First off, the phrase “We hold these truths to be self-evident” is from the Declaration of Independence. The Anti-Federalists didn’t oppose this document. They only opposed the U.S. Constitution, which came along eleven years later. And you passed the bar exam?

Second, you know very well that Manchester United has played Glasgow Celtic since 2002. They played on July 22, 2003 at Seahawks Stadium in Seattle. And as ESPN’s Soccernet noted, “The talent gap between the two teams became apparent before halftime, when Manchester led 3-0.” Manchester wound up spanking Celtic 4-0.

And the very fact that this much site space was dedicated to the world’s most boring pastime is a depressing indictment of this blog.

Third, you like so many other college football fans, have actually fallen in to the trap of thinking that academics are somehow more important than money. There’s no doubt that Pitt better fits the academic profile of the Big Ten better than Syracuse does. Pitt’s acceptance requirements and research capabilities clearly leave Syracuse behind. Plus, Syracuse is tiny compared to Pitt — let along Ohio State or Michigan State.

However, Syracuse would bring new markets (Up-State New York and a stronger presence in NYC) into the mix. The Big Ten, thanks to Penn State, is already all over the Pittsburgh marketplace. Need I remind you how often “The Penn State Story” appears on Fox Sports Pittsburgh during the season?

Plus, Syracuse just won a national hoops title. Ben Howland was too worried about UCLA to accomplish that.

Fourth, you know that I hate no one worse than Penn State. I’ve seen out more Lion-bashing e-mails over the past five years than the rest of this group combined. I live within 45 miles of Beaver Stadium and have to take crap from the Nittany Nazis constantly.

However, some members of our little tailgating group do not agree with us. And, given that Penn State has not abandoned the Big East Conference lately, and given that Penn State is not an academic joke unlike some schools in Blacksburg, Virginia or Coral Gables, Florida that I could mention, I can understand how some younger Pitt fans would place other rivals over PSU these days.

Besides, didn’t we lose to our official rival last fall?

And if Blogger tries to spellcheck “Pitt” to “Pit” one more time.

Hail to Beating the Mountaineers When We Should