in Pitt Football 831 Words

2021 Production Loss – Virginia Tech

Next up on Pitt’s ACC schedule is Virginia Tech. I have an affinity for Tech schools. I graduated from a “Tech” school but not as an engineer, an economist.

Brent Pry is the new head coach of the VT Hokies. He is one of the four new ACC head coaches. Only one of the four has previous head coaching experience and he is not the one.

He was born in Altoona, PA. but graduated from a high school in Lexington, Virginia. He spent three years as a graduate assistant at VT.

Virginia Tech’s 2021 results and the 2022 schedule.

The Hokies face a hard stretch in WVU, @UNC, @Pitt, and then Miami.

Here are the Rivals 5.7 and above 2022 commits. Also included are the current Transfer Portal (TP) additions

The 2022 transitional class is actually the best Hokie class since 2019. The six 5.7, 3-stars follows after the 21 class (28 commits) with only one 4-star and zero 5.7, 3-stars and the 20 class (15 commits) with one 4-star and one 5.7. Both of them entered the TP after the 2020 season. The 19 class (22 commits) had seven 4-stars (3 to the TP, 1 medical) and three 5.7’s (2 to the TP).

VT lost 14 players to the TP – Six on offense and 8 on defense. Eight of the 14 players were from either the 2020 or 2021 signing class. The 14 lost players were consistent with the 30 lost over the prior two portal classes.

The TP netted the Hokies two WR’s, two QB’s and a DE. The Temple WR is the best of the lot.

On to the stars identified as NCAA team leaders in selected stats or members of the 2021 All ACC teams. I have added a new stat Athlon’s 2022 preseason All ACC Conference four teams. I do not have Phil Steele’s ALL ACC selections. But a Hokie site named the three VT players selected.

Lots of light blue and pinkish red meaning their gone. The ones remaining made Athlon/Steeles except one. No respect for 2021 HM safety Nasir Peoples.

The  offense revolves around QB play. I have added sacked and yards lost to the QB chart. I also added career stats for the two TP QB additions.

There will be a new starting QB at Virginia Tech. It will probably not be Blumrick who started the bowl game after Burmeister entered the TP. The new starter will almost certainly be Grant Wells the Marshall TP pickup.

The new Hokie coaches see Blumrick being used in the same manner as Virginia used Keytaon Thompson. Both players were recruited as QB’s but they both are better at running or catching the ball then passing it. Like Thompson, Blumrick will line up anywhere on the field including QB at times.

Brown, the ex-Saint Francis (PA.) and South Carolina QB, will be a veteran backup. Bullock is a 2021 recruit. VT did recruit two 5.5, 3-stars in the 2022 class.

Tech running backs and receivers 2021 activity. Also returning production summary for Pitt, Georgia Tech, and Virginia Tech.

If you use returning yards percentage as your guideline, VT has now moved below GT. The Hokies did pickup two WR’s from the portal. A crafty veteran in his last year of eligibility and a (hopefully) promising prospect with four years of eligibility.

Can the Oline stats mitigate the loss of returning production. I added Pitt allowed sacks and tackles for loss.

Three starters gone but they have three returning players with one or more starts. They had a good Oline last year. Two players drafted and a free agent signing. I see a slight regression.

On to the defensive review.

Virginia Tech had 41 players make a defensive stat. But five of them were offense players. One was a special teams player. That leaves 35 defensive players making a stat.

The chart below strips out the non-defensive players and twelve players who did not make at least six or more tackles.

The below chart includes 23 players- eleven DB’s, nine DL’s and three LB’s making up (and I mean made up) “six+ tackles two deep.”  Yep, I lowered the number of tackles to have at least a “two deep.”

Overall, a normal returning production line buoyed by the linebacking group that has all eight players returning. The strength of the 2021 VT team was its defense but, to me, it only rated as a C minus.

I have used this chart since the Tennessee review. It is to put returning production into perspective. But there is one stat used that is different then the other eight. It has been different on all four charts. Tell me which one and why it is immaterial in its current form.

I see at least five probable wins. Another two are tossups. Throw in a rivalry win against Virginia. No way HC Pry matches Justin Fuente’s ten-win first season at VT. Beamer left players for Fuente. Fuente left Pry a few players, but I expect the majority to either lose eligibility, enter the NFL draft, or enter the TP. Pitt wins.

Next – Louisville.

236 thoughts on “2021 Production Loss – Virginia Tech”

  4. The Hokies have a rough road ahead for the next year or two, however, I am sure that they will regain some of their lost glory. In my mind, it is always better to see the ACC teams be strong from top to bottom because it adds to the value of the conference. Will we be a SEC//NO WAY// but I would love to see us surpass the B1G in the minds of the football public as the second strongest grouping of great athletics in college sports.

    Richard, thanks again for your amazing effort to make the POV forum the very best informed fans in
    P5 football.

    Last but not least——commitments???

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  6. Richard – thanks for the time you devote to your POV articles. 👍

    Looks like VT has done pretty well with their recent OL recruiting…

    As far as your “pop quiz,” sorry, but my brain is in no condition to even ponder a response… ☹️

    Go Pitt.

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    1. A zero today is a 2 or 3 tomorrow. Stars this early typically reflect whether the scouting services have either put their respective eyes on them at camps (4’s and above), or reviewed tape (2’s and 3’s). The idea is to not show up or graduate as a zero! Saw a note where Kancey and Slovis rate in the mid to high 80’s of college football players nil deals.

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  9. Check that, 3.

    Pitt liked to have OL sit for 2 years so stars don’t matter much. These aren’t urgent position fills. Important for depth and volume but they can groom OL. Just can’t be undersized … in height or ability to add to frame.

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  10. While good OL are always welcome, Pitt has at least 8 OL that will be returning for 2023 that are 3 stars or better (2 of them 4 stars). And all but 2 have have two or more years eligibility if they choose to use it

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  11. Colin Van Roy a 6’5 300 lb OL from Strongsville OH had committed. 3 star with not an impressive offer list, but apparently very much impressed staff at Pitt camp I think

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  14. Another 3star OL Ryan Carretta has committed. Better offer list including Tennesse, MSU, Iowa St, Kentucky and WVU, and more

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  15. One more thought on Carretta. He visited last week, so it’s possible he was one of the unclaimed commits from last week

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    1. The Goose would have consumed two racks of ribs, two whole chickens and two T-bones for starters.

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  17. Carretta has a very strong offer list, but time will tell for both Ohio recruits announced today. Strength and conditioning are an absolute must for players who are 300+ lbs. Both of these kids are 6ft 5″, so they have the tall frame to be able to put on extra muscle weight. If we turn the clock back 4 years we were in desperate shape for O Lineman WOW how things are changing…..now we have to find players who can deliver a solid pass defense and we will be in business.

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    1. Very good baseball game won by a team that was one of the last teams in for the regional games.

      The ND baseball coach did take the FL State gig so we have 12 more months of Taco He🏒🏒 at Pitt.

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      1. UPitt called that one. Former Pitt baseball player during my days. But I’m not sure if I ever met him at any parties on campus. I used to frequent the Wrestling House quite a bit. And local bars like Peters, Calicos, Zelda’s, Barney’s, Mitchell’s, Chiefs, The Luna and The Sod. And you could always find me in the basement of Winners or on the top of the Attic.

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  22. W_F has a 4 star recruit and NW has four of them – one each from Maryland and Ohio.

    The portal seems to have changed HS recruiting – seems like coaches can build their roster similar to professional sports – identify a need, fill that need through free agency.

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  23. Tom Luginbill on Packer and Durham first segment discussing recruiting.
    He does a good job of explaining the star / number system and the important of finding kids with the desire to get better.

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    1. You have a double comment now. I didn’t follow my own advice of reading what you linked and understanding that it was the same.

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  27. Remember this. Pitt has a 4 star OL who enrolled in Jan and considered a can’t miss. They also possibly have one of the fastest guys ever coming in, as well as a few very promising DL, LB and DB commits joining the program

    But arguably the best off-season acquisitions are a QB, a OLB and two WRs via the portal who may well provide an immediate impact

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    1. Those are all positives but it is still a little disappointing that there doesn’t seem to be an ACC Championship bump so far. However Narduzzi and Co. seem to be very good at finding potential in the three stars. Also they have been way above average at taking advantage of the Portal.

      There is still time for some of the 4 stars that have Pitt on their short lists to come, but I like guys that really want to be here and don’t think they are so all that, that they need to publish a list.

      Aaron Donald didn’t need to be a self promoter, he let his play speak for him.

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  28. Pitt’s recruiting is working. They’ve gotten commits from about half of the weekend visits. They’re doing fine. Typical class. Heavy on 3 stars and they will get a couple 4 stars late (possibly a 5 star). They were a top 15 team last year and are primed to be one this year. If no COVID they are probably top 15 in 2019, too. The program is on fine footing and looking good for the foreseeable future. As Chris Peak has been preaching, the ACC Championship will pay off in next year’s class, not this years. Looking at the offers for most of these kids tells you that they are recruiting decent talent. Pitt recruits character. I think that’s been pretty telling.

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  31. I think it’s obvious that the strategy is finding players with potential and coaching them up. And as I wrote here yesterday, Pitt already has in house a bunch of 3 and 4 star OL in house with 2 to 4 years eligibility left

    And consider one thing that Lugenbill said this morning…. The majority of the transfer portal are highly thought of 18-19 year olds who are homesick, or finding that college is a lot harder, and/ or unwilling to put in the time and effort now that they are no longer the BMOC

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  32. I would not yet draw a conclusion that nardstop is way above average with portal potty transfers. Nardstop has brought in around 30 transfers (portal and pre-portal). Of those, a few have made an All-ACC team, which can be honorable mentions (good but not great players in my opinion). I might be missing a few, but the only ones that stand out to me thus far were Peterman and Kylan Johnson. Maybe stretch a DJ Turner, but mainly for special teams.

    A bunch of average players that fit a role at Pitt, but couldn’t crack the line-up at a higher D1 school like Petrishen and Krull. Good players, but not great or superstars. I’d give him a “c”. This year has a large crop in positions of need. Time will tell. I hope he can hit on a few great athletes this year.

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    1. I don’t set the bar at all ACC, but how many of these guys have started and how many have contributed to winning football games. Don’t forget the O-linemen and Mack who made some big catches. Petrishen and Krull filled huge positions of need very nicely, and helped win games.

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      1. I don’t set the bar either, I used that as an example of mediocrity in the space. I still wouldn’t say we have had above average success in the pottie, but rather a place to go to fill in the gaps. Mack made some good catches, made some bad drops, but at the end, was passed by a canadian, freight train wayne.

        Nary a superstar, but people that filled depth needs. Also, we need to consider that transfers take palying time and development time away from the kids that came here and stayed with the program. I do have some pottie optimism for this current group, but also reminded that I had some optimism over ex-5 star Browne and others.

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  33. It’s been a slow process but you are starting to see the foundation of sustained success. Sustained success will gradually lead to better and better recruits. Duzz has been a very old school program builder. Reminds me of Beamer the more macro his tenure gets. I’m not worried about Pitt football at all. Pitt has a good reputation with coaches and players. It was about 25% slower than I would have liked to see but I see a good football program, now. One that I think will be a regular top 25 team for a while. Over time that will keep improving.

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  34. Tai Ray has verballed to Pitt, a 6’6″ 280-pound lineman.

    His other best offer is from Indiana; has offers from academic powerhouses Dartmouth and Tulane.

    Three linemen so far so the numbers are inflating at that position.

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  35. Narduzzi uses the portal to shore up immediate needs, as he did in the past few months. But consider this … someone posted a few weeks ago a pre-season All-ACC team which consisted of 14 Pitt players that made the 1st, 2nd or 3rd team. 13 of the 14 were 3 stars or less when they committed

    Just last week, I believe it was SI put out it’s pretty-season All-ACC team in which Clemson led the way with 5 players each. The Pitt players were …

    Baldonero, Kancey, Dennis, Hill and Warren. One 2-star and four 3-stars.

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  36. The real recruiting success comes from developing relationships with high school coaches. I think they are far more concerned with their kids finding a good academic program and good character school than the college coaches are. High school coaches know above all that their recruited players will likely finish their playing careers at the college level, and will steer them to a college that will give them a playing opportunity that ends with a clean record and college degree. Pitt’s high graduation rate and character recruiting have become a pattern under Narduzzi that high school coaches will tell the parents about. Over time, this should produce even better results.

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  41. Chris Peak’s podcast was really tough on the Duzz’ and recruiting. Local misses with Ta’Mere Robinson and Rodney Gallagher looking like Pitt leans early in the recruiting cycle and now no chance with either sets the Panthers up to land zero in the 4 star range.

    Those two would have been the foundation of a very good to great class.

    If Duzz lands 5 star WR Williams then all bets are off – bring on the portal and everyone who dares to play Pitt going forward.

    I’m actually glad I renewed my season tickets this season – I’ll play a lot of winter golf if we lose 1 of the 1st two games for sure.

    I hate penn state!

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    1. Gallagher is from Uniontown which is a suburb of WV. Maybe Robinson wants to get out of the city as many do. Sure would have been great to get them but I don’t think it reflects badly on Pitt.

      Narduzzi needs to keep finding guys like Dennis, Baldonado and Cancy. We won’t know how many are in the current class for a couple years.

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    2. Only the ACC games matter in the long run because they get you back to the title game.

      Local kids don’t mean crap. There are great athletes all over the country.

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  43. I hate to say this … but as far as local commits, who cares? Are you aware that the Leechburg kid that committed to Pitt is the only D1 commit from the WPIAL this year? That’s from over 125 schools

    Yes, I would luv to get Ta’Mere Robinson but I wouldn’t doubt that he is involved in the bidding war right now. Heck, because of NIL, I’m not even sure Pitt will benefit that much from winning the title

    IMO Pitt has to maintain its ways when it comes to recruiting

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  46. Pitts recruiting is the same this year as most. Roughly 30 percent of the class is rated 5.7 or above. Winning the acc did nothing to improve the quality of recruits thus far. And please don’t think that natduzzi and staff are the only ones out there that can identify diamonds in the rough and develop players. You can’t bank on that for continued success. Last years success was driven by one player. Kenny, small hands, Pickett.

    And Pitt needs to compare its recruiting to other coastal schools. Recruiting doesn’t operate in a vacuum.

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  47. Breaking. The 3-5-5 schedule model has been adopted by the ACC beginning 2023

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    1. Please explain since I don’t understand how this impacts division play and cross rivals like cuse. Will it become more difficult for pitt to reach a title game in conference?

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      1. In theory, yes it becomes more difficult as divisions will no longer exist. However, given that Pitt’s new guaranteed opponents are BC and VT, I think that’s a positive

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  48. ACC announces scheduling model for 2023 – 2026 schedules.

    https://theacc.com/news/2022/6/28/acc-announces-football-schedule-model-for-2023-26.aspx

    Here are the yearly rivals:
    Boston College: Miami, Pitt, Syracuse
    Clemson: Florida State, Georgia Tech, NC State
    Duke: North Carolina, NC State, Wake Forest
    Florida State: Clemson, Miami, Syracuse
    Georgia Tech: Clemson, Louisville, Wake Forest
    Louisville: Georgia Tech, Miami, Virginia
    Miami: Boston College, Florida State, Louisville
    North Carolina: Duke, NC State, Virginia
    NC State: Clemson, Duke, North Carolina
    Pitt: Boston College, Syracuse, Virginia Tech
    Syracuse: Boston College, Florida State, Pitt
    Virginia: Louisville, North Carolina, Virginia Tech
    Virginia Tech: Pitt, Virginia, Wake Forest
    Wake Forest: Duke, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech

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    1. I was hoping for GTech over VTech.The trip to Atlanta every other year is an easy one for the fans. Plus, it is a strong recruiting area for Narduzzi and the staff.

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  50. Pitt will play the common opponents every year. Then they play they play a group of 5 every other year rotating with the other 5 …. I think??

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  51. I like that. Very good for Pitt. BC and Cuse are rarely good. Pitt has Techs number. All except BC are travel-able although I wouldn’t recommend traveling to Syracuse after Halloween. Trees have lost colorful leaves and chance for snowy lake effect. Cuse is Gods armpit.

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  52. This may hurt FL recruiting since they will play at Miami and at FSU once in every 4 years. It may help Va recruiting tho … and who cares about NY & MA recruiting

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  53. Put me down in favor of the three teams that Pitt will play yearly with the new schedule. Syracuse was going to be a given as was Boston College due to our long history with both schools when we were independent. Virginia Tech is a great third. Pitt has some history with the Hokies. I just did not want Louisville to be the third team.

    As for recruiting in Florida, nothing is really changing in that regard. I would assume we would play Florida State one year and Miami the other year. Every year we play a Florida team and every other year we play an away game in Florida. This is exactly what is happening now with Miami on the yearly schedule.

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  61. I assume based on the above that this is the last year of the ACC Coastal. It would be nice to win the last 2 and 3 of the last 4. H2P

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  62. The 3-5-5 scheduling will finally make ACC FB look like an actual conference! Favorable scheduling for annual opponents and a very favorable 2023 schedule. What’s not to like?

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  63. Wes Durham just revealed the tiebreaker system for declaring who will play in ACC title game. This will be interesting especially since it’s possible that teams involved would not met head to head. It’s also very possible that 3 or 4 teams may tie for 2nd

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    1. Capitalism is my middle name, however, sometimes the system needs to be modified. Schools that have a T. Boone Pickett (spelling?) like OSU or a David Tepper (NOT FOR US MR.TEPPER HE IS ALL IN FOR CARNEGIE-MELLON) have an enormous advantage. We do not have alumni who are big contributors..for example on the recent “Pitt Day of Giving” when we were so proud of the millions raised our new ACC locked-in opponent VTech raised almost 50%+ more for their fund drive (I may have to check that figure for accuracy). Pitt has many very well-heeled alumni who could step up to help Dear
      Old Pitt, but they seem to (for the most part) to be sending their millions elsewhere. So, bottom line, capitalism si for Pitt no!

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  66. But who determines market value. It sure isn’t the market like fans. It’s driven by a single booster or booster group. It’s not capitalism. It’s a plutocracy.

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  68. 2025 looks particularly brutal with Clemson, ND, WV, Louisville and FL St on the schedule.

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  69. Packer and Durham final show will be on Friday. There was no info as to who or what will replace them on ACCN

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  70. Follow the money. ESPN might have thought the single pieces were worth more than the combination. I’m sure they have signed, sealed and delivered replacements ready to start asap.

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    1. I trashed both comments. I am not going down that slippery slope. Personally. I think you are correct in your assumption but that leads to problems down the road. If I had your email address, I would explain my decision, but I don’t, and you don’t have mine.

      I guess I should set up an email address for POV problems.

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      1. I respect your decision and was not trying to be political, Pitt’s financial problems are a bit more serious than most people think.

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          1. UPMC is a totally separate entity from the UNiversity and does not directly contribute to Pitt’s funding in any way shape or form. Pitt needs support from Harrisburg to maintain tuition reductions for in-state students.

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          2. The school tries to be everything for everyone. Far too many departments and worthless degrees. Think of the annual savings by cutting bloated departments and selling off high maintenance facilities on prime land. Pitt wouldn’t need a state subsidy then.

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    1. Agree if the other teams are BC and Syracuse. We had a lucky draw with the three teams designated as our “rivals”. At a minimum, it should be a 2-1 result each year against the trio. Not so sure the CLempson’s, FSU’s, UNC’s, Miami’s, NCState’s, share the uh-oh opinion just yet, but hopefully every year we get closer to that sentiment! How you feeling Dan?

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  74. Was in the car and Dorin Dickerson is filling in on the FAN tonight. Heard him say that at 7:00 pm he’s having on QBs Bill Stull, Tyler Palko and Pat Bostick…

    BTW, also thought I heard that Dorin is becoming a regular on the FAN morning show…

    Go Pitt.

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  77. Joe Rudolph at VTech will pay dividends for the Hokies along the OL.

    Sad to see Packer and Durham show ending. I tried to post an article but it wouldn’t download to the POV. I have watched them for 3 years and they have a great show. Everything changes…..time marches on!!!

    FWIW Department…My Carolina posse tells me the Heels made a couple of coaching changes in the off-season as Mack believes TarHeels are soft- not tuff enough….

    Have a great Independence Day week-end POVerts…George Zambelli Sr told me at a 4th “shoot “in the Burgh ” Independence day is our countries most important holiday. Never forget it!!!”

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  79. A really good interview with Will Jeffress about the trip to Greece. Really makes you want to see this kid succeed. It may not be at basketball because of all the guys Pitt has this year, but he has a great head on his shoulders and is very likeable. The interview is on PittPanthers.com.

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  80. I agree with you about Jeffress, He is highly intelligent and it would be an enormous plus for Pitt basketball if he develops confidence in his ability to shoot and become a positive contributor on offense.

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  82. The Bucs may need 5 outs in an inning to even come close to approaching .500 baseball. The Burg loves baseball, however, it has been treated like a third-class citizen under the totally disgraceful ownership that cares absolutely nothing about winning……the Pirates have been turned into a AAA Team wearing Major League unis.

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  83. Talking about recruits, there is an article in 247Sports after Day 2 of the Elite 11 Finals. There are 20 elite 2023 QB’s learning and competing. 247Sports then rates all 20 QB’s after every day. After Day 1 Pitt’s commitment Kenny Minich was ranked 9th. After yesterday he moved up to #7:

    “Tonight’s workout was the pro-day workout where all 20 quarterbacks went through a simulated workout throwing just about every ball in the route tree and were graded on accuracy, catchable ball, footwork and ball handling.
    No. 7 Kenny Minchey, Hendersonville (Tenn.) Pope John Paul II- Pittsburgh

    Minchey won tonights pro day and moved up two more spots on our board and up to No. 7 overall. He has some of the best mechanics in this group in terms of his drops, ball placement, release and follow through. He has a very natural stroke without looking stiff or robotic. The ball comes out of his hand really well and it has been good to see him have such a strong week, you can see his confidence is very high right now. “

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  84. Am I missing something about Pitt’s QB situation? Patti and Slovis are both seniors and as far as I know the clock runs out on both of them at the end of the upcoming season. Nate Yarnell is next in line and as far as I know, he is not a game changer. Minchey appears to have quite a bit of talent, however, he could be 2 years away because very few freshman can step on a field and run a P5 offense. Pitt has walk-ons bumping into each other all over the practice field. So, what happens next year? Portal, Portal, Portal.
    Pitt has not shown any concern about building strength in the QB room. Am I wrong?

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    1. I understand that both Slovis and Patti could come back for another year. Hoping Slovis has a great year and gets drafted. Then Patti finally gets his chance the following season…

      Go Pitt.

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  85. USC and UCLA to B1G? Oy vey. Here we go again. At the end of the day, I see 4 super conferences of 16 teams, outside of the NCAA.

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  86. Brilliant move by the Big 10…So Cal here comes the BIG 10 Network… Great financial move by USC and UCLA…Not so sure it will be good for their sports programs to have all of their opponents at such distances.

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  88. Can someone explain to me why the Pirates don’t move Oneil Cruz to first base?

    —They seem uncertain about his ability to move his 6’7” feet/frame at shortstop.
    —But he can field and has a strong arm.
    —A 6’7” first baseman would save you a couple outs per game, IMHO, just because of his reach and catch radius.
    —Would give the infielders confidence and let them make more plays.
    —With the shifting they do now, he’d be a great player to have on the right side when only the first baseman is on the right side.
    —The Pirates haven’t had a good, power-hitting first baseman since they moved Stargell in from left field. I was a big Don Clendenon fan back in the day…

    Just wondering…

    Go Pitt.

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    2. Moving Cruz to 1st base would waste his arm, right field may be better, although I would keep him at shortstop until they are sure they have a better fielding option there. Best to keep this “kid” happy.

      John, what was the ABC combination back in the day for the Pirates?

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  89. LOL I am so old that my hero at 1st base was the GREAT Brooklyn Dodger Gil Hodges. Cruz would be a possibility but making sense is not one of the priorities of the Bucs.

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  92. My focus this afternoon is the breaking story that both USC and UCLA are considering jumping to the B1G.
    There are so many ramifications of this kind of a story that it would be necessary to have a separate thread to discuss the immediate impact it would have on college sports. The threat of a Bi-Coastal Conference and the effect it would have on the present structure of all the conferences is probably best seen in the enormous TV contracts that would be an outgrowth of a collapse of the already dysfunctional intercollegiate setup mismanaged by the NCAA. What would happen to the non-revenue sports?
    Is Penn State baseball going to have a West Coast road trip while the UCLA Bruins are visiting Rutgers?
    The Big 12 and the ACC would be forced to realign and obviously the SEC would not idly stand by. Merge the ACC with the SEC?? Does Notre Dame join the ACC or give up any pretense of considering the ACC for membership. DOUBLE OUCH MY HEAD IS EXPLODING!

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  93. It’s a short term play that buys time until the football super league. Non football programs are best in regional formats given the travel and logistics. It becomes far more costly for schools and much more difficult for student athletes when travel distances increase.

    And frankly nobody in the Midwest gets excited to play any Cali school. Who on earth will ever make a road trip out there. Any grads or subway alum at your workplace or wearing colors where you shop and go.

    It’s ridiculous because it’s a bandaid solution, short term bridge and money grab until super league. And that league will only consist of the best 30 schools.

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    1. Who needs to make a road trip? Half of Southern California is people who moved out from the midwest. You could fill the Rose Bowl just with Ohio State, Penn State, or MSU alums that live within a 40-mile radius of the stadium.

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      1. Many people from Cali are moving to the Republic. Let’s just say it’s a mixed bag. Just like a box of chocolates.

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  94. And if 16 is the magic number for now for football. Invite Cincy and WVU.

    Domers can comfortably wait until super league.

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  95. The ACC’s days may be numbered if and when a few of the Big Names(Clemson Miami etc and ND is so inclined) are raided by the SEC and the BIG 10 IMO.

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    1. The raid won’t be by another conference. It will be the formation of a super league. I can see only Clemson, Miami, Florida state and North Carolina being invited as football schools. Domers obviously are a lock given their brand, fan base and national appeal.

      So will Pitt want to play in a northeast conference. A blend of Midwest and northeast. Or a blend like today.

      I could see the acc and big ten forming divisions. At least for some cross rival games and a conference title match. But beyond twenty schools, a conference becomes too unwieldy. You can’t play everyone. You may not get to play rivals some years. It becomes too watered down and too scattered geographically.

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  96. The ACC may be on the way of becoming the BIG East in TV money if they are some teams are raided by the SEC and or the Big 10.

    Like

  97. How many years does Miami have to be mediocre in football (play and attendance) before we stop talking about them like they are college football royalty?

    Like

  98. Incredible how proactive the B10 and SEC are compared to the rest. So Houston and TCU to the ACC due to TV markets, or is that no longer important?

    If not, Cincy and WVU are my two choices. Academics shouldn’t matter at this point.

    Like

  99. If new schools significantly add to the payout, they’ll be added. Simple economics based on market size and fanbase.

    TCU and Houston would bring more TV revenue than Cincinnati or the state of West Virginia. DFW and Houston markets are both top 6.

    But again all this scrambling is just to maximize the tv contracts before the real realignment happens. That new exclusive league would guarantee $100 million per school.

    I would think a 16 school conference is ideal for now. You get diminishing returns after that along with scheduling and logistical nightmares.

    Like

  100. What the future (2029) may hold

    https://www.si.com/.amp/college/2021/04/20/college-football-version-soccer-super-league

    Most likely a 32 school league. Maybe two conferences. An east and west or some national configuration. And then divisions within.

    I don’t see Pitt as being invited. They probably sit outside the top 40. But if Pitt increased the budget and built a MPC on campus, that could help them snag an invite. More importantly, the BOT would have to agree on football being classified as semi pro and a minor league for the NFL.

    Like

  101. Notre Dame may be the only thing that can save the ACC. (and PITT) If ND joins the Big 10, we better hope they take PITT with them.

    Like

  102. Not sure the single 32 team college FB league works for TV the way it might appear. College FB is unlike the 32 team NFL in one important way. If you want to be a fan of an NFL team, you must pick one of the 32 teams. That is not the case for college FB. There are 99 other FBS schools and who knows how many FCS schools. Are we supposed to believe that any significant portion of their fans would all of the sudden stop watching and cheering for their teams to watch and cheer for the super league. I know I will not. I would watch it the same way I watch the NBA…an occasional regular season game, some playoff games and the championship game, at most.

    Liked by 1 person

  103. The super league would consist of schools with the biggest brand names. And also largest fan and alumni bases. Many of these schools would represent the entire state

    Washington
    Oregon
    UCLA
    USC
    Arizona
    Utah
    Colorado
    Texas
    Texas a&m
    Oklahoma
    LSU
    Mississippi
    Iowa
    Missouri
    Nebraska
    Minnesota
    Wisconsin
    Michigan
    Notre dame
    Kentucky
    Tennessee
    Alabama
    Georgia
    Florida
    FSU
    Miami
    Clemson
    North Carolina
    Va tech
    Penn state
    Ohio state
    Last spot

    The nation and these huge fan bases would tune in and stream to watch schools play in this league.

    Like

  105. After sleeping on it, I think Pitt gets left out in the cold when this is all over. Now, if that is in 2036 when the ACC’s GoR expires or by 2025 when the B10 and SEC are going to look totally different is another.

    I don’t think the B10 is interested one bit in Pitt. The conference now has five of the top seven markets with yesterday’s additions. It also appears the ACC commissioner isn’t too proactive. First Tranghese, now ACC leadership. Pitt sure has some bad luck with commissioners.

    Like

  106. Great move by the Big10. The only night home games USC and UCLA will have is when the play each other. Who on the East coast is staying up for a game starting at 11pm, LOL.

    Like

  107. If a Super Conference is developed the ACC will be picked apart and Pitt, BC, and Syracuse will all be looking to join with Temple, Buffalo. Uconn, Cinn, Louisville, Vanderbilt, Duke,TCU and Houston. Sounds CRAZY but when you think about it we will not be part of the Big 10/20/30. Pitt will join with other have nots and form a powerhouse basketball league and our focus will increasingly become directed toward improving academics. The schools like NC State, Arkansas, Wash State, Oregon State, Cal, BYU will all be looking for places to land too. Yes, I am being negative but also I think realistic….Pitt’s dreams of rebuilding football may be over sooner than we think.

    Like

  108. If I am WVU I would be totally %$)( over this because I would be floating in outer space with Pitt as a have not….add WVU to my list above with BC, Temple, etc,

    Like

  109. If Pitt continues to play football 10 years from now I believe that we will be in a minor league AAA while the haves collect big TV $$$. POV’ers this is ALL about the Benjamins and Pitt does not add much in the way of value to any NEW CONFRENCE in search of a mega media contract. The State of Pennsylvania is painted in Nittany Lion colors and Pitt means very little in terms of TV ratings….yes, even in the 412 PSUX is HUGE. Another example of a school with above average academics and a strong athletic tradition would be Baylor. Texas is all Longhorns and Aggies, while Baylor is well thought of it is a non-factor when it comes to bringing eyes to watch the new mega conference (Small market//much smaller alumni base than Texas or A&M). THIS IS A MESS!!

    Like

    1. Pitt has slightly more than one million fans. But countless more who know the brand and think positively. That works in Pitts favor.

      But in terms of fans, it only ranks around 45. Penn state ranks in the top ten and has nearly seven times as many fans. Plus a commitment to football, substantial revenues to support the program and a huge operating budget with an erector set stadium on campus filled each game.

      Pitt would need to go all in. But Pitt doesn’t have the cards. And Pitt is terrible at bluffing.

      Pitt would have to trash their mission statement. I can’t see that ever happening.

      Like

  110. Academics can not be allowed to suffer in order to support football. I am not being a know it all when it comes to this issue… a degree from Yale, Cornell, Penn, etc. or a degree from Vanderbilt, Stanford, Duke, etc is worth a boatload of money when compared to a degree from Clemson with a winning football team (yeah Clemson has produced many successful graduates but a Duke degree is worth its weight in gold even if the football team stinks).

    Like

    1. Academics won’t suffer if the Pitt bureaucrats do their jobs. Athletics never hurts academics.

      The Hall of Shame could be placed in either East Lansing, Columbus, Ann Arbor, or Happy Valley and those respective scandals have not hurt those institutions’ academics one bit. Sports actually strengthen academics when you’re successful on the gridiron or the hardwood. More applications are filed and more choices for better students. Ohio State has become a top academic school since my days in the early-mid-90s attending school there and athletics paved that road.

      Kids want to go to schools where there are winners and a commitment to excellence.

      Like

  111. The best case for Pitt is the ACC’s Grant of Rights is strong and no teams can leave until 2036. It would give the conference time to strengthen and a new course of action is in place in ’36 instead of how it is veering now toward two superconferences with Pitt left out in the cold.

    The ACC cannot sit back and let the Pac-12 grab teams like Baylor, TCU, Houston and Oklahoma State. Maybe Cincy in place of Houston, but my point is the ACC needs to act before the Pac-12.

    Like

  112. Well if geography is now meaning less and it’s just about TV eyes and markets, TCU and Houston have to be the top picks. Followed by CFU, S FL and Cincy. All good sized media markets.

    Like

  113. The ACC is dead. They just haven’t been buried yet. I’d like to see Pitt and Notre Dame be the next choices for The Big Ten. Pitt needs to be proactive!! Now!!

    Can’t wait until others make choices for them.

    Liked by 1 person

  115. We keep producing stars in FB. It is not based on many of the factors mentioned above. With a few more NFL HOFs coming, maybe more kids will take notice. The sports people know who the FB factories are.

    If we windup with the Dukes of the world, so be it.

    Like

  116. True, but we have to have a conference to play in. If the new mega conference setup poaches,VTech, Miami, Clemson, UNC we are screwed.

    Like

    1. Hockey
      That is the difference now. They play in the Big. It is a very good hockey league. Football will follow the hockey program to the Big.

      Like

  124. If any new school is added, the GOR gets renegotiated. That allows schools like Clemson to leave for the SEC or North Carolina to the Big Ten.

    Therefore The acc won’t be adding any new schools. And frankly there aren’t any big enough to make it worth it. I doubt the combo of TCU and Houston will significantly add to the total payout per school.

    More importantly, it opens the door for acc schools to exit. Clemson and FSU would be gone in a heart beat. impossible to replace those two.

    Pitt adds nothing to the big ten. Too few fans. Pittsburgh market already saturated with Nitters.

    Like

  125. Per Savron the next school B10 goes after is UNC. Agree Pitt has little to offer Big 10. That’s why it’s important for Pitt to be proactive.

    Like

    1. But what can Pitt do.

      Pitt isn’t attractive enough. Maybe the leftover schools in the acc combine with the big east, American, conference USA and big 12. But it’s far too early. No shakeout yet.

      Pitt is best with similar minded schools within the same part of the country. Pitts best bet is to remain in the acc and then the acc begins adding about six replacements for a 16 member conference.

      Candidates include
      TCU
      Houston
      Cincy
      UCF
      S FL
      navy
      WVU
      East Carolina
      UConn
      Buffalo

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Who pays the $52M buyout for UNC or any other ACC school that exits before the grant in rights expires 13 years or so from now?

      Like

      1. Well, if they move to the Big Ten, they’ll probably be making $30-40 million a year more than their current ACC payout, so the move will pay for itself pretty quickly.

        Like

    1. You called it. Damn tragic. But what can be done besides going Elliot ness. Or maybe that’s the solution.

      Like

  127. Yeah, a game at Heinz vs Buffalo or Uconn with 54,000 empty seats. Sorry, but that’s close to Ivy League attendance at Franklin Field or the Yale Bowl. The TV audience will be next to nothing. We are Not Penn State. Can we rent the Stadium at Carnegie-Mellon?

    Pitt will make every effort with the restructured Big East to become a major basketball school.

    Like

    1. Buffalo and UConn would get more fans than YSU, Delaware, Okie State or Massachusetts.

      Football pays the bills. Basketball doesn’t matter. You want good Olympic sports and not just five out of 18, (Pitt placing 61 out of 65 P5 schools) you need the football side to be extremely profitable.

      That means aligning with a conference that has a great TV contract.

      Pitt won’t get screwed until the super league. But there’s still a chance if Pitt throws away the mission statement and builds an on campus MPC

      There are over 100 million reasons for it.

      Like

  128. I’ve tried to ignore all the noise the past few months, but today is really sad for Pitt football.
    The last time there was musical chairs we found a soft landing spot, for whatever reason. I’m afraid our luck is about to run out. We simply do not bring much to the table, and honestly, do you have any confidence that our leadership can sell us to the BiG, or SEC? Be honest.
    There are good memories, last yer was great, our past was awesome, but our future, well, we are toast. Once UNC, Clemson, and FSU go nothing is left. I doubt VaT will be invited, but they’ll push hard. ND coming to the rescues is a fools dream. Heck, we are hated by most in our own state!
    I’ll enjoy this year, and maybe we’ll have one more, but that’s about it. It was a good run. College athletics is dead. I for one will sincerely miss it. Good luck with what’s left, that I won’t miss.

    Like

    1. This is my sentiment exactly.
      Really Fran and tailgate gave me an extra couple years.
      I would have dropped tix long ago.

      Liked by 1 person

  129. Wake me up when the dust settles.

    I don’t give a crap who Pitt plays or what conference we’re in. I just want to watch and root for the Fightin’ Pitt Panthers!

    Go Pitt.

    Liked by 7 people

  130. My sign out since most are tired of me by now but this alignment and super league gets my Texas blood boiling like a rattler in 110 degree heat without mesquite trees for shade.

    Pitt is royally screwed. Caveat: Unless it renews it’s football commitment. That means finding more money for operations and building a MPC.

    Otherwise get used to playing temple and Buffalo every year. And having two star Elon recruits playing for Pitt.

    Like

  131. It will take a few years to play out, but the future of big-time college football has been narrowed down to two major conferences: the Big10 (Fox) and SEC (ESPN) that will compete with another in an 8-team playoff (maybe, just maybe, reserving two spots for teams in the lower-level conferences cobbled from the remains of the Pac-12, Big 12 and ACC).

    Oregon (Nike, annual top-10 contender, two recent championship games appearances) and Washington (second best program in the West historically, last team from the region to make playoffs, top 15 media market) will soon follow USC and UCLA to the Big Ten.

    Cal (typically poor on the field, but the flagship university of the biggest state, top-five media market, one of the biggest technology/economic meccas of the world, and historically #1 public university in U.S.) and Stanford (prestige university, arguably #1 school in America, excellent football last 15 years although declining) will also join the Big10.

    UNC and UVa will be heavily courted by both the Pac10 and SEC but based on academic prestige and sob factor, I expect them to land in the Big10 with the other top public universities (Cal, UCLA, Michigan). Less sure about Duke, but I think their prestige and AAU status, along with their history with UNC earn them a Big10 invite. I think GaTech will also get a nod to provide a foothold in the lucrative Atlanta market and another string research institution.

    Clemson and FSU go to the SEC, probably along with Virginia Tech and maybe NC State. I guess Louisville has an outside shot for the SEC, but they are pretty redundant with Kentucky. Miami is not a great fit anywhere but struggles aside, the history, the potential, the growing market and the recent enormous booster investment in reviving the program is too large to ignore. I see them as a late round Big10 addition, where they can slot in with other private schools like Northwestern, Stanford, and Duke in this scenario.

    Among the power five conferences, that leaves these programs on the outside looking in:
    ACC: B.C., Syracuse, Pitt, Wake, Louisville
    Big 12 conference: Baylor, Texas Tech, TCU, Houston, Oklahoma State, WVU, Cincy, Kansas, Iowa State, BYU, UCF
    Pac 12: Washington State, Oregon State, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Arizona State

    I think the leftovers of the Big 12 and Pac 12 will merge into one conference, probably with the additions of some level programs that get promoted because of large or rapidly growing markets and potential on the field (San Diego State, Boise State, etc.)

    I’d expect the also-rans of the ACC to join this new conference as well, not because it’s that attractive, but because the only other alternative is some sort of nouveau Eastern Conference (Army, BC, Louisville, Navy, Pitt, Syracuse, Temple, Wake), which would be clearly minor league and I don’t think the Power 5 schools are ready to disinvest from big-time football just yet.

    Overall, it’s a pretty dismal outlook for Pitt. But, on the bright side, we’d be playing WVU every year 😉

    Like

  132. When you go beyond 16 teams, you have to still maintain rivalries and scheduling becomes a big problem.
    ND frequency plays us, BC, Navy, Stanford, USC, Miami, MI, MSU, PUR, etc. They would want to maintain these for recruiting. Would they want to be a fish in a giant pond with 16+ other teams?

    Like

  133. Here’s my best case. BiG forms a third division with Maryland, Rutgers , BC, Syracuse, PSU, UVa, VT, Pitt, WVU, NW, NC, NcSt. This gets Boston market( ha,ha), Charlotte, solidifying DC and Baltimore, as well as tri-state. Keeps Virginia and NC teams happy together, allows traditional rivals to and protects TV markets.
    Other can have OSU, Mich, MSU, Illinois, Indiana, NW, Purdue, Minn, Neb, USC, UCLA, Oreg, and Wash.
    That’s all the positive I’ve got. Actually makes sense TV revenue wise, and certainly football wise. Heck, the Nitters would love it so they get away from the BiG east. Naw, actually way too easy to ever happen.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. You can only like your posts 10 times before wordpress pushes back! Learned from my own experience! LOL.

      Like

  136. i heard from a big10 AD that they will not go after washington or oregon, at all. They may not be finished with the Pac12 however. Say hello to Stanford and ND as a package deal. That will take some time to facilitate because of ND media rights and dollars. The ACC would be the next option with Virginia and UNC front and center followed by clempson and fsu. Media right coverage for the next 15 years can be paid with the extra cash the Big10 would pay. ACC is not safe!

    So much to look forward to in the coming months. Last time there was an initial move (texas/OU), it took 51 days for the next shoe to drop (big12 expansion) and 92 days for the second shoe to drop (AAC). More to come. If Pitt isn’t working the phones to be insider’s, shame on us.

    Like

    1. A Terps writer tweeted today it will be ND and Oregon to the B10.

      If this all comes to fruition I hope Pitt drops Wisconsin from the schedule. Pitt should anyway. Sadly, need to keep the Irish for the money.

      Like

  137. To me the ACC must be active pursuing the two teams left (outside of the SEC and Big Ten) – that being ND and Oregon with its connection to Nike.

    IF the ACC get one or both, then there will be MUCH more stability than what is currently perceived.

    Hopefully all this realignment won’t hurt my golf game.

    Oy vey!

    Liked by 1 person

  138. Hard to fathom, but given the changing football landscape, Pitt’s BOT appears to be rather prescient in declining to build an on-campus stadium.
    And yes, it pains me to say that.

    Like

  139. Maybe a MPC could have attracted some eyes. It would have been a marker saying Pitt takes sports seriously. You can’t say you’re one hundred percent committed to excellence when you play off campus in a ketchup bottle and rank 61 out of 65 P5 schools in the directors cup, only five of your eighteen programs are good.

    Right now pitt offers little. 47th ranked fanbase in size. A market that overlaps with penn state and Ohio state.

    If Pitt can’t land in either the sec or big ten, they are going to be crushed financially. Right now that $40 million dollar check helps subsidize 16 money losing programs. It also helps Pitt achieve the fourth to fifth highest football budget in the acc.

    If that check gets cut in half, so does the football operating budget, so will about five Olympic sports and so will attendance.

    Pitts only hope is an invite to the super league contingent on football success, growing the fanbase and building an MPC. Probably ten years away.

    Like

    1. Plus, the outgoing chancellor who is “annoyed” by athletics will likely be replaced by the same kind of boss. Pitt has never prioritized athletics since 1938 and surely won’t in times like today where it is needed to survive.

      Like

  140. Narduzzis contract is looking worse and worse. You don’t pay a HC around $8 million per year for playing temple and Buffalo.

    Like

  141. Lol. You and how much Narduzzi makes. Hilarious every single time. Are you secretly Chris Bickell or something? And it’s your money paying him? Such a nonsensical and irrational complaint.

    Liked by 3 people

  142. Pitt will be fine conference-wise when this sorts itself out. From a competitive standpoint they will have to use the additional $30M they get for going to the Big10 wisely. I have a feeling once this sorts itself out, Pitt will play by the new rules established. May help them out since they are overly conservative and a rules follower now. The new rules may allow Pitt to operate in what once used to be considered gray area. We all know Pitt’s history when they are all in on athletics. This could be that catalyst. I’m excited. The NCAA and conferences are terrible as is. Time to blow it all up.

    Like

  143. Bickel isn’t paying his salary. A portion of that acc check and ticket sales are. You don’t pay that kind of money when there is no such thing as Power Five in Football anymore. It’s Power Two.

    And the new boss will be the same as the old boss. Chancellor with little appreciation for athletics or the business chops to make the right decisions.

    Heather also has seen the writing on the wall. Hence her interest in the Sparty job last year. She’s probably working on her resume for Rutgers or Purdue.

    Like

    1. Again, who cares? lol. People are over paid and under paid in every profession. His salary means nothing. So what, he job security. That’s not a surprise to anyone. Nobody with his job performance would have ever been fired in any job I’ve ever had. He might have left on his own if he didn’t hit quota a year or two but he would not have been fired … you know how hard it is to fire people?

      Like

    2. The new Chancellor has academic problems that will take pririty over athletics. For example, Pitt’s Law rankings keep declining (yes, i know that Pitt has produced many excellent graduates) The Law School
      might end up merging with Duquesne ( a possibility). Pitt’s undergraduate applications have increased substantially but the school is still relatively easy to get into when compared with many ACC or BiG colleges. Why, because Pitt over-accepts in order to maintain a steady-sized incoming class (maybe the class sizes should be reduced a bit). New Katz Dean, New Pharmacy School Dean, New Honors College Dean…new Chancellor is not going to worry about whether Pitt defeats VTech.

      Pitt needs a BETTER AD ….MAJOR PRIORITY for athletic success, an AD that is well respected by the other major conferences and within the present ACC.

      Like

      1. Heather is not respected overall? She makes plenty in the ACC look worse than her.

        Pitt needs a BoT who doesn’t thumb its noses at athletics. A far bigger problem than ADHL.

        If Pitt’s academics are slipping than good for all involved that Gallagher is stepping down. He sure as heck destroyed basketball. He ranks up there with Dennis J O’Conner.

        Like

  144. The FrankCan Cup Golf has been scheduled for 2:00 pm. September 2, 2022 at Willowbrook CC.
    Thanks to PittFan1 for securing the Tee Times.

    The price per golfer is $75 which should cover golf and some prizes. Cash Bar and Food afterwards.
    Anyone that wants to sponsor additional prizes is welcome to do so.

    Since Fran will have his hands full with his famous tailgate the night before, I have agreed to coordinate the event.

    Please send your checks to me at:

    Gordon Conn
    1336 Knollwood Dr.
    Monroeville PA 15146

    Sorry, I don’t do Venmo etc.

    Also specify the names and pseudonyms of your foursome, so I can begin a spreadsheet. If you don’t have a foursome we will pair you up. Please remit as soon as possible so we have an idea of how many tee times we will need.

    The event will be a scramble, rules to be determined.

    This event has been great fun and all are welcome including non-golfers who want to hang out with fellow POVers. Willowbrook is a Country Club so please dress and act accordingly.

    If you have any questions contact me at gaconn68@gmail.com

    Richard, if you could post this as a thread it might help to get the word out.

    Liked by 2 people

  145. If four acc schools leave, that’s no more than $120 million to share among ten schools. $12 million per year and it declines every year for this GOR. Plus espn would tear up the acc contract. Few if any networks would be interested in the acc for football without Clemson, fsu, North Carolina and Miami.

    Like

    1. If those four left add Baylor, Oklahoma State, Cincy and WVU?

      So why are we not hearing anything coming from the ACC looking to add before the B10? Is it because the GoR states if a school is added it allows the others the chance to leave with no penalty?

      Crazy how far the ACC has fallen. Bad leadership. Swarbick got complacent after adding Pitt, Syracuse and Louisville. Very passive in the last round of TV negotiations.

      Like

  146. Tex, you’re a riot, not in a good way. More like a real riot. You have all the qualities of one. Loud, out of control, mayhem, non stopping and in most cases, for no good reason. Like a song I know that says “you’re like a human tuinal” I kid I kid Tex I know you’re a good guy with at least one redeeming quality. You’re unafraid of being wrong all the time. (: Love you Tex, you’re great for the POV….. seriously.

    Huff the Third, There should be a Hall of Fame button for you. I would break that button I still remember your appearance on the roundtable discussions. That smile of yours was menacing bordering wry territory. Works well in your profession.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ike, Pitt is royally screwed. I don’t gloss over things like this. Everyone with a brain saw this coming when Texas and that Indian territory school joined the sec. The acc was ripe for picking. And by the way, Texas again won the directors cup. Pitt placed 61 out of 65 P5 schools. Now really only P2. The acc is no better than the MAC.

      When the acc loses four schools, espn will break their contract. Pitt will go BK. No other network will want to pay for garbage football. Pitt will be forced to fire king Pat since they can’t afford him. How ironic isn’t it. I may not always be right Ike. But I always get the last laugh.

      Like

    2. But I always get the last laugh.

      Pitt is royally screwed if 4-5 schools walk away. Pitt has no leverage. Pitt won’t be able to afford King Pat. No network will want to broadcast the acc. Pitt goes from hero to zero in a flash.

      Major repercussions for Olympic sports. And for the football operating budget.

      I guess Pitt fans deserve this. But I sure don’t. Bear in mind I attended in person as a student every Pitt home game and many away games during the early 90’s when Pitt had the worst stretch of football ever. You sure don’t have me beat on that.

      I’m vinegar for a reason.

      Like

  147. Fourth of July story: Today was the two mile walk for Latrobe so our son and family decided to take part. Our son and his oldest boy walked the course but Daughter in law decided to run with her 10 yr old daughter. << sweet sweet grand-daughter! Avie wants to be a distance runner in school so they ran and boy did they.

    Since they were running they obviously were in first place. Not good for our daughter in law who is a self professed directionless human being. They took a wrong turn, ran almost 5 miles and at one point were in someones back yard 33 minutes from the finish line.

    Sorry, I just had to share this only in iek’s house story.

    Liked by 5 people

  148. With this coming of semi-pro football leagues, the NCAA should exclude all the corporations (they are no longer institutions of higher learning) from participating in any of the NCAA sponsored championships. This should include the men’s basketball March Madness tournament, the women’s March Madness tournament, the women’s volleyball tournament, etc. The NCAA should simply breakaway from this madness. If the leagues want to host their own tournaments, they can do that on their own.

    This would allow the NCAA to sponsor a NCAA D1 football championship tournament to the FCS (D1A) football championship tournament now being held. The NCAA could allow some of the lesser bowl cities to bid for rights to hold the games. The moneys generated by this would be paid to the conferences participating in the tournament.

    Like

  149. I’m old enough to remember when Tex said he just wants a top 15 team. Lol. But, we should have all known better. I don’t think he’s ever had a glass half full of anything in his life. He enjoys complaining about Pitt more than he enjoys Pitt having a good season … literally had 10 wins, an ACC championship, a top 15 finish … and … yet, here we are.

    Hilarious.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. No I never said top 15. I said consistent top 25. You can continue to enjoy being a jerk.

      Like

  150. If the ACC dissolves and Pitt is on the outside looking in of the Top 40, the only chance I see that would allow Pitt to remain any degree of relevance would be if the system incorporated Relegation like Professional Soccer, with teams moving up and down between leagues based on their relative success. That might actually prove very entertaining, with really all teams having something to play for every game.

    Like

  152. Obviously the SEC and the B1G are the two dominant players, why would they want to bust up what they have to form a new super league? The other three are now relegated to second tier. Not sure that’s a bad thing for the foreseeable future.

    Other than Clemson and ND who could compete at the highest level of those conferences?

    Face it, even after winning the ACC Pitt can’t compete for the vast majority of four and five stars and it doesn’t appear that anything will change that. I’m OK with that as long as Pitt stays competitive in the ACC.

    Liked by 1 person

  156. At Gordon Conn’s request, I have scheduled his announcement for today at 4;30PM.

    The best type of article, short and to the point.

    Like

  157. As currently constructed the ACC is only located in 3 major media markets-Boston, Atlanta and Miami.
    with Notre Dame being the X Factor. TV $$$ are based on reaching eyeballs so, the Pac 10/12/14 and the BiG 10/12/ 14 merging is truly a bombshell because the mega market of LA gets added to Chicago, Noo Yawk and Washington>>>if Miami leaves the ACC and National fan favorite ND comes along the TV contract
    would be enormous///enough to help pay for the opt out conference penalties for any team desiring to leave their present situation. I am OK with Pitt becoming a high level AAA sports team in a new pro//semi-pro setup. We will never be able to compete with Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State on a year to year basis.
    Our Ketchup Stadium will never average 55,000 fans a game/NEVER so why kid ourselves we are what we are.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. No. Check out the spelling of the first name – additional “s”.

      I’ve been hoping for “Phillip” Daniels to commit so I could comment what I did.
      There are some crazy naming conventions in South Carolina, and I believe some are regional. For example, in the Upstate when a woman marries, she drops her birth middle name and substitutes her maiden name. I have signed payroll checks for Susie Blanton Blanton or Mary Cleary Cleary or Ruth Littlejohn Littlejohn.

      In the Midlands (Columbia swatch), families name their first boy with the mother’s mother (grandmother) maiden last name. So, I know a family that has two “Brogden”‘s. as grandsons.

      Phillips is not a blood grandchild. His real grandfather passed away long before he was a twinkle in his mother’s eye. He is named after him and not his grandmother (my late wife.)

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  163. WHAT!! You SOB Richard sandbagging all of us. If this is your Grand-Boy I’ll HAVE to start getting better real fast. I hope I hope it’s your baby.

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    1. You better get better real fast. Burnt my burn pile the other day. It finally rained here. As usual, I thought of you.

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  167. Haha, those same Middle/Last name combos sound like should be from the state that is home to Pitt’s first opponent this year!

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    1. That’s because my county is considered to be in the Appalachian’s by the federal government. (The Johson era war on poverty program.) My section of the county was known for moonshining and marijuana growing. I would guess that a significant percentage of my county’s population would fit right in with WV.

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