Two-game losing streak. In the midst of a brutal stretch of games. Home game against a rival, that is not only top-10 but plays an offensive style that plays to Pitt’s weakness. Oy.

I guess there’s a parade or something today as various players quickly return from media engagements. So unless the Steelers players show up during the WVU-Pitt game, most Pittsburgh fans aren’t really going to notice this game until after it happens.

It doesn’t matter. This is a big, national game on ESPN. Complete with Dick Vitale screaming into the mike, and singing the praises of the Oakland Zoo. It’s a rivalry game.

The Mountaineers will be about to start their brutal stretch: at Pitt, at Georgetown, at Seton Hall, home for UConn, and then at Syracuse. All 5 games in a 12 day period late in the season. WVU’s lack of depth could catch-up to them in that period. They really only go 2 deep on the bench. 97.8% of the minutes are filled by seven players.

Pittsnogle, Gansey and Herber all average over 30 minutes a game. Beilein, Young and Collins at least 24 minutes.

This game is up to Pitt. To get all clichey, Pitt is going to have to step up and show what kind of team they are. Now that everyone knows Pitt is a top-20 team, Pitt has to be able to beat other legit top-20 teams. None of the teams that were previously ranked when Pitt faced them are ranked at this point. WVU would be the first that I am reasonably certain will still be in the rankings at the end of the season.