For the Big East media days, Rivals Radio interviewed a player from each Big East team. Pitt’s representative was Derek Kinder and the interview can be heard here. Before even finishing greeting one another, the interviewer immediately asks, “Who is going to be your starting quarterback?” The answer was pretty much what you’d expect: he’s seen three different guys in practice and didn’t say if any where ahead of the others.
He says the upcoming season isn’t looking too bad and that last year’s 6-6 record was a failure in the end. When he talks about them needing to finish games better, I automatically gag and think of the Michigan State and UConn games. In all, it’s a quick little interview, and not a bad listen.
Also, for your Penn State fill of the week, two articles about PSU and more specifically, their fan base. The first is from Rakes of Mallow, a Notre Dame blog. Penn State and Notre Dame are two of the three teams I dislike the most (WVU the third) but the ND writer makes some great points; highly recommended reading.
I don’t blame Penn State for trying to find a rival, as they don’t really have one. Ohio State is considerably more concerned with Michigan, and vice-versa, while the Irish are more focused on the Wolverines and Trojans. They could restart the local rivalry with Pitt, but the Lions envision themselves on some sort of blue-and-white pedestal when it comes to playing the Panthers.
There was also a reader submission from Mondesi’s House about college allegiances. The reader says that his Penn State co-workers dislike his favorite coach, Jim Tressel.
You would think Jim Tressel stole some of these fans’ dates to the prom, they HATE him with such passion.
This is the classic case of where PSU fans are looking for a rival. They try to act all tough towards Ohio State when Buckeye fans simply shrug it off since they have more important teams to throw their animosity towards.
You mock us for behavior that you are guilty of.
Too good for Pitt, supposedly, but not good enough for OSU, Michigan, USC or ND.
I really hate WVU, and I agree they are our rival right now. Can you honestly say that if we played PSU next year, along with WVU, you wouldn’t want to beat PSU a little more? I know I would.
I rather have Slaton break the rushing record against us than see Joe Paterno giggle as he poops because he thinks he won a battle of contracts and television deals. Take your $10.00 popcorn and your $1.00 smile and have fun beating Temple 13-3.
I have more to say but I have to run to the bathroom…maybe later.
I think your dislike of PSU is getting in the way of your common sense. They are the ones who don’t want to play us, remember?
If we could schedule PSU for football, they would be our rivals.
If I sound angry it’s because I haven’t expressed myself about this topic before until now. Cut me some slack..or respond with anger, whatever. Either way it’s a blog and we can vent…it’s my mind and heart controlling my fingers.
I apologize if I offended you, it was not my intention. That said, I totally understand where you are coming from, My dislike for PSU is great and the arrogance of that program is disgusting. Pitt is treated by PSU as a castoff and not worthy of their time. I hope when Pitt returns to national prominence and PSU is suffering through some lean years we will be more than willing to set egos aside and play the game.
West Virginia is just such a bunch of redneck fans and hoods for players, yeah, Pitt fans hate to lose to them, but in general, Pitt fans don’t brag about beating them. Pitt fans feel like they should beat them as Pitt is a more prestigous program with better history and in general a more attractive school to play football at. WVU gets many of the leftovers from the other schools, either because they aren’t that talented, have a criminal record, or are as dumb as a post. Now WVU is smart by running a gimmick defense that can take advantage of undersized kids that can’t get in othter places and by having a glorified high school offense that do the same thing with athletic QBs that could never play in the pros.
The Penn State Pitt rivalry is also more about JoePa than anything. Yes, their fan base is very arrogant, generally older, snobbier, more elitest. So that’s annoying. Penn State grad also think Happy Valley is this amazing place, which anyone with half a brain know it’s actually pretty weak when it comes to college towns. So there is some differences that irritate fans of each. But they still have way more in common. It’s JoePa’s hatred of Pitt that has made the rivalry nastier. But he’ll be dead soon, Pitt will be too talented to continue to lose to WVU, and all will be well.
Have fun playing West Virginia and Louisville. Hope you go to a bowl game to gain some respectability so we can maybe someday renew this rivalry.
We must attest that pitt has not lived up to the national college football standards this past decade. Let get those preppies on our schedule as soon as possible. Lets earn a home a home by beating their arse on the field (Plus, this will call chocolate streaks bluff)
We need those snobs and deep down those snobs needs us the same.
Hail to Pitt-
This will be a Huge Year for the Panthers. I am thinking 9-3 but mostly likely 8-4.
Get excited
link to sports.espn.go.com (bottom 3 on schedule…in same season)
By the way, here is the nitters record against their “rivals” in the Big 10 since joining:
ohio state : 5-9
michigan : 3-9
You have had a better record than us in 2 of the last 7 years. I guess your math department is not doing so well either.
Your “national appeal” is being a school 4 times as large as us. You have a larger fan base, and live in farmland where that is the only thing to do. Get over it. We don’t want to play for money, or recruits, or any of that bullshit. We just want to beat your ass.
12-0.
12-0.