On the argument that Pitt is more distracted, there is coming off a huge win against Penn State. Pitt players, coaches, fans, everyone acknowledges how big this was.
Yes, Narduzzi has his rule about having 24 hours to enjoy and then on to the next one.
There was just no way I was doing any basketball posting last week. Wasn’t sure I would squeeze anything out this week, but it’s got to happen.
The ACC finally released the men’s basketball schedule, which means Pitt’s basketball schedule is finally complete.
In hindsight, the Penn State game could not have gone any better. Pitt won, but the second half showed the areas Pitt needs to improve. I had a great conversation with a coworker, a former high school offensive coordinator with decades of experience, about the game. I mentioned the thing that bothered me was how Pitt dominated the game, but still almost lost.
The issue, as we both agreed, was passive coaching. The second half was a terrible combination of the offense stagnating due to conservative plays and PSU’s offense getting into a rhythm. I’m not entirely sure what happened on defense other than they started playing tight after PSU began moving the ball consistently. The offense, however, is very easy to see. Here’s where Matt Canada and the offense went wrong in the second half. (more…)
Kind of wish Pitt had a bye week here, so I could spend that time basking in the reflected glory and writing all week and beyond about the gloriousness of that game. Alas, there is a high-profile road game against a ranked team that is going to be very pissed after the way they got screwed this past weekend.
For all the fears of some fans getting out of control before or after the game, things seemed relatively peaceful. Between the noon start time and soul-draining humidity, I’m not sure a critical mass of people in any area had the energy to really go at it, or the time to end up over-served. Though, some tried.
Going to keep this brief because I typed this right before I crashed, so I could get up at 4:30am to drive in to Pittsburgh.
Nooner. Ugh. ESPN for those of you who can’t get to the game. If so, be sure to tune into ESPN College GameDay around 11 am. Feature on James Conner will run around 11:15. Tom Rinaldi is doing it, so wherever you are it could get a little dusty.
Extra tickets came free late because it seems the opponent returned tickets. Imagine that.
Beat the Nits.
Hail to Pitt.
I am on the record as saying this is not a “Rivalry Game,” simply because it has been on hiatus for so long that the mood is a little different. These aren’t fanbases that have affection for each other. There is all the stuff in-state, especially with recruiting. But it is hard to call it a rivalry game.
But damn if the Nits don’t do their part to make me want it so, just for the hate.
I look at Penn State’s attempts at “unrivaled” to market their lack of a rival team the same way I view friends that try to pretend how happy they are not to be in a relationship. Constantly spinning the positives when you can see the desperation in them to be with someone. Anyone.
In that vein, I can’t bring myself to call this game a rivalry game. A resumption of on the field hostilities, perhaps, but not a real rivalry game. I wish it wasn’t so. But it isn’t. It should be, but I don’t know that even Pitt is feeling like it can or should happen annually. Despite what AD Scott Barnes is saying.
Last week, as the new college football season was getting close to truly starting, the usual stories of renewal and looking forward to the coming season were coming being published. This AP story on Penn State trying to go forward, for instance.
“I think that is the ultimate challenge here,” Penn State coach James Franklin told The Associated Press. “How do you balance the history, the traditions, all the wonderful things that are deep rooted here and have been here forever, (while) also making moves that you need to be progressive and to be moving towards a healthy present and a healthy future.”
Oh, how Franklin wants to move on. So many do at Penn State.
Reminder, this is a noon game because the Pirates are assholes who somehow think not even considering moving their game time will generate more fans to support them.
“We have not asked MLB to consider rescheduling our [Sept.] 10 game,” Pirates vice president of communications and broadcasting Brian Warecki said in a statement. “We are instead very excited about what should be a full and fun weekend on the North Shore. In addition to the baseball and football games on Saturday, we will have dueling Pitt and Penn State University Days on Friday night [Sept.] 9 in order to give the great Pitt and Penn State Pirates fans the opportunity to show their school pride on Friday night as well.
“Working together with Pitt, the SEA and ALCO Parking, we will ensure that Pirates fans have access to the North Shore and reserved parking well in advance of our 7:05 start.”
Be sure not to give the Pirates any money this weekend.
Before I go into anything about the actual game, remember something: it’s just a game.
No matter what happens this season, it is truly an honor to be a fan of James Conner. I had a chance to talk to him after practice and a few games during my wannabe journalist time and it’ll be one of those things I talk about for the rest of my life. I’ve been choked up following his battle numerous times and his first touchdown was a special moment and vintage James Conner. His stiff arm started at the 6 and continued several yards into the end zone. It was a beautiful symbolism to see him attack a defender with such intensity.
I now return you to your regularly scheduled blog post. (more…)
When this posts, I expect to be a couple drinks into the opening tailgate of the season.
I will have left the house before the rest of my family even stirred and started driving straight into that new sunrise. The drive can be a pain, but that first one — before a game has been played. When the season is completely open to any possibility. That’s the favorite. I can imagine the best case scenarios — and the worst — without reservations.
That first drive in for the season. When the nostalgia hits hardest and happiest. Especially as I get closer to the city. It’s been well over 20 years since I moved away from Pittsburgh, but as I start hitting the city streets, it feels like I’ve only been gone a few days.
It’s good to be back.
Less than 24 hours until I hit the road to Pittsburgh. The familiar giddiness is building. A smile creeps over my face as I think about it. I’ve missed this.
Think the Pitt coaches are hammering home to the players about what nearly happened to Tennessee against Appalachian State last night? The risk of taking a team likely, simply because they are FCS? Without any doubt.
So what’s news?
At some point I will have to do a post on Big XII expansion, simply because it has not failed to amuse me this entire spring and summer. It is just so perfect, though, that a conference named for 12 with only 10 members would announce “6 to 8 finalists.” Yet, the list actually goes to 10, 12 or even 13.
Anyways…
The year was 1998. My first year as a season ticket holder. I wasn’t unrealistic. I knew it was going to be a struggle that year. 1997 was loaded with seniors and 1998. Well, 1998 was bad. We got an idea in that first game as Pitt struggled to beat Villanova 48-41. One of two wins that year and 0-7 in the Big East.
Powered by WordPress © PittBlather.com
