If it weren’t for the fact that I never got a chance to do a post-game post on the Backyard Brawl, I would be done with it. There is just too much going on this week.

The City Game is on Wednesday (7pm on CBS College Sports Channel) at the Civic Arena and I would consider it a toss-up this year. Perhaps even favoring the Stage Magicians at this point as they should be aware that this could be their best chance to snap the losing streak. Plus Pitt has a Friday night home game with New Hampshire.

Saturday is that whole River City Rivalry game that has meaning for the second straight year. This decides the Big East’s BCS bid and whether Pitt finishes as co-Big East champs.

I’m going to skip the media recap, since it is so late.

I think we all know that QB Bill Stull had his worst game of the season. A lot of  “bad” Stull and “same-old” Stull. I’m not going with that, but he did pick a lousy time to forget his footwork and not stride forward when throwing. Yes, some of that was because the O-line was really bad for much of the game and struggled to protect. All those stories that went with the theme of Stull’s redemption are not looking so hot today.

It also didn’t help that Dorin Dickerson had two huge drops. They weren’t TD passes, but with the pressure WVU kept bringing, catching those over the middle may have created some doubt on the Mountaineer’s aggressive defense and forced them to drop a linebacker back to not let Dickerson be the outlet. I also can’t help but think that it might have helped get the rest of the offense in gear and not have Stull spend the whole game looking only for Baldwin.

Playing so poorly on the national stage was also likely a killer for Dickerson winning the Mackey award. Especially with Hernandez from Florida having another good game while romping over FSU. I imagine Stull and Dickerson were back in their apartment late Friday night just staring at each other blankly saying, “What the hell just happened?” Over and over.

The O-line looked so ill-prepared in that game. Stunned that West Virginia’s defense would bring pressure up front all night.

On the defense, the secondary definitely missed Aaron Berry. A WVU offense that has specialized in turning the ball over was error free.

Aaron Smith still returning punts? I was left trying to explain that tomy family. My aunt turned to me after the second time he just ran sideways out of bounds, “Is he afraid to get hit?” I could only sigh and nod. I can’t even get mad at Smith any longer. This is what he’s done all season. In game 11 it is on the coaches who keep trotting him out there.

Then there was the inexplicable field goal tries with Dan Hutchins. When he was trotted out there for a 53-yarder, I lost it. I don’t care if there was a 35-mile/hour gust behind him, he doesn’t have that kind of range. It is a known thing. Coach Wannstedt said so before the season and nothing this year has indicated otherwise. Yet, he trotted him out there. If he wants to take that shot, that’s supposed to be where you use Kevin Harper.

There’s some other stuff, but I’m going to let it go. Too much ahead. And Pitt can still make it a hell of a good year.

A really slow and tiresome trip on the PA Turnpike yesterday. Still not quite up to speed on reality. Frankly, I still feel disconnected.

I really don’t believe in omens, portents and anything on a personal level impacting or influencing the outcome of the game. That said, I do have an irrational sense of guilt over this.

Most of the season I have had at least one dollop of good bourbon (okay, usually more especially when tailgating). Most of the season it has been the recently resurrected Michter’s bourbon — at least in name.

Well Friday was also the day we dedicated my grandfather’s headstone, so lots of family duties and I didn’t get a chance to go out and buy the bourbon until it was time to head back to my parent’s house. I stopped at a liquor store — to much eye-rolling from my wife. Ran in and this liquor store did not have it.

At that point, I felt that twinge of nervousness kick as the familiarity and comfort of ritual — already disrupted by not being at the game with friends or at my own home — was further thrown out of whack.

It was already getting close to 6 and in the car was my mom, wife and son. There was really no rational or sane way for me to drive them to another liquor store in search of a particular bourbon. I mean, how do explain that without seeming like a complete loon and/or someone with a potential drinking problem? So, I “settled” for Maker’s Mark which got me through most of last year.

And, well, we all know what happened to the game. On the plus side, I have finally clipped my toenails

The WVU loss was frustrating because despite Pitt playing poorly in several aspects of the game for 3+ quarters, they were in a position to win. Ultimately, WVU just wanted it more and made the plays. Whether they have the better team and/or coach is moot. On Friday, they were.

It is why rivalry games are the dumbest things on which to place bets. This weekend saw unranked Georgia, South Carolina, Oklahoma, NC State, Mississippi St. beat their ranked rivals. Plus Alabama and LSU had to scrap to the end to get away with wins. It’s no consolation, but it is one of the big reasons to love college football.