The ACC inched closer to playing actual college football today.  They did this by doing four things:  Adopting an 11 game schedule, adding Notre Dame on a one-year basis, pushing the start of the season back to September 12th and adding a big, fat coronavirus caveat.

Per ESPN:

“The ACC board of directors voted Wednesday to proceed with an 11-game football season that begins the weekend of Sept. 12 — and includes FBS independent Notre Dame playing a full league schedule — but only if public health guidance allows.”  (Emphasis added)

Heather Lyke was quick to temper expectations, with a statement she released just minutes ago:

“The announcement of an ACC scheduling model is an important first step as we continue to build a framework to safely play the 2020 season. The focal point of our planning has been, and will continue to be, the health and well-being of our student-athletes. The ACC’s Medical Advisory Group has been an exceptional resource in helping us plot a course in an ever-changing health environment. We will remain vigilant as we work through the additional details that need to be resolved before a season can commence.”

So in essence the ACC has given its the states in which its member institutions reside 45 days to to get their collective acts together.   The Vegas action on whether or not the ACC states actually can get their acts together would be hot — if casinos were taking bets on COVID (and who knows maybe they are). 

But we’ve had time to talk about Coronavirus, and I’d prefer not to reopen that converstaion.  In fact, I’ll shut it down if you try.  Instead- despite our Athletic Director’s prudent words of warning – lets wallow in the prospect of actually having an honest-to-goodness college football season, and one that in some ways harks back to a simpler era when teams were not scheduled as cupcakes, wins were not rented, and colleges took their best 22 and lined ’em up against their rivals best 22 and let things rip.

That’s exactly what I would expect to happen, given that the ACC has dissolved both divisions, and declared that ahem Clemson and the other team with the top conference winning percentage are going to meet in the ACC championship.

Of course Pitt now plays Clemson…so there is that.

But yea, assuming the season gets played and assuming the schedule more or less provides parity then the top two teams in the ACC will play in the championship for maybe the first time, ever.

Here is what’s been released regarding Pitt’s schedule.  No times or dates yet.  My comments are in italics:

  • Louisville – Home.  This won’t be a hot take, but this one adds some old Big East flavor.  Louisville surprised a lot of people last year.  Can they do it again?
  • NC State – Home.  A team we haven’t played since Pitt posted a forgettable loss in 2017.  I caught a little bit of NC State vs Syracuse last season, and watching the Wolfpack QB made me thankful we have Kenny Pickett.  
  • Note Dame – Home.  Keeping rivals together.  Notre Dame probalby also lobbied the ACC to keep this one as they love to recruit WPA.  I for one am glad they kept it as I think we can beat them this year.    
  • Syracuse – Home.  Thank you ACC for preserving the least heated rivalry in college football.  
  • Virginia Tech – Home.  No surprises here.  Sets up a revenge game after last year’s beat-down in Blacksburg.  Also Pitt fans would have howled if we had to go down there two years in a row.  
  • BC – Away.  If Pitt loses to the Eagles this year many many Pitt fans will turn against Pat Narduzzi. 
  • Clemson – Away.  Optimists will say that the ACC begrudgingly realizes that Pitt may be the real deal this year and this a ratings play.  Pessimists will say that Pitt was given Clemson on the road to help make sure they don’t make the ACC championship.  I say that’s why they play the games.  
  • Florida State – Away.  I’d trade this game for a game against Duke for many reasons, but winability isn’t one of them.  An undisciplined team in a party town in a coronavirus dumpster fire of a state is a recipe for disaster.  
  • Georgia Tech – Away.   On the surface it seems like we got the short end of the stick by having to travel to Atlanta two years in a row, but if you think about how Narduzzi and co., have been recruiting Georgia this road trip isn’t necessarily a bad thing.  
  • Miami – Away.  Yes it’s a long road trip, but we were supposed to play them on the road anyway.  This will be the third year since we beat them so we are due for one more loss before we have a shot again.  Might as well take the L down there.  

And while I’m at it, here is a way-too-early W-L prediction:

  • Louisville – W – Satterfield is a good coach but he won’t have an answer for Pitt’s D in just his second year at the helm.
  • NC State – W – They were bad last year and won’t be good enough this year.  
  • Note Dame – W – This is our year.  
  • Syracuse – W – Will their O-Line be better than last year?  Our D-Line will be.
  • Virginia Tech – W – Revenge is a dish best served cold.  
  • BC – W –  See Virginia Tech.
  • Clemson – L – Lightning never strikes the same place twice.  
  • Florida State – W – They are two years away from being the Florida State of old.
  • Georgia Tech – W – We won’t take them as lightly as we did last year.  
  • Miami – L – Because Pitt
  • +1 – W – PSN saying Miami of Ohio is in play here.  Given that we now have ten conference games, a regional MAC opponent makes a lot of sense, if they can make it happen.  A wrinkle is that ACC has mandated that travel to the non-con has to be in-state, which really only leaves Penn State and Temple as options.  Penn State at Lincoln Financial Field anyone?  We could only dream…and yes this year Pitt beats ’em.

That’s a 9-2 season for all you optimists out there, against a legit schedule.  Heck even if we win eight  that’s an accomplishment.

Of course we could just as easily end up at 5-6.  Notre Dame is more talented than us.  Justin Fuente will have VT humming.  Florida State is still Florida State.  And what if against all odds we did get Penn State as our +1?   Sure my Pitt bravado says we’d win, but for crying out loud, Penn State is GOOD.  And then there is the injury wildcard.  If either starting safety goes down our defensive effectiveness drops by half.  The same can probably be said about corners.  We’ve got little depth at wide receiver.  And the offensive line is going to be a question mark until it isn’t.

So yes, I was drinking the kool-aid on the defensive line on Sunday.  And yes, I’m still pretty optimistic about the team, but after being a fan for twenty three yeras, I’m not quite sure I’m ready to go all in on in on Pitt just yet.

Still, at least we have a plan for the season.  Now all we need is for it to happen, and if it does that would be tremendous for many reasons.  Keep your fingers crossed and wear your masks people.

Hail to Pitt

Michelangelo Monteleone

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.

259 thoughts on “10+1 = Football?”

  2. I’m not going to get too worked up about the schedule because I don’t think a season is going to happen. But giving us Clemson on the road is just brutal. It gives us zero room for error with the rest of our schedule.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Four additional teams have the same complaint. My issue is that we face them on the road twice in a row.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Listen, Pitt is probably going to lose that game either way. Better save a home game for a game that playing at home might be the difference between winning and losing. Go to Clemson, have some fun on the field, and let the chips fall where they may (except no kissing the kicker!)

      Liked by 1 person

  5. I wouldn’t necessarily write off our chances against Clemson. They have been hit really hard by the virus and who knows what effects that will have going forward on the ability of those “recovered” to play power 5 football. Of course it remains to be seen how much Pitt and other schools will be hit. The ethical and moral question is at what point does the ACC respond to the virus by calling the whole thing off. Sorry Mike and the rest of you but my brain and my typing fingers wouldn’t let me ignore the elephant in the room. H2P, Soccer Gramps

    Liked by 1 person

    1. This comments is fine gramps. It’s the broader covid convo that I’d like to avoid l.

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    2. Pitt will be 5-0 and the only undefeated team in the ACC and the season will be called with no bowl games and no NC announced.

      20 years from now, Ike will declare Pitt the NC for the COVID-19 shortened season giving Pitt #10.

      H2P!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Very true Rick except I won’t be alive in 20 years so I declare PITT de-facto national champions right now if they go 5-0 this year. Let’s go PITT, Let’s go PITT, Let’s go PITT!!

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  8. I saw where a VT starting corner is not going to participate if there is a season. He’s projected as a first round NFL pick…

    A huge question is – how many other ACC players will decide not to play…

    Go Pitt!!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Did we? I guess we did. Well that’s not going to sound nearly as poetic…

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  10. My prediction 6 and 5 if qw play all the games. The Pitt offense will let us down once again this season.

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  11. If there is a full season, the schedule is a tough one. And traveling into Florida twice is risking catching the covid. If this team is as good as most think, 9 wins is achievable. A good coach gets you 9.

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  12. What was the reason for calling for one OOC game? There must be a big money TV game scheduled, probably for Clemson. Still amazes that the rest of the conference doesn’t gang up on the NC teams, none get Clemson. Pitt loses a rematch with Virginia and goes to Clemson which hasn’t been to Pittsburgh yet.
    Blaming this on Heather is ridiculous, we are the new guy without leverage. Maryland left the conference largely because of the heavy handedness of the Carolina Mafia. Clemson and FLST thought about it.
    Doubt that anyone would care if Pitt threatened to leave.

    What happened to the 3 pods to keep travel down? I guess the southern Covid rampant areas want to share their misfortune. Funny though, the North may be the new hotspot this fall.

    Were any testing protocols and other rules of the road mentioned? NY still requiring a 14 day quarantine, will Syracuse have to play all their games on the road?

    Pitt starts classes on August 11, when do other ACC schools start, Miami? Should be good tests of Covid management, along with Fall football camps. When are they scheduled to start?

    Many questions, few answers, but we have a schedule.

    Number one question, who will play Clemson for the championship, provided it happens?

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    1. They are trying to preserve Clemson / SC, FSU / UF matchups , hence the +1 but no travel across state lines.

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          1. Ain’t nobody on Tobacco Road throwing bones to the Panthers. Although ND is a traditional rival so you can’t really complain about that. Clemson was a hose job.

            Liked by 1 person

  16. a few responses to above posts

    1) The SEC has not officially announced and set scheduling plans as yet. The B10 and PAC12 have announced only in conference games but that is not the case for SEC or B12.

    2) The OOC game to be played in-state is intended for the 4 ACC-SEC (in-state) traditional rivalries …. Clemson – SC; Louisville – UK; UF – FSU; and UG – GT. By beating the SEC to the punch, the ACC will not be criticized if the SEC opts out of OOC games

    3) The in-state requirement also helps ND. It now gives them reason to keep the Arkansas @ ND (or WMU @ ND), and gives them an out for their game at Annapolis (which was originally scheduled for Dublin).

    4) No team brings in as much revenue as U Texas. (Oh St is close). And to what should be to nobodies surprise, their finances will take precedent over public safety. It appears that Tex remains in the minority as despite all of the data, Texans still are not convinced of the value of mask wearing and social distancing.

    5) This is John Swofford’s last act of Carolina favoritism, which has been a 2-decade complaint from teams like Clemson, UVa and Maryland (before it left). Even NCS has often complained about Swofford’s affinity toward his alma mater (UNC) and its neighbor. I would highly doubt that Tressel or Riddick would have had any more influence than Heather, but then again, it seems that there is still much anti-feminism respect so you never know

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Heather could have led the northern directors and made a strong play for the pod idea. She had science to back it up. Pitt is traveling to outbreak states. It’s a safety issue.

      The 250 mile argurmt is a diversionary tactic. It’s psyuedo justification.

      Texas surely doesn’t need fans in the stands. They have their own network. Large alumni base. They are rolling in cash. But half the fans probably wouldn’t wear a mask or social distance. That’s the rub. And tailgating would cause massive spreads. It’s still hot with the virus down here. Probably won’t apex until mid August. And then second wave hits when schools prematurely open.

      Still too many idiots in this state. Mainly politicians.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. My take on the new ACC scheduling.

    The new schedule was conceived with two goals in mind: Maximize Cross divisional games & wedge in 4 ND games.

    All C/D games previously scheduled in the original 2020 plan were kept for ALL teams with H/A remaining the same. (That is why we are playing both FSU & Miami away.)

    All previously scheduled games with ND were kept as planned with H/A the same. Normally, due to the old agreement with ND called for 5 games a year with ACC opponents, The Time frame for 2020 – 2023 seasons are exceptions with 6 in 2020 & 2022 & only 4 in 2021 & 2023. Under the 2020 new plan only Miami, Va., Va. Tech & NC State do not play ND.

    Most teams are scheduled to play either 5 or 6 C/D games instead of the normal 2. I believe this was done to
    play C/D teams that you would normally play every 6 years. (North Carolina & Wake played an OOC in 2018 & have another scheduled for 2021 because of the 6 year rotation.) Syracuse plays only 4 C/D games while NC State plays all 7 coastal teams (& misses ND). It is a no-brainer for the 4 N.C. teams to play a round robin.

    Myself, I would have preferred playing @Wake instead of playing @Clemson. But I think the ACC took into consideration that Clemson only wins National Championships when they play Pitt. They wanted to guarantee a Clemson – Pitt game.

    Liked by 3 people

      1. Mike – Now that there is some hope for an actual football season (though it may fade). would you want me to update my articles on Pitt’s ACC opponents? You can email me.

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  18. Explain the logic for sending PITT to South Carolina, Georgia and Florida twice while saying you can only play an instate OOC game.

    Liked by 4 people

    2. So Pitt can catch the covid. Those are all outbreak states. And we’ll see it worse when schools reopen.

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  20. Our AD has no pull in this league. Zero. She still schedules terribly!!! LOL!!! The coach carries no weight either. No respect!

    This would be a great schedule if there were fans attending, but a terrible schedule against teams that historically recruit better than us and should beat us on paper (Clempson, ND, Miami, FSU, with VT, Louisville, GT and NCSt most like our recruiting.

    I think this is closer to 6-5 than 10-1 based on some quick rivals recruiting research over the last 5 years. Dokish may think the same thing. Syracuse and BC are the two easy wins (although BC may have crushed us last year). GT, NCSt and Lewisville are probable wins (2 out of 3). Clemson and ND are losses (0-2), Miami, FSU, Vtech (probable losses) 1-2, a win against Miami,OH, equals, 6-5 on first blush. Haven’t studied portal losses or off the field issues taking players away.

    There was a comment about projected first rounders sitting out the season. Very real possibility. Hopefully our AD has thought outside the box on this as there are solutions around it, but it costs.

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    1. This is probably realistic. Throw in a bluebonnet bowl win and 70% of pitt fans are satisfied

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    2. Where is our great chancellor through all this? It cannot all fall on Heather, who could have screamed and cried and it wouldn’t matter. Gallagher must be thrilled ND is sharing NBC revenue as he can now just stay out of plain sight.

      Right now this is definitely a 6-5/7-4 season we’re staring at. Pitt stays healthy and COVID free and other teams on the docket get hit harder, maybe 8-3.

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      1. While I did throw a 9-2 scenario out there, I fully agree that pitt would have to catch every possible break in order for that to happen. Very unlikely

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        1. “Pitt would have to catch every break possible”….Haha Maestro, rest assured, this schedule is just the tip of the iceberg. Pitt will continue to catch obstacles, not breaks, moving forward.
          ,

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      2. 9 wins or bust. Put your money on Narduzzi if you believe in him so much. Based on this schedule, I say 6 wins. One of them by forfeit.

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  21. So does this affect future scheduling of ACC or just return the two divisions.

    I kind of like this better other than the obvious favoritism.

    Could be done fairly with some sort of algorithm.

    More fun to see more teams.

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  22. Unfortunate that the only “new” team coming to Heinz is the WolfPack.
    Missed opportunity for other teams that have not been to Heinz (Clemson)

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      1. They are coming to Heinz …which is why we are going down there this year. They are a tad bit higher on the acc pecking order.

        To your lint though…the better solution is that they aren’t on the schedule

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  23. That makes too much sense Richard and wouldn’t screw PITT nearly enough.. Hammer and Nails, Hammer and Nails, PITT got screwed. Seriously though…… I accept the new schedule and only hope PITT gets to play it. Touch but fun sledding for sure.

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  26. It certainly looks as though the ACC management decided on who they wanted in the title game and then scheduled accordingly, as wwb suggests. Given this much control over team schedules, it’s not hard to see that some corrupt decisions were made, and with the top 2 teams by percentage selected to play, Swofford’s UNC could easily end up in the title game. We can only hope for some upset wins over UNC to screw up this plan.

    Liked by 1 person

  27. If a college athlete opts out of the 2020 season does he/she retain their scholarship?

    Constant comments on here about how the ACC is screwing Pitt. Did they screw Pitt when they were placed in the Coastal Division? Those of you that keep pointing to Pitts winning of the Coastal Division as a great achievement, would Pitt have won the Atlantic Division, ever? You play the cards you’re dealt.

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    1. PITT did beat the National champions at Death Valley….. so maybe they could win the Atlantic. Football schedules and cards are two completely different things. One there should be some control and the other you have no control. Guess which one is which? Also the division made more sense then this years schedule. I’m not crying or bitching about who PITT may play, I’m bitching and complaining about the politics involved and the nonsensical geographic design behind it.

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  28. Time to stand up and be counted. Playing at Clemson in front of maybe 35000 fans at best might not be all that bad. If Pitt can somehow beat Clemson and ND maybe we will be able to stand out in some sense this year. But knowing Pitt’s past we will probably lose to Miami of Ohio and that would take any shine off the beating of ND and Clemson.

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    1. Pitt will get a loss and covid with this game. I’d refuse to play them. Health reasons and an indirect way of saying FU to Tobacco Road which made the schedule.

      A bully stops being a bully when you fight back.

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  29. We have 7 or more 2021 NFL draft quality players on the roster. It’s put up or shut up, even if you lose to Clemson. No excuses. Margin for error is zero. You know this in advance, so go make it happen. Anything short of 8 wins is a big disappointment.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Love the game in Clemson…. it’s the price of the hotel room that is killer… I might rent a big A$$ RV and camp out in the field along the lake…. now those peeps no how to enjoy a FB game- it’s literally Red5A AND STEROIDS AND LSD!!!
      Let’s win’em all…. WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!!!!

      Liked by 2 people

    2. The schedule is atrocious but if you are really good you really play good. Pitt has had too many games where they were the better team on paper but lost. Yes, they have won games where they were not the better team – all teams do. But if you are really good – you play the game and win. Does Narduzzi know what he is doing (TM -joke)? Let’s find out and quit the excuse making.

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  30. This all might be an empty exercise; no games at all this fall? — last report, 6300 Covid cases have been linked to U.S. colleges.

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  31. I liked the regional pod idea. Now pitt will get heavy exposure of covid by traveling. The northern directors could have gotten together and made it happen. They needed a leader first.

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  32. I just read an article by David Teel in the Richmond Va. newspaper. concerning the revamped ACC scheduling. This little tidbit will add fuel to the North Carolina conspiracy.

    He reports that one of the factors used in determining was for schools playing schools within 250 miles of each other. This explains the Virginia & North Carolina schools playing each other.& Clemson playing Georgia Tech (& maybe Wake Forest).

    Due to the wide geographical area of the ACC, I don’t believe that any other schools are within 250 miles of each other. If I am wrong please let me know. Maybe Louisville – Pitt or Virginia – Pitt but Virginia is not on the revamped schedule. If it is; is Pitt being disrespected?

    The rational used is that the 250 miles saves dollars- $100K for charter planes but only $15-20K for busses. Which brings up another small problem. Is that saving being spread to all teams or a windfall for the lucky 250 miles schools? There are 5 games that are on the revamped schedule but not on the original 2020 schedule.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Now this is interesting. Using this calculation and google maps I wonder if total travel costs for each acc team could be calculated? Or did Teel already do that?

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      1. Not he didn’t. He mainly writes about Virginia schools but is one of those columnist who is not afraid to dig deeper into what underlays a decision. No one else reported on a 250 mile factor.

        I would really like to know if Pittsburgh to Charlottesville is more than 250 miles. Never drove it but it seems it would be shorter. But the main road systems in a mountainous area may funnel traffic to the northeast before turning west.

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  33. When the ACC decided to intervene in this mess, like with the Pottery Barn, if you break it you own it. The distant schools should not have to pay more for travel than the North Carolina schools who happen to be within 250 miles of each other. The ACC should adjust TV money or something to reimburse schools like BC and Pitt who have much bigger travel bills. And just a thought: why not play NC State away and FSU at home to attempt to even out this travel?

    Liked by 2 people

    1. In some cases … although Tallahassee is not one of them … it’s cheaper to fly into a major airport than a minor one. Although I suppose Pitt charters a flight so maybe that’s moot. But Pitt Boston flights are probably a lot cheaper than Pitt Greensboro (again if flying on normal airlines).

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      1. Greensboro is a major airport. I believe Fedex has a major distribution center there. I also think some airline has a major hub there. Pitt would fly into Raleigh if playing NC State. Once again, I believe Raleigh is a hub for another airline. But then again, I haven’t flown in 14 years so what do I know about flying.

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        1. They are both 2nd tier airports imo, but by that token so is Pittsburgh

          I travel a lot – Atlanta , Chicago , Ny are major hubs

          Charlotte is a US airways hub

          I don’t think any majors hub in the research triangle but hey I could be wrong too

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  34. Should there be a season, Pitt actually has some good things going for it if all the Panthers play.

    Great depth on the D-line, for one thing. And I think at WR, with the talent coming in. TE, not so much after Krull. Oline, not great, but I think the young OTs could surprise us a bit.

    Where we could stand out though is at QB, where we have 3 QBs with game experience, plus a 4th QB who looks promising.

    Just a thought.

    Go Pitt!

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  35. Don’t join a Southern Conference and have a Non Respected AD unless you want to deal with it. Pitt deserves what it gets by being cheap, hiring compliance first and by not being proactive in Athletics. Can’t complain the milk tastes bad if you bought it a day before it expires.

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  36. I’m also at the point ai can care less about NFL or College for that matter. Too much talk and movements vs playing football. The world has gone so PC is makes me sad.

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    1. The Philadelphia Phillies have shut down because a coach and a support staff member tested positive. Nobody else did. Completely shut down. That seems excessive. Has nothing to do with PC has everything to do with fear of litigation IMo

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  37. My usual prediction….6-5, 7-5 if they draw non-con from Temple, UPenn, Villanova, Bucknell, Lehigh, Shippensburg, Robert Morris or Duquesne.

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  38. here you go …..

    Bruce Feldman@BruceFeldmanCFB
    Total travel distance for ACC teams with the new schedule: 1. Miami 4239 miles; 2. Pitt 3886 miles; 3. GT 3351 miles; 4. FSU 3319; 5. ND 3307. 6. BC 3224; 7. Cuse 3152; 8. Louisville 2492; 9. UVA 2489. 10. UNC 1919; 11. Clemson 1699. 12. NCSU 1586. 13. Wake 1372. 14. VT 1237.

    But please note that teams like Miami and BC will always fly more miles than the VA and NC teams which are centrally located. Pitt was going to fly to Miami and FSU anyway (but not to Clemson and BC)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes but now dollarize it based on # of “bus”. away games vs number of “flights”.

      Five bus away games = $100k travel spend

      Five flights (ie Pitt) = $500k

      Would probably mirror the above pretty closely though. Miami hosed any way you slice it

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      1. Miami should be in the SEC. If I’m up on my geography I believe they are located in southeast USA. No pity party here. I like PITT in the ACC but they keep getting the shaft and should be in an eastern league in a perfect world but as we all know……. This world is very far from perfect.

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        1. The city mouse in the country league … but then Pitt is kinda the same. Still the ACC has Boston, Pitt, Atlanta, Miami represented some some major metros there. The SEC haint got anything but college towns (and that’s not me slighting college towns…cause they are great).

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  43. The Northeast Conference just cancelled fall sports. So Duquesne and Bobby Mo (or both) are open for Pitt’s OOC

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    1. They should play the Dukes. Pitt would not have to give them any money to show up at Heinz for the game. They could probably get away with giving them a share of the profits at the concession stands.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. AP 14th ranked Duquesne beat Miss St in the 1937 Orange Bowl to finish 7-2. One of the losses was to Pitt 6-0 which finished 9-0-1 (Fordham) and AP #1 … but declined an invite to the Rose Bowl

        The Dukes have a major score to settle

        Liked by 2 people

  45. Too bad our non-con has to be in-state. I wooda loved to scheduled Elon – just so Tex could see – once and for all – how our recruits compare to theirs! 😉

    How come no one’s talking about a non-con with Gannon. I’ll bet JC’s family would love to see Pitt come to Erie – and Gannon could pay us! Extra cash in the coffers.

    Liked by 1 person

  46. sec playing a10 home schedule conference games only starting sept 26 my change schedule acc put out yesterday

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    1. my thoughts also … ACC may follow suit and drop the OOC game. May also delay the start another week

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  47. let’s try that again the sec has announced a 10 game season conference games only starting sept 26 this may change the acc schedule

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    1. Don’t apologize. Once you can read Frankcam, you have the ability to read anything. But then again not everyone is fluent in Frankcam

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  48. C,19 is pert near impossible to prove where it was contracted, so liability is not an issue in my opinion Mike. Unless, you do contact tracing, then you can tell where you got it and that is bad for universities. That said, the new bailout is called HEALs (not tar heels), and will make universities immune from liability so long as they reasonably follow medical guidance. Pitt will do that as will most schools. However, the new guidance today says that face/eye shields should be worn too, so the football players should be fine with the facemasks/plastic shields that many wear anyway. Thats a positive for football and hockey. Three ways to get it – eyes, nose, mouth. Helmets with full face shields seem to protect those areas pretty well. I would mandate that all players keep helmets on and wear full face shields. . .

    I talked to a projected first rounder and second rounder the last two days. Interesting take on C19 and athletes possibly sitting out. It is such a crazy environment. Vegas lines will be crazier due to infection rates and the like too.

    Pitt Administration gets used and it’s their own making. My hope is that the Board wakes up and sees the smokescreen for what it is. I am not complaining about the schedule at all. I think it is great. If played, this would be the year where you can decide whether Nard is the real deal or not. I think our OL gets abused by ND, FSU, UM, VT, Clemp. Remember, when we beat Clemp, we had so much movement and misdirection on offense that Clemp didnt know if we were coming or going.Trickeration was key. Not with this team….although…with the defense, the offense has an opportunity to take a lot more chances.

    So if we go 6-5, will there be an outcry of But, but, But the covid got us….yadda yadda yadda. The reworking of the schedule has been contemplated for months, yet we have no leverage. El Foldo! Please can I have another! Good one Blutarski!

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    1. What will you say if PITT wins 8 or even 9 games this year Huff the Third? Inquiring minds want to know?

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  49. I don’t expect the ACC will eliminate the one OOC game unless COVID issues make this absolutely necessary. First, If they eliminate that game before the season starts, the perception will be the SEC was right. They are enjoying making the SEC the bad guys when the SEC eliminated those in-state rival games with the ACC. Second, the ACC will be getting more TV and media attention, especially in the South until the SEC begins. .

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  50. PSN has survey about whether pitt should schedule WVU as an OOC for 2020. People voted yes! Nothing like trying to not win 6 games. Pitt needs a cupcake OOC with what they just took on, yet the alleged fans want to see that game. When in doubt, choose stupidity. To the person on here, the point was that Pitt finally lucked into an easy OOC which will help with confidence, wins and recruiting.

    Give knuckleheads a chance …..and they vote for the most difficult close opponent we could get. Why not schedule Dairy High or Ohio State. What’s another loss. Good grief!

    Like

    1. I would have voted for the Hoopies if fans were allowed. I’d fly in for that one. But since no fans, you want the easiest team. I really liked the regional idea. Personally the ACC should be divided into a north vs south division today. I just wouldn’t call it that since the north would always win. 🤠

      BC, cuse, pitt, va tech, Virginia, Louisville, Maryland and Notre Dame.

      Like

  51. i think there is a misconception by some here. If there is one, the OOC game has to be played in-state … but not necessarily versus an in-state opponent. So Miami OH is the logical opponent …. here is an excerpt from a Trib article today:

    Pitt’s athletic director said Thursday on KDKA-FM that she likely will honor one of the contracts already in place with either Miami (Ohio) or Marshall. She hinted Miami may get the nod.

    The RedHawks had been slated to be Pitt’s opponent for the opener Sept. 5 at Heinz Field before schedules were reconfigured out of respect for the coronavirus pandemic.

    One of the stipulations put forth by the ACC is that the nonconference game must be played in the member school’s home state. Miami was scheduled to visit Heinz Field, but Marshall, a Conference USA school in West Virginia, was a road game.

    Like

    1. You may be right wwb but it still makes no sense whatsoever to me. Think about it. PITT can travel all over the southern east coast but can’t travel to Ohio as an example.

      Mark that was JoeL I think you’re talking about and I do give her credit, a little, I would have preferred more of the mustard yellow and darker blue. But I don’t want to come off more of more a beggar than the chooser. << Did I say that right?

      Like

  52. And I do like Pitts colors the best of any ACC team. They really pop on the graphic at the top.

    Like

    1. Many in the media have said they are amongst the best in CFB. I think they are great.

      Remember…they were brought to you by the inept, compliance lady in the yellow blouse.
      And to some, she really messed up because we didn’t go with Pitt’s real university colors, navy blue and old gold.

      Like

      1. Ike – A village $*6#$£9 would of made that move. Giving her credit for that is giving a kid credit at 15 years old for Breathing.

        Like

        1. Heather did something that the two previous AD’s didn’t think to do. You know, like you said Mark, do the obvious. I heard Heather is thinking about wearing blue blouses this year just to throw a few of you off your game this year. Oh she’s a wily one that girl. If that happens I can’t wait to hear the remarks about that. “Heather hands out a honor to a deserving ex-panther in a blue blouse” OMG!

          Like

        1. Tex, I have NEVER seen any comments about what any of the men wear- with the exception of the sweatshirts worn by Paul Chryst (which IS a valid complaint). Why the fixation on Heather’s yellow shirts?? Get over it! They have nothing to do with how she does her job, so stop with the clothing comments. I’m really sick of reading this. Such a stupid, sexist thing to keep harping on. Do you have a problem with her makeup and hairstyle too? What are you, 14 years old? Grow up!

          Liked by 7 people

          1. No only with her yellow fashion sense. I’m an equal opportunity critic of attire. I dressed down Chryst for being a slob. You need to look the part. As a man, heather does not look good in yellow. Blue is more becoming and professional. Nothing sexist in my comments.

            Like

            1. Tex, what does it matter what color you think she looks good in? It has nothing to do with how she does her job. Frankly, I think no one looks good in orange, yet coaches and players wear it all the time. Do you criticize them also? You focus on how they do their job. Do you criticize someone because they aren’t good looking? You might, but you shouldn’t. You focus on stupid external stuff. Please Tex, I think you need to be on anti-depressants. I just can’t remember you saying anything nice about anything, except for our school colors. You are truly Debbie Downer. Cheer up, find something nice to say about something, instead of always looking to find something negative to say. It is so exhausting reading your comments. There is enough negatively in the world, I don’t need it shoved in my face constantly reading the POV! Thank you, and H2P!

              Liked by 1 person

  53. If BB falls apart there will be no NFL/college FB. Granted FB games have a weekly break but the travel is still there as is the always very close contact. I hope not. H2P

    Like

    1. Just flu time Pa … Norfolk to DC on a commuter jet elbow to elbow and was reminded to socially distance as we unloaded…2nd leg of the journey was on a 737 sized plane with 6 passengers… no problems… I feel safe traveling… need to get the show back on the rode- get out there and dine and travel- get the country moving forward … time to toughen up and get in shape for some Panther football….

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Flew to DC today. These Liberal
        Towns live life so afraid. Dinner was a debacle. Where mask unless eating or drinking. 😂

        Like

        1. Well some people have underlying conditions like kidney cancer. I’ve been sick for well over many months. My wife has been begging me to go to the hospital and I refuse. No more doc and no more pills. Give me this year of PITT football and I can happily fade off into the sunset. Maybe they will put me on the cover of the Rolling Stone magazine?

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeqCo3gnsyA

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  54. On the radio today, Lyke politely said Pitt was not “involved” but was “aware”. The Conference office drove this. She tried to spin it as positively as she couuld but its clear she wanted those games against Duke, UVA and UNC. So did I, but am not at all surprised how it played out.

    Those of you who think this scheduling change happened because we have Lyke and Gallagher are drinking your own kool-aid. We could have [insert your favorrites] in those roles and still get the shaft. Tobacco Road rewards its own. Its as simple as that. Southern home cooking. And Pitt doesn’t – and never will – hold sway with the good ole boys.

    Liked by 3 people

      1. Yes, my sister saw it all the time since moving to Atlanta years ago. Got a coupon for a free oil change in a Welcome-Wagon package. Dropped her car off, the owner was so nice to her. Once he found out she was from PA, he barely spoke a word to her when she picked up the car. Had a MIL who felt the same way about those from north of the Mason-Dixon line.

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        1. worked with a girl at Children’s who moved to a better position in Atlanta …. was back in less than 2 years. Felt out of place
          One of my best friends lived in Florence SC for almost10 years, until he got married. Refused to raise a kid there (his words, not mine)

          Like

    2. Join a southern Conf and you get this Joe. Especially with Yellow Blouse. Those guys laugh her out of a room.

      Like

    3. What do you all think she was going to say….hey, I have no clout and they walked all over me? Good gravy! Pitt gets walked all over because our Administration continues to be weak. It’s plain and simple. Until such time as you stand up, you are what they think you are, and they think Pitt is a welcome mat.

      This is the problem. We believe what people SAY, instead of what they DO!

      She’s a nice person, so is Gallagher and other administrators at Pitt. I have met with most all of them in the last year. Nice is nice, but business is business.

      Like

      1. She has as much or little clout as every PITT AD for the past 40 years or at least since they joined the ACC.

        Like

      2. Huff – I would love to see you or any of the other folks on here walk into an ACC meeting and model that behavior. Better yet, you and Tex should head down there and do a tag-team. Let us know how that goes.

        Pitt is operating from a position of weakness regardless of who is at the stick and everyone in the room knows it. We werent their first expansion choice… or their second…or third… and in some circles its been argued that UConn was the desired school until DeFilippo at BC vetoed it. We were a fallback postion and an internal dumpster fire under the leadership of Pederson/Nordenberg.

        The ACC HQ will act in its own self interest and that might be in conflict at times with the needs of individual schools such as Pitt. They are also provincial in Tobacco Road and as such will always defer to the original schools. So, that places us in the spot we are in whether we like it or not. Its what we signed up for.

        It will take years and lots of change in the ACC before Pitt can hope to have some chips to cash in. In the meantime, the best strategy may be to act as good partners with the other schools and the ACC HQ in maximizing the overall success of the conference. I’m not sure I would waste my bullets on the 2020 football schedule because a bunch of anonymous guys on a blogspot think we should have had our way.

        Liked by 3 people

        1. There is power in numbers. A group of ‘northern’ directors could have influenced things. They needed a common goal, United front and most importantly a leader. Obviously heather didn’t think it was important, too stupid to join forces and coalition build or is just inept at leadership. All bad traits except for the Koolaid drinkers on here.

          Like

          1. You don’t know what she did or didn’t do. And your idea requires like-minded people for her to work with… again something you are merely guessing at.

            Liked by 1 person

            1. You don’t think other schools would have preferred a regional pod idea or the sec way? If you don’t, you don’t know directors.

              Directors want rivals. They want common and known teams. They want to minimize travel. What director would sign up for this crazy plan. Only those in Carolina that is.

              Like

            2. This is exactly why you don’t hire cheap or no experience. You solved the problem with your explanation. If the thought is that tobacco road is stacked against you, you find someone, and actually pay someone who can knock those barriers down. Or, you end up with what we got again.

              Excitement was building for football this year as we were hoping for more than 8 wins. The schedule finally supported the program goals which could lead to momentum. Instead, we can’t navigate tobacco road and most likely, get stymied!

              Liked by 1 person

  55. Joel – hopefully, we realized that when we accepted the invitation. I lived in Raleigh, Greensboro, and Charlotte in the years after moving south in ’70. What we are seeing now doesn’t surprise me. I loved it when the Big East closed down UNC’s Underground Railroad to NYC BB talent.

    I hated it when the ACC “bought” the downfall of the Big East – because the BE took BB supremacy from them.

    We have to be taught a lesson! Again and again!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Huff the Third, in a perfect world what you say is right. But we are talking good ole boy stuff here and I don’t believe there is one single person to break down those barriers. Maybe if and when PITT becomes a powerhouse football program then their voices will be heard. Until then, Jim Tressell wouldn’t hold his water in the ACC or anyone else for that matter.

      Like

  56. There is power in numbers. I doubt those southerners would have done this if a group of directors opposed the idea and advocated a different plan. I’m pretty sure they would have gotten majority votes for regional pods. But it would have taken a leader to step forward. All were cowards.

    Like

    1. Huff the Third, in a perfect world what you say is right. But we are talking good ole boy stuff here and I don’t believe there is one single person to break down those barriers. Maybe if and when PITT becomes a powerhouse football program then their voices will be heard. Until then, Jim Tressell wouldn’t hold his water in the ACC or anyone else for that matter.

      Like

  57. And it must be a southern thing since in Texas, we’re all Texans. I believe at least a third of state residents weren’t even born here. There are immigrants from everywhere. All are welcome. We’re not hung up on the civil war. I wonder what these southerners think of Texans. Because we don’t consider ourselves southerners. We don’t take kindly to bullies

    Like

    1. Agree. I’m a northerner and though it took some time the state actually hired me and gave me a retirement to work toward.

      Like

      1. It’s not that high. But anglos are only 45 percent of the population. All are minorities in Texas. I think that’s one of the reasons why we’re so friendly and welcoming. We’re very diverse and that’s a great thing.

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  58. So it appears that ND has kicked in its 15 million dollar TV contract to be a one year ACC member with a chance to win the championship. Under the circumstances it appears to be a good deal for both sides.
    Of course a mute point if the season is cancelled, but wonder how the money works if individual games are cancelled? It would be pretty funny if ND wins the ACC. Would it make them want to join permanently if they do?

    https://triblive.com/sports/first-call-notre-dame-acc-football-deal-not-as-bad-as-some-conference-fans-believe/

    Like

  59. Meant to post this yesterday but got tied up.
    My uncle actually played for Duquesne on that Orange Bowl team. One of the items team members got was a gold tie clasp with a football. It was really pretty cool. He told us a halftime they just wandered to the one end of the field which was open and contained a orange grove. Managers and players picked them right from the trees to eat at the half.
    He had a real attitude toward Pitt, pretty much like we might have toward Bama, sort of best team money could buy!! He kept in very close contact with friends from that team until he died at 93. The stories he told were amazing!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I like hearing old stories like that. TV $$ has changed everything, but still stales of college players being paid has been around for a long time. Check out an old John Wayne movie “Trouble Along the Way” from the 40s

      I love telling youngsters that I paid $20 for Steelers/Vikings Super Bowl in ’75, or just $12 for CSNY, The Band and Santana in ’74.

      Like

  60. Hey go easy on the people from Dixieland…. when I found my sleepy southern hamlet on the river and the barely developed Outer Banks I thought “ build that wall” along the northern NC border….. far too many Virginians were coming down not to mention……

    Like

  63. In other breaking news, Dane Jackson tested positive for corona virus and was sent home from Bills’ camp…

    Go Pitt.

    Like

  64. No one laughed at Arne’s yellow shirts! Or his iced tea! I recall that some of those “Southern Gentlemen” in sports wore some really “bright” colored shirts in the day…

    Like

    1. Because he earned respect. Still didn’t look good on him. Yellow is a tough color to wear. You really want to go around looking like a bananna all day.

      Like

    1. No worries, the season isn’t happening.

      I’m as positive as they come for a Pitt fan and I have now shifted to football being impossible to play due to keeping these kids COVID free.

      The geniuses here in Austin running UT have asked returning students to quarantine two weeks before coming back to campus. Yeah, I’m sure that is what the kids will be doing. This has disaster written all over it.

      Liked by 1 person

        1. Pitt would lose 20 percent or more of its students if it chose online only. My daughter was taking a gap year if it had happened. Unfortunately this will wind up being a bait and switch. They are bringing them back to campus and will shortly thereafter announce that Covid is forcing them to go all online. Then by October or early November, they send everyone home.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. My son was originally to live in frosh housing and attend class. Then Texas got bad. It’s constant flux. I don’t see him physically on campus until next Fall. I’m a bit pissed because it denies him of sex and beer.

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  66. Darnell Dinkin’s son, Khalil, is one of the top recruits in the WPIAL. He’s 6-4 and 216 pounds. Plays WR, but some see as future TE.

    Looking at Pitt, penn state, BC, Michigan and VT, among other offers. Darnell gave him good advice, but it may steer him away from Pitt. Darnell til his son “ I don’t want you to follow my footsteps. I want you to create your own journey.”

    Since he missed three games last year and only caught 16 passes, I wondering if he may take some time to get up to college speed. His senior year should help, but he plays for NA, normally a run heavy team.

    Hope he doesn’t go to Mich and disappear…

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 1 person

  67. Bring on the Tigers. Anxious to see what Trevor can do against this PITT defense. I guess they play again next year as well?

    Like

      1. Hopefully he gets the chance to drop back and throw enough to prove you right. IMO, his uniform will be mighty dirty by games end. How many broken bones is open for discussion.

        Like

  68. Joel – if we beat them in Clemson, we may get UNC in Charlotte!!

    I think maybe that’s what Swofford was thinking as he put the schedule together – ‘holes will breeze to Chlt; we’ll knock clemscum and not-a-damn out of contention 😉

    Like

  69. I got the winking emoji JoL, if PITT plays Clemson twice this year is a good thing. Clemson is most likely trembling in their shoes having to face PITT twice this year. 😉

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  70. The sec is smart. ACC not so much. Sec going with 8 division and two conference cross overs

    ACC does something whacked. And the ACC directors are cowards to speak up. Inept to even advocate their position at the beginning.

    If I were pitt, I’d be secretly negotiating a northern sports conference. I’d invite domers, Louisville, Hoopies, penn state, temple, Maryland, va tech, Virginia, Rutgers, cuse, UConn, Cincy, BC.

    All the major tv markets in the northeast would be represented. The conference coin would be just as good as the ACC check assuming you get the domers and Nitters. But this will never happen since the Irish and pedos make better coin as is. And will make more come 2026. The idea is only 30 years too late.

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  71. Tex, not trying to steal your thunder but Banana Blouse sounds WAY better than yellow blouse…
    JoeKing…😉

    Liked by 2 people

    1. It actually does

      But seriously, yellow is a tough color to wear particularly if you’re blonde with White complexion

      She would look far better and professional in a light blue. But don’t take my word for it, ask fashion designers and PR people. But I know just a little about what I’m saying.

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  72. Narduzzi on Zoom with Chris Peak indicated at out of conference foe has been signed for this season.

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  73. Get back Jo Jo…..

    Baseball is falling to pieces.

    This all adds up to me, conspiring to ruin Narduzzi’s team he has been building up to kick ass. Kidding but you can still let me have it.

    I feel terrible for these kids.

    Flipped flopped back to no season. Strange days indeed.

    Note the two Beatles references.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idA4NWlk-gc

    Liked by 2 people

      1. Maybe his wife convinced him he was an idiot for continuing with covid not anywhere in control and bound to get worse. He probably has his wife to thank for his life.

        Like

  75. Oklahoma’s and Ohio State’s last2 QBs were granted immediate eligibility; same for Georgia’s new QB (if ne wins the job) as well as the U’s new QB (from Houston. It has become commonplace’

    However, Phil Jurkovec (Pine-Richland) transferred from ND to BC back in January but still hasn’t received NCAA eligibility. It is unclear of Brian Kelly refused signing the release …. and it is even more interesting since now BC plays both ND and Pitt

    Like

    2. The elite schools make their own rules. They live by the Golden Rule.

      The NCAA is just there to maximize revenues and to make sure those elite schools are fat and content.

      They care little about 80 percent of the schools under their stewardship. But again, only 20 percent really drive the money train. So it makes economic sense.

      But again it’s a total sham of the scholar athlete in the sports of football and basketball. But fans don’t care. And athletic directors know what feeds them.

      Like

  76. Sorry, but Phil and his family got what they deserved. He bought into Kelly and the ND mystic. Funny how now that they get screwed they can see clearer. I have no pity or compassion. You get in bed with a snake sometimes you get bit.

    Liked by 5 people

    2. If Phil was the best ND would have played him… easier for todays player to cut their losses and move on to greener pastures….

      Think the Irish have 2-3 recruits who were O linemen on their roster…. hope we can do better in that department…

      Like

  78. Chris Dokish@ChrisDokish
    Great news, and kind of amazing that Narduzzi even said it
    Jeff Hathhorn@jhathhorn
    Narduzzi–knocking on wood, he said it has been 22 days since a positive test with Pitt football.

    Jeff Hathhorn@jhathhorn
    Narduzzi-I feel 100% confident we will play a season based on the bubble we are in. I’m praying everyone else is doing their job, we are doing our job in Pittsburgh

    Liked by 1 person

    1. But they aren’t in a bubble. They will travel south. Other southern teams will travel north. Players will mix with students once campus opens. Bubble? What bubble?

      Like

    1. Nice. Yeah, so I have something in common with Dan Marino — we both played centerfield for St. Johns in the Fed League! I did not know that…

      Our careers kinda diverged after that experience… 😊

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 3 people

  81. I grew up in Lawrenceville and always rooted for the Lawrenceville Tigers in the Federation League…my dad and 3 uncles played for Lawrenceville. Grew up playing ball at Leslie Park.
    Great environment at the time.

    Liked by 1 person

  82. With BB on the edge of quitting, how can there be an NFL or college FB season? Boo Hoo for us.

    Like

  83. Hearing from some Pitt parents over the web how students back on campus now are not wearing masks and partying. This just seem I’m possible to work since the players will be back with the students eventually.

    Liked by 1 person

  86. Like I’ve always said, the second wave hits 4 weeks after schools reopen.

    Baseball is about to be cancelled

    Pro football has got a hot mess even before official practice. Many players are opting to sit out the season. No details from the nfl yet. They are all hope and no plan.

    College foootball is even worse

    Pitt will be lucky to play 4 games

    And Pitt traveling to the south is a hospitalization and death ready to happen

    I hope the bubble sports of basketball and hockey can do it. But it really takes a bubble and a low positive rate country.

    The US is screwed and it’s leaders and many of us are to blame. Only Brazil is more of a cluster.

    Liked by 1 person

  87. I still don’t think they’ll play, but wait till you see the dates. They could really screw us making it almost unmanageable. In Pgh it’s not just Pitt, but mix in CMU, Dukes, the two C schools ( which I still get confused, Point Park. I mean, mix all them together, well, what could possibly go wrong?? I know I was mature and responsible at that age, but kids nowadays………..🙏🤮😜

    Like

    1. Cmu is much smarter than Pitt. That explains it. Truthfully, no school until proven and widely administered vaccine. The government can print money and pay people to stay home. No inflation as a result. I know my economics. Pitt grad with dual degrees. But you really think the government is smart???????

      Like

      1. Walk me through no inflation when the government prints money. Venezuela? Lot of money printed. Inflation not pretty’s

        Liked by 1 person

        1. MM, regarding Venezuela and inflation. Spent some time there doing organizational design for PDVSA, the National oil company.

          True VZ has printed mucho Bolivars and they have rampant inflation. In VZ it is a case of too many Bs chasing too few goods as there is nothing in VZ to buy. the government has renatIonalized industries and run them into the ground.

          Much different situation in US. Not worried bout inflation.

          Like

          2. I can expand on this but your premise is correct.

            Inflation is too many dollars chasing too few goods

            The goods are always here in the US. Always.

            If companies don’t pay, the government will. You’re net neutral.

            Hence Inflation is a non issue

            However Debt is an issue but the US will never default. It’s the safest and most secure country in the world despite these short term troubles. The US will always be able to pay its obligations. No other country comes remotely close to the economic power. Not even China. America has always been great. No makeover necessary.

            Hell the economy of Texas alone is top ten in the world out of over 250 countries.

            The US needs to pay all of us to stay the Hell home.

            Like

      2. My simple mind jus says… CMU has very very little to lose. A degree from there is worth every penny if it’s done virtually or in brick and mortar buildings. The sports generates very little revenue as well. BTW, if PITT was half smart they would use the CMU field for their home games. (there will no fans at the games) and they could control their players and playing environment. imo

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    2. Pitt should play at CMU’s stadium if no fans will be in attendance, but impossible due to the small press box and lack of areas to station the TV cameras.

      If no CMU students are on campus the football team should live over there far from the Pitt students and have their classes online.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Cmu would be a good permanent training camp but these are student athletes. They should not be treated any differently than the study body. No athlete only curriculums. Otherwise pitt is no better than dirt schools. They need to attend class like regular students. I’ll make exceptions for housing and meals.

        Tex

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  89. It appears the early panic in MLB has passed, and they will try to ride it out. The thing to watch is can they work past the first wave of positives and still be able to perform. If there is a second wave among a team’s players, coaches, staff, etc., then it will mean their response and isolation plans have failed and their season is toast.

    Like

  90. Sports in general better be very careful. The Big Contracts and High Price tickets are a thing of the past. Throw in the sports chooses to get into politics and causes and most Americans will say screw it and quit watching. The Corona has taught many there is more to life than sports and stupid money being paid. Watch the NFL, MLB and NBA as well as college see they are on thin ice.

    Like

    1. TV will get them through but there will be belt tightening just like everywhere else

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      1. TV won’t with no fans in seats. Watching a game with no fans does zero for me. It is like sex with both people wearing bags on their heads.

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        2. Who watches the fans. I watch the game. If you watched Pitt games you’d see empty yellow seats, sleeping fans and students drinking Fantas. This season will be an improvement over that. Screw the fans. Pitt has so few.

          Like

  91. Well, I’m going to stick my head in the sand a bit and pretend the college football season will happen. Assuming it does, I compared Pitt’s originally scheduled nine ACC opponents’ (inc. ND) rankings to the revised ten ACC opponent’s preseason rankings. The average ESPN SP+ ranking of the originally scheduled nine teams was 41.8 and the average ranking for the revised ten opponents is 42.3. Not much difference. No evidence that the ACC was trying to hose Pitt with the new schedule. (BTW:The higher the number, the poorer the team. Alabama is 1 and UTEP is 130)

    As a comparison, FSU opponents went from an original 52.3 to a revised average of 37.1 and UNC’s went from an average 50.1 to a revised average of 51.5 In this type of analysis FSU got hosed a lot more than Pitt or UNC. But it also shows that Pitt originally had an significantly tougher ACC schedule than either UNC or FSU. Incidentally Pitt’s SP+ ranking is 42, so on average this would be an very competitive season either way.

    https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/28687236/preseason-sp+-college-football-rankings-alabama-back-no-1

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Good stuff except for ….

      — how futile pre-season rankings are, especially once you get past the top 8 or 9 who are always at or near the top.

      — the fact that UNC (and NCS) doesn’t have to play Clemson or ND

      — the fact that Pitt has to to take the 5 longest roads possible. Yes, they were scheduled to play at DSU and Miami …. but not at BC, Clemson and Ga Tech.

      Like

      2. I agree that all of this based on some pretty biased pre-season rankings. Its not the individual rankings that I thought were interesting but whether or not the ACC tried to help out a team. All the ACC schedulers would have to help them if they were biased would be pre-season data like this to use. What I determined was the teams that now have the “easiest” schedule based on this data is…you guessed it, UNC and Notre Dame.

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    2. Pitt got hosed with travel. And sending the team south is bad juju. I don’t trust the testing and health protocols of these southern schools.

      Like

  92. Football should be able to handle COVID. Large rosters will ensure there are players available at each position. Multiple test days including the day of the game will ensure positives don’t get on the field. The quarantine periods should be about 14 days before a player is allowed back on the field. So over the course of the season many players may go on and come back off the COVID list. The games will be played.

    Liked by 1 person

  94. Folks – interesting read on our Tobacco Road leadership.
    Don’t always like how they treat Pitt, but have to say the timing of this week’s announcement was shrewd.

    Liked by 1 person

  95. Last sentence…… You can’t have a season without a schedule.

    BTW. I’ sure most of you received this email.

    “In the event that any part of the 2020 season home schedule is not played, played at a reduced capacity, or played under conditions that prohibit fans from attending, ticket holders will have the following options available to them:

    Donate their cost of ticket payment(s) to supporting student-athlete scholarships through the Panther Club as a tax-deductible gift or accrual of priority points

    Use amount as a payment toward 2021 football season tickets

    Request a refund for the cost of ticket payment(s)

    Like

    1. You also can’t have a season until the virus levels are low and there’s a consistent across the board plan on how to conduct the schedule. Every school, conference and state has different health protocols. It’s one big cluster. Clusters normally end in a Duck.

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  96. who has the worst offense … Pitt Fb or the Pirates. The Bucs have lost 4 straight, including being 1-hit and 2-hit. Today they scored 1 run in 11 innings, and the last 2 innings they were spotted a runner on 2nd base.

    With this new extra inning rule where in extra innings, there is a runner on 2nd base to start the inning …

    — a reliever could come in and get 2 straight outs and get the loss

    — you could conceivably pitch a perfect game and lose

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  99. My buddy, Dr.Dan, who has been to Red5A is the medical director for 14,o employees of a big health care system… he told me he has heard estimates of around 20,000,000 peeps who are infected but not diagnosed- flu-like numbers that we see every year.

    I am looking forward to playing Clemson 2 times this year….praying the powers to be keep the polycarbonate BS out of sports but I have already seen Gallagher is on board with the BS…..Billy Nardozzi is correct- if sports doesn’t handle this correctly a lot of people will find better things to do rather than have their core values attacked… to many fish in the sea, literally, for BigB to catch…..

    BigB who stands at attention when the Star Spangled Banner is played and proudly and loudly sings the words ( as the song was written with no personnel interpretation!)

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  100. BigB and Dr Dan, now there is the nucleus of a great offensive line for you. Problem is….. I think they may be out of eligibility though?

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