With possible patches of noticing.

But it won’t start with tonight’s game against Syracuse, despite being on ESPN at 7pm.

Have to figure Pittsburgh will be Steeler-centric for the next 3 weeks. The two week build up to the Super Bowl and then a week of focusing on what happened. So it’s time to peek ahead to see what most of the city will miss.

The Saturday Marquette game at noon might grab a couple people desperate for some sports. Going to UConn on a Thursday night will be a blip. And this is just absurd, but Pitt will be at Georgetown for a nooner on Super Bowl Sunday.

What will likely herald the end of the media blackout would be the Thursday after the Super Bowl tilt with West Virginia. Unfortunately, that game is on at 9pm to temper even that game.

I have to believe full awareness of Pitt won’t be in effect until the desperate Pittsburgh sports fan turns on their TV the following Sunday. At that time, Pitt will be playing Cinci.

Then there will be 5 games left in the regular season. Arguably, Pitt is playing one of the most locally ignored successful seasons, anywhere and ever.