There wasn’t a whole lot of explanation in the magazine either.

it’s that kind of post that makes me long for the old PSB script logo.

Rutgers has a very long tradition..
let’s just leave it at that.

Rutgers makes me roll.

If Matt isn’t more creative with the offense, we just might end up 6-6.

Face it, we don’t put up 8-4 or better this year, this is the kind of treatment we’ll get (if not worse/less). Really, even that won’t impress anyone assuming the losses are all the high-profile games. To erase some of the massive doubt, 10-2 would have to happen. This team needs to come out flying, definitely needs to beat both UVA and MSU and at least split with WVU and Louisville. Do I claim that will happen? Do I think 8-4 would be disappointing? Not at all, it would show tremendous progress IMO. But to avoid dissing from the national pundits, that’s what must happen.

The national pundits are not going to give Pitt, or any other team, that is not in it’s “cirle of love” any love. They don’t want to. The big time football schools are like a political machine. They control the money and the media. Just watch how Kirk Herbpenishead gushes every time OSU, Michigan, PSU, ND or Miami are before him. Even when PSU was horrible for three or four years they just kept propping them up until their bound to happen come back. Pitt could have the best team in the country and their angle would be “Yeah, but they play in the Big East.” That Utah team a few years back was top 5 without question, and the media basically treated them like they were “Rudy”. I don’t give a damn what the pundits say…Just beat WVU and shut those hoopies up!!!!

Each year the BE will get a little more national respect, as long as there are two or three teams going to mid-major bowls, and at least one will be in the BCS bowl series. Last year was the ‘defection hangover’, but WVU and Louisville showed there was some strength to the conference. Patience is the key with this, and I believe the BE administration has done a good job keeping the conference in a position for more national recognition down the road. The non-con scheduling (and winning those games) over the next five years will help also. That’s why a good start is so critical for PITT. a mid-pack BE team beating other conferences mid-pack teams will be a solid gage for the conference.

Mason’s gone & DelSardo is apparently not happy with the direction the coaches have gone with the youngsters (I’m assuming this is the reason behind the ‘conduct suspension’ and I might be off base). But, TJ Porter keeps shining – pretty dramatically it sounds like from the camp reports – and DelSardo probably wasn’t going to get much playing time in DW’s emphasis on fielding speed. I’m of two minds with DelSardo’s case, on one hand he stuck it out for three years and should be rewarded for that, on the other hand we need to win now and there are other receivers who fit into the system better. Tough choice for a coach, but looks like DW made a decision on it during last year’s training camp and is sticking to it.

Winning is the key to everything. Even if can win the Big East year in and year out, and the media still says “it’s still the Big East,” lets at least be known as the team the whips up on the conf., the team that dominates the conf., and the team that is, dare I say, better than the conf.
Pitt has 9 national titles, that is something to be proud of. When Pitt was winning in the 70’s, even though I didn’t live through those years, I still have the impression we garnered a decent amount of national respect. I can still see it today. I hope DW can get us back there. He’s the man to do it. Hopefully our pateince will be rewarded- it is about time.
I think Pitt basketball has made large strides in gaining national respect. Maybe not as much as it sometimes should, but it has gotten better. It can happen.

Even in 1976 when we were undefeated and the only other undefeated team lost in week 9 (played 10 games then) Frank Gifford said on national TV that even though PITT was ranked No.1 in the polls he thought they were overrated, and they weren’t ABC’s no.1. It changed a bit after the Sugar Bowl when we killed a good Georgia team. Once we had that national championship we were well respected through the Marino years. But, we were winning consistently (33-3 in regular season play).

I try to temper my expectations to doing well in the conference, being competitive in every game and having the team progress each year.

I really believe a national championship – while it’s a good thing – should not be the make or break standard to hold PITT to. That’s just unrealistic in my view.

Now, that said, if DW can get a winning season this year (not too much to hope for) and have some of his players drafted in the higher rounds (again, could happen) we’ll see more talent, and media, look our way and begin to see a strengthening program. His recruiting has been good (even this year with a slower start) and the proof will be how he produces with his own players, meaning I think 2007 & 2008 are his critical years. If everything falls into place talent wise, DW can get these kids to play as a team, and his X&O coaching is good, maybe we can get to the top of the heap, but a lot of things have to fall into place.

I’m betting he’ll do well, although I’m concerned about the personnel issues that have cropped up.