One thing I learned doing marathon liveblogs at FanHouse. They rarely work that well. Everyone gets a little weary. Bigger gaps in the comments. It just takes a toll. Yet, it is always fun to try.

So there is some significant overlap of the football and basketball. Plus, for those not in Pittsburgh or around NY the football game may be the only option. We’ll give it a shot and see what happens.

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As much as there might be concern about how there will be any fans in the stands next year, there is still at least one more game for 2010. Contrary to Coach Wannstedt’s protestations that he has no concerns about his job security or that there is anything wrong with his program, besides disappointing losses because of correctable mistakes, the truth may be a little more nebulous.

It has become clear that coach Dave Wannstedt and his staff need a good showing today and a strong finish to the season in order to ease some of the concerns of the university administration about the direction of the program.

And even if the Panthers win, Wannstedt likely will have to make some staff changes in the offseason and have a rebound season next year that shows the program is making progress.

Staff shake-ups are usually the interim/final step the year before a Coach loses his job — when things don’t change the following year. This story marks the first time there is something close to reporting there is some actual discontent. As opposed to columnists opining that Coach Wannstedt has to go.

It may be vague and less than many are hoping to read, but it is something. That and growing cynicism at every turn.

“Our preparation has been good,” Wannstedt said. “I think because we played West Virginia on Friday and had an extra day to come in here and turn the page and move on. The guys have responded good and know we have a chance still to do some good things by winning this game.”

The Panthers have said all the right things this week about bouncing back, but they said the right things last week, too, and then got hammered by the Mountaineers.

Yeah. Cynicism. The way to go to shield off from more disappointment.