Maybe it’s just the fact that I’m seeing the direct quotes for the first time, but Coach Harris seems especially prickly this year. The other possibility is that he’s already feeling a lot of pressure to have a good season after last year’s flop. This one stood out:

On the possibility of having walk-ons start at various positions:
“It does concern me. You’d think some of the scholarship guys would wake up or transfer. We don’t know who it is, though. We want the best player that is available. Some of those scholarship guys need to wake up, if that’s the way it’s going to be.”

Man, that seemed like a pointed comment at someone. Hopefully the beat reporters will help make it clearer about whom he could be talking.

Greg Lee no longer has a hamstring problem, it’s his quad. It was his hamstring, but now… I don’t know. I do know that he almost sounded like he was questioning Lee’s injury.

The cynic in me is starting to wonder. Harris is complaining about a lot of injuries and making a lot of questionable comments about the heart and drive of some players after a little more than a week of practices. Is Harris looking to set a fire under his players or is he already into the “Not My Fault” Walt mode. Something doesn’t feel right, and I’m getting fearful about how this season will play itself out.

Well, damn.

The Big East can’t impose a $5 million fine on Boston College for defecting to the Atlantic Coast Conference, and it can’t force BC to remain in the conference for an extra 15 months, a Superior Court judge has ruled.

The decision passed down by Wednesday keeps Boston College on track to join the ACC next July and pay a $1 million withdrawal fee to the Big East.

The Big East is “extremely disappointed,” and considering an appeal.

More on the cornerbacks, seems to be the theme today. Sophomore Reggie Carter gets the focus. Carter wants to play like, Deon Sanders, and like Sanders needs more work on his run stopping. His pass coverage is good. Carter admits the need to be more physical. There is also a more general piece about the other players vying for starting positions in the secondary. Pitt lost a lot of experience from its secondary.

Bendel’s notebook also did the injury thing. There were 14 players out with some sort of injury, but none were terribly serious. Bendel noted that Harris was very frustrated, though, in part because it cut the 3-hour practice short by about 20 minutes.

Okay, the Trib site seems to be functioning again, after not working all morning.

The Pitt-Penn State story.

Long contacted Curley several months ago about renewing the series and said Wednesday that he is optimistic a deal can be worked out. Curley also expressed hope that the two schools can come to terms. Penn State no longer is demanding a 2-for-1 setup, in which it would host two games at Beaver Stadium for every game played in Pittsburgh.
…
Penn State’s concession alone won’t guarantee the series’ return. Several other factors, including the possibility of a permanent 12-game regular season, could come into play.
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However, the NCAA could permanently increase the number of regular-season college football games from 11 to 12 as soon as next season. If the 12-game schedule passes, Penn State would instantly have an opening.
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Pitt coach Walt Harris has been vocal in his desire to resume the series. He’s even suggested that politicians should get involved.

Penn State officials and coach Joe Paterno do not believe lawmakers in Harrisburg should mandate an annual football game.

Florida law mandates an annual game between Florida State and U of Florida. If Penn State doesn’t want the state involved, do it voluntarily or don’t take state money.

Looks like the only way it will start befor 2010 is if the NCAA allows the permanent 12 game schedule. Showing their usual concern for the student part of the student-athlete by adding another regular season game to be played.

The dropping of the 2-for-1 dealbreaker seems to be a sign not just of the increased pressure from PSU alumni and donors for the game, but the economic reality to bring in more fans to an increasingly emptier stadium. Beating up on Temple no longer guarantees a packed house.

I am still a little cautious at this point, since I have said I don’t think the game would return until after Paterno was in the ground. Paterno, could still gum this up, but apparently there are more forces working against him than in the past.

There’s something screwy right now with the Tribune-Review website. I had trouble even getting on the site, and individual articles are giving me error messages. Really frustrating when you see this in the sports section:

Pitt-Penn State rivalry may be renewed
The Pitt-Penn State football rivalry might soon be revived if discussions between athletic directors Jeff Long and Tim Curley continue to make progress.

Hopefully the site will be working soon and this and the other Pitt stories will be linked here.

That just leaves the P-G articles for now. A story on the new cornerbacks, specifically focusing on Darrelle Revis. Revis, a freshman, has looked spectacular in practice looks like he could earn a starting position. He may also be returning kicks. Tom Lemming for ESPN (subscription only) lists Revis as one of the freshmen who will have an impact in the Big East.

In Zeise’s notebook, a little more on the injuries that had Coach Harris so pissed.Three linemen,

John Simonitis, Charles Spencer and Rob Petitti all failed to finish practice because of unknown ailments. Starting strong safety Tyrone Gilliard left practice after his hamstring apparently was pulled.

The list of players who didn’t practice at all includes starting middle linebacker Clint Session (headache), receivers Tom Kail, Greg Lee (hamstring), Tom Kail, Brandon Ballard, Larry Moore (hamstring) and Kelvin Chandler, defensive tackle Andy Alleman, fullback Justin Acierno, running back Marcus Furman (hip) and defensive tackle Michael Hearn.

On the positive side, right tackle Mike McGlynn (knee) and defensive tackle Vince Crochunis (knee) returned to practice.

I guess that is a kind of high, though it really should be expected in the first couple weeks that there will be some kids that will get a little too banged up. Trying to do too much too soon.