You won’t be able to enjoy Smith’s weiner at a Pitt football game (unless you get the tailgate Panther Pack), but at the basketball game you can enjoy the “official hot dog of the University of Pittsburgh.”

The University will be providing “Panther Packs” featuring Smith’s Legendary Natural Casing Wieners to tailgating students prior to every home football game this fall. Smith’s will also be a co-sponsor of the radio and internet broadcasts of the fall games, as well as Coach Dave Wannstedt’s radio program. The agreement includes branding opportunities at the consistently sold out Petersen Athletic Center, as well as “Official Hot Dog” Status, and will be featured at the concession stands. Smith’s will also be a co-sponsor of the radio broadcasts of the men’s and women’s basketball games, … as well as Coach Jamie Dixon’s radio program.

I just caution Coach Wannstedt and Dixon to be very careful about how they pose with the hot dog.

Lots of links to clear. So, it is time to just quick hit this stuff.

Plenty of stuff on how Pitt takes the Bulls of Buffalo seriously. Whether it is last year’s loss to BGSU or painful reminders of road losses to MAC teams.

Buffalo has a talented receiver that should get plenty of attention from Pitt’s secondary. Of course, Pitt has their own stud receiver and a lot of other receivers with talent that hope to actually see the ball — you know — thrown.

“I think we can live with our passing game,” Cignetti said. “If we get into a football game, and have to rely on the passing game, we’re more than willing to do so.”

Turner, a 6-foot-3 senior, had one of his most productive outings (five catches for 69 yards) last year in the Panthers’ 27-16 victory over Buffalo at Heinz Field.

“If we have to lean on the passing game, it won’t be a problem,” Turner said. “We can make a lot of things happen.

“We didn’t open up the playbook against (Youngstown State). We don’t have to demand the ball, but we’re going to open things up real soon.”

You dream that dream.

The O-line needs to pick things up a bit, and they know it. They were okay against YSU but that isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement.

The defense might actually leave its base 4-3 when playing Buffalo. Can’t blame them for just staying basic against YSU. Not just mercy, but a lot less film to review and prepare as Pitt’s speed on defense will seem that much faster (hopefully).

Those players in the 4-3 are what worry Buffalo coaches.

“Their front seven is probably the best we’re going to face,” UB coach Turner Gill said Tuesday. “Size and strength … those are the first two things that stand out. They’re able to rush the passer and play the run very well.”

The offensive players have a little more bravado.

“Well, something to say about that is, we’re not Youngstown State,” said senior co-captain and right tackle Andrew West.

Said sophomore quarterback Zach Maynard: “That’s a small school and Pitt is a big-time program so usually the results are going to come out like that.”

Surprisingly confident for an O-line with 3 new starters.

I love that the Bulls are looking at a packed house. Everywhere.

“Seeing that is our only BCS opponent on the schedule,” first-year quarterback Zach Maynard said, “we’re going into this game full speed.”

The game is so anticipated in Western New York that Buffalo athletics communication director Jon Fuller said a record-high 30 media credentials have been requested, more than twice the typical number.

To accommodate the overflow, an auxiliary press box is being set up. “We don’t have enough room,” Fuller said.

Well considering the Buffalo papers don’t even give the Bulls their own online section, that shouldn’t be too surprising.

You have probably noticed that my posting has been a bit slow this past week or so. It is likely to be that way for at least a couple more weeks. We are in the process of packing and moving to a new home. Today was the closing, so over the next couple of weeks my spare time will be extremely limited as we do all the things that have to be done.

Why? Why would I even consider trying to move as football season gets underway? What kind of poor planning was involved?

Believe me, I tried very hard to get all of this done a month earlier. Reality, of course, disagreed with my schedule.

Did I mention that the house comes with a media room with a 93″ screen a DLP HD projector and surround sound? I’m looking forward to getting to the point where I can enjoy that.

Hopefully things will come together quickly and posting will get back to its slightly more consistent ways.