It never fails.

No matter how down I get about the chances of the team, I find myself constructing scenarios in which they win. Not sure what it is or how to explain it at times, but it sure as hell undermines that bitter, cynical attitude I work so hard at cultivating.

If any thing, the predictions of a Pitt loss by the punditry such as here:

Nebraska -9 1/2 over Pittsburgh: Can’t see how Pitt is going to score against a revived Nebraska defense which shut down a much more powerful Wake Forest attack last week. Add to that Pitt’s offensive line problems, which might be why their vaunted quarterback, Tyler Palko, looks like he just was handed a football for the first time. The loss to Ohio was devastating for Dave Wannstedt’s team. There will be a hangover from it and Lincoln, Neb., is not the recommended place to try and pick up the pieces.

The pick: Nebraska, provided they can find a way to put 14 points on the board.

and here:

Nebraska 34, Pittsburgh 20: The Panthers’ offensive shakeup (starting WR Derek Kinder over Joe DelSardo) might spark things a little, but Nebraska’s active pass rush against the shaky Panther O-line doesn’t bode well for the hurting Pitt fortunes.

Plus placing Coach Wannstedt at #1 in the crosshairs, and I start to get that perverse optimism going.

Add in an analyst from Rivals.com ruminating on whether this will cost Pitt some of its early, outstanding verbals.

Considering how many were picking Pitt over ND, this kind of downgrading is more of what I want to see. Some underestimating Pitt. So, it just bothered me when someone from SI.com actually picks Pitt in an “upset special.” (hat tip to B.B.)

Back-to-back losses to Notre Dame and Ohio isn’t the start that first-year Panthers coach Dave Wannstedt envisioned. And Lincoln isn’t the best place to go in search of your first collegiate victory. But Nebraska (2-0) isn’t as good as its record indicates. The Cornhuskers had 234 yards of offense in their 31-3 win over Wake Forest, and Pitt’s D is much better than Wake’s. Look for the Panthers to have Nebraska QB Zac Taylor on his heels and come out with a victory.

I still don’t know, but I at least expect Pitt to cover.