Well, thanks to Syracuse’s 43-17 upset drubbing of Boston College, it’s official. If Pitt can beat South Florida next Saturday (and yes, that’s a big if for those of us who sat through that fiasco back in 2001), we’re suddenly going to a BCS Bowl. According to ESPN’s College Gameday Scoreboard, we might even be going to the BCS if we LOSE to USF (Pasqualoni doesn’t have a vote in the Coaches Poll, Harris does).
Of course, everybody that I’ve heard both on ESPN Radio and on Gameday Scoreboard is incensed that Pitt somehow got in to the BCS. Suddenly, it’s a fiasco that the Big East gets an automatic BCS birth… as if Virginia Tech and Miami’s sudden departure was somehow our fault. Trev Alberts even went so far as to suggest that Big East Commissioner should, out of the goodness of his heart, give the Big East’s BCS bid to #7 Louisville on the grounds that (1) they actually deserve it, and (2) they’ll be a Big East Conference member next year. Mark May reminded Trev that this would mean that the Big East would surrender $14 million to Conference USA, and correctly stated that NOBODY is that generous.
Somehow, I don’t feel the need to apologize for rules that were agreed on by everybody at the beginning of this season (however goofy they may be). And I definitely don’t feel the need to apologize for the suddenly weak state of the Big East. You can take that crap right to Blacksburg or Coral Gables (one of which will shortly be wishing that they had STAYED in the Big East).
Thus, I’m overjoyed. Our beloved Panthers finally caught a break. A HUGE break. Gimme. And if you don’t like it, @#*% off.
I only have two worries right now. One, whether or not we can beat USF. Two, whether or not I should follow the Panthers to their BCS Bowl. We’re known as a team that doesn’t travel well. I sometimes feel a little guilty about this. I’ve seen my other alma mater (Ohio State) play in several bowls (including the 1998 Sugar Bowl), but I’ve never followed Pitt anywhere. Heck, as has been pointed out REPEATEDLY on this site, I even skipped the Backyard Brawl. Is anybody else thinking of following the Panthers to New Orleans (hopefully) or Tempe?
And as was just pointed out at halftime in the USC-Notre Dame game, what a comeback for Walt Harris. From people (including myself) wanting him fired to the BCS in just a few weeks. I’ll be more than happy to apologize and sit down to a nice plate full of crow on that one… PROVIDED that we don’t choke at USF.
A strange day. A very strange day. But a wonderful day nonetheless. Hell, I’m wearing my Panther tie to church tomorrow.
Er… I meant, heck… sorry…
Hail to Syracuse. It’s about time you did something that doesn’t piss me off.
