in Pitt Football 434 Words

ACC Game Watch Thread 10/9/21

Pitt has a bye this week along with Boston College, Clemson, NC State and Miami. If you spend a lot of time watching college football on Saturdays, the below are the scheduled ACC games. You can do the normal thread thing. You can even discuss Big10 matchups.

Game: Georgia Tech (2-3, 1-2 ACC) @ Duke (3-2, 0-1 ACC)

  • Time: 12:30 PM
  • TV: ACC Regional Sports Network(RSN) or ESPN3

Why watch: Duke – RB Mataeo Durant (#5 NCAA, #2 ACC) in rushing yards per game (127.2). QB Gunner Holmberg

Why Watch: Georgia Tech – Are they the team that showed promise against Clemson and North Carolina? Or the team that Pitt demolished?

Prediction: Georgia Tech bounces back or HC Geoff Collins is on a seat that will be warming.

Link to ACC affiliates: 2021 Football RSN Affiliates: Georgia Tech at Duke – Atlantic Coast Conference (theacc.com)

Game: Virginia (3-2, 1-2 ACC) @ Louisville (3-2, 1-1 ACC)

  • Time: 3:00 PM
  • TV: ACCN

Why Watch : Virginia – The combo of QB Brennan Armstrong to WR Dontayvion Wick.

Why Watch : Louisville – For the rushing and passing ability of QB Malik Cunningham

Prediction:  Louisville puts a spike through any aspirations Virginia has for winning the Coastal.

Game: Wake Forest (5-0, 2-0 ACC) @ Syracuse (3-2, 0-1 ACC)

Why Watch: Wake Forest – the trendy pick to win the ACC Atlantic Division

Why Watch: Syracuse – RB Sean Tucker (#4 NCAA, #1 ACC) in rushing yards per game (127.2). The Syracuse defense (#12 NCAA, #1 ACC) in allowing only 284.6 yards/game.

Prediction: Wake Forest. I am as trendy as anyone (who is 70+). Besides I enjoyed my weekend in Winston-Salem in 2018.

Game: Florida State (1-4, 1-2 ACC) @ North Carolina (3-2, 2-2 ACC)

  • Time: 3:30 PM
  • TV: ESPN

Why Watch : Florida State – Do you like to watch teams from the state of Florida lose. I do and Florida State is situated in Florida.

Why Watch : North Carolina – Another QB/WR combo. This time QB Sam Howell to true freshman Josh Downs. Howell is top three in all ACC passing categories. Downs is the same in receiving.

Prediction: North Carolina.

Game: Notre Dame (5-0, 1-0 ACC opponents) @ Virginia Tech (3-1, 1-0 ACC)

  • Time: 7:30 PM
  • TV: ACCN

The ACC game of the century of the week.

Why Watch : Notre Dame – You know my opinion on teams from Florida. Notre Dame is not from Florida but I enjoy watching them lose.

Why Watch : Virginia Tech – They are Pitt’s opponent next weekend. Scout them while you can.

Prediction: You can discuss all the implications of a Virginia Tech win or loss (W/L) ranging from W/L blow out to close W/L. And how those scenarios effect the Virginia Tech team and fan base.

202 thoughts on “ACC Game Watch Thread 10/9/21”

    2. Oustanding piece on him.

      “Growing pains”….guessing he was frustrated with Watson as the OC and perhaps the quality of the offense overall. I was not wild about Whipple when hired, but Pickett has definitely shown he has grown under his tutelage. Having receving threats help as well.

      Liked by 1 person

    3. I’m hearing serious talk about the Steelers drafting him and how he would work well with Canada in their offense. I think they’ll stick with Rudolph though.

      Like

  2. Thanks for the article and post. Lots of good stories coming from this team – leadership, selflessness and good character. Cal is the latest to donate his NIL for good as he donates to children’s cancer and vows to cut his hair if he reaches $94k in donations. Other panthers doing the same. Really great stories.

    One of the better match ups looks to be from the big 10 with Iowa taking on PSWho. I hope the Hawkeyes hand it to Franklin on prime time!

    H2P

    Liked by 5 people

  3. Hey Richard, not so fast,,,, how about the Tennessee Volunteers vs the Game-cocks??? If for no other reason than to hear “Rocky Top” being played a few times !!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Short take – Noon game on ESPN 2. Why watch: South Carolina (3 -2, 0 – 2 SEC) – I’ll be in Columbia and family and I watch Gamecock football. Why Watch: Tennessee (3 – 2, 1 – 1 SEC) – Because they are U of SC opponent of the week. Prediction: Tennessee: Need this one to reach the Vols goal of bowl eligibility (6-6). With this one, they will make their goal with South Alabama and Vanderbilt at the end of the season.

      South Carolina will be lucky to win 5 with only Missouri and Vanderbilt as beatable teams remaining.

      Like

  4. Reminder: Our #2 Pitt Panther volleyball team will be on the ACC channel at 5:00 PM today (10/8/21). They will be playing Clemson. If you can, go to the game in person! It is a the Fitz.

    On Sunday the #2 team in the nation will play #18 Georgia Tech at 1:00 PM at the Fitz. That game will only be broadcast on the ACCNX digital channel.

    Liked by 2 people

      1. Should be a good match! Pitt will have to come out faster than they did against Clemson! We are counting on you to make that happen Annie!

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    1. A little earlier in the year it might’ve been said that “they are terrible team because they lost to Pitt.“ I think that statement may have lost validity the last few weeks?

      Liked by 3 people

      1. I think if you actually watched the game against Pitt, TN could have won with an average quarterback performance. Against pitt, the tn qb was not terrible, but awful. LOL. I have seen girls (no offense Annie) throw footballs into the dr. pepper challenge football opening better than the TN qb threw to his receivers. Just my observation, so don’t be haters at me. 🙂

        Well, TN did beat their mac opponent for one of their wins. I know it was the bowling green powerhouse. Tenn Tech was their second win so I wouldn’t be saying they are even really good. They better win tomorrow because they will have a long losing streak beginning next week. They did beat Missouri, but… MO only has wins against se mo st and eastern michigan in their 5 games?

        At best I could argue they are mediocre as a team and that is probably what you remember reading Ikester. Team equals mediocre and not yet ready. The qb was awful and that combination helped Pitt secure a win. We should be happy about that, but trying to call them good, probably premature by a year or two under Huepel. Again, during the first 5 weeks of the season, vegas bookies go with the team with the most returning starters. Pitt has that and i think we probably have the most super and super duper (7th years) on our roster than most teams and no, i didn’t research. It is my guess.

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  7. Richard, many thanks for the write up on this week’s games. Now if I could only get the ACC network on Comcast!

    Reed, many blessings to you and your family as you deal with the health issues at hand. We are all praying for, and confident of, a good outcome.

    I think that Pickett will have much to say about his OC experiences once he leaves Pitt. Right now, there is too much pressure being placed on him to continue his excellent play for the rest of the season. Narduzzi touting him for the Heisman doesn’t help. I think just as Narduzzi badmouthed New Hampshire as a scrimmage game, he will be quick to pat himself on the back (no pun intended) if KP should win the Heisman. It will be all about Narduzzi. Sorry to be negative right now, but Narduzzi has an attitude that annoys me…

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Read the article from PSN “Back For One More Ride” and just maybe you might not be so negative on Narduzzi. But then again almost nothing Pitt accomplishes this year can change some long held dislike of Narduzzi held by many POVers.

      Liked by 6 people

      1. jrnpitt, I have been following Pitt football for over 40 years, and without exception I have supported the head coach to keep his job. I even wanted Carl DePasqua to keep his job. I don’t like seeing people get fired, and I don’t want Narduzzi to get fired.

        But PN has some character flaws that make it extremely hard to like him, and I wonder if he can ever achieve real success at Pitt when he is basically not a likeable person, with no charisma. Narduzzi is a unique blend of narcissist and arrogant elitist. He is thin skinned, but thinks he is the smartest guy in the room, and talks down to coaches, fans, sportswriters and competitors without really having achieved real success himself. How many close friends does he have in the coaching profession? I’d bet not many, certainly no longer the head coach of New Hampshire, for example.

        Underneath it all, the players seem to somehow relate to him, and that has kept him afloat so far. They seem to play hard, they are good citizens and don’t transfer. Maybe he is fine in the locker room, but in my opinion, sooner or later his arrogant personality will be his undoing. If he screws up, who would come to bat for him?

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        1. If Pitt ends the year successfully everyone will love Narduzzi and his “arrogance”.

          Saying he has no friends in the coaching profession is hilarious. It is a tight knit fraternity. That’s how they stay in the profession and guys like Whipple get recycled job after job. Narduzzi is popular in his facility, his coaches and players need to like him, not the rest of us.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. NRS, you can’t convince me that he is well liked in the coaching profession. With most assistant coaches on one year contracts, they cannot afford to say anything bad publicly about a coach because sooner or later they will be job hunting. Calling the OOC a pre-season schedule is a slam at the coaches on those teams. Most coaches don’t badmouth the opposition.

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  8. GREAT Job RICHARD! Thanks again Richard for picking up the POV in its time of need. As we all pray for Reeds son and family to make a full recovery, it’s great to have people like you (and others) to keep our outlet still available.

    Liked by 5 people

  9. Pitt Volleyball up 2 sets to 0 against Clemson. Great crowd, including many students, visible on the telecast from the fieldhouse.

    Liked by 3 people

  10. I’ll be tuned in an ready to watch the Hokies and the Irish, and frankly don’t even know that I have a rooting interest. I guess I wouldn’t mind seeing VT with a heart-breaking loss, maybe an interception returned for a TD at the very end of the game just to hopefully be a confidence buster.

    As always, will check in on PSux hoping to see Iowa’s HC Pittsburgh native KF dump any hopes they have in a big smelly dumpster. Given both teams good defense and stinky offense a 3-0 PSux loss would be delicious.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I hope VT wins so they will get ranked. It with help Pitt a lot if we win. Beating mediocre teams does not help Pitt to get ranked. I also hope Tennessee wins too.

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  13. Pitt volleyball defeats Clemson in a three set sweep. Clemson was attacking the middle of Pitt’s formation with dinks and dumps in the first two sets. Pitt made some defensive adjustments. They pulled away in the third set for the sweep. Pitt played a good many players including Starks and Vazquez Gomez. Clemson is much improved from last year under their new coach!

    Big match against Georgia Tech on Sunday at 1:00 PM. Pitt needs to come out stronger than they did against Clemson this evening.

    Liked by 5 people

  14. I’ll say this about HCPN … IMO he gave a profound response on ACCN Packer Durham Show

    When asked what Pitt will work on in the bye week, he indicated consistency. Then he said that the kids these days handle failure better than success, mainly because of what they read about themselves on social media.

    Thought that pretty good perspective

    Anybody who thinks his ego is bigger than what Fraud’s was ….

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

    Liked by 5 people

  15. In spite of the fact that we are not even rated in the top 25 yet, this article appears on the ESPN website, saying that Pitt (that’s right, our beloved Panthers) have a nine per cent chance of making the college playoffs this year!

    Liked by 2 people

  17. Just finished watching Nebraska take apart Ped State in Volleyball. I’ve really become a fan thanks to those on this site at Pitt VB. That Husker front line would give Pitt fits!

    Liked by 4 people

    1. danh72 Louisville swept Nebraska at Nebraska. I think our Panthers can hold their own with Nebraska! We will see how good the Panthers are in comparison to Louisville a little bit on Sunday. Louisville swept Georgia Tech at Georgia Tech. Louisville has yet to lose a set in ACC play this year. One more point, Georgia Tech defeated Penn State 3-1 in Orlando in late August. Overall the upper part of the ACC volleyball is pretty good. All 15 teams are in the top 100 in RPI!

      Liked by 5 people

    1. I give Whipple total credit for the high scoring offense. He has proven me wrong so far and I hope he continues to do so.
      The real test is when Pitt plays the better teams on the schedule. I don’t expect 40 points per game, but the low thirties should be attainable.

      Liked by 2 people

  22. UConn is favored by 3 over UMass

    figured everyone would want to know

    silly me posting, who’s NOT following already 🙂

    Like

  24. For anyone who may be interested, just saw that Ohio State’s Marching band will be playing a medley of Rush Tunes in their halftime show. Should be interesting.

    Liked by 2 people

  25. This negative business about Narduzzi’s personality is irritating and IMHO wrong headed. If he turns you off that is vaild for you and he does turn off a bunch of people so you negativos have that going for you. But here’s the rub, the number of people he turns off is in direct proportion to how poorly Pitt’s season is going. When you dump on him after a win such as the GT win your Narduzzi anathema is not going to resonate with most Pitt fans. That’s your right to hang tough in your visceral feelings to him but if Pitt continues to do well, what you perceive as negatives, may remain negatives but will seem petty.

    Narduzzi does have his personality negatives but to my mind his personality positives greatly outweigh his negatives. That’s why his players like him and we have seen almost no internaI team strife despite gobs of situations where it could have manifested. My suggestion is focus on the positive of his personality. There is plenty to like. The fact that he is probably making more money than he merits is not a personality flaw.

    I sure as heck prefer Narduzzi’s personality to Brian Kelly’s or James Franklin’s.

    My being OK with Narduzzi’s personality says nothing about my concern about his game day coaching capabilities which remain.

    Liked by 3 people

  26. Chuck Noll was not a very warm person either, but was initially quite successful until his later years. Saying Narduzzi is warmer than Kelly or Franklin is a very low bar. I would much rather have a personality deficient guy like Narduzzi coaching the team than a nice guy who loses. My point was that if he doesn’t start winning soon, like this year, he will not have much good will to fall back on.

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  27. Miss Congeniality rarely wins the beauty pageant. And I wholeheartedly agree, Brian Kelly seems to be an A1 jagoff.

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    1. ^^ Wrong Mark, he doesn’t SEEM to be a jagoff he is one. Narduzzi is a piker when it comes to being a clown. However as much as it pains me to say this, The guy has put himself in one heck of a great football position.

      Let’s go VT!

      Liked by 3 people

      1. I hope VT beats ND too. I want PITT to come out of the tunnel ready to brawl!!! A VT loss could get young minds to look past them to Clemson.

        Liked by 1 person

  28. Right VoR Narduzzi’s personality has been abrasive at times but he seems to be cleaning that up a bit. Personally I never did notice anything out of the ordinary, all coaches offend people at times. They are football coaches and not etiquette educators.

    So past that, Narduzzi’s record has been pretty on par with all the coaches since Jackie. If you don’t like him, that’s understandable but to call him dumb and all the other names including a lousy coach seems ridiculous to me. He’s managed to make 4 mil plus a year, how about you guys?

    Liked by 2 people

  30. For you pantherlair subscribers on the 5th and Forbes board a post today titled “The Interview with Whip on 6/3” It’s a youtube interview with Whip on the Packer and Durham show on that date. I thought it was quite interesting and very informative. Those that have pounded the table for the replacement of Whip might just change your opinion of him after listening to this interview.

    Liked by 1 person

  31. Winning improves everyone’s personality.

    Would you rather have a Dr. with a great bed side manner or one that is extremely competent but a jagoff?

    Not saying that Narduzzi is extremely competent, far from it, but interested to see how this season plays out.

    Certainly not rooting for him to fail like some seem to be.

    Liked by 1 person

  32. I’m personally glad that Pitt pays Narduzzi $4-5 million per year. This shows that they are serious about winning football, and possibly also that they are trying to overcome a reputation for underpaying coaches in the past. I think it is quite likely that if Pitt wins 9 or 10 games this year, his contract will be extended. While it wouldn’t make Tex happy, it would show they are finally having some stability in the head coach position. Now, can he take them to the next level, which is consistently being a top 25 program? The recruiting must improve for that to happen, and the jury is still out on that one.

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  33. Guys, the thing about how people feel about Narduzzi, at least the people I have talked with who have spent time with, conversed with or had professional dealings with him is that it has nothing to do with how well he coaches the football team.

    Those who haven’t done the above are the ones who run hot and cold on him depending on how the team actually plays.

    Two different things entirely. I’ve been clear on here how I feel about him: average HC of the team, great HC for getting kids graduated, staying out of trouble/no arrests…good off the field stuff.

    The personal interactions with him leaves a ton to be desired – and l have heard that from loads of people.

    P/S: The media writers, etc. are not enamored with him either. That isn’t because of the closed practices only, If the camera isn’t on Narduzzi he acts in a completely different manner then in the public eye.

    Granted, I haven’t interviewed him nor have their been alumni functions over the last 18 months for us to interact. But from my conversations with others that leopard has not changed his spots.

    Liked by 1 person

  34. Reed, it’s the people that Narduzzi has rubbed the wrong way that express themselves publicly or even privately I guess. The people that like Narduzzi don’t walk around writing about what a wonderful man he is. Then there are people like me who think his personality is a little out there, a little whacko but is a decent all around head football coach. Of course he lives in a fishbowl around his place of employment.

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  35. So Narduzzi is more likable than Hitler and Idi Amin! BFD

    I like ND to crush VA Tech today. Ditto Penn State and have backed my opinions appropriately.

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  36. While I’m die-hard Pitt and a PSUcks hater, I have heard from multiple people that HCJF is a wonderful guy. In fact, a Pitt guy/ Penn State hater was stuck in an elevator with him and relayed he was one of the most humble,down-to-earth men he’d ever met.
    Makes me want to vomit just writing this.
    And as far as cuddly like a cactus types, I don’t believe Jackie was was a real Teddybear.

    Prayers for your son, Reed.

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    2. At a Pitt event years ago with Fralic. HCJF addressed the group and was really impressive. The Dog showed up late and was really mediocre. I was told he only showed up because he heard Franklin was coming.
      1 guy shows up in enemy territory with nothing really to gain. The other wanted to ignore the few fans he has, but was forced to show up.
      If he was on time he could have gone on first and might have not looked so bad.

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  37. The hoopies lost again and Tennessee clowned S. Carolina. GT won as well. All good for Pitt. Now I’d like to see VT beat ND.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes they did – 45-20. But the Gamecocks won the 2’nd,3’rd & 4’th quarters 17-20. To bad they lost the the 1’st 28-0. Overall. what i expected in final score. Watched the game at a friend of my son-in-law and had tp much to drink,

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    2. I’d like to see it also but won’t because it’s only on F n ACCN !

      Let’s see how ND Comcast fans react.

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  38. The ACC continues to be a total mystery. Duke loses close to GT, UVA leads Lville, Cuse appears to be handling unbeated Wake.

    No sure wins in Pitt’s future.

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    1. I agree 100%, Fran. Right up to that 44 yard go ahead TD pass. Didn’t see that coming.

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    1. Way to go Fran, you put the “WHAMMY” on the pedo lovers.

      Franklin told the accused football players charged in the Vandy rape case to— LIE!

      Liked by 2 people

  42. All of a sudden a happy day!! (See Iowa/PSU……but sadly there is time
    left still. C’mon Hawkeyes D.

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  43. and….. Western Michigan Broncos get the asses whipped by Ball State(3-3) 45-20!!!! PITT must have physically beat them up several weeks ago… Ball State was 2-3 before today’s victory……….oh well…. Gotta keep plugging away and beat the teams left

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      1. Just proves how hard headed and stupid he is…. Maddox, Pinnock, Jackson,Hamlin, Ryan Lewis all playing professional ball and Duzz couldn’t shut down the airways… just saying.

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      2. Any coach has to have plan B. If you have more talent you have to learn to win ugly. Just like in tennis.
        If you don’t have your a game you just keep the ball in play and try and survive.
        Any high school coach would would know the zone would slow them down and stop the qb runs.
        He almost never plays it on 3rd and long too.
        drives me nut!
        Give up 8 yards
        Make the qb make a read
        Any qb can throw up a long ball on one and one coverage
        That is why backup qb’s do ok against his d
        plus you can give up an easy TD or likely like GT an interference call for no reason
        Plus
        If the QB gets by the rush the entre field is open for them to gain the first down.
        It really is dumb

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  45. Kirk Ferentz was 7-5 in year 7, 6-7 in year 8, 6-6 in year 9 …. Yeah, he had a few better years before that. Patience is a virtue. But we don’t need no stinkin’ virtue!

    Liked by 4 people

  46. Looking at Comcast service areas, you can why ACC does not care about any agreement with Comcast.
    No Comcast coverage in NC.

    https://www.google.com/search?q=What+areas+do+Comcast+cover?&sxsrf=AOaemvIJUjCFXuFKqhWRJXLyS9HsUDRXeg:1633825171993&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=e98QRldRtieL7M%252C5eo5yuYPwBT7OM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kSy4ws6rANLyjjtsulBUIteEDVr1Q&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj3qoGIyb7zAhUtq3IEHdRFAJkQ9QF6BAgLEAE&biw=1280&bih=584&dpr=1.5#imgrc=ZXp5h7iZ5D9BWM

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  48. Great win by Iowa – and wouldn’t it be sweet to meet W_F in the ACC championship game – no loss Wake and a 1 loss Pitt.

    Let’s do this!

    Does Duzz have the chops? We shall see.

    Make me a believer…

    Liked by 4 people

  50. Our #13 men’s soccer team just beat #3 Duke 3-2. Duke had only given up 3 goals all year. Pitt now has 1st place in the Coastal and owns the tiebreaker over Duke. Yahoo. I’ve become a soccer fan over the past 3 years thanks to my daughter’s ( former) relationship with the WF men’s team. Now if the VB team can pull out a win tomorrow it will complete the trifecta for the weekend! H2P!

    Liked by 7 people

  51. Watching the Michigan-Nebraska game, and just heard Todd Blackledge crying about the Pedo loss. He blamed it on Clifford’s injury. It sure was sweet to hear him whining about the loss!

    BTW, would Pitt followers be satisfied if Pit was winning 9-10 games per year with Kelly or Frankin as head coach? Asking for a friend…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. If Pitt was in the B1G we would ranked #16 or so right now. Iowa isn’t good enough to be in the Top 20. Pitt would beat them….they stink. They are ranked because a lot of sports writers who vote went to B1G schools. Look at Minnesota and Wisconsin being ranked in the Top 15 earlier this Year. Must be nice…

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Penn State has a very good D… not so much on the O side. We can now compare offenses to KP/Coach Whip and Co.

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    2. Penn State wins the Iowa game easily with Clifford playing. Their backup QB can’t throw. Their OC is very good. He made Mason Rudolph a college star for God’s sake.

      Finding a college QB that can throw accurately is tough. Ask WVU. Their QBs stink. All the QBs on the Pitt roster are better than WVU’s top two QBs.

      Like

  52. I’m no Dan72 but I went to the basketball scrimmage and posted some thoughts on the Lair. Here they are FWIW…

    Gueye – Wow. This guy jumped off the page. Most athletic player on the team. Good leaper, and fast, but real thin. Blocked a couple shots; made a couple threes (after misfiring in warmups)
    Big, big upgrade over recent forwards. (Though when I first saw him I thought maybe Snoop Dogg was playing today. 😊)

    Hugley — looked good; aggressive, made medium jumper, nice drive….

    Collier – most athletic after Gueye. But can he develop an offensive game?

    Sibande – looked good as an attack guard; made a few impressive shots;

    Horton – looked decent; shot lights-out in warmups but cooled off in the game.

    Jeffress- heard he had several assists, which surprised me. He seemed to have little impact to me.

    Ezeakudo looks a bit better than a walk-on. Can shoot it some.

    Amadasun — probably needs another year. If I remember correctly made a nice baby hook near end of scrimmage.

    Santos – looks like will be a good 3-ball shooter as he matures; I was impressed that he drove aggressively a couple times; with some time could have a nice offensive game…

    Oladapo – seemed to have a rough day; looks more like a Coach…

    Femi- looked okay; wasn’t looking to shoot …

    Overall, I thought the team played aggressively. The shooting didn’t impress. Gueye did impress. The biggest positives to me were Gueye and Hugley.

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 3 people

  56. Anybody see SOT yesterday. Oklahoma put on a show for all of Texas to see. A back-up QB comes of the bench to light up the scoreboard, after the team is down by three TD’s. Fire Sark?

    Iowa quieted the cult for now – I was wondering if Jerry was able to watch the game while he counted his pension pay from the state penn.

    Tennessee’s win was good for Pitt as was the BYU loss.

    Not sure what I think about ND beating VT – this Pitt team needs to be ready for a fist fight in Hooterville next Saturday. Tackling must get better and QB pressure is a must.

    I’m enjoying the bye week.

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  57. Consider this …. Because of the BC AD, Pitt joined the ACC instead of UConn. Now UConn is losing to UMass by 2 TDS

    Pitt may have joined the B12 with WVU or may have eventually joined he ACC … or maybe not

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

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  58. There were a lot of good FB games yesterday. Ranked teams like #21, #18, #13 and #10 may fall from the polls with the losses the were handed yesterday. Other ranked teams who won, but did not look good winning – W_F, SMU, ND and Michigan come to mind should not move up in the polls.

    Anyone see SOT yesterday?

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  60. Duzz and his “ island” philosophy failed in this game…I hope he learned a lesson but probably NOT!!!

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  61. VT QB really got beat up yesterday and they had a targeting call. Does the guy have to sit for the first half?
    They lost a real heartbreaker. Still should be a very tough opponent next week.
    Still looks like anyone can beat anyone in the ACC. All equally flawed teams.

    Liked by 2 people

  62. I read the comments on the DK Pittsburgh Sports psu game thread and got a kick out of this one (para phrasing):

    I wonder if Narduzzi would trade Whipple for Yurich

    Liked by 1 person

  63. Just read PG sports section, Cooks article. Rarely if ever remember Pitt getting so much love in a victory as he gives PSU in a loss. Truth.

    Liked by 1 person

  65. Canada is in over his head and a bad OL is making it worse for him.

    In Canada’s defense, the offense looks nothing like what he did in college. It looks like last years Steelers offense. So is he handcuffed or did he alter it himself.

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  66. Steelers need to lose al their games to draft a quality QB. Maybe that was the plan.
    A washed up QB with a weak O-line isn’t going to cut it.
    Canada is pretty much irrelevant.

    Liked by 1 person

  67. Canada lovers need to come to grips with the fact he was/is nothing more than a “One-hit Wonder.” Had he stayed at Pitt the glory would have been short lived.

    The SHORTCOMINGS of both his Offense and Play-calling have repeatedly been exposed by opposing Defensive Coordinators since he left for LSU where he actually was BENCHED halfway through the season.

    What OC gets benched?

    Granted the Steelers Offensive Line is probably one of if not the WORST in the NFL.

    But calling a designed fourth-down play where the the HOT Receiver’s route falls short of the sticks, sorry but that’s all on the Wonder.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Cmon, POD, we can never predict anyone would be a one hit wonder had he stayed at pitt, or a two hit wonder without it actually happening. Now, I may agree with your take, I just can’t prognosticate on something we will never know the answer too.

      Ben could run the statue of liberty play because he actually looks like the statue of liberty back there, except the real statue kinda has a motorcycle helmet around her head for protection. Ben was blessed with one of the best offensive lines and receiving and running back talent for years, with several OC’s and didn’t win. How much is on Tomlin? How much is on ben and how much is on the organization.

      What is happening with the steelers over the last 7-8 years is similar to what is going on with the Pens. The cupboard is bare because executive leadership roled the dice and paid the huge salaries to keep older players together, traded draft picks, and now must pay the piper. Bad things ahead for many years (4-6 years). It is now up to Pitt to capitalize. Unfortunately, I see nothing next year to get excited about. Can Addison leave after this year?

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  69. A post-script to a comment I made above. I stated that Mo Gueye is a big upgrade over the forwards we’ve had recently. I meant the forwards like Terrill Brown, Chuk, and Coulibaly. Obviously Champagnie was in another league from those guys and I don’t expect Mo to score like Champagnie, but wait til you see what a leaper this guy is.

    BTW, for the tip-off of the scrimmage it was Mo versus Collier and Mo won it handily…

    Go Pitt.

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  70. Hey, I saw where UMass pulled away from UConn yesterday with a big 4th Quarter! UMass no longer winless…

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  71. Stumbled on a replay of the psuX loss on FS2 network this morning.
    Similarly to finding one of Wolfe’s cinnamon rolls in the backseat of your car the day after a tailgate, it was even SWEETER the next day!

    Liked by 7 people

    1. Mrs. Erie really liked this comment. We laughed for several minutes – she had tears in her eyes.

      Like

  72. Well at least we have a better backup QB than PSU

    I see the Red River Rivalry was the usual defensive struggle. Maybe the 11 am start for these games have something to do with it

    While I think Pitt has as good a chance as anyone in ACC this year, I’d be very surprised if the Coastal winner is unbeaten or maybe just one loss.

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

    Liked by 1 person

  74. One really good thing if we keep wining is that we will be on ESPN or another non ACCN network. Comcast provides no service in NC therefore ACC could care less about aligning with them.

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  76. As the self-appointed President of the WMG club, I admit that he is able to take advantage of having 7 years to develop a very good QB, but I’m sorry Pitt’s typically bad performances and inability to make changes in the 2nd half tells me he’s just not going to consistently be a good solution as the OC.

    I think having some of the best receiving corps in the ACC with Addisson, Mack, Krull and Wayne has been a major factor, but not being able to parlay a prolific passing attack into a somewhat adequate running game is a negative IMO.

    I give credit where it’s due, he’s having a very good year as the OC, but honestly doesn’t this partly prove how important it is to have very experienced players under your tutelage? I’m just wondering, what do you think his offense will look like next year without KP?

    Liked by 1 person

  77. On the other side of the coin, I’m no Canada supporter, but can you imagine what it must be like falling into that mess that is the Steelers offense? An aging QB who won’t listen to people, who is always hurt, and who won’t be replaced. An ownership and HC that have done the same thing for 30 years. An OL that is entirely rebuilt and can’t block anyone. Is it really possible for any new OC to make significant improvements and turn things around? Common, man! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Probably not a good idea to promote the QB Coach to OC after watching the decision-making of the QB over the second half of last season…

      Go Pitt

      Like

  78. Stopped checking on the PSU game after they were up big, so I was double-delighted to hear that they lost – bordering on triple-delighted.

    “Iowa Defeats Depleted PSu”
    said the newspaper today so it really would only be fair if poor PSu gets a do-over against Iowa whenever everyone is healthy.

    And Ron Cook has been a PSu suck-up for decades. “The great Paterno…”

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Mrs. Erie triple-liked this comment.

      In Central PA we have a nickname for psuX fans after they lose – “penn state cry babies”. They were everywhere last night and today.

      Liked by 2 people

  79. Ron Cook is a lousy sports writer and an even worse sports talk show host. Perfect example of the Peter Principle.

    Paterno boot licker who couldn’t care less about the children whose lives were affected by JoePa’s intentional ignorance.

    Liked by 2 people

  82. Lady Panther Volleyball is in a barn burner. Tied 2 sets apiece with #18 GT. Heading into a 15 point 5th and final set.

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  83. The Panther Volleyball team is no longer undefeated as Georgia Tech wins the match 3-2. The Panthers lost two close sets in the middle of the match that proved costly. Never let an underdog stay in a game/match as they feed on the upset as it becomes more of a possibility.

    Pitt has some things to clean up going forward. Georgia Tech made Kayla Lund a non-factor for most of the match. Pitt was out of system for long stretches of the match having problems with serve receives. Kudos to Georgia Tech for the win. They certainly were the better team today!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. If nothing else, we were exposed at being bad on picking up tips and roll shots. Ugh, losing the last 6 points in set 5 was a killer. Hopefully the team knows what to work on and this will benefit them down the line in the tourney.

      Liked by 2 people

  84. Pitt FB ranked 29th in the Coaches Poll and 34th in the AP Poll.

    Winning this week does not guarantee a top 25 ranking. Beat both VT and Clemson, the Panthers might enter at #25.

    Win the next 3 and Pitt would be a sure bet top 25 team.

    No complaints on my end – Pitt has not earned a top 25 ranked yet this season nor have they made me a believer. However, I have an early tee time for next Saturday so I’m seated in front of a large screen watching the 3:30pm kickoff.

    Go Pitt!

    Liked by 2 people

  87. The last minute loss by VT to ND may be to Pitt’s advantage. That VT team will be emotionally spent going into the Pitt game, and Pitt has been scoring first quarter points. So this is another game where it will pay to jump on them early and get them off their game. They lead most of the ND game, so playing from behind vs. Pitt may not be their strength.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. but disagree… if VT would have won they would be celebrating in their subconscious and been easier pray … PITT can’t look past the Gobblers… hell we lost to F’n Western Michigan….!!!!

      Liked by 1 person

    2. I was going back and forth on that before the game and after watching every minute of it, I don’t think it matters.

      I believe Pitt has a better team this year than the Hokies… the question will be how will Pitt enter the game. I hope its focused and hungry. Pitt cannot affort to turn the ball over or commit stupid penalties either. Just go out and execute. Kenny needs to be sharp as well. This week is going to take forever.

      Liked by 2 people

    1. Tomlin by a mile. Narduzzi has had his own kids drafted and the list will keep growing. Peterman saved Narduzzi since Moose left a pathetic QB room. Which room was worse, what Jackie left for Foge or Chryst for Narduzzi?

      Liked by 2 people

  90. Like always, Pitt can’t let VT’s special teams win the game. Not feeling confident about Scarton.

    Win the TO battle.

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  91. —Is there some rule against the Steelers passing to Claypool like more than once a quarter?

    —Is there a less imaginative run game in the NFL than the Steelers have? Snap to Ben in shotgun; Ben hands ball to Harris who is standing flat-footed beside him; Harris runs straight forward…. Really catches the defense on their heels! Not!

    Oh, I guess we do have the occasional sweep to a WR that picks up 2 yards…

    Maddening…

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  92. Steeler O-line played much better. Harris a beast. Ben with a good game. Still, Broncos dropping 3 easy interceptions made a huge difference.
    Watt a huge difference maker. This probably his year to beat AD for D Player of the year. Very close last year.

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  95. Mack Brown on his 3-3 UNC team being ranked 8th in pre-season “the national media got it wrong”

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

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  97. We are sitting at this point: Run the table and we have a great chance to be in the playoffs…except at the start of each season how many times have we been here in the last 3 decades ?

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  100. Seriously… this is Narduzzi’s BIG opportunity to either do it or pack up and spend the rest of his life simply counting money. Not exactly the worst thing.

    Fifth-year Kenny Picketts don’t come around every day!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Hopefully, PITT comes out ready to rumble… VT is a hostile environment…very loud crowd…probably as close to any team we play on a regular basis that we could call a rival…the players can’t even think about
      Clemson that will be their full attention on Sunday morning…keeping a group of young men focused-now that would be a coaching challenge !!!

      Like

    1. You can add Rich Rod and Sen. Joe Manchin to the list of folks from the greater Fairmont/Clarksburg area. Its in the water I suppose.

      Like

  103. An excerpt from a VT beat writer’s column…..

    “5. It’s weird to say, but the Hokies’ biggest game of the season is coming up.
    Virginia Tech has played two top-15 teams this year — one in North Carolina that wasn’t worthy of that ranking and one in Notre Dame where the jury is still out — but it’s next weekend’s home game against Pitt that feels like a game that will decide the course of the season.

    The Panthers were idle this weekend, but they’ll be coming in red hot, with the nation’s No. 3 total offense. Quarterback Kenny Pickett has played like Dan Marino lately, with 15 touchdowns in his past three games. This isn’t your father’s Pitt team, with an offense more capable than its defense, though expect a physical game nonetheless.

    First place in the Coastal Division is at stake, with both the Panthers and Hokies sitting at 1-0 in the ACC. The West Virginia loss stung because it came to a rival and was the result of glaring red-zone failures. The Notre Dame loss hurt too, given its back-and-forth nature and Tech’s history of close games with the Golden Domers. But ultimately neither of those games matters in the big picture of the ACC, the crazy conference that laughs at your preconceived notions every week and is full of surprises.

    That’s not to say nonconference games don’t matter. They do. And the angst over another tight loss in a winnable game isn’t going to do Fuente any favors in the hot seat department. But the Hokies are a team whose most reasonable goal right now is to compete in the ACC, and that starts in the Coastal. And with seven consecutive weeks of conference games coming up, the season gets real very quickly.

    It’s enough to wonder: Is this the most important week of Fuente’s time at Virginia Tech? It’s something we seem to write frequently these days, what with almost every game feeling like a referendum for the embattled coach, but given the stakes (an inside track in the Coastal), the timing (coming off a painful high-profile loss), the location (you’re under the microscope even more at home) and the opponent (Pitt poured it on the Hokies last year, as it often does, at Heinz Field), it feels safe to say this is a gigantic matchup coming up, one that could decide the course of the season and, perhaps, play a large role in Fuente’s fate.”

    So, a mirror image of the Pitt perspective (at least IMO).

    Liked by 2 people

  104. Someone asked about who is the natural rivalry for Pitt in the ACC. While Syracuse is the logical choice, I’m not sure a team can just pick who their rival should be. I think rivalries are formed over years of play where certain unforeseen outcomes happen, like 28-0 losses. It seems to me that, while there is a long history of play with Syracuse, the more appropriate and developing rival is VT. Virginia vs. VT is a rivalry similar to Pitt vs. ‘Cuse, but for Pitt the hotter competition is with VT.

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    1. I agree from the Pitt perspective. However, the Hokies’ view of their true rival is UVA. Following that, their next rival is UNC.

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      1. And VT-UVA is nothing like Pitt-Cuse. Its all local here. There is hate here between the fans. Have already heard from Cavaliers fans in the past day wishing Pit well on Sat. Its more like Pitt-PSU.

        Liked by 1 person

  105. The VT QB is banged up, the two guys on ACCNT just talking about it.
    Need to smack him a couple times. Don’t think their number 2 is worthy,
    but you never know with Pitt.

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  109. JoeL, I guess you’re right. VT just doesn’t view Pitt as its hottest rival, with UVA and UNC the more hated competitors. But these things need to evolve on the field, or on the bulletin boards, if players say something stupid. So the jury is still out on the best, most hated competitor for Pitt in the ACC.

    Maybe that is to Pitt’s advantage this year, where there is no one such as Pedo that could salvage a down season with a win. I think Pitt fans would call a 1-10 season a success if the one win was over the Nitters.

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  114. I live in NOVA and VT/UVA is way more intense than Pitt/Cuse. Not even in the same realm. VT fans do consider Pitt a rival, however. UVA not so much. VT fans hate Pitt.

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    1. The VT rivalry kicked up a notch when we started getting star players in their prime recruiting territory-Virginia Beach…Hope Rodney Hammond get some PT and breaks a couple of long runs…

      Like

  118. From the above article:

    “The Pitt Panthers come to town on Saturday in a game that could very well determine who wins the ACC Coastal. This Pitt team is different. Its offense is outstanding, and the Hokies under Fuente have struggled to bounce back after an emotionally-draining performance such as Saturday’s loss.”

    Let’s give them two losses to bounce back from!

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    1. Let’s hope this Pitt team is different as the Hokies article says.

      We are all getting excited right now but there is a stench that looms in our fair Oakland and it especially pervades when we have infrequent glimmers of hope…that stench is S.O.P.

      If we choke this week you may feel like Mr. Brando:

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      1. OK aj, please settle down , I sure hope the team is not thinking like you. I know PITT isn’t but VT on the road won’t be that easy of a game. Remember VT should have won the game against ND. As a fan I love this type of game, it’s what we all have been waiting for so lets not think any bad thoughts. It’s all good and we can do it again the following week!

        ike, don’t bring me down
        IEK, C’mon Mr sweaty upper lip, put your A-Team on the field this weekend and we all will have a good time.

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