Blame for this humiliation falls to Wannstedt

Thursday, 23 September 2010 23:26

Written by Bob Smizik

By Bob Smizik | Thursday, 11:30 p.m.

His legion of critics will be out in full force after Dave Wannstedt today, and well they should be following the pathetic performance by the Pitt football team last night in a 31-3 loss to Miami at Heinz Field.

But this defeat wasn't about play-calling. It wasn't about refusing to blitz more often. It wasn't about a failure to change quarterbacks earlier. This defeat was not about strategy.

This defeat was about what is supposed to be Wannstedt's greatest strength: Recruiting. Even some of his harshest critics grudgingly give Wannstedt credit for being a good recruiter. He doesn't look like that today after the players he recruited came out a distant second to Miami in every phase of the game.

Here's the legitimate criticism of Wannstedt: In his six seasons at Pitt, he has not recruited nearly as well as we have been led to believe.

As is well known, he has not one, not two, but three gaping holes in the offensive line. How does that happen to a team that is supposed to be recruiting well every year? To a coach that emphasizes the recruiting of linemen?

Wannstedt's predecessor Walt Harris was widely ridiculed for his failure to recruit offensive lineman. Looks like Wannstedt barely has done better.

And what about quarterback? In Wannstedt's six seasons his best quarterback recruit has been Bill Stull. No reflection on Stull, who performed well last season, but if he's the best quarterback you can lure in six years, well, that's an awful job of recruiting.

Redshirt sophomore Tino Sunseri is Pitt's starting quarterback this season and he was woefully unprepared for the Miami defense. He never had a chance against the physically superior Hurricanes. Sunseri was a good but hardly great high school quarterback who was not highly recruited by top schools.

He is short, as quarterbacks go, with decent speed and a below-average arm.

Fourth-year junior Pat Bostick replaced Sunseri in the fourth quarter and played better but he is not the answer. Bostick, by the way, was a highly recruited high school quarterback but that's no excuse for Wannstedt. He's supposed to be able to recognize talent and Bostick, despite his high school acclaim, has modest talent.

One other Wannstedt quarterback recruit participated last night. Greg Cross, a junior college player, long ago flunked out at quarterback and has become a rarely used wide receiver. Cross was put in the game to try a pass off a wide-receiver reverse. It didn't quite work. He was thrown for an 18-yard loss.

Without a quality quarterback to loosen up the defense, the Pitt running game, which was expected to be a strength this season and give Sunseri a opportunity to develop, didn't have a chance. Without a quality quarterback, Pitt's best offensive player, Jon Baldwin, was barely a factor in the game. He caught three passes, all in the second half, for 26 yards.

Compounding Pitt's problems is the mysterious decline of sophomore running back Deon Lewis. He looked like the next Tony Dorsett last season, and that's barely an exaggeration. He looks badly overmatched this season. And it all can be blamed on the line because Ray Graham, who was an understudy to Lewis last season, is playing considerably better this year.

Lewis carried 12 times for 27 yards last night. He wasn't a whole lot better in Pitt's first two games.

Is he hurt? Is he out of shape?

Pitt is 1-2 with its other loss to Utah and its win over New Hampshire. The season can be salvaged by winning the Big East title. Not sure the same can be said for Wannstedt's reputation as a recruiter.

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written by Burgher in California, September 23, 2010 - 11:44 PM

While I defended Pitt and Wannstedt after their loss at Utah -- there's no defending this. Just everything about this game was wrong, wrong, wrong -- except for the defense in the first half. But once they got burned out -- see ya.

Miami looks like a team that's on its way to making a run at a national championship soon. Pitt? A nice little program -- but not really a serious contender.

Of course, Pitt is a superior academic institution by far -- which is more important -- but I believe they're dumping major, major cash into developing first class sports programs. The basketball team has plateaued at a one or two round tournament team. The football team? It appears to have plateaued at the Muffler Bowl level.

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written by Seminole, FL Panther, September 24, 2010 - 12:06 AM

OK Bob, great, you nailed it.. Now what? I mean seriously - now what? You nailed Wanny in your blog and let's say you're 90% on the nose, what option is there for Pitt? Fire Wanny? You forgot to nail Cignetti for his p**s poor offensive play calling. Come on' man. It was deplorable. And get that kid out of there before he gets hurt. I'm talking about Sunseri. When the boo birds came, they weren't for Tino. They were for the coaching staff setting him up for failure. So this Gonzalez kid or Myers kid isn't worth letting them take a beating now for a better future? Aren't they supposedly Division I, Top 25 QBs? Yes? No? Miami was excactly who I thought they were, a pretty touch Division I Top 15 team. Pitt is no where even close to the #15 ranking. They are top 30-35 on a good day. But what choices do we really have other than to accept this mediocracy and the St. Petersburg Bowl with pride? This team will not beat West Virginia, nor South Florida. Sometimes the truth hurts.

It's a bit too early to give up on Sunseri in favor of true freshmen. -- Bob Smizik

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written by Louder_Is_Bestest, September 24, 2010 - 12:11 AM

This needs to be Wannstedt's final year. Hopefully he has the good grace to resign at the end. Clearly, he's in over his head as a head football coach. It's not different here than it's been anywhere else - Wannstedt cannot win big games, cannot beat good teams. He's a mediocre head coach.

And if Pitt wins the Big East championship and goes to a major bowl, will you still think he should resign? -- Bob Smizik

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written by Retire#21, September 24, 2010 - 12:12 AM

When Wanny took over and opened with Notre Dame, they couldn't drop back to pass because the line was overrun. They were clearly the weaker line. Not much improvement from then until now.

I could complain about the play calling or Sunseri or Baldwin just quitting on that play, but the problem really starts with the line. If you cannot block anybody, then you cannot do anything else. Buddy Morris may need to rethink his approach in the weight room because Pitt is clearly not very strong on their line.

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written by Crash, September 24, 2010 - 12:19 AM

*t's time to send Wanny on his way if, in six seasons he cannot win one conference title in the watered down Big East. This program on the field is worse now than it was when Walt left.

Wanny can recruit, he just can't coach.

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written by Crash, September 24, 2010 - 12:22 AM

Wanny can recruit. But when he plays 1976 power football, and doesn't have a quality QB because no QB worth a damn will want to come in and hand off for three hours, this is what happens.

A total change of the offense's attitude and scheme must take place. If Wanny insists on power I football? He needs to go.

If he can recruit, why do they have gaping holes on their offensive line? -- Bob Smizik

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written by BayouHoward, September 24, 2010 - 12:23 AM

Bob - Very, very good points. In Wannstedt's year six, you would expect that the interior lines should be reloaded every season without a drop off in talent and play if recruting was really done well. You can pretty much bet that occurs at places like State College and Columbus. I am patient, a Pitt supporter and I understand that the other guys come to play too, but come on.

Graham needs to be on the field more; perhaps with the first team. Bostick really does appear to lack arm strength but maybe at this point he is a superior game manager. But he sure is no All-America either.

Steve Pederson may want to get in touch with Al Golden before a white puff of smoke is seen arising from the chimney at Penn State's athletic department.

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written by Tommy, September 24, 2010 - 12:28 AM

Bill Stull now looks like Dan Marino compared to Sunseri. Hosts on "93.7 The Fan" were talking national championship. And what was all that hype about Dion Lewis winning the Heisman? Wasn't that what the PG's very own Ron Cook predicted? Pathetic.

[Cook predicted Lewis would win the Heisman? I missed that. -- Bob Smizik

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written by rooster11, September 24, 2010 - 12:51 AM

This is a terrible loss, no question. But it's still early in the season. What we now know about Pitt is that it was vastly overrated in the preseason. This happens every year with some program (see Ole Miss last year). Bob's comments about Wanny's recruiting are not wrong, but I am not ready to condemn the program just yet. Miami may well have been the best team they will face this year. There is still plenty of time for Pitt to recover from this. What's happening right now is what most of us should have seen in the preseason before buying into the hype - bad OL play, bad LBs (although that didn't show up as much tonight), and bad QB play. After tonight, I am really dissapointed that Bostick did not get a chance to compete for the starting QB job in summer camp.

Unfortunately, Pitt tends to use its non-con schedule like bad golfers (like me) use the first 4 holes of a golf course without going to the driving range first. You can say you golfed well for the last 14 holes, but all 18 count in the final score. Pitt can still recover and have an 8 or 9 win season, but they have left very little margin for error the rest of the way.

I don't want to dump Wanny, I just wish they were better prepared before game 1 of each year. This seems to happen every year, and it's dissapointing.

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written by Brashear99, September 24, 2010 - 01:02 AM

I was at that disgusting display of so called football put on at Heinz Field last night. I don't even have the words too properly describe how pathetic that was. I've stuck up for Wannstedt for years. I have nothing left that I can possibly use to defend him. How can a former offensive lineman not recruit offensive lineman? I know they're bigger, stronger, faster than in his day, but for someone that's been around football for this long, he should be able to recognize talent. We all knew it was a big question coming in to the season. The question has been answered, it's the worst I've ever seen. There is no hope in sight. I've seen the list of verbal commitments for 2011 and it doesn't look to get better anytime soon. I still don't think they should fire Wanny without having a real good indication that you can get someone better. It's quite obvious to me that the Big East is a stepping stone for coaches, not the desired destination

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written by wee willie wallace, September 24, 2010 - 01:12 AM

I attended the game tonight, and Pitt looked mismatched on offense compared with Miami's defense.

I also agree with Mr. Smizik that there is no excuse for such major holes on the offensive line after six years; especially since Coach W claimed that would be a principal focus.

However, I don't think the defense played too poorly, especially as bad as the offense was and considering Romeus is out, DeCicco went out early, and Mason went out. (It was still only 17-3 early in the fourth quarter and Pitt had just held Miami to a three and out. The fumbled punt just killed them and took the wind out of their sails). Thus, I won't condemn the d; I thought they played well considering the circumstances.

Finally, not to argue Mr. Smizik, but isn't Bostick a red-shirt junior; not a fifth year senior? '07 was first year with win in Mo-town and he red-shirted last year.....I believe.

Sunseri played very poorly. Bostick, I thought looked better.

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written by Crash, September 24, 2010 - 01:33 AM

Bostick is a red shirt junior.

Cook predicted Lewis OR Pryor would win the Heisman.

He's down to one bullet left in his gun.

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written by arriba!21, September 24, 2010 - 01:39 AM

As a Pitt grad transplanted in Oregon Duck country, I am simply embarrassed to endure such humiliation as was displayed tonight. Wanny seems to be a nice guy and all, whatever that means, but as a coach he is living in the Stone Age. I have for years watched the evolution of Duck football from its pitiful state 30 years ago to its powerhouse status of today and I can see, therein, an evolution of thinking that has not only kept pace with the times but has striven to stretch the limits of change itself. They pick the fastest players available from ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. They run the spread and adapt to its evolutionary changes year after year. In other words, they are with it! The old pro-style offense run by Wanny is too slow and predictable. Times have changed in college football. Hey Wanny, they even run the spread offense in the pros today. Being used to watching the Ducks, I feel that the Panthers move like slugs. Their game is boring. What disturbs me the most about Wannstedt is not that he is too old school, but that he is too entrenched in his own philosophy to ever consider changing and evolving. All I can say as a Panther fan is that we are going nowhere for a long time, I'm afraid.

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written by Tony77019, September 24, 2010 - 02:13 AM

to rooster11:
Your comment disturbs me. How much more time do you want Wannstedt to have? He is in year six. Do you want Pitt football to win championships or are your just glad to have a college team in town? Do you attend the home games? In addition to the on field problems, there are now daily police bulletins about miscreant Pitt players. I thought player indiscretion, even more than wins and losses, is one of the main reasons Chancellor Nordenberg would terminated Wannstedt. Chancellor Nordenberg: It's time, sir.

-1

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written by Dan1283, September 24, 2010 - 02:20 AM

Just a few thoughts after getting home from Heinz Field tonight...

The offensive line is horrible and will only go as far as they take the team. If they improve, the record will improve. If they don't, the record won't. Forget about the injuries, the discipline, the coaching, blah, blah, blah. It's the line.

With that in mind, Dion Lewis is an incredible back and had a fantastic season last year, but it is clear that Ray Graham should get the bulk of the workload. He cuts after crossing the line of scrimmage and gets skinny on the way there, which plays to this line's (lack of) style. It's Graham's time.

Cam Saddler turned in a total dog effort. Not only did he make the gag of the game with the fumble in the fourth quarter down by just two scores, but he dropped a ball later. I have watched Saddler for over a year now and see nothing special about him that can't be replaced by another player. Let Graham or Lewis return punts and give Streit a shot at slot receiver.

I can't stand the criticism of Wannstedt. Pitt is almost always in the game in the fourth quarter, for better or for worse, and we don't know how much responsibility he has for calling plays on either side of the ball. Pitt got thumped by a top 25 program. It happens to every school every few years. Get over it, people. When was the last time Pitt lost like that, anyways? Rutgers two years ago?

Sunseri right now is too indecisive. When you don't have the body and the tools of a prototypical quarterback, you have to be quick and accurate in your location of your throws and in your decision making. He was neither tonight.

Jabaal Sheard played the best game I've seen him play in a Pitt uniform tonight.

Jared Holley is special, at least at this level. He just needs to be surrounded by better players in the secondary to be fully effective.

Sunseri should start next week, no question.

Wannstedt should not be on the hot seat unless he continues to fail to address the lack of recruiting on the offensive line.

Miami is a good team and their quarterback made tough throws to the sidelines on out routes and hook routes when he was given time. I tip my hat to his effort tonight.

Jon Baldwin was accused of quitting late in the game and of letting his press clippings get to his head on the Fan tonight. He went three quarters without getting the ball! I guess that just makes him like most (but not all) great wide receivers. Maybe I'm making excuses for him, but he's not the first to act like this and he won't be the last.

Greg Gaskins is a "gots ta go" situation.

-2

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written by emoneypitt, September 24, 2010 - 02:29 AM

Prohibitive favorites to win the Big East Conference? At the rate they are going, they might be lucky to go to any bowl game at all this season.

It looks like the weak link of the O-line has become more of an albatross for Pitt. Throw in losing Romeus and now Mason to injury, all of the recent off field troubles and an inexperienced QB still learning the ropes and it could be a long season. Wannstedt could very well be in trouble by the end of the season.

I think part of Lewis' trouble could be injury but I think most of the blame is on the O-line. As far as the prediction that Cook made, he said that Lewis was a candidate but a long shot. Pryor is the favorite.

-1

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written by Munson007, September 24, 2010 - 02:36 AM

While I agree that Pitt is ultra-conservative on offense and does not use their receivers in mis-matches on the outside, the pro-style offence can still work. Look at Alabama, it is as pro-style as you can get. But that sort of offense only works when you have All-Americans on the offensive line and a QB who can throw to his All-American receiver Julio Jones. It also doesn't hurt to have a Heisman-caliber running back but The Panthers reportedly had that!

What was on display last night was absolutely pathetic...there is no defending this loss. And just when Pitt gets a little momentum going, Cam Saddler muffs the punt. So where does Pitt go from here? My first suggestion is to fold up the tent, root for the professional team in town and build Pitt a cozy 35,000 seat stadium somewhere on campus and let it compete for Big East Titles. My other suggestion is to hire Mike Leech, formerly of Texas Tech and have a gimmick offense that can spread the field and actually bring a QB to town who can throw the football!

-1

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written by NWPGHFAN, September 24, 2010 - 02:50 AM

I think you have to start wondering what impact the off the field issues are having on the teams focus, preparations, and subsequent performance . Look at all the penalty's, (jackson's PF was atrocious) and the fumble by Sadler. This team looks like it's lost focus.

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written by Al Bundy, September 24, 2010 - 02:52 AM

Don't want to pile on Wanny, but Bob could have also added additional disturbing facts to this column like Wannstedt playing Romeus at the beginning of the season when he was hurt and needing back surgery. Also the continuing player off-field problems that have been happening under his watch.

(I addressed the handling of Romeus in an earlier column. -- Bob Smizik

-1

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written by SteelVa, September 24, 2010 - 06:26 AM

This was a colossal humiliation in every aspect. The Defense was soft and cheezy. Special teams were horrific. The Cro Magnon offense was despicable.

They say a team reflects its coach, and indeed this team does. Timid, scared, feeble, and gutless.

I don't think it's been mentioned, but the end of the 1st half was TYPICAL Wannstedt. With the ball at the Miami 35, down by SEVENTEEN and about a :45 remaining, Wannstedt runs the clock down and tries a field goal ! It's a 52-yarder in a stadium that rarely ever yields that to PRO kickers, and you're down by 17. Take a risk,!!

And that's the problem with a Wannstedtian team. His recruiting, although vastly over-rated, is decent. It's what he DOES with those recruits that smells like manure. Wannstedt thinks he can line up and run LINE PLUNGES 48 times a game. His scheme can work, IF his team has at least 9 better players on the field than the other team. Ditto for his bland, vanilla, defense.

In Sept. 1997, Miami came to Pittsburgh to play on THUR. nite at Pitt Stadium. It was Walt Harris' 1st year, and the team was shallow in depth and skill. Somehow, Harris and his ragtag team beat Miami that nite. 13 years later, this program has regressed to the point of getting their @sses handed back to them by The U. Very embarrassing.

Bob wrote some light criticism on today's blog, but on the day of the season opener he defended Wannstedt to the hilt and sang long songs of praise and glory for the man. Perhaps Smizik, and the rest of Pittsburgh, will wake up and see what a farce this coach truly is.

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written by Mr. Pitt, September 24, 2010 - 06:27 AM

Bob,

I agree with everything you said except that Bostick played better than Sunseri.

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written by SteelVa, September 24, 2010 - 06:34 AM

correction, 10-0 at the half. The point is still valid. You're getting humiliated at home. Ball on the 35, 4th down, LOTS of time left on the clock. Don't run the clock down and settle for an enormously long, extremely low % FG. Do SOMETHING. Try SOMETHING. Take a risk. Go for something. Show some cahunas.

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written by Darkhorses, September 24, 2010 - 07:14 AM

I think he could find a QB somewhere around here. I heard there was great interest in CV's Wayne Capers but the kid can't stay on the field. As for the line, its been a long time since Fralic, Covert, and Grimm.

Going to be a long weekend for the Big Least. WVU-LSU and Cincy-Oklahoma. Ouch

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written by fried003, September 24, 2010 - 07:46 AM

I don't think the final score is an indication of the mis-match this game truly was - it should have been a larger margin of victory for Miami. If Pitt was over-rated to start the saason, it's not their doing, but the results on the field surely are.

Given the recent issues with player arrests, it seems that a change is needed at the top of the program. Dave Wannsteadt is still dining out on that win over WVa a few years ago; eventually current results have to trump that lone nice win as there haven't been any before or since.

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written by psumule70, September 24, 2010 - 07:50 AM

Pitt's defense hung tough in the first half, but the entire team was outmatched. I also think they faced an inspired Hurricane team coming off their loss to Ohio State. MIami looked stronger, much quicker to the punch, and aside from a few players like Baldwin, much much bigger. Even after this loss, I still think Pitt will have a shot at the Big East title if they win out.

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written by PantherMan, September 24, 2010 - 07:51 AM

He's lost his team. After berating #21 Jackson after an unsportsmanlike penalty - a few moments later Jackson could be seen laughing w/ teammates.

Pederson needs to fire this guy ASAP.

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written by Comatose, September 24, 2010 - 07:53 AM

I've been a Wannstedt supporter over the years, but this is the end of the line for me. I can deal with having a mediocre college football program as long as things are clean off the field. Well, Pitt isn't even mediocre any more and the only thing they able to match Miami in last night was the amount of arrests involving their players.

That was a total embarrassment for Pitt in from of a national audience. I am sure there was plenty of laughter from anyone who thought going in that Pitt was the best the Big East had to offer.

The offensive line is offensive, yes, but Sunseri is absolutely pathetic. Can this guy throw a pass longer than 4 yards? He had 61 total yards and 30 of that was because Graham caught a 3-yard pass and ran forever. Sunseri looked like a deer in the headlights. He can't sense pressure, he can't throw down the field, he locks onto one player, and he starts running if he can't find an open receiver less than ten yards away. Truly pathetic.

Bostick may not be te answer, but the guy has won big games and is at least capable. He completed four consecutive passes as soon as he entered the game and was stunningly able to actually complete a pass to a 6'5" future pro receiver. Let Bostick take the reigns. He can't do any worse.

And sorry, Wanny, I like you but your time is up. The program is no longer clean and your players are making local headlines daily. The product on the field is pathetic after 6 years. Enough is enough. Get someone in here who can recruit a decent offensive line and a real quarterback.

I am going to the Notre Dame game in two weeks but I'm not sure why at this point. How embarrassing for me to have to defend this program to Notre Dame fans.

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written by BFD, September 24, 2010 - 07:53 AM

Gotta agree Bob.

I am a Pitt fan. That is "my" college team. Let me first say, I was not for the Wanny hiring from the start. I know Bob disagrees, but I didn't think he had any sort of success as a head coach prior to coming to Pitt, so I didn't like the hire.
At the end of each Pitt season, I feel like my original feelings/thoughts have been confirmed. The problem is that every off-season I get excited again by the way he and the media talk about the upcoming season. I start believing the hype. I made a promise to myself last night while watching that pathetically inept offense try to get a first down that I will not allow this to happen again after the season ends. At this point, and I may get crushed for saying this, In hindsight, I think the team was better off with "Not my fault Walt".
Besides the WVU upset (which was HUGE), what else has Wanny accomplished? The other side of this is simply... perhaps this is as good as we can expect Pitt to get. Anything more is simply too much to ask. Maybe Pitt is a 2nd tier football school and always will be?

By the way.... Sunseri looks like Charlie Morton out there, but with out the "great stuff" :--)
I bet the Stull haters are wishing he had another year let. And what happened to Lewis?

Bring on the Stillers and T-pa and I can wait for the very meaningful Pens regular season to begin! smilies/grin.gif

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written by psumule70, September 24, 2010 - 07:54 AM

And two more quick points...

1) Bostick only looked better because Miami settled into a junk prevent defense at that point of the game. They already had the bus to the airport warmed up.

2) I wish Mason a speedy recovery. That was a gruesome injury and I wish the young man the best.

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written by Art_Vandalay, September 24, 2010 - 08:21 AM

Wanny set a bad tone for this season when he did not suspend Sheard for that first game. If he had taken a hard stance from the beginning maybe Pitt would not have had some of these other problems. And I firmly believe that all of these distractions take a toll on the team.

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written by BFD, September 24, 2010 - 08:25 AM

Wow.... Cooks Pitt Article is a must read today. If it wasn't so true, it would be darn right commical.

2 tramendous quotes from it:
"I can't report this with 100 percent certainty, but I believe no Pitt football player was arrested overnight.

Hey, I'm trying to be positive here."

and
"The Miami players were bigger, faster, stronger, better, smarter, better citizens, better students, better sons, better boyfriends or husbands, nicer to old ladies and animals ..."

-1

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written by Whistle Pig, September 24, 2010 - 08:30 AM

Here's what we know of Wanny's recruiting ...he's getting many of those he recruits. Now, as last evening, and earlier contests reveal ...it seems he's failing to either evaluate talent well, i.e. those he recruits ...or his competitive nature disallows him from pursuing those he knows will enable him to compete in the bigs.

There are 3 fundamental, basic problems with Pitt:
1. Wanny's strategy of getting his share of local talent, while working well it seems, is looking for resources where they aren't ...but it's easy looking. He wins in the "looking" ...but finding pennies in lieu of silver dollars.

2. He is either a poor judge of character or a poor leader of men. Either way, the results are too-often evident in the Post Gazette and Post Office. Pictures and profiles of Pitt players ...

3. As has been chronically and consistently documented, he's one of the NCAA world's worst on-field generals. We all know a whole bunch of junior high head coaches who could run circles around the Wannster and garner no fewer W's.

Pitt has to be, as Cook called it in his piece, sorely embarrassed and increasingly in dire stress of this growing mess. How long will the locals buy the media pablum that Pitt's making progress on the pig-iron?

(Wannstedt has run a pretty clean program until this year. What's happened this year is truly embarrassing. But your comments are out of line, although I know you never miss a chance to jump on Pitt.
If his in-game coaching has been ``chronically and consistently'' bad, please cite a few examples. -- Bob Smizik

-3

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written by Whistle Pig, September 24, 2010 - 08:33 AM

one more specific re: recruiting ...

anyone focusing or even considering the WPIAL as his "hotbed" for prospects ...is sadly, hoping like heck for ancient history. Recent shellackings of many of the "top" WPIAL programs, while not necessarily pointing to cause-and-effect, is very revealing and confirming that the talent pool's moved on from the steel mill days of yore ...

-3

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written by Florida Steeler, September 24, 2010 - 08:44 AM

Burgher,
Your comments about Pitt being a superior institution are dead wrong. Look at the admission requirements and SAT scores of students attending both Universities and then get back to me. Yes, Miami has lower admission standards for athletes and so does Pitt. Also, last time I checked--Miami did NOT have four kids in jail. Wannstedt is a blowhard--his recruits are second level in most cases.

-1

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written by BFD, September 24, 2010 - 08:45 AM

Sorry, but can someone smarter than myself tell me again how to copy a comment someone made above and paste it into my comments?

Bob - Honestly, I am not sure what to make of Pitt if they win the Big East? First off, I can't see that happening. I think they'll get smacked around by WVU, Cinci, and FLA. 2ndly, if Pitt ends up being the "best" of the Big East, then the Big East is as bad as some have been saying.
Wanny placed all his offensive chips in Lewis, and either the kid is hurt, or that Line is just that much worse than last year.

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written by special agent johnny utah, September 24, 2010 - 08:47 AM

RE: The recruiting, and this is from a PSU guy. I've always thought that Wanny, for all his faults, is a good recruiter. I now agree with Bob et al who are saying that his recruiting skills may be overrated.

However, according to some of the recruiting publications, Scout.com etc, he's recruited top 20 classes. Now that's not wonderful, but it's not bad.

So my question, what's more of a problem: The players being recruited or the coaches inability to mold them and coach them up?

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written by leefoo, September 24, 2010 - 08:48 AM

As I mentioned in an earlier blog, Miami will stomp pitt (lowercase).

I have never bought into Wannstadt's being a savior.

He'd make a great assistant coach and recruiter.

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written by leefoo, September 24, 2010 - 08:51 AM

BFD (aka Big Frikkin Dummy) smilies/cheesy.gif

Highlight the phrase, copy, paste. Then highlight the phrase in your comment and click the quote button (to the left of the first smiley).

Geez...even Neal H can do it! smilies/cool.gif

Sorry, but can someone smarter than myself tell me again how to copy a comment someone made above and paste it into my comments?

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written by dforemanwvwv, September 24, 2010 - 08:53 AM

Didn't Wannstedt announce that he was building a fence around southwestern Pennsylvania to keep out programs that were plucking the area's talent? With 70% of the Pitt roster from Pennsylvania and with obvious holes in the team's composition six years into building the Pitt program, this fence is starting to look like a cage.

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written by Dan1283, September 24, 2010 - 08:54 AM

Wow, what's with all the doomsday opinions? Pitt isn't even mediocre anymore? Come down off the ledge, people. They're 1-2. There's tons of football left. You guys think THIS is bad, you ever try being a Pirates fan?

The Wannstedt bashing is tired. Way too many people in this town think they are smarter than most NFL coordinators. If you wanna bash him, talk about his lack of recruiting on the offensive line. In the meantime, Pitt can only make do with what they have. Yes they should have been in a much closer game last night but like I said every program gets a good ol' whuppin' every now and again. It was Pitt's turn last night.

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written by Limited_View, September 24, 2010 - 08:54 AM

3 of life's fallacies:

1.) The check is in the mail.

2.) You don't look fat in that dress.

3.) A Wanny-coached team will be prepared to play in the national spotlight.

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written by leefoo, September 24, 2010 - 08:54 AM

@BayouHoward....

Steve Pederson may want to get in touch with Al Golden

Bite your tongue!! A true blue Penn Stater would NEVER coach for Pitt!

We're 'saving' Al Golden for JoePa's job.

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written by Niblick, September 24, 2010 - 08:55 AM

I have been a big supporter of Wannstedt because I think he is good for the school. But after last night, it is going to be harder to defend him. Pitt just didn't look ready to play. That is what is disturbing. Something just isn't right with this team.
I don't believe that Cignetti got dumber from last year when they had a very good offense. I hate to put blame on a young kid but Sunseri is terrible right now. He locks onto receivers and when he decides to throw somewhere else he is way too late. He really needs a lot of work.
I don't think the season is salvageable at this point. Sure, they can still win some games but it doesn't really matter. Maybe they go 7-5 and get a minor bowl. That's great for the seniors but not so much for the fans who were anticipating much more this year.

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written by special agent johnny utah, September 24, 2010 - 08:55 AM

Geez...even Neal H can do it!

And a caveman...

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written by Whistle Pig, September 24, 2010 - 08:59 AM

Being the "best of the Big East" ...

Reminds me of the comment the late CMU Professor Pausch wrote in his tome "The Last Lecture" in noting he was deemed the "best lecturer" in the U's computer science department, when he noted ...

"It's like being recognized as the tallest of the 7 dwarfs!"

Sorta sums up Pitt's possibilities?

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written by msb46, September 24, 2010 - 08:59 AM

I am speechless. I had no delusions that Pitt was a top tier program, but I thought they would give the error prone Hurricanes a good game. Miami played the same way in Columbus a couple of weeks ago and got their clock cleaned. The question is, What do you do now? Even if they were to win the Big East (and that is a huge if at this point), it wouldn't mean much because the Big East teams are taking a beating by other conferences. It will be a case of "Somebody had to win that lousy conference." How many days until "Midnight Madness?" Go PITT!

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written by Whistle Pig, September 24, 2010 - 09:02 AM

Limited_View...don't forget the 4th fallacy ...

Pittsburghers'll always love you in the morning ...after their team's performance put it to 'em, all the while in need of a massive dose of viagra...

-3

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written by Whistle Pig, September 24, 2010 - 09:07 AM

...Bob ...of course a "true blue PSUer" would coach a Pitt team. Nittany Lion grads are nurtured to serve the poor and needy.

For anyone doubting this possibility, merely consider that a Naval Academy man now coaches Army.

In either case though, it'll make no difference as one is represented by a big jackass and the other, well let's just say you can't change the spots on the panther. It's not been the same since the streetcars quit running through the Hill to that metropolitan mecca in Oakland ... ;-)

-3

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written by BFD, September 24, 2010 - 09:14 AM

leefoo.... that's my problem. FOr some reason I can not highlight a portion of a post. It will only allow me to highlight the entire page???? And I doubt Neal could do this, unless somehow it involved cutting costs, then he'd find a way....
Sorry to interupt with my technical difficulties Bob. I am on a five year plan of figuring this new site out. Until then, I deserve the time.....

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written by PensRule, September 24, 2010 - 09:16 AM

Bob, you are spot on about Wanny's lack of attention to recruiting certain positions. Besides QB and O-Line, the defensive backs have been lackluster in talent level. There was more cushion given out there last night than on my sofa. And back to the O-Line. They have a walk-on playing center? Give me a break. I'm tired of hearing how great of a recruiter Wannstedt is. Sure he's brought some talented kids in, but he certainly isn't addressing all positions adequately. He's a nice guy and he's all Pitt, but that doesn't mean he can coach.

I gotta say, the play calling last night was terrible and predictable too. And that's a chronic issue with this staff. They constantly get into a hole and end up with 3rd and long and throw a pass 5 yards short of the sticks constantly. Nothing downfield. They fail to stretch the defense. With a guy like Baldwin on the roster, that's pathetic.

With all due respect to young Mr.Sunseri, he has much to learn and yes he may not even have the abilities to be a top notch starting QB at this level. I watched him in high school and was never impressed. Last night, I thought he should have been pulled long before he was, to see if Bostick could at least light a fire and be a change of pace. Sunseri also needs to start going thru progression reads, because all he does is focus on his primary receiver and nobody else. The defense doesn't have any problems reading him. I was at the game and could see guys were getting open downfield and he didn't even see 'em. Then again, he wasn't always getting time to look off guys that were covered. It's time for QB leash to be a little shorter, along with numerous other areas that need to be addressed. They can't do anything about the talent level right now, but at least they can try to be smarter with game strategy and how they coach what they have. At least it might give them a better chance when it's time to play the Big East.

BTW, you can only ride a 13-9 win over WVU for so long. I heard this morning that Pitt is 1-11 over top 20 teams over the last 12 years. Although not all Wannstedt, that should tell you much about this program.

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written by Max, September 24, 2010 - 09:17 AM

.
Two things stick out of this piece to Max:

1) The COACH, of all people, is responsible for this pathetic performance by the Pitt football team last night. The COACH, who recruits the team and sets the tone from the top down. What a concept. Max has bookmarked this page for reference the next time the Steelers stink out a game and we are looking for who is responsible.

2) And this remarkable statement -

"...as well as we have been led to believe."

Who led us? The media? SI.com? PG writers? Pitt PR people? Is this the media blaming the media?

And who is us? Pitt alumni? Pitt fans? The media? Fool us once, shame on you, fool us twice, . . .

Apparently Max's theory that as the crime rate among Pitt football players rises to the level of the Jackie Sherrill's Pitt teams, the level of play on the field would also rise.

Maybe Wanny needs to castrate a bull on the practice field. But, could he recruit the bull? smilies/grin.gif

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written by Max, September 24, 2010 - 09:31 AM

.
Here's a link to Cook asking Wanny if he would guarantee a national championship.

http://pittscript.wordpress.com/2010/07/17/pitt-day-on-93-7-the-fan-love-for-the-script-on-espn/

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written by bearcat, September 24, 2010 - 09:33 AM

For the life of me, I can't understand how anyone can still defend Wannstedt. He's in , I believe, his sixth year as head coach, yet Pitt's football program remains mired in mediocrity, or, just aspires to get to that level.
Seems to me he gets far too much of a free pass given that he's a Pitt grad, and a local guy. The Wanny supporters point to his recruiting success, care for his players, etc., etc. Yet, we have recently witnessed a series of off-field incidents that reflect poorly on the Pitt program.
According to NCAA graduation rates for BCS scholls in 2008, Pitt graduated only 67% of it's football players, tied for 27th on the list. Boston College was at 92%, Penn State at 78%, Nebraska also 78%, UConn at 77%, and even Miami at 70%. So much for "student athletes" at Pitt.
Face it, Pitt's a mediocre program, with a mediocre at best coaching staff, in a mediocre conference. For God's sake, at least get rid of the clueless charlatan in charge, and start over. Otherwise, it's NOT going to get any better.

Pitt won 19 games the previous two seasons. They have lost twice this season, both times to ranked teams. Not sure that qualifies as being ``mired in mediocrity.'' -- Bob Smizik

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written by Tony77019, September 24, 2010 - 09:35 AM

To Dan1283:

It's Wannstedt's sixth year. How much more time does he get to recruit a decent offensive line, a glaring problem when he arrived in 2004? Wannstedt continues to write the book on embarrassing losses.

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written by Rook, September 24, 2010 - 09:40 AM

I thought the D played very good as they did in the Utah game. They kept playing hard despite the fact the offense stunk.

I've always thought that the OL was by far the most important position in CFB. Bad to mediocre OLs are what doomed Walt at Pitt. Pitt have always gotten excellent skill position players in the Walt-Wanny era, why they can't develop or recuit decent OLs (with the exception of last year) is beyond me. Nothing is more frustrating than watching a team with a bad OL. I didn't see 1 hole open up in the any of the up the middle running plays.

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written by OfficerMancuso, September 24, 2010 - 09:40 AM

I'm told that everything that's in my life is there for a purpose. Apparently Pitt football's purpose is to protect me against the risk of low blood pressure.

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written by SteelEERs Fan, September 24, 2010 - 09:41 AM

This WVU fan was rooting for Pitt in a big way last night. The Big East conference needed a huge showing this weekend to silence the critics of the conference. Instead, for what seems the millionth time in the last decade, Pitt lays a national stink bomb.

Let's hope the other Big East teams playing big out-of-conference games this weekend (NC @ Rutgers, OU @ Cincy, WVU @ LSU) can save the BE some face...

-1

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written by bngfan95, September 24, 2010 - 09:42 AM

Tough night.
Not sure if guys were expecting to put their year in and then go for the $$$ but hopefully doing some reevaluation and soul searching.

Paging Mr Jones... Mr Paul Jones... Come back home for a three year run....

At some point you have to @ least throw jump balls to Baldwin. Hard to understand what is up with the O-Line. Didn't appear they could even stay in front of them to be blown back into the backfield. Secondary, in the right scheme you may be able to do something with the corners. Safeties appear to be way too slow for major college program. Would have been worse if Harris led the WR to the flag instead of down the seam on the INT by #31. Was a nice snatch by #18, but again a bad throw. Kid was open amongst 3 guys. LBs are having a tough run. Catching and not forcing the issue.

Hopefully WVU can represent in LSU, as BE is looking far worse than even the most critical had suspected going into the season.

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written by Whistle Pig, September 24, 2010 - 09:44 AM

Bob, there are so many illustrations of on-field buffoonery ...but let me merely cite one that stands out ...playing Navy a few years back in Heinz ...had the poor little Mids on the ropes in OT, a new QB who'd had a dismal nite, and a shady running back who'd been KILLING Navy's awful, out-sized if not out-manned defense that was exhausted. The Navy O had scored 3 to go up. Wanny's job in this one was simple ...keep your big guys on the field, don't lose it with a bone-head move. He failed ...again.

How so? All he had to do was kick the extra-point field goal to keep the exhausted Navy midgets playing. Instead, he chose to be "heroic" and go for the gold. Poor coaching decision.

But if that was not enuff??? Then he personally called a very difficult fade pass to the corner on 4th down. Now remember, the new QB had had a dismal nite.But there's more ....

If we recall, Shady had garnered only something like 160+ yards that nite. So we've got a yard or 2 and what's the Wannster do??? You got it ...
Pitt loses to the little Mids ...

A stunt like this one would have cost many coaches already on the ropes their job. Wanny got a raise and a new contract from Pitt.

What this all exposes is Pitt's standard of excellence. Sort of.

And if this were not enough? And this is a coaching issue, the guy who's in charge ...

I'm confident you'll run to rescue these antics and your man. Have at it.

-1

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written by BlitzBurghDude, September 24, 2010 - 09:47 AM

"Blame for this humiliation falls to Wannstedt" -- BS

Agreed Bob...in part..

...a degree of culpability should be borne by the following:

- BN...afterall, it was his sorry excuse for a professional sports franchise's losing earlier in the day, just across the street, that no doubt set the tone for the evening's futility!

- BA...who knew that sharing the same facility would lead to a steady diet of, RUN on 1st down, RUN on 2nd down (against 8 & 9 in the box), then run 2 yard patterns on 3rd & 4 and 5 yard patterns on 3rd & 7, then not having you best receiving threat on the field on 3rd & goal from inside the 10 & down 17-0???

- MT...again, the shared facility must be considered, when a FG of 52 yards is attempted into the open end, especially when your kicker entered the game with a long of 37 yards, likewise the PITT O-Line made his own look like the Wash Hogs of the 80's!

- MAF...for no other reason than as a pre-emptive strike for the next soft goal he lets bleed in.

...and an honorable mention in the blame game for North Side...the turf at Heinz Field, for making Wanny's blue chip recruits look like a intramural squad...LOL

>>> line of the night, from play by play man Rece Davis;

"PITT just can't seem to get out of it's own way"

smilies/grin.gif

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written by Max, September 24, 2010 - 09:50 AM

.
re PSU and Pitt.

Didn't Pitt hire Rip Engle as a consultant, when they mounted an effort in the 70's to upgrade the football program?

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written by snoel, September 24, 2010 - 09:50 AM

Bob:

The Sunseri "legacy" situation must be terminated. Just because his father played at Pitt does not amount to a hill of beans. He clearly got the job for that reason. Start the freshman qb's and let Pitt go with them. Sunseri must go as the starter if Wannstead is to stay on board.

He did not become the starting QB because his father played at Pitt. That is beyond ridiculous. -- Bob Smizik

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written by AHaberman35, September 24, 2010 - 10:00 AM

I was on record in Blog 1.0 as saying Pitt would be no better than 9 and 3 and would not win the Big East. I was probably too kind.

Bob, this is EXACTLY what went on in Chicago. Exactly the same problems, issues and complaints. You always point out that was 15 years ago. And I always reply...nothing has changed.

This man coached 10 years in NFL and won 2 playoff games. He made the playoffs 3 times in 10 years in spite of being handed a SB team in Miami. By comparison, Mike Tomlin was handed a SB caliber team...and won the SB.

Not only are we seeing the same issues with Pitt that I saw with Chicago...we are seeing the same issues we saw in his first game against Notre Dame. Six years later and the team still runs unimaginative schemes on both sides of the ball, does not adapt in the second half and gets flat out beat by other teams.

In college football, the players change every three years. The only constant is the coach. Wannstedt has spend 6 deconstructing a moderately successful program under Walt Harris and rebuilt it as...a moderately successful program. And that assumes last year was not the peak.

He may be the greatest guy on earth but he has a 16 year track record that shows he's not a good head coach.

(He was not handed a Super Bowl team in Miami. The Dolphins records in the five seasons prior to Wannstedt taking over were: 9-7, 8-8, 9-7, 10-6,9-7. How can you call that a Super Bowl team?
Wannstedt's records his first four seasons with Miami were 11-5, 11-5, 9-7, 10-6. It's easy to combine his Chicago record, where he was a flat-out failure, to produce a lacklustre overall NFL record. But that is not the case. He did well in his first four seasons. But anyone's standards 41-23 is a successful run.
You are normally on-target and accurate with you comments on this site. Not in this case -- Bob Smizik

-1

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written by PensRule, September 24, 2010 - 10:02 AM

Wannstache's Resume:

NFL (10.5 seasons)
Regular season: 82-87
Playoff Record: 2-3

Pitt (5.25 seasons)
Regualar Season: 36-28 (How many of those wins are against non conference patsies like YSU?)
Conference Record: 19-16
Bowls: 1-1 (Wow, they beat North Carolina) First 3 years: no show

Anything there that provides an indication of something other than mediocrity?

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written by Dobreshunka, September 24, 2010 - 10:03 AM

I'm a '78 Pitt grad and couldn't be more embarassed for the disgusting football team the University has produced this year. I can't believe there are some folks on this blog that think Pitt will go to any bowl game. They are not going to win any Big East title. You have to be smoking some powerful stuff to even think they have a chance. They quite possibly were the most over rated program in the history of college football at the beginning of the season. Two people showed up to play football last night - the punter and Graham. The rest of the team is SBAR (sucks beyond all recognition) including the pathetic coaching staff. Two things are for certain - they ain't going to no bowl game and they ain't going to have a winning season. You'd have to be an insane eternal optimist to think otherwise. I disagree with the folks that are saying Miami is a good team. Pitt made Miami look good. You'll see Dion Lewis fade into complete obscurity - it didn't take long for other teams to figure him out & probably explains why he wasn't widely recruited out of high school.

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written by psumule70, September 24, 2010 - 10:05 AM

I understand the outrage and anger towards Wannstedt and the performance of the team last night.... However, I think a lot of Pitt fans are delusional when it comes to the programs expectations. Pitt will not be vying for a National Championship any time soon. They are a middle tier team in a below average conference. For them to compete against a top 20 team like Miami, they have to play a perfect game. They clearly didn't do that last night... they made way too many mistakes and lacked the discipline to beat a decent Miami team. Pitt hasn't been the same since they made their decision to sell their soul and become a basketball power. Not only have they have they lost a lot of football games.... but the university has lost a lot of $$$ along the way.

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written by AHaberman35, September 24, 2010 - 10:06 AM

I'm one of those who gives Wannstedt credit for his recruiting. And now I'm questioning even that. I said if Wanny could recruit enough athletes to get 8 or 9 wins every year, that would probably be ok for Pitt. I also said that's IF he can do that. I'm still not convinced that 2008 and 2009 won't be the high point of the Wanny era.

This is not second guessing. I have numerous Pitt friends and family who I warned of this the day he was hired. Wanny is Wanny. He's an defensive coordinator who somehow keeps convincing people he's a head coach. He looks the part, but does not pull it off.

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written by AHaberman35, September 24, 2010 - 10:09 AM

One last thing...I'm as stubborn in my Wanny criticism as some Steeler fans are in critcizing Tomlin. What's the difference? Tomlin wins. He's won 2/3rds of his games and a SB and been to the playoffs twice. Tomlin won more playoff games in 1 year than Wanny won in a decade. And that in spite of being handed a playoff team in Miami.

Wanny's favorite quote in Chicago was..."we were 1 or 2 plays away from winning that game." That's fine when it happens once. It's an issue when it happens continuously over 16 years.

-1

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written by bearcat, September 24, 2010 - 10:10 AM

Bob,
Yes, Pitt has won 19 games over the past two seasons, the only winning seasons in Wannstedt's five completed seasons as head coach. In the last six games, he's 2-4.
He's NOT a good head coach. period. No one can convince me otherwise.

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written by Matt Alexander, September 24, 2010 - 10:23 AM

I think we are overlooking the main culprit for last night's game.

Clearly, this is all Dave Littlefield's fault..Pitt is still trying to recover from his bad drafts.

-1

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written by BlitzBurghDude, September 24, 2010 - 10:29 AM

"In Wannstedt's year six, you would expect that the interior lines should be reloaded every season without a drop off in talent and play if recruting was really done well. You can pretty much bet that occurs at places like State College and Columbus." -- BayouHoward

BH, did you catch the Nitts in Tuscaloosa not yet 2 weeks ago?

For those that hope for the renewal of the Keystone state rivalry, I say THX. JOE!!!

Afterall, who wants to watch a 9 turnover, double digit sack, 300 yards of total offense COMBINED, 3-0 Futility Bowl???

"They say a team reflects its coach, and indeed this team does. Timid, scared, feeble, and gutless." -- SteelVa

Look at the internet tough guy flexing his guns for all he's worth...Wanny was a starting OT on a great NCAA Div. 1 team, was an NFL HC & a National Championship & Super Bowl winning DC...you couldn't carry his jock, sport!

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written by Matt Alexander, September 24, 2010 - 10:35 AM

"For those that hope for the renewal of the Keystone state rivalry, I say THX. JOE!!!"
----------------------
PSU has their rivaly renewed and in-place..they are playing Temple..way to go PSU..way to step-up your out of conference scheduling..bravely done.

-------------------------------------------

I can't believe the offensive line is in the state it's in. Why are so we shallow depth-wise there? When Wanny arrived he talked, repeatedly, about needing to upgrade both lines and create depth..a system where one guy leaves, graduates, injured, someone else steps in. That may be the case on the D-line, it is clearly not the case on the O-line. But hey, we just got another 5'7" RB recruit from Tennessee..yippee - how soon can we get him in here to get tackled for 5 yard lossess?

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written by Jack, September 24, 2010 - 10:39 AM

Pitt got its tail kicked last night, but I have to laugh when PSU fans weigh in on matters concerning Pitt. I could not care less about what Penn State does. But the fact of the matter is that PSU doesn't do any better against top-notch competition.

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written by gmarascoiv, September 24, 2010 - 10:41 AM

I totally agree I have said for awhile that Wannstedt is overrated as a recruiter I am a Penn State fan and I get tired of hearing the Pitt fans brag up Wannstedt as a recruiter and while I acknowledge that he has gotten some good players over the years but every team has a few quality players if Wannstedt is half as good a recruiter people say he is in year 6 Pitt would be a legit top 15 team yet I don;t think they are as good as they were when Walt Harris left he atleast had them in a BCS bowl and won 9 games consistently.

-2

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written by BlitzBurghDude, September 24, 2010 - 10:46 AM

"I'm as stubborn in my Wanny criticism as some Steeler fans are in critcizing Tomlin. What's the difference?" -- Ahaberman35

Ok, I'll bite...

- one's had to build what is reflected on his HC resume @ PITT...

- the other has only needed to stay out of the way, for the most part...his building has just begun & the inspectors have not as yet shown up to render their verdict.

George Seifert & Barry Switzer did what MT did as well & beofre him...the only thing that kept Jim Caldwell from joining that club was that his franchise QB threw a pick-six in crunch time @ SBXLIV, while MT'S franchise QB engineered a drive for the ages in SBXLIII.

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written by bennett8111, September 24, 2010 - 10:46 AM

I,begrudgingly, gave in a few weeks back and commended Pitt for recruiting so well but I, too, must have drank the Kool Aid. Where are all the High School phenoms now? The blame for this catasprophe can only fall on one head and, if the administration is as blind to that fact as we have been, it will never change. I have an explanation for the helmets popping off last (I counted 7 times), that is because the teams "BIG HEAD'S" have begun to shrink a bit...no Heisman, no Bilentnikoff and mose assuredly, no Big East Championship. Hell, thay will be lucky to break .500.

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written by psumule70, September 24, 2010 - 10:55 AM

A couple of points for the Penn State bashers:

-Sorry Jack... but Miami is not top tier talent. They are 20th in the country and will finish higher because they do not play one team in the top 20 the rest of the season and face teams in the marshmallow ACC. Also, You can't bust on Penn State's schedule this season because they are playing Temple. Temple just beat the mighty Big East powerhouse UCONN Huskies AND Penn State has the Top 2 teams in the country on their schedule this season. C'mon guys... Don't to turn to Penn State bashing because your team laid an egg last night.

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written by leefoo, September 24, 2010 - 10:59 AM

@Special Agent...you calling BFD a caveman? smilies/cheesy.gif

======
@BFD.......I'll give you 5 years if you give NH and BN (Bill or Bob....doesn't matter) the same. smilies/wink.gif

I'm not sure why you can't highlight just part of the page. If you're doing it at work, maybe they have some silly program that prevents you from doing it?
Now, if I could stop by your desk, I'd help you, but I ain't driving that far. smilies/cool.gif

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written by rooster11, September 24, 2010 - 11:14 AM

To Tony77019 and his post at 2:13AM:

Do I go to the games? Before I moved to Florida, I held season tickets for Pitt football for many years. Now that I am a transplanted fan, I still attend 2 or 3 games a year. I hope that meets with your approval.

As for the game, what else do you want to say? They got their butts kicked. I'm not happy about it either. Pitt is way overrated this year.

As for Wannstedt, you want to fire him, go ahead. That's always the easy solution. The question is, who do you bring in to replace him? And if the new coach turns Pitt into a winner, how long does he stay? I want to win championships, too, but I am also realistic about my expectations.

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written by Hanover Billslood, September 24, 2010 - 11:18 AM

You hit the nail on the head Bob, how can a school which considers itself, or at least wants to consider itself, a bigtime program be unable to recruit a quarterback. Sunseri is beginning to make Stull look good and that is not easy to do. He was the proverbial "deer in the headlights" out there last night. Is Wannstedt playing favorites with these guys or what? Is he really putting the best quarterback on the field? There have to be better quarterbacks available for recruitment than what we are seeing at Pitt.

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written by BlitzBurghDude, September 24, 2010 - 11:18 AM

Never underestimate the destructive powers of nepotism & the pandering to a legendary alum & city son...

...it is an intergral part of the overall reason for the fall from elite status at PSU, as the warm & fuzzy characteristics of an Old Grand Dad has impared the judgement of that same Old Grand HC to the ultimate detriment of the program!

BTW, any truth to the rumor that locally, the Gordon Gekko on sports, WSII: Money Never Sleeps, ads that were repeatedly shoved down our throats during last night's game, were replaced with ads that had Bob Nutting in place of Michael Douglas, but delivering the same lines..."NOBODY LIKES A CRYBABY, NOT EVEN A LOSER"

smilies/grin.gif

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written by rooster11, September 24, 2010 - 11:20 AM

To Whistle Pig and his many, many comments in this thread:

Why did you bring PSU into this conversation? I thought this blog entry was about Pitt.

Geez, I didn't think PSU fans cared about Pitt so much. Sometimes you just can't help yourself, huh?

-1

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written by Whistle Pig, September 24, 2010 - 11:29 AM

rooster me boy ...
huh?

seems you're majoring in the minors ...you may want to go back to Dick & Jane primer, read carefully ...

but in any case, should you have contribution to the discussion, I'm confident it'd be most welcomed ...hang in there

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written by psumule70, September 24, 2010 - 11:30 AM

BBD.... You are usually right on the money, BUT Penn State has finished in the Top Ten 3 out of the last 5 seasons. Yes, Joe needs to go, but Penn State is in MUCH better shape than Pitt.

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written by Crash, September 24, 2010 - 11:30 AM

"If he can recruit, why do they have gaping holes on their offensive line? -- Bob Smizik"

OL's take time to blend and develop. I also think it's more of a product of their play-calling that hurts them also. The OL looked the same in the first against Miami as they did against Utah, but in the second half in Utah when the play-calling wasn't as predictable the OL looked much better.

Five can't block eight when you have eight men in the box every play like Miami did.

Wanny has to go. It's time. I know he's from Pittsburgh but it's time to admit that this program has not improved since he got here, and in some ways it's even worse than what it was when Walt left.

(I've heard it all. The play-calling is the problem with the offensive line. That is ultra-ridiculous. -- Bob Smizik

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written by Whistle Pig, September 24, 2010 - 11:32 AM

btw,bigchicken ...complaining's one thing, firing Wanny's another. The first is open and endless. The latter calls for an alternative, presumably an improvement.

As Bob's noted, sadly Wanny was just that for Walt.

And re: commenting? One does not have to be castrated to comment on a steer at the fair ...

-1

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written by rooster11, September 24, 2010 - 11:35 AM

Whistle Pig -

Huh? What are YOU talking about?

Glad to hear you consider your constant Pitt bashing and gloating over Pitt losses to be a "contribution". You have been doing this for years in this blog, and it's tired.

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written by BlitzBurghDude, September 24, 2010 - 11:35 AM

mule,

Agreed, PSU is in better shape than PITT...my point was that they are merly a shadow of their former self.

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written by msb46, September 24, 2010 - 11:47 AM

"Paging Mr Jones... Mr Paul Jones... Come back home for a three year run...."

If my memory serves me correctly, didn't Jones give Wanny a "verbal" committment during his junior year in High School. Obviously, he changed his mind. I wonder what changed and if he would transfer to Pitt.

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written by psumule70, September 24, 2010 - 11:54 AM

BBD... I think that a lot Penn State and Pitt fans can agree that only 3 or 4 universities have a chance to win the National Championship each year. Even if Pitt trounced Miami last night, or Penn State dismantled Alabama, neither team would be challenging for a national title. If a team isn't ranked in the preseason Top 5, they don't have a chance. College football has grown tremendously over the last 20 years, but a lot of the luster has warn off.

Being in the pres-season top five helps, but to suggest you need to be there to win the national title is preposterous. -- Bob Smizik

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written by Jay Cee Tee, September 24, 2010 - 12:00 PM

@ Bob Smizik:

Your post is nearly verbatim of my rant at Heinz Field last night in the...(1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th)pick a quarter during the game.
I knew that I was loud and obnoxious while screaming at the game last night, but I didn't think that you could hear me.

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written by Matt Alexander, September 24, 2010 - 12:07 PM

PSU MULE,

You're not seriously going to brag that you have 2 of the nations top 3 teams because it just so happens that this year the scheduling quirks of the Big10 actually have you playing Ohio St?

Have you recovered from the impending loss of your big end of the season, natural rivalry game with Michigan State? My gosh..what will become of the land-grant trophy?!

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written by JCP62, September 24, 2010 - 12:10 PM

The Panthers are a joke. Troubled kids, injuries, a college-type Bubby Brister for a QB and a head coach who looks lost on the sidelines.

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written by BlitzBurghDude, September 24, 2010 - 12:12 PM

Scat,

Penn State plays Ohio State every year bro!

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written by superczar, September 24, 2010 - 12:17 PM

If this isn't a wakeup call then nothing ever will be. Pitt is clearly outmanned player by player. Even though they may have a few great individual players overall they aren't that very good. When I saw Miami on the field I looked at my wife and said, Pitt is in trouble. Miami just looked so much bigger. Great coaches can scheme with inferior talent, ala Boise St. This was the most Wannstedtic lose in years. Hopefully the wake up is than in college you need a very good offense. Defenses in college typically aren't great, they certainly aren't like NFL defenses that can be expected to win games. It is nice to have a great defense but even a great defense will give up points, how many did Miami give up to Ohio St.? I am sure the putrid Pitt offense made Miami look better but...Offense rules in college because the schemes for great defense don't seem to be understood by younger players. Timmons is finally catching on with the Steelers.

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written by psumule70, September 24, 2010 - 12:18 PM

Matt Alexander....
Yes I am. Penn State doesn't play 2 of the top 3 teams, they play the top 2 teams in the nation. And the so called "quirks" will have Penn State playing Ohio State and Nebraska yearly starting in 2011. Sorry Dude... Piling on Penn State isn't going to turn the Panther football program around.

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written by Matt Alexander, September 24, 2010 - 12:25 PM

bbd and PSU,

I stand corrected, they do play OSU every year. And I was curious, so starting in 1993, they are a robust, 6-11 against OSU. Now that's a winning percentage that Neil Huntingdon would be proud of.

I don't want to speak for every Pitt fan - but for this particular one, I could care less what PSU fans think of our program..go tailgate and get ready for your Temple game.

-2

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written by roger roger, September 24, 2010 - 12:27 PM

@BFD:

FOr some reason I can not highlight a portion of a post. It will only allow me to highlight the entire page????

I had the same problem BFD. I also am severely technologically challenged, but I have the solution for you. When you go to copy the text, you may have the problem of the entire page copying. Just wiggle the mouse a little to the right, and normally, it will reduce it to what you want. This system is very sensitive to the copy/paste feature. It took me a while to figure it out, but now I have it.

Hope this helps, I dont want to see you as a NH 5-year plan smilies/wink.gif

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written by bobes6, September 24, 2010 - 12:29 PM

*t is obvious that the Panthers have a lot of warts. You can blame the coach if you want and it is his fault that we don't have the athletes (speed) to compete with Miami, but please don't fire the coach. We have to have some continuity here or we will never get better.They just overestimated their talent and it's not like pro sports where you can make a trade or call someone up from the minors to perk things up. I really feel they got out of Florida so we wouldn't have any character issues and lo and behold 5 problems in a month. You listen to the pregame and the coaching staff has everything figured out, but we can't make the adjustments when the game starts. It's more than coaching. It is also the athletes we have. Coach Wannstedt can do a million good things, but he is the type of guy who always has and always will be aligned. Lets hope despite the line problems we have ( we are getting beat on both sides of the ball right now), we get on track and win 7 of the final 8 and people let up.

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written by psumule70, September 24, 2010 - 12:30 PM

Sorry Matt... I disagree. You were curious enough to do some research on Penn State vs Ohio State, so you obviously DO care. At the very least, I bet you look for the Penn State score on Saturday and probably tune in to some of the game.

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written by Art_Vandalay, September 24, 2010 - 12:34 PM

Blitzburgh dude, Tomlin has done a lot more than "just stay out of the way" in Pittsburgh, in fact he put his personality on the team from day 1. Not even a close comparison between Switzer and Seifert BOTH of their teams won the Super Bowl the year before these coaches took over, Tomlin's team did not make the playoffs the previous year.

-1

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written by JCP62, September 24, 2010 - 12:45 PM

written by Art_Vandalay, September 24, 2010 - 12:34 PM

Blitzburgh dude, Tomlin has done a lot more than "just stay out of the way" in Pittsburgh, in fact he put his personality on the team from day 1. Not even a close comparison between Switzer and Seifert BOTH of their teams won the Super Bowl the year before these coaches took over, Tomlin's team did not make the playoffs the previous year.

_______________________

You are wasting your time with BlitzBurghDude, Art. He is a Tomlin hater and nothing will change that fact.

-1

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written by Iceman_63, September 24, 2010 - 12:45 PM

Prediction - Va Tech and Pitt are matched up in the same bowl game. You can sub-title it "Vastly Underachieved Bowl".

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written by superczar, September 24, 2010 - 12:46 PM

As much as I hate Penn State and would punch any Paternite in the eyeball, bashing on them doesn't make Pitt any better. The only thing sorrier than that is claiming you hate Pitt and don't care about them but login to chats on Pitt football and talk about how much you don't care about Pitt football and dump on the program any chance you get. So it doesn't make the Lions any better than they are either. Notice though that Lion fans are more fair weather, they could care less about Lion bball. Whereas a Pitt fan cares about both whether they win or lose. I can't help but liken all the Pitt hate by PSU fans to all the hate a Christian Fundamentalist preacher has towards gays then turns out they love rent boy.

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written by AHaberman35, September 24, 2010 - 12:47 PM

BBD, I threw up a softball for you. Hope you enjoyed.

Bob, what can I say. I lived the Wanny experience and it's my one stubborn blind spot. You are right, I try to be rationale in most of my points. When it comes to Wanny, I take the often used approach on this blog of...I know what I saw.

Off on vacation the next two weeks so I'll miss the remainder of the Byron Dixonbatch experience. I come home to the start of hockey season and the return of Big Ben. How's that for planning?

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written by PensRule, September 24, 2010 - 12:51 PM

As a Pitt fan, I live by these rules:
1.Always expect to be disappointed, because you will be. If they're rated high, it's because they're overrated.
2.Realize that the Big East is a second rate conference.
3.Realize that Pitt is not going to be an elite NCAA D-1 program.
4.Enjoy the memories of the mid 70's and early 80's. But understand that'll never happen again.
Recognize the rich tradition and 9 national championships and know that it will never reach ten.
5.The only way Pitt will have a great coach is to lucky enough find one on the rise. He'll probably be gone in 5 years anyhow. May as well stick with Wanny for now.
6.Relax during tight games. They will lose.
7.Expect the worst, and get it.

If you live by these basic rules, when you die you will have total conscientiousness, which is nice.

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written by psumule70, September 24, 2010 - 01:03 PM

Superczar... I agree about Penn State basketball. But it is all about expectations. Penn State doesn't hire big name coaches, doesn't get big name recruits, and is a perennial sub .500 team. They don't deserve support because they make no effort to win. And I grew up a Pitt fan in a Pitt household... Dad graduated in the 60's... Sister graduated in '89... I hated Penn State growing up. I cursed Paterno for going for the tie and not the win in '83. Even during my Penn State freshman year, I was a Pitt fan. When I returned home and heard all the Pitt fans go on and on about Joe being the Devil and Penn State being an evil place, I made the switch. I actually still pull for Pitt basketball, but the delusional and poor Pitt attitude by many Panther football fans who hate all things Blue and White raise my Ire.

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written by leadoff1, September 24, 2010 - 01:05 PM

Blaming recruting on the offensive line is lack of knowledge, yes they are not playing well, but talent is not a proven reason, inexperience is. If they can't block at the end of the year, I will buy lack of talent, but not after 3 games.

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written by Matt Alexander, September 24, 2010 - 01:09 PM

PSU Mule,

Sorry to disappoint you, but despite the fact that the Big Ten network is shoved down our collective throat (I'd rather have CBS college sports network to watch WAC games), I do not watch any PSU games. If I see a score and they are losing, I am happy. I always hope they lose, every game. The misplaced superiority complex that penn state people demonstrate on a continual basis is sickening. I know some people in this area root for all the local teams. Well I don't, but even if I did, last time I checked Centre county isn't in the local area.

It's a joke and an embarassment that the university has let itself be run by a senile football coach for 40 years. Anytime the football coach can chase the Univ President and AD off his lawn, that is far more embarassing, to a school, then what happened at Heinz Field last night.

-1

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written by PensRule, September 24, 2010 - 01:10 PM

This blog thread is further proof of why the Pitt/PSU football rivalry should be renewed.

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written by msb46, September 24, 2010 - 01:14 PM

Pensrule:

Here's what I think about your rules to live by. You can ........ doggone it, you are spot on. Rats!

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written by PensRule, September 24, 2010 - 01:14 PM

written by leadoff1, September 24, 2010 - 01:05 PM

Blaming recruting on the offensive line is lack of knowledge, yes they are not playing well, but talent is not a proven reason, inexperience is. If they can't block at the end of the year, I will buy lack of talent, but not after 3 games.
----------------------------------

they have a freakin' walk on playing center for crying out loud.

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written by psumule70, September 24, 2010 - 01:21 PM

There you go Matt... let it out. I bet your hands were shaking while you were typing. You are a perfect example of what I was referring to above. And I am sure if Paterno decided to come to Pitt 30 years ago when Sherrill left, you would have been dancing in the streets. Your blind hatred and green envy have clearly clouded your judgement.
As for Pitt, it was a tough loss, but you can't discount the fact that the Panther defense was banged up before the game started and got worse as the game went along. They were dropping left and right. They can still get the season turned around, but any more injuries on the defensive side of the ball will be devastating.

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written by BlitzBurghDude, September 24, 2010 - 01:28 PM

@AH35-

Enjoy dude...will miss your passion & fair play, can only engage JCP62 for so long when debating MT, before being slandered a racist.

@MattTheScat-

6-11 appears RUTHIAN when compared to the 1-11 that PensRule so astutely pointed out as PITT's record vs. Top 20 teams the past 12 years.

"The Panthers are a joke. Troubled kids, injuries, a college-type Bubby Brister for a QB and a head coach who looks lost on the sidelines" -- JCP62

WOW...substitute the word Steelers, for the word Panthers, and the ONLY difference between the two is a franchise QB...

...MT: like they say JCP & ArtVan, most of the time, it's better to be lucky than good!

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written by psumule70, September 24, 2010 - 01:39 PM

Make the trade...
This is a which comes first deal... do you need the offense... or do you need the closer..

In order to NEED a closer, Pirates need to be winning going into the 9th. With the measley offense Pirates have... they will rarely be in that position. Make the trade to be in the position of leading in the game going into the 9th.
Pirates have a few that can step in at closer.. maybe not as good as hanaran.. but good enough.

The Pirates won 72 times last year. That would indicate the times they had a lead going into the ninth were more that `rare.

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written by leadoff1, September 24, 2010 - 01:41 PM

they have a freakin' walk on playing center for crying out loud.
_______________________________

No major college team ever had a walk on start for them?

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written by gregh, September 24, 2010 - 01:46 PM

To Burgher in California: I'm also from the "burg", but I'm a Miami grad. Pitt,of course is a "far better" academic institution??? Chech out US News & World Report 2010 College rankings....Miami -47th best university --Pitt -67th... smilies/wink.gif

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written by psumule70, September 24, 2010 - 02:03 PM

I just heard the announced attendance for last night's game at Heinz Field.... there were nearly 10,000 empty seats. Not good for a primetime nationally televised big game match up.

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written by superczar, September 24, 2010 - 02:12 PM

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written by Matt Alexander, September 24, 2010 - 02:19 PM

psu - I noticed your complete lack of defense of the indefensible situation of an entire university being run by a sports coach. And yeah, the big east should be tougher like the Big 10...Indiana..NW..Minnesota..Illinois..gosh - how does PSU manage to squeak out those 9 wins a year playing those teams, plus Youngstown St, IUP, Slippery Rock, Bloomsburg, Shippensburg, Penn.

I do hate Penn State..think I'm apologizing for it? Think again. Arrogant elitists like you, always offering us advise on how our program should be fun are the reason all Pitt fans should rightly hate all things blue and white. And do us a favor - find another basketball team to root for.

-3

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written by hiker2004, September 24, 2010 - 02:19 PM

Bob,
It is only right to blame Wannstadt! It is also a fact that of his head coaching positions in the NFL, he never had a winning season. Playing Sunseri is also a mistake. He was always tentative on the field, waited too long to pass and should have gotten rid of the ball immediately, ah la Dan Marino. Bostick is the real answer while the coaches work on Sunseri's "problems".

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written by Matt Alexander, September 24, 2010 - 02:20 PM

'fun' = 'run' above.

See - wanted to show the PSU fans how to actually admit when you're wrong about something. I don't think any of them know how to do that, but oh wait - I already know..they never are wrong..har har.

-1

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written by Comatose, September 24, 2010 - 02:23 PM

I'm sorry, but there is just no defense for Wannstedt today. We can argue over a mediocre NFL record and split hairs over how good of a team he was handed in Miami, but the bottom line is this:

When Pitt has been in a big, turn-the-corner game under Wannstedt, they have lost.

Say all you want about the WVU win, it meant very little in terms of the program overall. Sure, it might have won them some recruits, but what did it do for the program? It turned a horrible season into a somewhat less horrible season. Time and time again, when Pitt is in a position to make a statement, they lose:

Miami '10
Utah '10
Cincinnati '09 (not just a loss, a come-from-ahead loss)
Oregon State '08
Rugers '08

Not to mention the disasters with Bowling Green, Ohio, etc.

It's just embarrassing. If the program is clean and respectable, that's one thing. It's not any more. There is so much nonsense going on that the program is turning into a joke.

It's great to have 8-4 or 9-3 seasons every year, but how can you not win a program-defining game ONE TIME in 6 years? We are talking a win when it matters... the Rutgers win could have made that season, obviously the Cincy win could have made that season, and beating Miami last night could have made a statement and potentially led to a great season.

I honestly don't even know if I care that Pitt wins the Big East. Sure, it's good for the program, but nationally I don't think anyone who watched that game thought anything other than "Pitt and the Big East are a joke - no wonder Miami left."

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written by psumule70, September 24, 2010 - 02:24 PM

Superczar... Pitt has some great, hardcore fans. The anger and disappointment witnessed in this blog from last night's game is testimony to that. However, I would say that Pitt had a much larger fan base and national presence in the early 80's. I think a lot of fans are more passionate about Pitt basketball than football. From an outsiders perspective, it appears the University planned/hoped it would work out that way. They built the basketball program into somewhat national prominence at the expense of the football program. That's who Panther fans should really be upset with... whoever put the football program on the back burner in the mid/late 80's. That set the program back decades. And while the basketball program has had some success, we all know who drives the bus(i.e. $$$$) in college athletics.

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written by bearcat, September 24, 2010 - 02:26 PM

Jeez, enough already of the Pitt-PSU p-----g contest! Back to Wannstedt; does anyone believe that he could hold down a head coaching job anywhwere else with a BCS school, or the NFL?

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written by psumule70, September 24, 2010 - 02:34 PM

Matt... you are too funny.

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written by PittandthePendulum, September 24, 2010 - 02:44 PM

In 40 yrs I have seen alot of poorly played Pitt games, but last night was the biggest rotten egg I have ever seen Pitt lay. Inept at every conceivble aspect of the game. Screwed up in almost every way possible at exactly the wrong times. This team looked like it hadn't prepared a lick, and seemed to have no clue whatsoever against Miami.
A very sad commentary after 6 yrs of Coach Wanny and multiple top 20 recruiting campaigns.
Can't think of a more distastful setback in a more important venue than Natl TV, almost a sellout crowd, and in front of hundreds of former Pitt Panthers on the sidelines. Just when Pitt gets to where they start to win the hearts and minds of Pittsburgh fans, they take a giant step backwards with a performance like this that leaves their supporters wishing they could get their money back.
Somebody needs to look hard in the mirror and decide where this program is going next.

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written by Matt Alexander, September 24, 2010 - 02:45 PM

WTF are you talking about PSU?

Pitt was investing into the basketball program at the expense of the football program in the late 80s? Really? That must be when they had Paul Evans coaching those great late 80s/early 90s teams in the fabulous Fitzgerlald Field house? Or maybe it was when that program bottomed out in the mid 90s and they seriously considered letting it go altogether, when Ralph Willard was doing horribly and having players get arrested?

Want to get a few more facts correct before you diagnose things for us?

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written by psumule70, September 24, 2010 - 02:48 PM

Matt... you are so smart and funny.

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written by Matt Alexander, September 24, 2010 - 02:51 PM

I do want to thank you for one thing today PSU...

Thank you for reminding me there are worse things in the world than WVU fans.

-2

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written by leefoo, September 24, 2010 - 02:58 PM

Wow. Being a Penn State fan on this blog is like being a 'KoolAid' drinker on the PBC blog. smilies/cheesy.gif

==========
@bearcat

Back to Wannstedt; does anyone believe that he could hold down a head coaching job anywhwere else with a BCS school, or the NFL?

I'm with BFD on this one....I never liked the hiring of Wanny, but every offseason there's talk about THIS is gonna be the year. It never happens.

I don't bleed Pitt blue/gold (I'm a PSU grad), but being a former Tri-Stater, I still like them (WVU, tho, is my #2 team behind PSU). And I LOVED Dan Marino.

Btw, for a senile coach, JoePa's done fairly well. Now Wanny and his crooked moustache? Ehhhhhhh. Sure wish Pitt could find another Sherrill or Majors.

-1

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written by superczar, September 24, 2010 - 02:59 PM

Watch it, Bob the Puritan has his digital black marker out.

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written by psumule70, September 24, 2010 - 03:01 PM

Matt... the Pitt basketball team has made the NCAA or NIT tournament 23 times in the last 30 years. Your anger and hatred consume you. I hope you have someone you can talk to.

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written by BlitzBurghDude, September 24, 2010 - 03:02 PM

"I don't want to speak for every Pitt fan - but for this particular one, I could care less what PSU fans think of our program..go tailgate and get ready for your Temple game." -- MattAlexDR

Dude, it's called a community blog & named Bob's Blog for a reason...one of which being, that it is not Matt " The Scat" Alexander's blog...however that's not to take anything away from your prowess on the basepaths!

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written by Matt Alexander, September 24, 2010 - 04:38 PM

"Pitt basketball team has made the NCAA or NIT tournament 23 times in the last 30 years."
---------------------------

First off, making the NIT is pointless. It's like playing in the Texas Bowl. But let's accept your ridiculous premise that somehow we should count that.

Can you explain to me how pointing out how many years the basketball team has made the postseason supports your contention that the basketball program has been promoted at the expense of the football program? Please enlighten me, because I'm not seeing it.

bbd - IF Bob ever puts up a thread to dissect a PSU win over say, Indiana or it's annual loss to OSU, i'll happily leave that thread to all the Paternapologists to wax poetic over how close they were to winning it all..again.

-1

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written by DanW, September 24, 2010 - 04:57 PM

Getting back to Bob's request to Whistle Pig to cite examples of chronic and consistently bad in-game coaching, I'd like to chime in:

1) Pitt vs. Utah this year, last drive of regulation. Calling a run on 3rd down, with the momentum, to play for the tie on the road. Yes, Sunseri could have thrown an interception and lost the game right then, but to not even try on 3rd down tells your team that you expect them to screw up.
2) Pitt vs. Cincinnati last year. 2nd and 2 at the 5 with 1:40 left. The offense should have been instructed to get the 1st down and kneel 3 times to force UC to use their timeouts and bleed clock. Sure, the holder could still have dropped the ball like on the XP, but I'd take that chance.
3) Same game, last drive. The secondary is in flames, the only part of the defense that is having any success is the D-line. So of course 3 men are rushed throughout the drive, allowing Pike all day to pick apart the secondary.
4) 2008 vs. Bowling Green. 2 punts from the BGSU 35, showing no confidence in either the offense OR the kicker, and no willingness to convincingly win a game. I think Coach Wannstedt takes his mantra to always try to be close in the 4th quarter too literally, at the expense of getting big leads when he has the chance. I don't advocate piling on weaker teams when you already have the lead, but I'd like Pitt to get to that situation once in a while so they can choose the high road.

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written by psumule70, September 24, 2010 - 05:02 PM

Matt.... why are you so angry? You keep making claims about Penn State's lack of schedule strength... have you read the earlier posts from other bloggers? You shouldn't be throwing stones from your glass house Matt. Pitt's schedule isn't exactly stellar and they haven't beaten a team of note in years. When was the last time Pitt finished a season in the top 15 Matt? And try to relax a little... you dont need to be so angry.

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written by gmarascoiv, September 24, 2010 - 05:06 PM

For everyone turning this into a Pitt Penn State arguement as a PSU fan I have to say Yes Penn State is not among the elite and their non-conference schedule is a joke minus Alabama. But atleast Penn State doesn't have losses in recent years to the likes of Ohio U and Bowling Green like Pitt does. Ohio State does have PSU's number Pitt would fair just as bad if not worse against Ohio State. Penn State has 2 BCS bowl appearences in the last 5 years winning 1 of them (2006 Orange Bowl) and they did beat LSU in a New Years Day bowl last year and won at Ohio State in 08 they've also beaten Wisconsin while they've been ranked so it's not like all their wins come against weak competition. But like I said before they don't have losses to the cupcake non-conference teams like Pitt does. So Penn State is still a better program just not a top 5-10 program.

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written by BlitzBurghDude, September 24, 2010 - 05:11 PM

WOW...talk about a bad year for PITT, a PITT hoops player just crashed his car into a business downtown...YIKES...sorry MattAlex, please don't shoot the messenger smilies/grin.gif

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written by BFD, September 24, 2010 - 05:12 PM

Hey, at least wanny didn't crap his pants.... On the field? Yes. Pants? No

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written by gmarascoiv, September 24, 2010 - 05:17 PM

I will give Wanny the edge in the not crapping his pants department haha I've said for the past 7-8 if Penn State ever wants to get back to elite status Joe needs to go.

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written by gmarascoiv, September 24, 2010 - 05:21 PM

I meant to say 7-8 years.

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written by BlitzBurghDude, September 24, 2010 - 05:24 PM

BFD, They have a product & with this product one can move one's bowels in their pants, on the field or in the press box, with equal ease & minimal fuss...for the other problem, the one that confronts the 'Stache, there has not as yet, been a diaper or band-aid invented...therefore, the crap that he's dealt is gonna have to be handled, one way or the other.

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written by psumule70, September 24, 2010 - 05:30 PM

Joe needs to go. He has had his time and needs to step down. His health is now starting to fail him. His involvement is limited. My only fear is that they will promote someone like McQuery who is completely clueless.

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written by Gene Clines, September 24, 2010 - 05:30 PM

Hey Matt the Scat...

Say...guess what team has an 0-4 record against Ohio State since 1993 and was out scored 216-45 (54-11 average game score)? I'll give you a hint...they lost last night to Miami 31-3. Yeah, that's right....Pitt! Now there's a winning percentage even Neil Huntington can be ASHAMED of!

PSU fans will enjoy their game against Temple...a team that just might beat Pitt (they already beat Big East UConn). You Pitt fans do the same and enjoy your game against Florida Int'l.

(Geez, doesn't it stink when things cut both ways, only worse??)

Good blog, Bob. I really enjoy it.

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written by Matt Alexander, September 24, 2010 - 05:46 PM

"When was the last time Pitt finished a season in the top 15 Matt? And try to relax a little... you dont need to be so angry."
--------------------------

Is reading a requirement at PSU? Still waiting for clarification on how posteason hoops appearances prove that pitt chose to focus on hoops and dump on football.

I think PSU is like the pretty, and clueless, high school girl - "why does everyone hate me..just because i'm beautiful..they are all jealous"...yep, keep telling yourself that champ.

And I believe it was after the 2003 season, though I don't feel like researching it because I'm sure you'll just say, again, "why are so you angry.." blah blah blah.

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written by Tony77019, September 24, 2010 - 06:09 PM

SteelVa:
I agree you. Totally.
So what's next? Is Wannstedt going to coach Pitt football 'til he's JoPa's age?

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written by Tony77019, September 24, 2010 - 06:18 PM

Why does anyone think Pitt will win the Big East? They haven't been able to win it when they had good teams. Yes, anything can happen, but c'mon.

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written by psumule70, September 24, 2010 - 06:29 PM

Matt...
Pitt hasn't finished inside the top 15 since 1983. And do you really think that they joined the Big East because they thought it would benefit the football program? UConn and USF didn't even have football programs until a few years ago. They certainly didn't join the Big East for football revenue. The power conferences like PAC 10, SEC, Big Ten.... all make millions more $$$ than the Big East football schools. They did it because they wanted to put all their eggs in one basket... pun intended.

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written by PittandthePendulum, September 24, 2010 - 09:32 PM

With all the pre season hype....this is truly a LOST season...shame on the Pitt Coaches

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written by PittandthePendulum, September 24, 2010 - 09:35 PM

No question old Joe looks like a lost puppy on the sidelines on gamedays...PSU however painted themselves into a corner with him several years ago and they are stuck with him till he croaks.

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written by BlueSky, September 24, 2010 - 11:08 PM

'BIG games' mean 'BIG losses' for the Panthers football program.

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written by PittandthePendulum, September 24, 2010 - 11:24 PM

Gene...we all play our cupcakes, but I will put Pitts Non Conference schedule up against PSU's any day...Utah, Miami, Notre Dame vs....well Alabama....and not going to give you Temple just yet.

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written by psumule70, September 25, 2010 - 08:44 AM

P and P... You might want to check Penn State's non conference opponents this season. They also play Temple, and already received a beatdown from the #1 team in the country... Alabama. You couple that with playing the #2 Ohio State Buckeyes and a few other quality Big Ten opponents and Penn State has a tough schedule for the first time in several years. Withe the Big Ten divisions being arranged they are, Penn State's schedule will tough for years to come.

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written by PittandthePendulum, September 25, 2010 - 09:42 AM

First we were talking about the NON conf schedule. Second Mule isnt it about TIME they toughened up their schedule? They have made living on patsies the last decade.
In any case they have no more choice...its being forced on them by the Big 10 expanision. Lets see how they do eh??
But dont be crying about it already...

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written by chilco, September 25, 2010 - 12:50 PM

Late Reply:
Bob Lewis is not hurt! he has a horrendous O-line in front of him and the opposing defenses are keying in on him because as i've stated befroe, Vanilla-Sky Wanny and Cignetti should be coaching Pop Warner up the gut pee wee football.
Lewis and Graham should both be on the field at the same time (I don't care where they have to line up.) And what ever happend to that QB from Texas??? I also disagree with your analysis of Bostick...... I think he was better than Stull and the the current QB Sonny Sunseri.

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written by chilco, September 25, 2010 - 12:56 PM

"Pitt won 19 games the previous two seasons. They have lost twice this season, both times to ranked teams. Not sure that qualifies as being ``mired in mediocrity.'' -- Bob Smizik"
*****
This is the local media mentality! as long as Pitt continues to hammer the New Hampshire's and IAA teams all we be well in Pantherland. Sad to see seasoned jounalists go all in for the Petersen-Wanny reindeer games.

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written by psumule70, September 25, 2010 - 02:22 PM

P and P... stick with your Pitt facts. Joe voted for conference expansion in the Big Ten and thus didnt have it FORCED on him. Also, take a look at Penn State's bowl performances against non conference opponents. I am sure with Pitt's lack of bowl game appearances and performances like that horrible 3-0 game a couple of years ago have caused you to forget about bowl games. And I am looking forward to the addition of Nebraska and getting another crack at Alabama at home. Pitt has to play a couple of medium level non conference games because their big east schedule is garbage. It is so funny that the Big East kicked out Temple a few years ago... now they would probably dominate the conference.

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written by PittandthePendulum, September 25, 2010 - 09:11 PM

yeah Mule...YAWN...you really CRUSHED TEMPLE today...guess they are great since THEY gave you a good game today....to do that to Penn State you have to be....haha
Tell Al Golden maybe next year on their 27th try.

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written by PowerAlley, September 25, 2010 - 09:33 PM

Pitt football = Not Ready For Prime Time Players
Penn St is very mediocre this year. 7-5 is probable. But QB Bolden has a very promising future.
Al Golden deserves all the credit he can get. He has taken the worst team in big time college and now has them above being respectful.

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written by psumule70, September 25, 2010 - 09:50 PM

Penn State is not worthy of a #23 ranking.... but they did squeek one out against Temple. And Temple did take down Big East powerhouse UConn. Let's see how Pitt fares against UConn before you sling mud P and P....

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written by PittandthePendulum, September 26, 2010 - 10:11 AM

Grant you Mule, PSU does have beating patsies down to a science!

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