The fact that Tra’von Chapman’s status has been up in the air all month hasn’t been a big surprise. It isn’t an easy decision. It also isn’t a big surprise that a decision has to be made some time this week. With classes starting on Monday, all sides need resolution.

The only surprise is that the fate of Chapman is not in Head Coach Paul Chryst’s hands this time. It is in the hands of Chancellor Mark Nordenberg.

“I am waiting on the call sometime (Tuesday or Wednesday) to see what the outcome is going to be,” he said.

Coach Paul Chryst said Tuesday afternoon no determination has been reached in Chapman’s case.

Chapman has been suspended from the team and unable to attend classes since he was arrested in April for assaulting a former girlfriend in Kent, Ohio. He pleaded guilty and served a three-day jail term last month.

“The plan is to have me back,” Chapman said. “I want to come back. Coach Chryst and everyone else want me back. Mr. (Steve) Pederson (athletic director) is presenting the case to the chancellor and the chancellor is going to decide.”

Chapman, a four-star freshman quarterback, graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in December and enrolled in Pitt a month later.

For those that think this is a slam dunk either way, I have my doubts. And it has little to do with his recruiting rank.

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As training camp has progressed, we read the stories. Digest some of the previews and analysis. Not all of it is simply the happiness of talking, reading and thinking about football.

With Coach Paul Chryst, a lot of time has been spent on the offense. With good reason. That’s the area with the real questions. The real problems that had to be addressed. The QB. Offensive line. Running backs. Wide receiver depth.

Contrast that with the defense where the only real questions were with the linebackers and simply who would be behind the starters on defense.

The defense needs some attention. Not simply because of the questions with new Defensive Coordinator Matt House. While that is certainly something I have made my concerns known, is not the issue today.

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PITT is having it’s annual Kickoff luncheon with the usual coach speak talks by the staff.  It is in the Westin Convention Center at 11:30 on Friday the 23rd.   So if you need a kick start to the afternoon nap you always take, go and listen to Chryst speak.

I’m driving up for Thursday’s practice and staying over for the luncheon. Any other Blatherites attending? At the very least we can drink and argue about an on-campus stadium, Sunseri’s 2012 production and Trey Anderson’s arm.

I’ll be the tall guy with long brown hair and the DW style mustachio. Feel free to buy me many beers.

Reed