in Pitt Football 197 Words

ACC Football Schedule Open Thread

Might as well comment on this in in real time.  Schedule is due to be released at 9 a.m. EST.

Will Pitt get hosed and get stuck with Clemson, ND and FSU out of the gate?  What about the non-con game?  Will it be a warm-up or a cool-down?  Will Miami be at the end of the season as always?  Without the benefit of a few tune-up games, you’d think the early season advantage this season would swing towards more experienced teams who have not changed coordinators.  (Read:  Pitt …although Clemson and ND have stability as well.   Miami and FSU on the other hand have had some turnover.)

I can tell you one thing, no matter what gets published, I would expect a lot to complain about.  As we’ve discussed, Pitt will always be marginalized in a league founded and run out of North Carolina.

Meanwhile, here is a little levity for you until the actual schedule is announced.  It appears she is a UNC alum as the ‘Heels are the only ACC blueblood not being trolled.

Added 9:11 AM

And here is the schedule.  Not bad actually.  Not bad at all.

Pitt 2021 Schedule

180 thoughts on “ACC Football Schedule Open Thread”

  1. It is what it is. Complaining won’t change anything…well, I guess in today’s cancel culture world you can actually complain enough to get things changed.
    I say we head to NC and set up an autonomous Pitt zone on the ACC headquarters and protest until they change the schedule. 🙂

    Seriously. I like the all conference schedule. The teams accustomed to out of conference cupcake games will suffer the most.

    Like

    1. This quote from the team doctor sums up how I feel and who I blame for this mess…

      “…I am deeply disturbed that our politicians don’t have the courage to do what’s right and make mandatory mask wearing and, in many cities, shelter-in-place until they have this under control. They are costing human lives.”

      As the article also said, and with all due respect to our esteemed POV poster — “It’s not rocket science.”

      Go Pitt.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Ribfest now gets canceled, the hits just keep coming. PITT just might as well play an opening day double header against Clemson at noon then Notre Dame at 6 PM same day. This season has become a joke anyways.

    Fran on guard at Red 5-A and I’m still sitting here with my new buddy Fred in the park. Latrobebians are late risers so the riots start around noonish. The tough guys like to put a box of Tide in the fountain next to Fred and me trying to suds us out.

    Liked by 5 people

  8. Schedule allows Pitt to get off to a good start, which would help in the ratings.

    As much as I want to see this happen, just don’t see how there won’t be outbreaks

    postponing/ cancelling games.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Decided to stay at Red 5A until the home opener Sept 12…setting up a small camp.
    Already have my Pitt and POV flags and a bunch of supplies.
    I’ll miss my family but someone has to do it!!

    Liked by 4 people

    3. you mean Red5AZ–autonomous zone…amazing all the new words and phrases these days…..I’ll drop you off a southern country ham-they-re non-perishable !!!

      Like

  10. ACC network showing 2008 backyard brawl at 6pm today…thats the year after 13-9 for you young jitterbugs.
    Following that game is Pitt v NC 2019 football.
    2008 Pitt v Georgetown hoops at 4pm today.
    Pitt day on ACC network.
    Tony Dorsett was on Packer and Durham earlier.

    Like

    1. watch the great bit of playcalling right before the half, when Shady pretty much runs the ball right thru the eers. Then watch what Cavanaugh calls right near the goal line

      Like

  12. When you look at the complete ACC teams’ schedule you will notice that Pitt is the only team that effectively has only one open date. Pitt’s second open date is after the is over! Bad news is Pitt does not have a second opportunities to “recover” during the season This is the same thing the ACC did to the BB team this past season. Good news is they have two weeks to prepare for Clemson in the ACC championship game!

    Like

  13. So in other words, FSU, GT and NC State have an open date the week before playing Pitt. Whereas, Pitt’s “only” open date is before the FSU game. So no advantage for Pitt there, but disadvantage for Pitt in the NC State and GT games

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Other than perhaps for healing or more film time, I’m not a 100% believer in the idea that an off-week is a huge advantage for team who has the time off. It disrupts the rhythm of the season. Are there any stats on records of teams coming off a bye?

      Like

  14. The trendy take on Twitter right now is that Pitt got screwed with long roadtrips at the end of the season.

    Like

      1. Correct. Would you rather bus three hours to Blacksburg or take a three hour plane ride to Florida.

        The big things are money. Plane travel does cost more. And covid. I would avoid at all costs traveling south. And I would not let southerners in unless a 14 day quarantine. Otherwise, the virus will be wrecking havoc.

        Like

  15. Without Comcast the only two TV games you may see are ND and Clemson unless your local TV or your cable company carries ACC network. Even then the ACC network puts some games on weird backup digital feeds. And we will not even talk about the announcers/refs.
    I hope the games can be played but …

    Liked by 1 person

    1. All the more reason to ditch Comcast. It’s really not that hard. Plenty of other companies Wilkins love your business.

      Like

  16. OT and a PSA…

    My youngest daughter – the Piitt grad who many of you have met at Red 5A – tested postive for COVID on Monday. She’s been rather diligent in following the proper precautions (moreso than her 60 yr old dad has) and yet let her guard down thinking she and a friend were safe to be in close proximity. Both had proactively been tested before getting together for a weekend, but the friend’s roommate apparently caught it from a medical professional who wasn’t aware at the time that she had it.

    We believe she has a mild case and is quarantined on the second floor of our house while she recuperates. Fortunately, it has its own HVAC system and my wife and I live downstairs. We havent been in physical proximity to her since she went away for her gathering and believe we are safe (fingers crossed).

    When this thing first began in March, I was also doing my best to be responsible but admit letting my guard down a bit over time. This has been a bit of a reminder to remain vigiliant and remember that physical distancing (a better term than social distancing) is important to doing our part for others – as well as taking the other precautions.

    While we are all aware of our mutual colleague rkb’s plight, it really “hits home when its in your home”.

    Stay safe everyone!

    Liked by 2 people

    4. Best wishes for your daughter, JoeL. Tell her POVers are praying for her and rooting for her.

      Like

  17. As said above, the most important factor about this schedule is that PITT plays it! << PERIOD! Otherwise, what are you going to do Benny? ……… There’s nothing you can do, except go home………….

    Like

  18. Amen to that. It is surprising just how many people are determined to defy the mask and distancing requirements. It doesn’t help that most TV shows and movies are repeats from before the virus, and so no one is wearing a mask on TV. I wonder if young people with small children realize that they could be quarantined away from their kids if they test positive. Is it the role of grandparents to watch these kids at significant risk to themselves?

    Liked by 1 person

  19. For those that love football, you’ve gotta love that schedule. Fantastic!

    I would love to go to a game this year but just wondering if they decided on protocol for that? Distancing protocol, masks, etc.? Or fan-less games? Do we know yet?

    Liked by 2 people

  20. So Clemson will be on Thanksgiving week-end …forget about BigB traveling to SC- will be heading to Indiana Pa to cut Christmas trees…so I hope to hang out with some of you POVerts…!!! Make PITT vs Clemson our end of the year game every year-get rid of the Orangeman…no fire in that “rivalry.

    Liked by 1 person

  21. Gotta show up and win those 1st 4-one game at a time…mental lapses like the VT or BC games that we experienced in 2019…..

    Like

    1. Biggie – the BC game didn’t look like a mental lapse to me. Their OL and that big RB just trampled us. We were physically over-matched, I’m afraid.

      I imagine Coach Bates has studied that film a lot in prep for the re-match. Perhaps it’s a bad match-up with BC because the strength of our Dline and linebackers is not their size…

      Go Pitt.

      Like

  22. Frankly- you are right about the announcers/refs on ACCN. But my biggest dislike about the network is watching the same 3 commercials 30 times per game!

    To me the biggest incentive to putting a worthy product on the field is so we can get MORE TV sponsors! 😉

    Liked by 1 person

  24. so I hit the link for Reeds new blog just see what’s up and found his first article titled “Well hello again”…. I think it was the first or second comment by Wilbur, here it is… “Reed–Do us all a favor and bar Ike from your new site!” Haha.

    If you can’t be famous then be infamous. J-Towers gives me a good shot as well. Oh well, “realists” Yeah right.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Jay has been rather intolerant and unkind to you in this space in the past. You have politely suggested he ignore your posts – change lanes and pass you by was the term I think you used during one lively exchange. It was my sense he was unable to do that and then used that tired BS line others have used about finding a higher level of dialogue.

      He obviously isn’t over you Ike… man crush? 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  25. 1618 – last i was told, the prevailing wisdom is 20% capacity. That is an advantage for Pitt as it will cover all season ticket holders and the administration will not get to pick and choose who to disappoint. Our AD will still announce the crowd at 47,861….THANK YOU!

    Liked by 1 person

        1. Band won’t happen. Any instrument blown into is a cannon for the virus.

          20 percent capacity provides six feet of social distancing. Engineers have run the numbers. There’s science behind every number. Just follow the science.

          I’m still not a fan of fans. You know the six foot rule won’t be adhered or enforced. Masks won’t be enforced. People will get too close in the lines, restrooms and entry and exit. Tailgating should be banned.

          Otherwise, you are actively shortening the season because the virus will rapidly spread. Then it’s season over.

          Like

          1. Good point, Tex. Perhaps they could do something like the Doobie Bros did with “Black Water” on YouTube….a sort of Zoom meeting with various sections of the band on the scoreboard. They could space out somewhere on campus and mic up. Now, if we only had an MPC on campus, they could spread out there….

            Liked by 1 person

    2. Heather always announces 47,861

      I have a real problem being told to not believe my eyes because they lie but to trust the reported numbers.

      That’s very close to how the Nitters do things. I want nothing to do with cults run by useful idiots.

      Like

  26. No favors done to Pitt but have to start the season 5-0. An experienced team should be able to handle the first seven games before the bye week. Coaches across the country will get a free pass in 2020 and rightfully so.

    Like

  27. No rivalry with clempson either bigb. Yes, we beat them once when they were ranked one or two, but it didn’t cost them anything as they won the championship that year. Clemp would never view Pitt as a rival when they have South Caro and the in division FSU way in front of us northerners.

    Games need to mean something for a rivalry to be had and unfortunately Pitt is just another game on the schedule for them. Being a .500 team for so long has robbed us of any potential rivalry games, except for the high school from west virgina because of their proximity and we beat them in their biggest opportunity for a national title in …..ummmm, 50 years.

    I will say now that I like the WV High School coach and expect them to get better quickly.

    Like

    1. One can always dream Huff…our record is 2-1 vs Clemson and maybe we add 2 more victories this year…that’s how rivalries are formed but you have to play every year..I had some pre-game beers a a Clemson bar and I can tell you noe of them were looking forward to playing PITT in ’16 even though we were giving up 50 pts and 800 yards passing a game (exaggerated slightly).I loved the rivalry we are developing with Carolina and enjoyed those Big East games with the Bearcats..I would venture to say that could have become a rivalry if the Big Easy was left intact…

      Like

      1. Did you spike your Koolaid today? 🤠

        There is no way pitt beats clemson. Their talent level is superior. Their coaching is even better.

        Like

          1. LOL with Biggie. Of course Pitt won 2 out of 3 all-time. Three games is now the stuff a rivalry makes. We beat them once when they were ranked 1 or 2. It was exciting and we ran a smoke and mirrors offense which was great. The next time we played i think they spanked us by at least 35.

            The first time we beat them was in 1977!! What rivalry are we trying to manufacture here. I enjoy your enthusiasm in trying to get us a rival. The only rival Pitt has is…Rivals.com. We constantly battle them to get our two stars ranked as three stars! LOL!!!

            Like

        2. Heard that same logic & drank that “realist” Koolaid back in 2016. Showed up in Clemson just to experience a true elite ACC atmosphere at a University that was competing for the NC. Low & behold Pitt’s the only L on there schedule after the NC is in their Trophy case. Pontificate all you want Tex, but you don’t know what the future holds for us. That my friend is exactly why they play the games. H2P.

          Like

  28. We have more social distancing space then any other college team in existence even for the band. Some fans will need a telescope.

    Like

  29. HEATHER KICKS BUTT. The team doesn’t travel the first month, and then doesn’t travel to a hot spot until mid October when things should have settled down. Then by the time they travel to Clemson, CFB will likely be shut down.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Mid October is the second wave

      All great things come to a thundering halt in early November.

      Don’t get your hopes up. Particularly when there isn’t a plan. The ACC just like the NFL is just winging it.

      Like

  30. Instead wwb, Heather gets hell for a late season travel schedule. Sometimes you just can’t win. When someone has such disdain for another there is nothing they can do that won’t be scrutinized and criticized.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Why does this bother you Ike? Seriously. You’d think she was family.

      I have no real issues with the schedule so I’m saying nothing. Other than the facts. When pitt travels south it is more expensive and the risk of covid greater.

      Again I think she and other northern directors should have fought hard for the regional pod idea. But that’s history now.

      I’m more interested if pitt will allow fans. If the state lets them. How they handle tailgating. And most important, how they execute and monitor their health protocols.

      I still recommend heather change her color to blue. Yellow blouses are just as hideous as yellow seats.

      And I personally could care less about the woman. I care about her performance. And you know where I stand on that and I have facts to back me not just mere opinions.

      She was and still is a bad hire. So your admiration puzzles me. We’re much closer on assessment of Narduzzi.

      Tex just being curious how the ikester thinks

      Like

      1. It bothers me because I really can’t see what she is doing wrong under the conditions and constraints she is put under. Plain and simple. Some were on her ass before she even started her first day and it’s continued ever since.

        Liked by 3 people

  31. Because she is unqualified and a Compliance Puppet. It was PC and Pitt cares more about PC than winning. Pretty Simple. Nothing she has done has proved valuable other than letting go of Rockports. Capel hasn’t done anything yet and Narduzzi is the same 6-8 wins coach he has always been.

    Like

    1. Ok. I understand constraints somewhat. Like poor giving rates, low revenues. But what are her solutions? That’s her job. She’s had plenty of time now. All I hear again are excuses.

      I have to agree with my fellow Texan. She was a PC pick and unqualified. Her claim to fame was getting one donor to gift $2 million to the football program. The program did make a bowl for the first time in like 50 years. Just not sure how she helped with that. When she left, the school had to cut four very good programs since the athletic finances were abysmal mainly driven by the football albatross. Plenty of good press articles. In fact one of the major sports publications did an expose on emu and football. Yet Pitt still hires her.

      So she was the wrong hire at the time. I knew it. Said it. And after nearly four long years, she’s actually worse than I thought upfront. Her accomplishments are few and far between. The same problems exist. Now there’s a culture of lies, little transparency and other directors and league leaders know she is weak and can be pushed around. For having a compliance background, two probations happened under her watch. And rockports got pretty much all his remaining money due.

      She’s just a step ahead of Stevie. Pitt can and should do better.

      I’m very passionately disappointed about how pitt leaders and the board continue to drop the ball. I told you who I wanted. I told you who would be a great pick now.

      We’re stuck with her for another two years until she bolts to Sparty.

      Tex who hates the color yellow now.

      Like

      1. Tex, you can hope for whoever you want for AD and coaches for any sport. Having said targets be interested in coming here is another thing. You think just because Pitt wants someone that person will automatically want to come here? You DO realize that we can’t force someone to give up their life as they know it and come to Pitt because you want them to be our coach, right? And please remind me what your career and background is that makes you the all-knowing athletic personnel match-maker. Have you EVER been wrong about something? Please give it up with the Heather-bashing. WE KNOW YOU THINK PITT COULD DO BETTER! Honestly, you are a frickin broken record!!!

        Liked by 3 people

        2. When I’m wrong I’ll admit it. I honestly thought heather would be better at compliance but those two probations proved me wrong.

          Like

  33. And if there is a season, you have this analysis of the Preseason Coaches Poll:

    “4. Who is, technically, underrated in the Coaches Poll?

    Pitt
    Last year we put Minnesota here after it received one vote. Pitt got a grand total of one vote this year – Louisiana and SMU got 3, Tulane got 5.

    There’s a good chance this is the second-best team in the ACC, or at least right there with Notre Dame in this strangest of years. The Panthers either have the most dangerous defensive front in college football, or they’re at least in the top five. The offensive line is strong, and there’s enough across the board to be flirting with the top 15 overall in the rankings.”

    https://collegefootballnews.com/2020/08/coaches-poll-rankings-2020-preseason-5-things-that-matter-overrated-underrated-rankings-thoughts/2

    Like

    1. Not sure how anyone could say the OL is strong. They havent showed that yet. Hope they do this yr, but last yr was not a good yr for the OL.

      Like

      1. The best thing that anyone can say about the OL is that they are experienced. That’s a fact. Does not mean they will be good. Morrissey and Hargrove are good. Carter Warren damn well better improve at left tackle. We brought in a D3 transfer to “compete” at right tackle. That does not exactly translate to “strong”.

        Like

          1. Having a FG like walk-on George the Animal really helped the running game- the kid from Central Catholic who lined up in the backfield was mediocre at best….. gotta have a running game …

            Like

        2. I’ll be shocked if Warren improves enough. Just don’t see him having the lateral mobility. Maybe if he drops 30 pounds…

          I’d try him at guard…

          Go Pitt.

          Like

  34. OT: Miami star DE Greg Rousseau opts out this season. A potential top 10 NFL pick many have predicted. Some other big names likely high draft picks may well follow suit. PSU star LB announced he’s opting out this week.

    Like

  35. Not being political here at all. Anyone ever watch “The Five”? That’s the approach I take on the POV. I admire the hell out of Juan. He understands how to hold a discussion without getting all bent out of shape, they all do and don’t get off the next exit to escape for a higher level discussion. Plus I’ll bet if he saw a link for a 70’s video he didn’t like, he would be smart enough to maneuver around it without getting his panties in a bunch. Oh the excruciating agony of someone posting a music video on the internet.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyuIf76WrXo

    Like

  37. One thing about Heather – I like the two basketball coaches she hired… Like them a lot.

    Go Pitt.

    Like

  38. So in summary …. Heather (1) shouldn’t wear yellow, (2) is too compliant, and (3) her basketball coach hire hasn’t done anything. Interesting

    Liked by 2 people

    3. Yellow looks very bad on her

      Compliance actually isn’t a strong suit since two probations occurred under her watch

      She will be judged on wins. And right now both basketball coaches are great at losing games. Come year three of b-ball, need to show results.

      But I won’t rag on her despite bad scheduling, still unresolved problems with revenues and gifting rates, misguided victory Heights, very high athletic subsidy

      But our athletes are smart and we do look good on TV

      Like

  39. Let’s face it: some people like Tex will never accept anyone for AD who didn’t coach the blue blood sports of football or basketball. And a woman in this job is just unacceptable. How else can one explain the obsession with yellow blouses? Given Pitt’s past history with male ADs, it’s sad that there are some rednecks who still feel this way.

    Liked by 4 people

  40. I have no problem with a female AD who is qualified.

    PSU has a great Female AD

    And what has Capel
    Done? Nothing is the answer.

    Wbb and Voice of Reason. Go suckle Gov Wolfes Teet.

    Like

  41. ^^ LOL Mark, now I see where you were coming from. Haven’t been on the POV for a few hours as strange as that sounds. Don’t know if that’s all together fair though. I separate sports and politics as best I can, VoR is a nice guy and don’t know wwb as he keeps to himself. Mark, you and me would have made for a great tag-team in a dark alley in Homewood back in my day.

    Like

  42. JoeL, prayers for a mild illness and speedy recovery for your daughter. Wouldn’t you know it, I have a commitment for Pitt’s opener with Miami the first. Only way I would make it is it would be a night game. 🤬

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m betting on the “Slim to None” ticket & I’m only getting 6 to 5 odds. So not very encouraged that the schedule plays out in total

      Like

  44. Upitt, you take things to a personal level. We agree on some things and disagree on others. But I never resort to personal attacks. I happen to think that Capel was an excellent hire, and we can already see his recruiting skills at work. Personal attacks are what’s left once your other arguments fail.

    Liked by 3 people

  45. What was personal about it?

    You call me and Tex a redneck and I say you vote for Wolfe. But I’m doing personal attacks. Come on man that is week.

    This place has become a refuge for how great Narduzzi, Capel and Lyke are. Zero serious dialogue about accountability in the programs. Do you guys not care about winning? I swear you are happy with a bum DC coaching football because he stays. Here is a hint. No one wants him.

    I look at records and none of them have done a thing in terms of success. We almost lost to Eastern Michigan in a Bowl. Stew on that.

    It is always next year or Capel
    Is recruiting well.

    Capel is a life long assistant. His time at OU shows that. At Duke the school name was what sold.

    Until he actually wins some games in year 3 now in the ACC and Narduzzi does something it is same old pitt.

    You guys say the same stuff year after year. I call out the BS and the Wolfe fans get angry. Keep living under rocks.

    Like

    1. UPITT:
      Keep firing away. They want to silence you.
      Only 1 point of view is correct. Any other point of view is to be labeled as offensive.

      Like

    2. Last time I checked, we played the mediocre MAC team that the bowl committee put in front of us in Detroit & took home our 1st bowl win under Narduzzi’s tenure. That’s progress, no matter how tiny you want to state those steps are going forward. But you’re going play your Debbie Downer card by suggesting that a win is as good as a lost against this opponent, so I call BS. If we lose, yeah, then we suck & ridicule is warranted. For you though, we don’t lose but we still suck? Sorry Buddy swing & a miss on this one, IMO.

      Like

  47. for the umpteenth time …. Capel took over an 0-18 (ACC) team with holdovers Jared Wilson-Frame, Terrell Brown, Kene Chukwuka and Samson George ….. WOOOOO!

    I debated even writing this because your post above about the Steelers RB situation just once again confirms my assertion about you ever since you start posting on Pitt Blather about 5 years ago …. you participate here SOLELY TO TROLL AND AGGRAVATE. There should be very few doubters now after your most recent tirade.

    Liked by 1 person

  48. rednecks doesn’t seem personal…….good grief.

    I personally believe the AD was in over her head when she was at Michigan East and now at Pitt. Diversity and Inclusion is great when the candidate is qualified through exceptional experience and results. That didnt happen here. That is not her fault. She is a nice person and a skilled compliance person.

    Like

    1. Tex, ya gotta like hunt’n, fish’n, pick-up trucks …chewing smokeless tobacco is optional…. if you are going to be a red-neck. Need a red-neck girl too….

      Like

      2. Here’s the catch – she’s not American

        View this post on Instagram

        Skinning my 90lb pig from yesterday. Iv been asked by a couple people of how I got into hunting. I grew up very in touch with nature in the bush with no tv until age 7 and no electricity until age 4. My father would take me tramping regularly and I was very much at home in the wilderness. My family live a very holistic lifestyle and I am so great full for my up bringing. I started hunting when I meet my partner Sharn! He grew up hunting and has an extensive understanding of the sport. I am an enthusiastic person and will give pretty much any challenge a good go so tagging along for hunts was an exciting adventure. Sharn is the teacher and I am the student, absorbing the bounty of knowledge he shares with our children and I. I was hooked from my first hunt where a huge deer was skilfully stalked, shot and gutted before my eyes. My mind was blown. We took the deer home and enjoyed venison for dinner. The fact that it was free meat, it was organic, it was helping with the conservation of our native habitat, I got some good exercise and it tasted incredible was enough for me to start harvesting my own meet to feed my family, rather than buying it from the supermarket. I am forever great full to you @247sharnos247 for being such a role model for our children and an inspiration to me! https://www.gamegear.co.nz/?ref=lucyjaine – – – – – – #butcher #meateater #hunter #feedthefamily #pork #organic #wild #newzealand #wanaka #mealprep #harvest #pighinting #huntress #skinning #90lbs #lovemylife #greatful #

        A post shared by LUCY JAINE Huntress NZ (@hunting_lucyjaine) on

        Like

        1. Is that a video of this woman skinning a pig or a video of her know you what? Either way I like it….

          Like

          1. It’s clearly a hunting video and an anthropological glimpse into a culture that is very different and yet similar to our own rural Folks here in the US…

            Liked by 1 person

        2. probably one of those New Zealand girls…Canadian will do too…I like a girl who can bait her own hook and remove her fish….!!!

          Like

    1. Paul Chryst implemented a nice chip blocking strategy by the tight ends to help our poor tackle play years ago. Does not seem like something whip will do but who knows

      Like

    1. You’re pretty optimistic about a redshirt Frosh playing the position that takes the longest to master…

      Like

      1. I think he will see some time…sounds athletic with quick feet- plus he is practicing against the best DL in the country-that alone should speed up the learning curve !!!! Let’s not take lightly who the OL will be practicing against this year…know what I mean…

        Like

    2. Been having my fingers crossed about Goncalves too, BigB. Seems to have the body type and mobility. It’s not rocket science if a young player has the strength and agility and aggressiveness…

      Go Pitt.

      Like

  57. Very thought provoking opinion piece from the Wash Post this morning. The fact that Pitt doesn’t own its stadium probably a good thing in this environment.

    By
    Sally Jenkins
    Columnist
    August 7, 2020 at 9:01 a.m. EDT
    Add to list
    The pandemic has subjected the NCAA to radiographical exposure. Every crooked vertebrae of the system is on glowing fluorescent display. It’s similar to the sensation when you view an X-ray that shows your cat swallowed your favorite fountain pen. You can see all the things that don’t belong in the guts of a university.

    The coronavirus crisis is an incredible diagnostic tool. The excesses have never been so sharply delineated: The $50 million stadium upgrades, the indoor waterfalls, the ballooning salaries, the locker rooms designed like first-class luxury airliner cabins now look like protruding, tumorous distortions, worthy of recoil and disgust. Institutions have laid themselves bare, with their desperate insistence on trying to make unpaid kids play football in a viral outbreak simply to meet their overextended bills.

    “Schools have spent money recklessly for years,” says attorney Tim Nevius, a former NCAA investigator who is now an advocate for athletes. “Now they’re in a position where if the season doesn’t go forward, they’re on the hook for millions. … There has just been an extraordinary amount of spending on things that have very little resemblance to a university’s mission to educate and develop people.”

    Understand this: These schools don’t have a money problem. They have a shopping addiction. From 2004 to 2018, NCAA revenue exploded from $3 billion to $14 billion thanks largely to media rights, licensing, and sponsorship deals. Yet some schools are so financially distressed that a single canceled football season could be catastrophic. Stanford has cut 11 sports, and Wisconsin informed donors that it could face a $100 million shortfall. Where’d the money go? The answer is, to compulsive spending and gross misallocation. Hundreds of millions disappeared into the pockets of deputy assistant associate athletic directors for administration; conference commissioners for the commission of commissions; and Nick Saban’s corporate-welfare army of “football analysts.”

    College football players fear stigma of sitting out could outlast pandemic

    The rest went into buildings that look like a Kardashian’s closet. Clemson’s arcade of a football complex includes miniature golf, bowling, laser tag and a movie theater.

    “This is a multibillion-dollar sports entertainment industry embedded in our higher education system,” Nevius says.

    AD
    You can see what the priorities are. Book learning and bookkeeping aren’t among them.

    The party is over, obviously. A perfect storm has overtaken an NCAA structure that was rickety to begin with and is knocking it down, exposing all the rotten innards. “This is a crazy system we’ve had, that never really worked economically for schools, that got more and more commercialized over time, and it’s ripe for change,” says economist Andrew Zimbalist. “You have all these commercial enterprises called athletic departments that did not face normal marketplace discipline, because there is nobody, not you or I, who owns stock in the Notre Dame or Michigan football team.”

    The accounting is finally here. The pandemic and its accompanying contraction is a painful and uncertain experience all across the country. But one good thing has come of it: It has tilted some leverage to athletes, on whom so many overpaid livings depend. Now they are asking: Why should we play for free and put our health at risk just so a bunch of paper pushers can walk off with more millions?

    AD
    An extraordinary shift is coming, like it or not. No one yet knows what the college landscape will look like post-pandemic. But it’s time to recognize the stark reality that there is a major labor industry improperly buried in the stomachs of universities. It has to either be removed, or better absorbed.

    If athletic departments are going to remain and survive on campuses, the NCAA must become a more organic system that equitably recompenses athletes for their risk, and prioritizes the well-being of the people who are doing the sweating over those in suits. Pac-12 players are threatening to sit out if they don’t receive a 50 percent revenue split and health benefits. It’s a good road map.

    Does that come with consequences? Of course — starting with tax consequences. There would be redistribution and reallocation implications, hard ones, for everybody. But those are coming, like it or not, in one form or another. The idea that smaller sports have to be killed wholesale is nonsense. Before athletic directors make that determination, how about they start by paring away all of the stupendous waste and bureaucratic welfare, and see what’s left?

    Blackistone: College football players are human beings first. Officials seem determined to ignore that.

    What does this mean? It means restoring a pay-as-you-go ethic instead of waiting for the big bowl game check to erase the red ink. It means clawing back the salaries of grossly overpaid failed-upwards administrators, such as Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott’s $5 million a year compensation for pure incompetence, and redeploying moneys to sports under threat. It means Alabama carrying just one “football analyst” instead of 13. It means cutting Dabo Swinney’s $9 million salary to $2 million and doing the same to all the other coaches in the Power Five conferences, whose collective pay currently amounts to a staggering $1.2 billion.

    AD
    It means realignment to reduce ludicrous travel expenses, and no more putting players in hotels before home games. It means reducing the number of football scholarships from a needlessly large 85 to a more reasonable 70. It means not every Division I men’s basketball player gets to spend Thanksgiving in Caribbean resorts.

    It means hiring college administrators who won’t honcho around, but who will do their actual assigned jobs, which is to run educational nonprofits with low overhead that spread merit-based scholarships to as many deserving kids as possible, in as many sports as possible. It means finding administrators who will concede that multi-sport departments can be run on a mere $50 million instead of $150 million.

    Before anything else, NCAA schools have to get their spending and their addiction to debt under control. No large measures, whether cutting sports or revenue-sharing with athletes, can be even discussed until excess is curbed and reason restored. Not until then can anyone begin to see a fairer future for college sports. The alternative is unsustainable and will lead to total collapse.

    Like

    1. I’m not a fan of The Post normally, but agree with many/most of the observations in her column.
      We’ve all seen it. Surprised she overlooked Oregon’s facility makeover courtesy of Phil Knight.

      Schools like Tennesee have attemptped to keep up with the Alabama’s and have mismanaged finances for years. Gonna be tough for them to balance their budget when they have a number of fans who spend their money on season tickets instead of heating their homes in the winter. Look at the dumpster fire Maryland was financially before they made the otherwise ridiculous move to the BigTen. The well is going to run dry at some point and the Invisible Hand will balance it all out.

      Tiptoeing along the precarious ledge of the tax policy canyon, I’ll say this. Its crazy that the Phil Knight’s, T. Boone Pickens , etc are getting tax breaks for these type of donations. You want to give your school a competitive advantage to lure the best kids and provide for a nice corporate client entertainment experience?…Good for you! Just don’t ask others to in effect subsidize it with a tax deduction. If you want it bad enough, do it without the deduction.

      She blames adminstrators. I’d say responsibility is shared by many including the mega donors, school admin, “the media”, fans and even the players themselves.

      That said, this isn’t a recent issue. We didn’t start the fire…It was always burning…Since the world’s been turning.

      Side note – ask Bernie about the telestrator he had when QB’ing Apollo HS. Even back then, he had his own. Amazing. He’s get on a knee and use his pointer finger to draw up a play in the dirt.

      Liked by 2 people

  58. GC don’t need a newspaper article,common sense tells you that-coaches making millions, billion dollar endowments, facility up-grades for athletes… the list goes on and on…wish they would do story on these greedy health care “systems” ….as long as there is money to be made there will be corruption…can throw politics into that mix with sports and medicine..put it in a blender-drink a glass the be prepared to experience vomiting an diarrhea..

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Is it corruption or just Laissez Faire Capitalism on steroids? Just saw Zuckerberg is the latest to join the 100 billion club.

      Like

    2. opps
      Man Big B you almost got me to fire off another illegal post!
      I will tell you and Fran at the tailgate. Not nearly as good as the first one.
      In fact it was so good I almost took the ban and posted it.
      Since we are bombarded from articles from left leaning news sources I am ready to start posting some articles myself.

      Like

    3. The vast majority of schools lose money running sports. But they really need to treat it as a business and at least breakeven.

      Most P5 schools have to subsidize their budgets by around 4 percent. That means to balance the books they take monies from the general fund. In essence this is a loan but few schools pay it back.

      Pitt has one of the higher subsidies because its revenue poor and spends like a drunken sailor just to keep up. No school really has rainy day funds. Loss of revenues and higher unexpected covid costs will force schools to cut and eliminate. Several already have. Pitt will be no exception.

      Sports really needs to report to a separate BoT and be run by an AD with a finance background.

      Tex who loves a good compliance joke

      Like

  59. Paying student athletes would just contribute to the problem. It would scale things up further and add to the $150 million budgets the semi-professional SEC schools (and some others) are spending.

    The NCAA needs to start with the football and basketball coaches and staffs, and put some form of cap on salaries and income. Then they need to unwind the massive spending over time with new rules that limit facility spending, travel costs, etc. so that more schools can compete with the big guys, not fewer.

    When colleges need to fill 100,000 seat stadiums to balance their athletic books, then clearly a major overhaul is needed to put things right.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Force the minor league
      The NFL is a 16 billion dollar a year business. The kids can get paid 25,000 a year and play in front 2,200 people in some small crap place.
      The other players can decide on college. They come in same standards of other students.
      No APR BS
      If you flunk out it is on you.
      It happened to the number 1 student in Boca Raton high school history.
      He full academic scholarship to BU in physics in 1984.
      He has a personal computer( No s it)
      Problem ended up rooming with my buddy from Mt Washington. He was gone after freshman year.
      He had a great time.
      They can decide to study or play go to the minor league.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I’d be OK with that and wouuld continue to go to PItt games. I would probably have little interest in miinor league games unless a team was in my local area. But I think you are right. The question is, who will be brave enough within that system to drive change…and please lets leave politicians out of this. They are busy with other things. 😉

        Like

  60. Truth be told…. I’ve only put on a pair of shoes 3 times in the last 4 months. Twice to weed whack and the other time was when my wife said, c’mon we are going for a ride. So I’m not like our dog Eli “the lucky” who likes to go for rides and I put up a fuss but she insisted so I went along for a ride around town for whatever reason. I’ve always have said that this is the perfect pandemic for me. I’ve been practicing self-isolation for years and years. Call me a couch potato, introverted or just plain crazy, they all describe me perfectly. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  61. Imho, this virus is never going away, just like the flu and the common cold. The best we can do is learn to live with it. ANY vaccine is never 100% effective. Limit fan viewing at games to people under 40 years of age and get on with it.

    Like

    1. yep, live with it …we learned to live with all the other virus’s…damn that vintage 1918 was really bad compared to today’s virus… I said a couple of articles ago Dr. Dan (who many of you have imbibed with) reports the experts think there are 20 mill cases out there just not diagnosed yet…flu virus infects 20-30 mill every year….I am not staying in my cave….it’s to easy to get politically side-traced these days….Hey can any of you tell me where to get the PITT BLM T-shirt that I have seen a few times on players on Capel’s twitter ????? Enquiring mind wants to know……H2P

      Liked by 1 person

    3. It will never go away. Hopefully we’ll have a free vaccine for everyone by next summer. Will take time to manufacture and distribute and administer. Don’t underestimate the complexity of those chain events.

      And this virus is not the flu. It’s far more contagious and deadly. Already 160k lives lost after a mere five months. Flu takes no more than 60k over a full 12 months. Yet many Americans are treating it like the flu.

      The opening of schools will lead to the second wave. I expect total country shutdown come thanksgiving. Get your turkey now.

      Like

      1. Sixth deadliest global pandemic of all time if allowed to proceed unchecked…

        Like

          1. And with lock downs, masking and social distancing that aren’t used against the flu.

            We saw what happened when we opened the bars and people still don’t get it.

            The Rutgers football team was shutdown with one house party.

            Like

            1. Children aren’t immune. They can and will spread the virus. Masks could save 60k lives per latest study and analysis.

              When the teachers of these kids start getting sick and dieing, it won’t just be the teachers walking out.

              Like

  62. So ESPN is showing the PGA morning flights on ESPNX. Another $5 a month. Does anyone subscribe, what would they have possibly worth watching. You can still watch the PGA from 4-10 pm on ESPN including highlights of the morning rounds. Seems like a failed business strategy to me.

    Like

    1. Reported by two sources that he did test positive but had recovered. No other previous evidence of heart disease.

      Like

      1. Those sudden catastrophic cardiovascular events that occur in young athletes is always shocking…makes me think of Pistol Pete and Hank Gathers (I think that was the player who died on the court…years back

        Like

  64. Narduzzi Updates: WR Butler-Jenkins injured and off the team for good. DLman and FB Wheeler graduated and is also off the team. J Vardzell given a scholarship.

    Like

  65. Whipple believes OL is deeper and stronger than last year. IMO it better be.—-Krull and freshman Addison as well as some of the younger receivers will stretch the field more this season. Lets hope so as those multitude of sideline passes from last year just didn’t get the job done.

    Like

    1. Your right about the o line because if you return 80% of the starters on a unit and it’s not improved there are bigger issues…

      Like

    1. And practice would have made this team better? They are trash. The school belongs in the MAC. But they are a great cross over for Pitt. Nearly a guaranteed win every year. Much like Rutgers used to be. But at Pitt they can screw up peeing straight.

      Like

    1. He should opt out. Got to do what’s best for you and family. Not for coach and school. His stock is high right now. I’d stay in shape and get ready for Indie to show my stuff.

      There is very little upside for him to play out this season. I expect some others to do the same. They would be smart. I don’t view them as traitors or other vitriolic words that will be cast down upon them.

      Tex who toasts this decision if true. It is after all national beer day.

      Like

      1. Worst case is that he falls to the third round and still signs a James Conner-Esque multimillion dollar contract with a decent (probably half million signing bonus). That would help just about any family in the US. Next man up for Pitt, though I’d hate I lose him.

        For reference – Conner’s rookie deal was 4 y / 3.16 M with 706k signing bonus.

        Like

        1. He’s definitely going to get at least a Conner like deal. In fact he’s worth more. Any guy who can pressure the QB is gold.

          Like

          1. It’s true . RB’s are the lowest paid outside of special teams if i remember correctly

            Like

  69. For what it’s worth Peak and company conversations with Pitt coaches and players today don’t believe Twyman rumor of him opting out is true.

    Like

    1. IMHO, Twyman needs to play. If he doesn’t show his stuff on the field, I think his size will hurt him in the NFL draft. Just my guess after meeting him at the LOI event…

      Go Pitt.

      Like

      1. They said that about AD. His size won’t change playing this season. In fact it will be hard to replicate last season. This season will have an asterisk on it. He could get injured. If I were his agent, I’d recommend him sitting out. Staying in shape. And practicing the drills he’ll go through in indie.

        Like

        1. They say that about many players who end up being selected late in the draft too…

          Go Pitt.

          Like

  76. I’ve been a big fan of Coach Bates since he got here. If you get a chance, listen to his interview today on the Pitt site.

    Go Pitt.

    Like

Comments are closed.