t want an accelerated path to sports excellence. It wants to educate people who go on to do great things in the world whether it is in research, teaching, medicine. And when a Pitt professor poisons his wife it gets swept under the rug. When an athlete gets into trouble though we darn well know sports need to be put back on the shelf, way over there.

        At Pitt, an athlete is not a representation of the Mission Statement. Just when he offers a large sum of money do the hands of Pitt willingly accept the gift.

        Like

  118. -Marcus Bowman was hired by Oklahoma. If I remember correctly, his first job after graduating from Pitt was with the Pitt Women’s Basketball team. Congrats to Marcus on coming a long way…

    -Saw a photo from the recent Pitt golf outing of Coach Duzz and Danny Marino and others. Two comments: 1. No masks in sight; 2. Someone needs to send Dan a Pitt shirt… 😊

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 2 people

  119. John, I think the golf outing was at Laurel Valley, big-time course? BTW, the PSN interview with Heather is very enlightening.

    Like

  120. Did you notice the size of Dan Marino’s right gastrocnemius in that picture… That must’ve been the ankle that he sustained the Achilles tendon tear…..

    Like

  121. Talking shop B? I better cover up my ankles tomorrow because I have torn tendons in both feet from wearing flipflops too much. It’s why I never wear shoes anymore. BTW, got you some great country made sausage. Be safe.

    Like

  126. Narduzzi gets another 4 star today with Donald committing. Note the only two 4 stars in this class are from Western Pa.

    Liked by 1 person

  127. Donald is a Panther! Great news.

    Hopefully Ford decides on Pitt next and then Dinkins.

    Davis is giving Pitt a harder look than most think, but likely will choose between OSU or PSU.

    Liked by 1 person

  129. Some decent Western Pa talent will be showing up on the Pitt DL going forward with Johnson, Hayes and now Donald front and center. Looks like Pitt also has a decent chance on getting Ford from Baldwin to also sign on the dotted line this year.

    Like

  130. The 6’6″ 255 lbs TE will get bumped up. Well at least if he had committed to any other school he would be. This type of player is why PITT does more with less.

    Donald a great pickup but no credit will go to the PITT coaches.

    Liked by 1 person

        1. In my opinion, line play (both offense and defense) wins games. Every P5 school gets talented backs and yes, an outstanding back can make a difference. But with a poor or mediocre dline or oline those backs never have a chance.

          Liked by 4 people

        2. AD had no one else to help out when he was doubled and tripled teamed. Likewise, with Jimmy Morrisey in 2019. It takes 2 or 3 good linemen to make a difference.

          Liked by 1 person

    1. A nice pickup but was there any doubt? AD would have kicked his butt if he didn’t pick Pitt. I’m sure he wants to be a hometown hero and play right away. So it was a very good choice. And he’s got the name to live up to. So I respect him for staying home easily recognized with enourmous local pressure when he could have very easily faded away.

      Like

  133. MM goes on vacation; Pitt picks up a 4-star…🤔

    MM – regarding the title of this article, “Checking Out,” I meant to remind you earlier that being a Pitt fan is like staying at the Hotel California.

    You can check out, but you can never leave…

    Go Pitt!

    Liked by 7 people

  134. PIAA guidelines are for high school FB teams not to crowd into the locker rooms at half time but suggest congregating in the end zones instead … but it is not a mandate. Local rules will prevail … especially if it’s raining / lightning.

    Meanwhile, I keep reading more and more of a 11 game ACC schedule that will include ND, and will start in late Sept. I guess if ND is included, then it won’t count as the 1 OOC, but not sure

    Like

  135. Mich St just had 2 staffers and 1 player test positive and now the entire team is on quarantine/isolation. With that mentality, IMO it puts in doubt that there will be any college FB this year. (I think)

    Meanwhile, CFN (College Football News) just did an analysis of all 130 D1 teams over the past 5 years in regard to quality wins (defined as wins over a team that finished > 500). Pitt was 31st (WVU was 54th)

    Like

    1. Lose-lose season coming up for college football. If they cancel the season, it’s going to be ugly. If they try to play, it’s going to be ugly.

      Go Pitt.

      Like

  136. There will be football IMO as the TV money is critical for the survival of many college athletic departments. Now not knowing who will be quarantined for any given game will be another story. Placing bets on any game not knowing that fact alone will be treacherous to say the least.

    Like

  137. Huge get for Pitt and Narduzzi on a multitude of levels. Hopefully, this will lead to a few other highly rated WPIAL kids coming to PITT. Maybe Narduzzi really is building something…or maybe not.

    But, I think even the harshest critics might concede that today really is a GREAT day for Narduzzi and Pitt Football. Hope there is more days like today in the future.

    H2P!

    Liked by 3 people

  138. I’ve been on a binge of watching King of Queen reruns all day. Can’t take anymore of this BS. Although E Donald did offer up a much needed dose of relief.

    The partisan politics and stoopidity in this country has reach an all-time high or is it an all-time low and I’m talking football as well? If I was a cop I would have resigned yesterday….. oops.

    Liked by 1 person

  139. Congratulations and welcome Elliot Donald !!

    Play your own game. We are thrilled you stayed home. You can carve out your own niche and legacy.

    H2P!

    Liked by 2 people

  140. i think gambling on college football is not nice, and people that do that should sit in the corner and write 300 times, I should not gamble, says our AD. Well, some of that was said by our AD.

    She should have said, all colleges should receive 10% of all gambling receipts to be distributed as follows: 5% going to safety, 3% going to the players and 2% going to scholarship. Receipts/130 schools. ZERO money goes to the universities. The universities get money from Madden and all the other licensing. Stay out of this pot o cash.

    It was good to see our AD at the first MLB game while in DC testifying to congress. They put her in charge of announcing the attendance and she confidently stated “tonights attendance for the washington nationals versus ny yankees is 42,374. Thank you!

    Just wanted to keep Ike on his toes.

    Liked by 3 people

  143. Just saw on the news: Russ is critical but stable, just taken off of a ventilator. Let’s hope for a speedy recovery now.

    Liked by 2 people

  144. it appears there may be a large handful of schools that will have football but not students on campus this fall. But of course, it is not a financial decision … the safety of the kids are the priority

    Like

  146. It’s not surprising they were selected, but the ACC had more players on the list than the SEC or any other conference.

    Like

  147. Remember that college students face almost no serious risk from the virus. So the Michigan St kids can study their playbooks for two weeks and then get back to work. If the NCAA pushes back the start by 3-4 weeks the P5 schools could play into January. Maybe they will go back to voting for the national champion this year.

    Like

    1. Young healthy athletes with no known pre existing conditions that is. But they can still spread the disease. What happens when there aren’t any coaches to coach?

      Like

  149. The best part of it all is that PITTs D-line in the future will be made up of local WPA players. You know the area that doesn’t produce good high school players anymore. Heather better be making plans to keep Charlie, Randy and the entire coaching staff in place.

    Liked by 2 people

    2. How do you do that during covid. Pitt could lose over $40 million if football isn’t played. They have all this existing overhead and new costs for covid. I’m not sure those guys are worth a million dollars when you’re going to have to furlough people, take reductions in pay and eliminate programs. I’m fine with Narduzzi giving up a million and splitting it between some coaches.

      Like

      1. They take some of that money out of the endowment and spend it on the revenue maker. I’ve mentioned that Heather explained in an interview on PSN the BOT is in the corner of all PITT sports and has zero plans of eliminating any of the sports programs. I can’t link it but it’s worth looking up.

        Like

        1. They can’t use the endowment money for sports Ike. Unless they break the rules and pee off the wealthy gifters and their families. Many of these donors could care less about sports. They care about curing cancer and eliminating Alzheimer’s.

          Like

        2. She needs to face reality. If you lose millions how can you afford to keep programs and staff? Unless you keep borrowing money. You eventually pay the piper Ike.

          So every program in P5 will be forced to make cuts except Pitt. How is that. Do they know where the leprechaun hid the pot o gold in the Cathedral basement?

          Heather is living in a alternative reality totally oblivious to the dire financials.

          Like

    1. He is but the Pitt way is fire the coach before we see the plan come to fruition and start over with a lesser coach. Gottfried to Hackett and Wannstedt to Haywood/Graham.

      Both firings happened near or right at the start of a new decade so those who don’t like Narduzzi, there is hope for your wish to come true. I hope that Heather is smarter than Bozik and Pederson.

      Like

  151. Donald stated Partridge was key in him coming to Pitt…
    Also appears Donald will help try to recruit Ford and Davis.
    Dude seems like a class act.

    Liked by 3 people

  152. Iek, just saw your 4:07 time on the post…you up feeding the chickens or still up partying over the Donald commit?
    (“The Donald”not intended to be political) 😎

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Just another sleepless night in good old Latrobe Fran. I was wondering if any of the Donald family ever had the first name Mick?

      Like

  154. If the ACC can some how pull this off and have a season it really bodes well for the future.
    I like the idea of having mostly conference games and if it can finally rope in ND, the conference gets stronger. It would need one more school to have 16. WV would mean a rival and a better football team with solid BBall or UConn with great BBall, solid academics and more TV watchers in the NY metro area.

    Like

  155. I never understood why BC blackballed UConn ( although lucky for us that they did).
    UConn gives them a local rival and more NorthEast exposure for them and the conference.
    Now if we could only dump and replace Louisville with their poor academics and their lack of ethical behavior…

    Liked by 1 person

  156. With the good news about Elliot Donald, a memory of that other Panther Donald keeps popping into my head. It was that play where he grabbed and tackled both the QB and the RB at the same time, because he couldn’t tell which one had the ball. And he did it like it was no big deal.

    One of the great physical plays we’d seen in a long time. Hugh Green-like domination!

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 3 people

  157. Aside from the Steelers, I don’t watch a lot of pro football unless it’s the Rams playing. Then I don’t really watch the game but watch Aaron Donald every play. The young man is totally dominate.

    The PITT football team is going to be fun to watch for years with the local front four. 412 front four baby!

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    1. Penn state already has the philly market. Adding back Maryland makes the most sense but there’s a huge difference right now between a big ten and ACC check. Another southern or Midwest school would help. Maybe Cincy. Maybe UCF.

      Liked by 1 person

  160. Not sure if the ACC hierarchy wants another “northern” team? Central Florida seems more likely if there were to be expansion. Also, the ACC should put the full court pressure on Maryland to come back home. Another also, the ACC shouldn’t let Notre Dame participate in an all league season just for this year. Twist their arm while they have the chance.

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    1. I don’t believe the current ACC Florida teams would what more competition for high level players and fans that elevating UCF to a P5 school would do. Plus another Florida school does not expand the TV base nor the fan base. Too much Big 10 money to pry Maryland back. BC doesn’t want any more competition for NE players, so UConn is out. If Villanova would ever commit to a D1 football program. I think they are ones that the ACC would want, but that doesn’t look to happen anytime soon.

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  161. @grizzly – college athletes already get paid through a monthly stipend, in addition to tuition, books, fees and food. It is tied into cost of attendance and that is why schools publish some huge numbers for tuition and the like. They manipulate the data to the benefit of the athlete student. Secondly, gambling already occurs heavily in the college football space. Our AD should have proposed a measure that requires the athlete student to be the recipient of a certain percentage of gambling receipts instead of making a ridiculous statement that gambling on college sports should be banned.

    Even if they would ban such an activity, it would move underground and there you would have problems with thrown games, etc. Right now, the gambling sites report irregularities in money being bet on games, so there is control. What isn’t done and should be is that a portion of the casino revenue should be shared with the players, not the universities directly. Paying athlete students more is coming quickly, so lets pay them, and take care of safety first.

    She was asked to do so and carry a flawed message. Unfortunate to be used that way. The message wasn’t thought through properly.

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  162. I don’t disagree with much you’re saying there Huff the Third. An off thought is, she had the ears and respect of some high end muckity mucks. She needs to stay in her surroundings and what she is meekly paid to do.

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  163. Huff, you’re off base concerning the payment of college players with gambling money. Gee, what could go wrong with that?? ike is right that Heather stepped into a different environment, but there is nothing wrong with her elevating her national presence.

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  164. If she sucks so bad why would Mich State want her? No, she auditioning for a pay raise and a slap on the back for a job well done.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. She already got a bump from $450 to $700k. Pitt is in no position to be giving anyone raises with covid and significantly reduced projected revenues. And higher expenses for Covid. She’s still underpaid for ACC ad’s though. But Pitt did finish dead last in the Cup and has rock bottom revenues in the conference.

      Sparty needs a compliance person. But she’ll need to trade in those yellow blouses for green. Would not look good on her.

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  165. Universities will need to fund additional payments to players from different sources than are currently available.If you have ever worked in the gambling space and tried to get a casino up and running, one of the first things demanded and offered by the owner……is a percentage of receipts that go towards gambling addiction/prevention.

    Same with this scenario. Right now, the athlete students get nothing from the gambling that goes on…that they drive! You say that I am off but offer no reason as to why? Right now, college football and basketball players are at risk from the gambling environment as billions of dollars are spent each year on sport gambling. That will not go away. Since it will not go away, it makes sense to take some of the revenue derived from your sport and use it to the athlete student benefit. So what actually changes that’s different from current day?

    Gambling will continue. College students that get close to players get paid to be snitches on injuries, who’s starting, who’s sitting, etc anyway. If anyone thinks sports and college sports is spotless, then you haven’t been paying attention. There is a website dedicated to oddities that occur to keep an over/under number intact, point differential, fouls called, etc.

    This is the same response as to why Pitt can”t win. Woe is us…everything is a bad idea. Everyone eeyore’s instead of offers solutions. I offer solutions and it’s a no go. Where are the revenues coming from to fund payments to players that wont upset the applecart?

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  166. Alabama players and many others are payed way more than a “stipend” Daddy’s getting a job, daddy’s getting a Cadillac, mommy is getting this and mommy is getting that. Paying some of these college football player to play reminds me of the extra $600 dollar unemployment bonus on top of employment benefits for not working. Won’t solve a thing. This country has gone to hell with all the partisanship. When common sense no longer rules the day I’m out…..

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Bama has donors that do this. The university turns a blind eye. Pitt nuked the golden panthers. Nothing wrong if properly overseen. You’d think that’s in a compliance persons wheelhouse. Pitt needs a engine for revenues. MPC and golden panthers are the best routes. One is low hanging fruit.

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  167. The more soul searching question is would you ever bet against Pitt? I would never place a wager against Pitt. But if Vegas gave me odds on narduzzis firing, that’s another story. But I don’t root for Pitt to lose just so the man can go back to making meatballs in Youngstown. Narduzzi cheating, verbally abusing a player, saying some racist thing, being caught with a dead hooker in bed, those would all be good enough for me.

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  168. I’ve never entertained the thought of betting against PITT and never will.

    ike, who makes great meatballs and doesn’t drink bourbon too early on Saturdays in Texas. (although I have been known to crack open a light beer early on the weekend back in my hey days) you know, before my get up and go got up and went.

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    1. It’s always noon in Texas. I used to have a general practice to abstain from alcohol prior to noon on any given day. In Texas we work hard and drink harder. Time is all relative. I now wale up to Scottish beer and breakfast burritos to watch the premier league.

      Tex

      Liked by 1 person

  169. those are just basic excuses for firing coaches tex, think outside the box….lol

    wait til the payments for commercials/endorsements and the like start ike….

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  170. Hope I’m not getting under your skin too much Huff the Third. Seriously though. They can fire Narduzzi, Heather and the entire staff tomorrow. I would enjoy the good laugh at what happens next. I may not be around to see the debacle but I’ll go to the crematorium with a smile on my face knowing the awaiting fate of PITT football.

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    1. Well Ike I have lotions for any itch. You don’t get under my skin. It’s thick.

      But Pitt is gonna have to make cuts. It’s inevitable. Many schools have already done so. Many have reported their dire straits and the consequences.

      Pitt can’t ignore it or wish it away.

      Today they need to cut staff by 20 percent. Start with non essential. That’s the first pass.

      Reduce everyone’s comp by 10 percent and cut up that corporate card.

      Eliminate 7 programs down to the min 12 level

      Scale back victory Heights even further and reevaluate priorities

      Hustle for new and creative ways to gen up revenues.

      School opens and school will close. Again I don’t need a Tardis to see how this one plays out.

      Tex whose jumping to 2025 to watch both pitt football and basketball in the championships. And no Narduzzi is still not coaching.

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  171. Huff, aside from the immoral aspect of paying young people from gambling proceeds, the gambling industry is probably the most difficult to control. People will bet on anything, and corruption is rampant in the industry. It is a long road to go from “student-athletes” to gambling supported semi-pros. And clearly we are talking about a game where 5% of the players make all the difference. So how do you pay players and yet keep the locker room chemistry from blowing up?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The solution is a semi pro league of 30-40 schools. Gambling can help subsidize it along with the nfl. Pitt will not be invited. They have no brains or balls.

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  172. The locker rooms will be split once the commercials, endorsements, and cash handshakes begin, or continue with the handshakes. You either get in front of it, or have it control you and lose out.

    Liked by 1 person

  173. Thanks for the logic as to why to not have paid players in college football. My exact thoughts. The division within a team and the division between teams in the country will tear down college football in a heartbeat. Funny thing being, the winners won’t want to go semi-pro or pay the players (they already do). They like the setup just the way it is, the view looks good on top of the mountain.

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  175. The one thing in life I will never understand………………. no matter how obvious something may be.. 50% will be against it. Thanks for listening… my editorial for the day. (Mike, I’m talking PITT here ). . .;)

    Liked by 2 people

  176. RIP to Peter Green who founded Fleetwood Mac back when the donors were only buying dads Buicks and Olds, He also wrote Black Magic Woman … the original …

    Liked by 4 people

    1. I’m surprised there hasn’t been more development on a combination helmet-face shield-face mask that would protect the players.

      A tough problem, but one that should be right up the alley of some smart folks.

      Go Pitt.

      Like

      1. There was a company out there that has prototypes

        Similar to motorcross.

        I posted a twitter link to it about two weeks ago

        I don’t see it being manufactured and tested in time though

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  179. Thinking it may be time to commit…… after much thought, maybe an hour or two… I’m thinking that there will be a college football season this year. I see no way around it as the consequences and complications are just way to extreme.

    Back to the ACC network, man it would be nice for Comcast to jump on board for the simple fact that viewership will be out of this world. Question? Is it the ACC or Comcast that has the negotiating power with no fans in the stands?

    ike who’s always tired anymore, generally speaking, tired of everything.

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  180. There’s a 80 percent chance it starts. 20 percent chance it finishes.

    How well health guidelines are executed and enforced will determine that answer.

    This will ebb and flow. There will be outbreaks and hot spots. Flu season and a second wave. Some local areas and schools will do better than others.

    I honestly wouldn’t want anyone from Texas or Florida visiting the south side facilities unless they’ve been quarantined

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  181. That’s not now though Tex. I do agree that the season will be choppy, possibly interrupted and completely invalid. It’s a dirty shame with the team that PITT has coming back.

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  182. I’m actually glad they kept the Blue Jays out of Pittsburgh. (I see the number of hospitalizations is up in Pittsburgh, and while the numbers aren’t crazy, the trend is not good…)

    Any smallest thing that increases the Panthers’ chances of playing is good by me…

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  183. If the ACC and Comcast don’t work things out I’m going to be super irritated. ike’s right that the viewership will be high, so Comcast is probably trying to gouge the ACC for big bucks.

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  184. OK I admit this may seem to be political but it’s a joke I made up in my own demented mind. So check it out before Mike gets back into town..

    What does George Floyd, John Lewis and a rubber tire have in common? Answer? You just can’t bury them.. They seem to resurface for weeks.

    Alright, ban me down, it’s would be like putting an old sick dog down out of pity and love.

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    1. Exactly B, it’s not a racist thing. Just a fact. Angie has strict orders to burn my ass up ASAP and zero service. Not even for the family. I told he she can flush my ashes down the toilet for all I would care at that point. I may finally get a part of me to New Orleans? Hell, I may even float down to Mexico?

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  186. so what is the crystal ball predicting forDorien Ford? I love have local kids on the team… makes me feel more connected….

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  187. Ford is staying home unless he’s afraid of competition. Frankly I would rather PITT get a commit from Dinkins. Davis’s head is too big to fit inside a PITT helmet.

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  188. ike, do you think you could publish a recipe book of all your tasty dishes before you croak? New Orleans may get your ashes but Pitt football gets your heart! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  189. There might be more important things going on than playing college football games this fall.

    Rutgers: 6 players test positive; the whole team now quarantined. Four others have tested positive since June.

    Michigan State, the whole team is likewise quarantined.

    Barry Alverez: Due to the current challenges, we are facing a potential financial revenue loss of more than $100 million from our $140 million budget.

    Also Rutgers: the union representing faculty professors is suing the university over transferring $100 million from the general fund to the athletic department. Talk about throwing good money after bad.

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    1. Pitt borrows roughly $10 million each year. A subsidy of nearly 15 percent. On the high end of P-5. This was pre covid. Now with no ticket revenue and new expenses for Covid, pitt is going to have to borrow even more. And that ACC check might not exist without a season. So pitt could very well lose over $40 million. Programs will need to be cut. Staff furloughed. Victory Heights postponed and scaled back even more.

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  190. I’m too lazy to write any type of book but I’ll share a secret to being a good cook. Find a spouse that eats and likes everything you make no matter what. To be clear… Angie isn’t a large woman (she’s small) by any means but mostly likes everything I make. A real keeper.

    I’m ready for some take out around about now……. and tomorrow and the next day and……… etc….

    Liked by 1 person

  192. I will tell my Best friend about the coach.

    He might decide to keep giving Pitt 10 million a year.

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  194. Here in Pa from NC and I from my observations a whole different attitude in regards to the Wuhan virus in Penns Woods compared to the parts of NC I have been rolling through…feel like I am walking on egg shells in these foothills……not so in the ole North State….

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  197. Fwiw, Oklahoma just played their high school allstar football game. Is this the first fb game played this summer?

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  200. Flying to DC for work then Florida in 2 weeks. Be safe and go make a living. Too many people suckling the Governments teet.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. There wouldn’t be any suckling if people just wore masks and practiced social responsibility.

      The next big game changer is the opening of schools. Most have been delayed where I live. Online learning until late September. Hopefully at that point, hospitalizations will be on a sustained path down and the positive rate will be under 2 percent.

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