The Pitt schedule was released today. Specifically, the actual dates of the games were released.
DATE | OPPONENT | TIME |
Sept. 1 | Eastern Mchigan | TBA |
Sept. 8 | Grambling | TBA |
Sept. 15 | at Michigan St. | TBA |
Sept. 22 | Connecticut* | TBA |
Sept. 29 | at Virgina | TBA |
Oct. 6 | Open | TBA |
Oct. 13 | Navy | TBA |
Oct. 20 | Cincinnati* | TBA |
Oct. 27 | at Louisville* | TBA |
Nov. 3 | Syracuse* | TBA |
Nov. 10 | Open | TBA |
Nov. 17 | at Rutger* | TBA |
Nov. 24 | South Florida* | TBA |
Dec. 1 | at West Virginia* (ESPN/ESPN2) | TBA |
The opponents — home and away were known for some time. So, I’m not particularly taken aback at the fact that the home schedule is weak and will not be one that excites walk-up ticket sales unless Pitt gets out to 5-0 start — it might take an 8-0 run.
It is interesting and a sign of how Pitt has definitely fallen from the interest of the media as they are presently slated with all Saturday games. Given the Big East football’s place on ESPN — for Wednesday, Friday and even Sunday night games — this is mildly disappointing. Not unexpected, unfortunately. Pitt has done little to justify marquee status.
Pitt may win the offseason recruiting rankings in the conference, but their performance hardy matches. They’re turning into the Washington Redskins it seems.
It will be interesting to see how many of the Pitt games even make it to televised — gameplan status. It is likely the road games will all be that way, but not many of the homegames look like they could make it.
See ESPN Tournament Team Trends
I personally think we are better situated without any expectations what so ever on the team and coaching staff. It really does not matter if we are televised because all we have done is lost on national TV. Not being showcased will not hurt us on the field, and a better won lost record will make up for it as far as recruiting goes – and even a mediocre W-L record hasn’t hurt us yet in that aspect, so no Thursday night games probably won’t either.
I’ll go out on a limb and say I think we are looking at a 7-5 team this year – but the difference will be we won’t get blown out of the water in our losses. Remember we lost three close scoring games to Rutgers, UCONN and USF last year, and this year we might be able to win those. We’ll be better on defense and more competitive in games against the three top BE teams. I am concerned about UVA and MSU however, both those programs might be on the way back up and be trouble for us.
Here’s a question, and it would be interesting to hear your thoughts….
Last year we improved (on paper) from a 5-6 team to a 6-6 team. How would you feel if we kept improving by one win a year until DW’s contract is up for renewal in its last year? That would be 7-5 in 2007, and 8-4 in 2008. Should he be a lock for an extension? Would you be disappointed at 8-4 in 2008? – when all fingers point to that year as the one where his recruits mature? Or, would the winning trend be enough to justify faith in his staying on? Do you think a winning record should be the basis for contract renewal at all, or do the other aspects of the program (academics, graduation rate, representing the University, etc…) being done well mean as much as wins when renewal time comes along?
That is NOT a schedule to draw fans, however.
I don’t think 8-4 is acceptable in 2008. There has to be significant improvement that year. 9-3 minimum.
I hate “fans” like him, so what if you wanted to see Rhoads go. I’m sure a lot of people did, and I was one of them. Will you jump back on the bandwagon and want to come to some games if McCoy starts tearing it up?
Fans like Rex are the reason why we have to hear shit from Penn State fans like “you can’t even fill a 60,000 seat stadium for the biggest game of the year.”
Sept. 1 Eastern Mchigan TBA – WIN
Sept. 8 Grambling TBA – WIN
Sept. 15 at Michigan St. TBA – Loss
Sept. 22 Connecticut* TBA – WIN
Sept. 29 at Virgina TBA – WIN
Oct. 6 Open TBA
Oct. 13 Navy TBA – WIN
Oct. 20 Cincinnati* TBA – WIN
Oct. 27 at Louisville* TBA – Loss
Nov. 3 Syracuse* TBA – WIN
Nov. 10 Open TBA
Nov. 17 at Rutger* TBA – Loss
Nov. 24 South Florida* TBA – WIN
Dec. 1 at West Virginia* TBA – Loss
Also Rex, I don’t think you should be supporting either the crack heads scalpers or the pot head scalpers, you should buy your game day tickets from just regular drunks like Chris when he decides to throw in the towel on PITT Football. Rabid fans are always the worst once they fall off the bandwagon.
I think we have all paid our dues — some more than others to the university. For this, too, some folks just might think the university owes them more wins than others, I guess. no need to go further than that I think, is all.
If Rhoads is not the answer, clearly Cavanaugh is not either. The fans in Baltimore were happy to see him go. Let us hope that the good recruiting efforts of DW and Co. will result in a few exciting conference games where we win.