Game’s on ESPNU if you have it.

I’ll be offering limited commentary throughout. I’m hesitant to add too much since I’ve been consuming bourbon all day to brace myself.

7:24: Welcome to the implosion. 13-0 and then fumble on kickoff return.

7:29: It’s 20-0 UVa. Pitt and the Wannys have the Grohs right where they want them. Now Groh will invoke his NFL knowledge and go prevent the rest of the way.

I hope.

7:47: I’m hoping this is the proverbial “rock bottom” for the season. 27-0 and it’s not even the end of the 1st quarter. Pathetic.

7:55: Since the game is already lost, I might as well note a bizarre FatHead rip off ad for “Wallbangers.” Brit accent for lots of soccer, plus they’ll make oversized vinyl prints of uploaded photos. Picturing a fired up Rhoads after stopping a team for only 9 yards on 1st down on my wall. Plus some paint thinner and a lighter.

7 for 51 yards on penalties.

8:10: Only 30-0 now. Way to stiffen for only a FG.

Remember, when slitting wrists, cut with the vein, not across.

9:00: I mean, what the hell? You run, run, run, that means they will put 8, 9 men in the box. So then you have Bostick drop and look deep? NO!!!! You throw quick. Hit a TE on a screen. A slant, something quick. Not a drop back.

9:45: What can you say. Two straight passing plays by Virginia that are off the hands of Pitt defenders and then they let the Hoos complete a 3d and 20. I regained consciousness for that?

9:54: You know why I’m feeling pissed about this. Because part of me feels bad for the players that they have to suffer through this. Another part of me can’t help but be somewhat happy insofar as if Coach Wannstedt and the administration has to see there is a huge problem after this week and last. If they can’t see the need for a coaching shake-up of some sort after this season — minimum changing DC and OL Coaches — then I just don’t know anymore. And I can’t stand feeling a little good about Pitt bottoming out like this. It just seems like the only frickin’ way there is going to be some necessary changes at this point.

I don’t know how I feel about this game at all. Watch out for Chris Long and Jeffrey Fitzgerald on the Virginia defense. Mel Kiper (Insider) says Long is the best defensive end in the nation and Fitzgerald is one of the best sophomore DE’s in the country.

Watch those two go up against Pittsburgh’s senior left tackle Jeff Otah. He’s still a bit raw but that’s because he played only one year of high school football. Otah (6-5, 339) played both football and basketball in junior college and has shown the skills to be a pro-style pass-blocker. Coach Dave Wannstedt has praised Otah for way he’s been performing, and this will be another big test for Otah, who should see either Long or Fitzgerald on almost every snap.

Otah could be the key to getting Pat Bostick some time to throw the ball. I assume Bostick is going to be a little shaky in his first start, but Otah (and the rest of the line) can relieve some of that — just don’t count on it.

Edit: Penn State and Notre Dame lost. Everything is good (for now).

Just looking about at stories before the 7pm game on ESPN-U.

Gorman talks to former Pitt coach Mike Gottfried who will be doing color for the game tonight.

Smizik points out that after this season, Coach Wannstedt will only have two years left on his 5-year contract. So that makes this game vital if he expects an extension. Actually, that’s part of why this whole season might be vital. Honestly, there’s no way — regardless of how the season goes — an extension will (should) even be considered until 2008 gets underway. I’d rather “risk” a slow start to recruiting then extend a contract foolishly.

Virginia media takes notice  that Pitt will be starting a freshman at QB.

The Virginia O-line is big and good at opening holes.

Big recruiting night for Virginia. Including Shayne Hale and Cameron Saddler from Gateway (Monroeville).

Another story on the theme of payback by Virginia for last year. Oh, and as a key to the game — go after Pat Bostick.
Virginia beat writers have a man-crush on Jeff Fitzgerald. That or their tired of writing glowingly about Chris Long.

Coach Wannstedt speaks positively about Bostick starting.

Beat writer in Virginia tries to figure out how Pitt can win after knowing why Virginia can win.