oHOWiHATEohioSTATE

May 26th, 2015 at 9:30 PM ^

but PSU plays as weak ass non conference schedule on a regular basis. Pittsburgh is on their schedule 16-20, and is their toughest non conference opponent in the next 3 years.

Joined: 11/22/2010

MGoPoints: 9840

Perkis-Size Me

May 26th, 2015 at 10:41 PM ^

I'm actually okay with Maryland. The basketball team is a great addition, and while the football team is pretty meh, it seems to have a good ceiling if it gets the right coach in place.

Rutgers is just an all around mess, from the heads of its athletic department on down to the teams. That's the school that should never have been invited to the conference.

Joined: 11/30/2011

MGoPoints: 105681

NittanyFan

May 26th, 2015 at 10:38 PM ^

9 conference games only leaves 3 OOC games --- and every school's desire for (at least) 7 home games leaves the opportunity for only 1 home and home OOC series.

For PSU, that home and home will be Pittsburgh in 2016-2019, VT in 2020 & 2025, WVU in 2023 & 2024, and per rumors, Georgia in 2021 & 2022.

Sorry --- I am a Penn State fan who doesn't have a hatred of Pittsburgh --- but I also want at least SOME diversity in the OOC schedule.  9 B1G home games makes it impossible to get both (a) diversity and (b) an annual OOC foe.

Iowa fans have the same issue w/ Iowa State being on their schedules in future years.

Joined: 12/04/2012

MGoPoints: 43071

bronxblue

May 26th, 2015 at 10:56 PM ^

Or he's just a HC who wants to play a local rival that hasn't agreed to play against the other major power program in the state for years.  They have a series set up for the end of the decade, so he'll get his chance to win the hearts of whoever cares.  While the UM-MSU rivalry may have a bit of acrimony, I can't imagine PSU-Pitt carries nearly that amount.  

Joined: 11/22/2008

MGoPoints: 171640

End-Around

May 26th, 2015 at 11:49 PM ^

PSU fans want this game to happen...they want to have a true rival outside of the B1G just like everyone else...If I had to liken it to Michigan, it would be playing ND.

Joined: 10/18/2011

MGoPoints: 264

skegemogpoint

May 27th, 2015 at 10:30 AM ^

totally disagree with OP.  PSU is not much better than Pitt from a competitive standpoint.  But most importantly, a game between the two would be great for the state of PA.  I remember 30 yrs ago when Kentucky would not play Louisville in hoops but the State legislature threatened UK with forcing the teams to play if they did not voluntarily agree to do so.  As it turns out, the game has been terrific for the fans, the state, and college basketball.  And as it turns out, UK has gone on to dominate the series.  

Bottom line: PSU should man-up and play Pitt.

Joined: 07/08/2008

MGoPoints: 503

COLBlue

May 27th, 2015 at 10:44 AM ^

Mich and Mich St. weren't in the same conference - would love to not play them.  Years ago I said that it's a no-win situation for Michigan.  If I were PSU, I wouldn't touch this with a ten-foot pole.

Joined: 11/28/2010

MGoPoints: 1498

Steve in PA

May 27th, 2015 at 12:18 PM ^

For years Pitt wasn't really held in high regard outside of the greater Pittsburgh area.  They were always a team that took the kids who couldn't get into another school.  All that was left was the bones after tOSU, PSU, and to a lesser extent WVU picked the meat off.

In the last few years that has changed and I am starting to see an odd Pitt license plate, shirt, or cap when I'm out and about.  Two very high caliber athletes have gone there when they had other options.  One is now playing on Sunday and the other was ACC runnerup in wrestling last year as a 200lb RS Fr wresting 285.

The local talent pool isn't deep but I don't ever remember local kids going there as much as WVU and PSU.

Joined: 08/10/2009

MGoPoints: 6327

SteelerInAustin

May 28th, 2015 at 2:16 PM ^

As a Pitt fan let me be the first to say the program has been mediocre since 1982 because the school hasn't been committed to bringing in a top-flight coach like the last one it had, Jackie Sherrill.  There have been some OK coaches like Gottfried, Harris and Wannstedt, but even those guys weren't given a budget to bring in first-rate assistants and to recruit all over the country.  That doesn’t excuse players failing to make plays when it matters though.

The school left the program on life support in 1990 and the results were evident on the field.  Then a chancellor came in the late 90s who liked sports and Walt Harris was hired, but it wasn't like Harris had a high budget for recruiting, assistants, etc.  Pitt being a seven-win program since 2000 has been mainly because it can't recruit a difference maker at quarterback.  I'm OK running the pro-style offense, but you better have passer who can make plays when it matters.

And for all those PSU fans who think they don't need Pitt, and they don't when you look at the bottom line, PSU has had 23 seasons in the last 32 where it has lost 3-plus games, and 15 of those have ended with 4-plus losses.  As a Pitt fan I'm embarrassed by the 32 straight seasons of 3-plus losses, but the Pitt programs doesn't have the money, fan base, administrative support, and the hell-bent desire to win that they'll even look the other way when children are being molested. 

BTW, I’m a 1998 Ohio State grad who never rooted for the Buckeyes.  So glad the Wolverines beat them in 1995 and ’96.  Two of my favorite Michigan teams to watch growing up were the 1990 and the ’00 clubs.  Offense, offense, offense baby.  I would give my left nut for a guy like Grbac or Henson to play at Pitt.

Joined: 05/28/2015

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