Has it really been 84 years since Pitt visited Cinci to play football? I guess that’s why it’s a rivalry game.
There is some credit being given to the Cinci defense (the offense is not getting any).
Paul Zeise: No this is going to be a tough game for Pitt. It really will. I think the thing people need to realize is last year was a complete rebuilding season for the Bearcats but two years ago they were in a bowl game. They have somewhere in the neighborhood of 17 starters back and they are always going to be a good defensive team with Dantonio — who was the defensive coordiantor at Ohio State the year they won it all. The thing that I don’t like is that they use two quarterbacks, I think that is a losing formula all the time. Pitt should win but they better be ready to play.
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Paul Zeise: Well, let’s see. They can’t turn the ball over. Do you remember the Ohio game? Pitt destroyed that team but lost because they turned it over. That’s the number one thing. The second thing is — Pitt isn’t good enough to show up and beat anyone, they better not think that because if they aren’t focused and play with intensity they’ll get beat. Also, they need to stop the run game. The passing game is not going to be an issue for Pitt given their athleticism but you have to admit, Virginia wasn’t much of a test in this area and really didn’t even try to run the ball. The Bearcats at least have a chance of trying to establish a run game, which will be a good test for Pitt’s rebuilt defensive line.
Against 1-AA Eastern Kentucky, Cinci picked off 3 passes. So, no, Cinci can’t be taken lightly. Pitt is in no position to take any team lightly. Especially in a road game. Coach Wannstedt can claim not to have been aware of Pitt’s struggles on the road last year, but it is a concern. Not to mention that this is a conference game.
“We’ve already put the Virginia win behind us and have been practicing and focusing a couple of days on Cincinnati,” Wannstedt said. “We know the importance of the first conference game, and how tough they are to win this early in the season, and we’re even traveling on a short week with the game on Friday night, so we’ll have our work cut out for us.”
Still, it’s hard to pick against Pitt in this game.
What will happen: A better protected Palko finally has depth at receiver and looks poised for a rebound season. He’ll be the difference in a game that’s dominated by turnovers and the defenses.
CFN Prediction: Pitt 27 … Cincinnati 17 … Line: Pitt -8
A receiving corp with question marks going into the season, after only one game is now declared to have depth. That’s great.
