It’s been a hectic fall. One thing I was meaning to post, especially for those of you who don’t live in the Pittsburgh area, was the collage of this year’s Pitt season tickets.

They’ve had better collages. This one really struggles especially when you realize how disjointed the WVU ticket will look when separated.

Today’s theme as Pitt gets ready for Syracuse is that the Orange like to rush the passer.

On Syracuse having success getting quarterback sacks:

The surprising thing, they have two sacks by corners. I think the safety has a sack or two. The linebackers have a few. For the most part, and this is what we have to be aware of, it’s been their defensive linemen. Those guys, they’ve gotten a lot of sacks just by rushing three. They’ve got sacks by rushing four. They’re not blitzing all the time when they come up with their sacks. I looked at that last night (on film). I went through it because I wanted to see what they were doing. We studied their interceptions, they have nine. We studied their sacks to see how they’re coming up with their sacks. That gives us an opportunity to talk about some things.

Syracuse has 25 sacks so far. Tops in the country. They are aggressive, which is a reflection of the style of defense that Syracuse HC Greg Robinson likes. Even if Syracuse didn’t play that style, it seems likely they would at least try to bring pressure against the Pitt O-line with Simonitis being done.

Simonitis will be replaced by Joe Thomas, a true freshman, and the Panthers will shuffle some reserves to piece together a plan should another starter get hurt. In short, all signs point to a potentially long afternoon for the Panthers’ offensive line.

Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt addressed such potential problems yesterday while acknowledging his need to have his team prepared for such a hostile environment. He said the presence of senior quarterback Tyler Palko should ease some concerns and that the veterans around Thomas should help him work his way through some of the jitters that come with a first start.

“[Noise] will be a big factor, but I think having an experienced quarterback is the most important thing when you go to an environment like that,” Wannstedt said at his weekly news conference. “I feel good, too, about [Palko’s] ability to handle the environment because he’s played up there before. We’ll have the noise out here during practice [today] and Wednesday to work through some of the issues with signal-calling and so forth. But this is something we’ll address from day one.

“I don’t see our group getting rattled or having any problems; we’ve got a pretty grounded group.”

The O-line usually gets plenty of scrutiny from Pitt fans. With all the changes afoot, they will be under a microscope.

Wannstedt believed that while injuries are never good, being able to play many young players should benefit the Panthers down the homestretch this season. Freshman Joe Thomas will start at right guard for Simonitis, and redshirt sophomore Dom Williams – who moved to left tackle to back up Jeff Otah after Bachman’s injury – will go back to guard to spell Thomas.

Freshman Jason Pinkston, who got his first game action in Saturday’s win over Toledo, is now the backup left tackle this week. And redshirt freshman Craig Bokor is the backup left guard to sophomore C.J. Davis.

“Fortunately, Pinkston got some playing time, which was good,” Wannstedt said. “Dom Williams has played in the past. Bokor is doing a decent job. … So, we have some younger players and there’s not much experience there, but we do have some young guys that are eager to play.”

Well, at least their eager.
The potentially good thing about this game is that Palko has been very good about getting rid of the ball quickly. With the solid receivers and tight ends for Pitt, there is the potential for some early exploiting of the Syracuse rush.

As long as the O-line can give Palko enough time to look up from center after getting the ball, Pitt might be able to run some nice screens and quick outs. This is also the kind of defense, where Dorin Dickerson could be very important. Dickerson may be the only back for Pitt with enough speed to get to the outside and turn the corner.

Here’s the initial ballot I am thinking of submitting for this week. I have until Wednesday morning to change it, so make good arguments. As usual, Lee worked it up, but this time I made some changes that I will note below from Lee’s comments.

Rank	Team	Delta
1	Ohio State	25
2	Florida	24
3	Michigan	23
4	Louisville	22
5	Auburn	21
6	Southern Cal	20
7	West Virginia	19
8	Texas	18
9	Louisiana State	17
10	Georgia Tech	16
11	Georgia	15
12	Notre Dame	14
13	Oregon	13
14	Oklahoma	12
15	Clemson	11
16	Tennessee	10
17	Cal	9
18	Florida State	8
19	Iowa	7
20	Boise State	6
21	Rutgers	5
22	Wake Forest	4
23	Texas Tech	3
24	Missouri	2
25	Virginia Tech	1

1. Ohio State: Still suspect on run defense. But beyond that, a stellar performance against a completely over-hyped Iowa. I have to hand it the security at Kinnick Stadium for apparently turning away absolutely any Hawkeye fan not wearing yellow. But still, home field advantage can only take you so far. The highlight? A couple hundred Buckeye fans surrounding the College Gameday set after the game chanting, very loudly, “NICE PICK CORSO! NEXT PICK MICHIGAN!”

2. Michigan: Hitting on all cylinders, although against inferior competition. Provided that they don’t underestimate Penn State’s defense, the true national championship game could be played in Columbus on November 18th

[Sorry, no. There is no way in hell, I am putting two Big 11 schools at 1 & 2 on the ballot. Especially, just because they beat Minnesota.]

3. Florida: The Gators are beating good competition convincingly. If these guys win out, they’re in the national championship game no matter what anybody else does. Unfortunately, they’re in the SEC where winning out is practically impossible.

4. Louisville: I was going to put WVU here, of course. But I just can’t convince myself that Louisville isn’t the better team. Especially after the Hoopies’s lackluster performance against East Carolina last week. In any case, look how good the Cardinals are on offense now, and then imagine how much better they’ll be when Brohn gets back. And their defense is clearly better than WVU’s. Oh, if only Michael Bush hadn’t broken that leg, we could be talking about a Big East national champion.

5. Auburn: Eeking one out against South Carolina means vacating the number two spot in my book. Yeah, Spurrier is a hell of a coach. But he ain’t that good. And neither are the Gamecocks.

6. USC: Way to take advantage of Auburn’s stumble, Trojans. Wazzou sucks even worse than South Carolina. Until you start beating good competition convincingly, say goodbye to the top five.

7. WVU: Enjoy the top ten while you can, Hoopies. Unless Rodriguez picks it up a notch, you won’t come out of Papa John’s Stadium alive.

8. Texas: Sam Houston State? Where the hell is that? And don’t just answer “Texas” either. It’s nice to see a Big XII team following the WVU school of out-of-conference scheduling. But still, Texas is probably better than WVU, USC, or Auburn right now. I just have to give those particular unbeatens the benefit of the doubt.

9. LSU: Right where they should be. Clearly a top ten team.

10. Georgia Tech: So far, they’re beating better competition more convincingly than the Bulldogs are. So this is the best team in Georgia in my book. Nice win against Virginia Tech, by the way. So much for the Hokies’ national championship dreams. Maybe VT should join an easier conference, like the Mountain West or something. But back to the Wreck. I really like this team to win the ACC outright. Hence, they’re being in my top ten.

11. Georgia: I just can’t get that escape at home to Colorado out of my head.

12. Notre Dame: Yeah, I know. I put the Rambling Wreck ahead of a team that beat them in Altanta. Still, I just can’t put Notre Dame in the top ten with that porous defense. And what’s so impressive about the Irish’s wins so far? Penn State self-destructed with Morelli. Michigan State self-destructed the way only they can (incidentally, that video of John L. “Dead man walking the Green Mile” Smith slapping himself is the highlight of my season so far). The only impressive win was against Georgia Tech, who has dramatically improved since then (hence my logic-defying ranking).

13. Oregon: Nice win against the Michigan State of the West. Still, if Oklahoma beats Texas next week (a big if), I’ve gotta beat the team that should have beaten the Ducks ahead of the Ducks.

14. Oklahoma: Just beat Texas by putting the ball in Adrian’s hands. And good luck. Have Adrian call Antonio Pittman before the game to ask how it’s done.

[Oh, for f**k’s sake, Lee. Enough with the tOSU love.]

15. Clemson: Nice win… if Terry Bradshaw still played for La. Tech…

16. Tennnessee: Nice win. Against freakin’ Memphis. Beat ’em in hoops and I’ll be impressed.

17. Calfornia: Nice win against the wrong school from Oregon. This weekend, just beat Chas’s overrated Ducks with those gawdawful unis (Pitt, not< Oregon, should be wearing that steel plate pattern. How much steel was ever made in Oregon?). [Go Ducks!]

18. FSU: Thank God these losers aren’t in a tougher conference… like the Big East. Same goes for Miami.

19. Iowa: Well, what good things can we say… your fans did the all-yellow thing well, and your corn-fed coeds were moderately presentable when they weren’t crying… Drew Tate looked good occasionally, as did your tailbacks… but overall, what else could I say other than the Hawkeyes just aren’t a national power yet. Sorry.

20. Boise State: I never know where to rank these guys. But since the AP Poll put them here, I’ll just go along…

21. Rutgers: For the good of the Big East, I wish that you guys had a better showing on Friday night against USF. But even I wasn’t particularly impressed.

22. Missouri: If it were anybody else, I’d put this 5-0 team higher. But you just know that they’re going to drop an easy one soon.

[Hence why I dropped them a couple notches lower, and inserted the oft overlooked Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Hell, if Rutgers can get ranked after the teams they beat, then it’s only fair to give some love to the school with the smallest stadium amongst BCS teams.]

23. Penn State: No, this didn’t come from drinking too much of the local water. Their defense looked great against everybody but Notre Dame. The real weak spot of this team is Anthony “Thank-God-you-didn’t-come-to-Pitt” Morelli. If he has a good game, they could conceivably upset Michigan here in State College in two weeks. But probably not.

[No. Not here, not now. They don’t get to make the cut.]

24. Texas Tech: Fight Farmers, Fight! Now fight a little harder. Or fire Franchione. Your choice.

25. Virginia Tech: Snicker.

[And as I pointed out in my ACC week in review, they will probably win a couple games again to make everyone think they just had a hiccup. Start moving higher in the rankings. Then, the big game will come and — unfortunately it won’t be Pitt to insert reality into the Hokies’ lives.]

Game notes. Game notes for Pitt and Syracuse (PDF). The house of horrors that is the Carrier Dome for Pitt — 3-9-1.

At this time, the shocker is that Freshman tailback Delone Carter is not officially listed as the starter on the ‘Cuse depth chart (p. 18). Curtis Brinkley is still listed as the starter. It really only seems like a formality to something that will happen sooner, rather than later.

The true freshman tailback Delone Carter rushed for four touchdowns, including two in overtime, and probably established himself as the Orange’s star for the future. Carter’s 129 yards came on only 20 carries as he showed why he was named Mr. Ohio last year when he rushed for 49 touchdowns at Copley Senior High.

I think we can expect some comparisons to how Kevin Collier is doing for Pitt, since it disappointed many when the local kid came to Pitt.

Carter really turned it on in the second half against Wyoming when he gained 115 of the 129 yards.

It can be expected that Syracuse will be looking to run — a lot. Taj Smith was their big play receiver and he is out for some time. Another starting WR, Rice Moss, suffered a “slightly” separated right shoulder in the Wyoming game, but is not ruled out for Pitt (he is listed on the depth chart as starting).

Do you have an update on Rice Moss?

“Yes, it is maybe a little better than what we were expecting. The next couple days will be good indicators I think. It could have been worse is what I would tell you. I would like to think optimistically. Who knows? We really don’t know right now.”

What is the injury?

“Light separation of the shoulder.”

Any chances he could play against Pittsburgh?

“There is a chance.”

Keep in mind, his arm was in a sling on Sunday at practice.

Syracuse has a very vulnerable pass defense.

Pittsburgh comes into the Carrier Dome on Saturday with a 4-1 record, its best start since 2002. Quarterback Tyler Palko is ranked No. 1 nationally in passing efficiency and will be facing a secondary that surrendered 326 passing yards to Wyoming.

“He’s obviously completing balls at a good rate and he’s also not throwing many interceptions,” Robinson said. “He’s thrown some touchdown passes. So it makes him very effective. We’ve all known Tyler Palko is a talented young player. It’s our job to minimize his game; make him less efficient.”

What Syracuse has done well on defense, is blitz. They have 25 sacks to lead the country. Given their secondary, the effectiveness of Pitt’s passing game and Pitt’s questionable O-line; I don’t think it will be a state secret to expect Syracuse to blitz a hell of a lot in this weekend’s game. Just a hunch.

With John Simonitis done for good, the starting job goes to Freshman Joe Thomas.

“Joe’s going to be a heck of a player,” Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said. “When you’re starting a freshman, every week is going to be an adventure. He’s going to be a good player for us. He’s everything that we’d hoped.”

Simonitis’ injury and Thomas’ elevation to the starting lineup leaves the Panthers perilously thin on the offensive line. Thomas was considered the top backup at both guard positions, which forces sophomore Dom Williams into that role and leaves redshirt freshman Craig Bokor next in line.

“We just don’t have the depth,” Wannstedt said. “Guys are going to have to step up. You don’t have to tell me it’s all part of the game, but it’s tough for me to deal with.”

Not that the Panthers lack confidence in Thomas. He was ranked among the nation’s top 20 offensive linemen at powerhouse Lakewood St. Edward – where he played alongside Ohio State starting left tackle Alex Boone – and fended off late recruiting overtures from the Buckeyes.

The scary thing, beyond starting a freshman on the line — and let’s be totally honest, that isn’t the scariest thing for Pitt fans after seeing the O-line perform with veterans in the recent past — is that the depth is disturbingly not there.

Well, one of the reasons Thomas came to Pitt was for the chance to play early. Admittedly, this wasn’t what he had in mind.

Dorin Dickerson is also happy to see some playing time, even if this season hasn’t gone the way he wanted.

Initially after the Toledo game, he played the traditional cliche.

“As long as I can help the team, that’s the best thing I can do. I felt good about it and if I was going to be red-shirted then that was ok too.”

“Whatever the coach wanted to do I was going to do, as long as I can help the team.”

Well, now he’s being a little more honest.

“I feel good about playing even if it is the fifth game,” Dickerson said. “[Coach] talked about just using me on special teams for now, which is fine. I just want to be a part of it and try to help the team win. It is a long season, a lot can happen. [Coach] made it clear what my role would be and said because he promised me a chance to play during recruiting, he’d leave it up to me.

“I just said, ‘let’s go for it’ because I couldn’t wait, I couldn’t take sitting around any more. Just watching everyone play, it was hard, I haven’t ever had to do that. I’m a team player and if coach really wanted me to redshirt, I would have, but I just felt like I wanted to play even if it is a little bit at a time for now.”

Now, it’s up to the coaches to use him.

Just got back, and stealing a few minutes at a coffee shop.

Dorin Dickerson is very happy about finally getting to play.

“I was really excited and I got a lot off my shoulders. I felt a lot of pressure to play and to play well.”

Apparently Coach Wannstedt was still a little hesitant before the game to burn Dickerson’s redshirt.

Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said he talked with Dickerson and his father, Randy, before the game Saturday about forfeiting his chance at a redshirt.

“I think that Dorin had the mind-set that he wanted to play,” Wannstedt said. “He wasn’t concerned with how much, but he wanted to be part of it this year.

“When I recruited him, we told him he would have a chance to play. We’ll see how it goes from here. It’s a long season. We’ve got a lot of games left, and he got a nice start today.”

I’ve hardly been decisive in my opinion about Dickerson and redshirting. I tepidly (and with more than a little wiggle room) thought he should get to play this season, so I don’t think it was a mistake. I do, however, want to see how they use him. Hopefully a little more than just gimmick plays and special teams.
With the injury to Simonitis the redshirt also came off of Jason Pinkston. Honestly, this is the scarier prospect since Pinkston was converted in training camp to the O-line from the defense. Now he will be expected to be a key reserve for the O-line. That just speaks to the issue of injuries on the line and lack of depth.

This was a horrible game for Toledo and one of the worst outcomes in quite some time.

The Rockets, now 2-3, were held without a first-half touchdown for the first time since a 2003 game at Ball State, a span of 33 games, and finished a game without a TD for the first time since a 49-0 loss at Ohio State on Sept. 12, 1998.

That seems like some measure of revenge taken on Toledo.

Sorry to be quiet the last couple of days. Visiting family this weekend. Did manage to make time to listen to the game. Makes me feel foolish (or seem like Lou Holtz) for worrying so much about this game. Pitt took advantage of Toledo mistakes and put this game away early.

As nice as it was to have Dickerson get some action and score on his very first touch, there is a big negative out of this game. Senior Right Guard John Simonitis’ season and career at Pitt is over. He has a broken leg.

Freshman Joe Thomas will start in his place and Jason Pinkston — who played today — will also see a lot of action. The problem is that the depth on the O-line was already shaky. This is a huge loss for Pitt.