Any take-aways from Pitt/Utah
We all know we are playing a good team from the Big East.
Is there anything we can take away from the Utes dominating (out-playing not scoreboard) what is suppose to be the best BE team in Pitt? Or am I grasping for straws here?
This game is on versus for those wondering.
September 2nd, 2010 at 10:24 PM ^
Eh, I'm not so sure. As these are the first games for each team we don't have enough data to make any real judgements. Preseason picks of who is supposed to be the best team in a conference are just speculation.
September 2nd, 2010 at 10:24 PM ^
I've been watching this game and Pitt doesn't look very good. If that's the big easts best then they're not very good. They seem to be having a hard tine running on Utah and they can't cover anyone. My guess they won't win the big east.
September 2nd, 2010 at 10:26 PM ^
Utah is looking good and Pitt is not, their QB needs to step up because Utah's going all out to stop the run. This should be an easy W for the Utes, and maybe(?) they can beat TCu, because they're looking like a legit contender.
September 2nd, 2010 at 10:26 PM ^
I don't know how much like Utah we are, but Pitt doesn't seem athletic enough to win out there. Hopefully our athleticism will be a big factor on our field.
I haven't heard anyone say we won't be faster, quicker, or more athletic than UCONN. It is the one constant from all the different previews of the game that I have read.
September 2nd, 2010 at 10:33 PM ^
The journalist from the Hartford-Courant that did the live chat with Angelique today seemed to believe that the overall UCONN team speed would give UM trouble. I thought maybe he had misunderstood the question or typed it in wrong and asked him for confirmation, which he quickly gave.
I'll give UCONN some props, but team speed had not been one of them.
September 2nd, 2010 at 10:27 PM ^
Takeaways regarding how we will fare against Conn? I think you're grasping. One more day...
September 2nd, 2010 at 10:40 PM ^
Don't know, but seeing that Pitt is a top 25 team, how can they not be on PSU's schedule? I've never understood PSU's refusal to keep that series going.
September 2nd, 2010 at 11:06 PM ^
What is he afraid of? Does he think playing one game a year is going to elevate Pitt's program too much? They seem to be doing okay as it is.
Anyway, I looked it up: they've played 96 times, with PSU having a pretty slim edge (50-42-4). Unreal that they could let it go.
September 2nd, 2010 at 11:18 PM ^
I've heard that Penn State looked to create an "Eastern Conference" with Pitt back in the day, but Pitt wouldn't cooperate, PSU joined the Big Ten, and JoePa didn't want to schedule Pitt again.
September 3rd, 2010 at 12:01 AM ^
Even if true, it's still pretty bush league to let a 96-year rivalry die out, especially one so evenly-played. And anyway, isn't JoePa happy to be in the Big Ten?
September 3rd, 2010 at 12:06 AM ^
It is bush league, and I think that would be a great game for both teams, schools, and the whole state of Pennsylvania. It would be an excellent game, but it doesn't look like it is going to happen in the foreseeable future. They are happy to be in the Big Ten I think, but the resentment is still there for some reason.
September 3rd, 2010 at 9:37 AM ^
Penn State was invited to the Big East and Pitt was the vote that kept them out. They've never forgot.
This is why there's very little chance of Pitt ever going to the Big Ten (even if you forget that they share recruiting territory with PSU and OSU).
September 3rd, 2010 at 12:32 AM ^
JoePa also has insisted over the years that PSU and Pitt should be a 2 for 1 deal (2 home games in Happy Valley), which Pitt refused, since they are the 2 biggest D1 programs in the state.
The assumption in the state (at least from Pitt fans) is that once JoePa leaves or dies, the series will start as soon as both teams can schedule it. The Pitt AD has said that he wants the series, and the PSU AD has almost said the same thing (along the lines of it would be nice to play every year), but won't commit to it because of the old man.
September 3rd, 2010 at 9:17 AM ^
This also does a lot to explain why Penn State fans don't understand the nature of rivalries.
September 3rd, 2010 at 9:47 AM ^
Yup. The state government has constantly been pushing Pitt and PSU to get a "tourism" game going. One big reason the state wants it is the main road through PA is a toll road. So 40-60 thousands fan travelling across the state means big bucks for the Department of Transportation, in additional to all the taxes from hotels, dining establishments, etc.
In recent history Pitt has been a joke, they only started to get good with their recent coach and they're finally getting their own stadium. The pressure keeps building for Pitt and PSU game every year. A lot of people want one starting in 2011 since PSU is redoing its schedule anyway, but it might have to wait until JoePa retires.
September 2nd, 2010 at 10:39 PM ^
Especially the first game of the season.
Pitt just can't seem to get out of its own way, while Utah looks ready to play... that's about it.
September 2nd, 2010 at 11:07 PM ^
Kyle Wittingham is one talented head coach. People better get ready when Utah joins the Pac10 next year, they're going to change some perceptions around the country.
September 2nd, 2010 at 10:39 PM ^
We're going to take UConn away behind the woodshed.
Is that what you were looking for?
September 2nd, 2010 at 10:40 PM ^
The take away for me is enjoying some pretty good college football
September 2nd, 2010 at 10:41 PM ^
I don't want to watch any more Big East teams this season (excepting Saturday when Michigan puts the beat down on UConn). If Pitt is representative of that league...about as exciting as watching paint dry...pass the ambien.
September 2nd, 2010 at 10:44 PM ^
Is it just me or does the Utah coach always look like he's about to blow up if something goes wrong, and then nothing happens? It's like Jurassic Park III. He's got terrible conflict structure.
September 2nd, 2010 at 10:47 PM ^
Utah is selling out to stop Lewis on early downs, and Pitt is playing right into their hands by refusing to pass until the obvious 3rd-and-long situation. It never ceases to amaze me why so many OC's seem to have an instinctive aversion to passing on first down. They never seem to be averse to doing on 3rd down.
Not sure it would make a difference anyhow—Utah looks much, much quicker.
September 3rd, 2010 at 7:39 AM ^
He's Dave Wanstedt's OC.
September 2nd, 2010 at 10:51 PM ^
Takeway - Dave Wanstedt still can't coach. For all of the recruiting success he's had at Pitt (and yeah, not great, but he is surrounded by power schools), he still hasn't made them a good enough team to even consistently dominate a down BE.
As for UConn, about the only takeway is that if UM stops their rushing attack like Utah is Pitt's, they will be in a good position to win.
September 2nd, 2010 at 10:56 PM ^
Wanny is a bum. I'll never forgive him for wasting the great Dolphin defenses we had with his stubborn refusal to stick with Jay F'n Fiedler.
September 2nd, 2010 at 11:02 PM ^
He was also disappointing as a HC with Chicago. People act like he was some stud in the pros, but his coaching record is 82-86, and that was with some decent Miami teams bumping up the numbers. I read somewhere that people keep giving him a chance is because he "looks" like he should be a good coach, even if empirically that is not the case.
September 3rd, 2010 at 9:15 AM ^
Who thinks he was a stud in the pros? Every Bears and 'fins fan I've ever talked to has nothing but negative things to say.
Now, "I coached the Bears and Dolphins" may help on the recruiting trail, but I've never heard anything good about him as a coach.
September 3rd, 2010 at 9:36 AM ^
Yeah, this is basically my answer to the original question. Pitt may have a lot of talent, but they still have a lousy coach. I don't know a lot about Edsall (may not even be spelling his name correctly), but he seems to be very well regarded as a solid coach.
September 2nd, 2010 at 10:54 PM ^
Well if Frazer is as bad as Pitts starter we might be alright.
I know he's young and I know our secondary is not Utah's, but if they just try to pound it with Todman like Pitt is with Lewis, I think we might fare alright.
I honestly don't think that the Big East is a very strong or deep league, and that is the main thing I'm taking away.
September 3rd, 2010 at 8:26 AM ^
Sunseri is a brand new starter, and a young(er) guy (RS Soph), whereas Frazer, despite being a bit shaky and hurt last season, is a 5th year guy. He has experience that Sunseri hasn't even sniffed yet.
September 2nd, 2010 at 11:02 PM ^
Pitt is all D. Lewis. Definietly not top 15 IMO
September 2nd, 2010 at 11:02 PM ^
The Vs. announcers may actually be worse than the BTN. Their studio crew certainly is.
September 2nd, 2010 at 11:07 PM ^
Only thing I take away is that Utah has an awesome student section. Damn they are crazy.
September 2nd, 2010 at 11:13 PM ^
if you have to go to Utah, don't you think?
September 2nd, 2010 at 11:15 PM ^
Most don't drink alcohol or caffeine, but - damn - they've got some great skiing and other outdoor sports. Considering the birth rate, some pretty good indoor sports, too.
September 3rd, 2010 at 9:13 AM ^
Univ. of Utah's a fun place. It's full of the people who chose not to go to BYU. QED.
September 2nd, 2010 at 11:11 PM ^
Don't play Utah to start the season...
September 2nd, 2010 at 11:19 PM ^
Pitt always seems to call plays like a team with a talent advantage. What they don't realize is that they don't have a talent advantage.
September 2nd, 2010 at 11:25 PM ^
pitt has a converted wr to db slot dot from pahokee.
How did we miss this guy. we love pahokee slot dots
September 3rd, 2010 at 12:23 AM ^
But the dude's a senior, so when he was playing his high school ball RR would still have been at WVU
September 2nd, 2010 at 11:36 PM ^
No one thinks it is funny if you call Utah poo-tah.
September 2nd, 2010 at 11:44 PM ^
Lol @ this ending...
Or not.
September 2nd, 2010 at 11:44 PM ^
timeouts before last second field goals. Should be a rule against it.
September 2nd, 2010 at 11:44 PM ^
Unbelieveable. Never seen anything like it.
For those not watching...
Pitt K lines a 30-yarded to tie the game with :03 left. Makes it. But wait Wittingham calls a TO.
Lines it up again. Misses it. But wait Wittingham calls another TO.
Lines it up a 3rd time and just hooks inside the left upright.
September 2nd, 2010 at 11:46 PM ^
CRAZY AS HELL!!!
September 3rd, 2010 at 12:50 AM ^
Auburn-Northwestern
September 2nd, 2010 at 11:45 PM ^
ice him* on the first
don't ice him* on the second
*no i do not mean that stupid frat boy game where you make someone chug a Smirnoff
September 2nd, 2010 at 11:50 PM ^
True freshmen CAN make plays!
September 2nd, 2010 at 11:51 PM ^
Like i said before we are going to kill uconn only a couple of hours away!!!