So, since signing day last week, the reports have flown about Pitt getting Florida State at home on the opening weekend of college football. A marquee game to start Pitt’s time in the ACC. Monday night.

The topic has been bandied about, and strawmen have have been set up to be knocked down in explaining why Pitt should jump at the opportunity.

The Panthers are scheduled to open with Villanova on Aug. 31, but the prospect of a Labor Day visit (two days later) from Florida State recently became viable. To their credit, athletic director Steve Pederson and coach Paul Chryst jumped all over it.

My understanding is that Pederson first was presented with the idea. He approved it but left the decision with Chryst, who immediately and enthusiastically endorsed it.

Unfortunately, some people didn’t, judging from what I saw since the news broke Wednesday.

Usually, it’s the coach who’s paranoid, not the fans. Yet, I keep hearing these concerns: Pitt’s not ready for that kind of challenge so soon. … They couldn’t even beat Youngstown State in last year’s opener. … Remember Wanny’s first game, against Notre Dame? … They could get embarrassed on their home field!

Nothing but fear-based, negative thinking.

My only objection is that it is a Monday night game, and I really don’t know if I can make it for the game. My reasons for hesitating are purely selfish. I want to be there.

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Let me briefly sing the praises of James Robinson. The kid has been in a rough stretch. And most of the Cinci game was no different. He missed his shots. He only had one assist.

Teams are sagging off him when out there, daring him to shoot and playing to lanes to limit his effectiveness at passing. He only has 12 assists to 8 turnovers in the past six games. It’s to the point where despite being a starter, his minutes are that of a 6th man. Right now his inability to produce offense is a big problem, because Pitt needs production from the backcourt.

Even though his minutes have been dropping because of how much he is struggling offensively — he is only 3-19 over the last 6 games — there is no doubt of his mental toughness and his future as a leader of this team. He only played 18 minutes in this game, but he was out there in the final couple minutes. He didn’t make mistakes. He didn’t try and do anything special to show he should be out there more. And he calmly drained four free throws to help salt the game away in the final 60 seconds.

Robinson knows his limitations at the moment as does Coach Dixon. At the same time Dixon has confidence in him at the end of games, and Robinson rewarded that confidence.