"The team has struggled despite the Noles making a big investment in their defensive line this year with almost $2 million going to their starting front in what is an NIL team budget of around $12 million, a source briefed on FSU’s NIL strategy told The Athletic this week."

Donors can't be happy with FSU starting the season with losses to Georgia Tech and Boston College, two teams normally found at the bottom of the ACC standings.

Mike DeCourcy of The Sporting News wrote an article today titled,

"Florida State's imperfect start has college football fans laughing from coast to coast"​

In it he wrote,
"Florida State’s prior complaints about their conference partners and the league headquarters have led to suits and countersuits – but also a public relations battle in which the Seminoles have been about as successful as in their first two football games. The arrogance infesting not so much the athletic department, but rather those running the university as a whole, has led to them now posing a challenge to Notre Dame as this sport’s most unpopular team.

The national enmity for Notre Dame is of the sort accorded the Cowboys and Yankees: too much attention over too long a period of time eventually wears on fans of other teams. The Irish have built toward their status over the course of nearly a century. Florida State got this done in nine months. That’s an achievement, don’t you think?"

Yes, and it is an expensive achievement! 🤣

We've got some questions left over from last week, but we can always use new ones, so post your questions about Pitt football, basketball, recruiting or anything else in this thread and we'll answer as many as we can in this week's Mailbag.

Thanks as always for participating in the Mailbag. These are a lot of fun to put together.

Has anyone seen the play where Branson Taylor got spun around and tried to block a guy with his back? I don't know how to post pictures. That was hilarious.

I am stealing this from the Olympic Sports board because that's where I saw this and I dont think most of you go over there.

Pitt has a quartefinalist in the US Women's Open (tennis). Like me, you may have forgot Pitt had a tennis team. In fact, didnt we eliminate it? So its surprising to hear we have an alum who is this good. However, what is way more surprising is that her dad is Buffalo Bills/Sabres owner and Penn State Athletics megadonor, Terry Pegula. What???

We've covering all kinds of bases on today's Morning Pitt, from the challenges Cincinnati will present to what the ACC looks like and more.

Hadn’t seen this earlier. Thought he’d make the team. Now wishing he hadn’t jumped.

Have a pass for Pitt wvu , it’s gold lot 2, however it’s now green 31 by the science center because of the pirates game. Looking to sell to a Pitt fan. Online is going for $250-$265

I’ll sell to a Pitt fan for $225

If interested please send me a DM!

Thank you, Hail to Pitt

Pitt quarterback commit Mason Heintschel was at the Panthers' season opener against Kent State on Saturday, and he was impressed with what he saw from the new offense.

Here's what Heintschel told me via text:

"I thought Pitt's offense looked great! They were very explosive and took a ton of shots down field, and the RPO game looked really good. They had no problem moving the ball pretty much every drive, and I also really liked the tempo. I knew they were going to be moving fast but I honestly didn’t realize they were going to be snapping the ball that quick, I love it!!"

Heintschel is a mobile quarterback - he calls himself an improviser, and he rushed for more than 100 yards in his season opener two weeks ago - so he might be a pretty good fit for Pitt's offense and how Kade Bell wants it run.

Here's video from Heintschel's season opener. He threw four touchdown passes in this game and followed it with six this past weekend.

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I'm gonna get real bullish on this year's team. Especially if we do it with another impressive offensive performance.

The ACC appears to be terrible this year. I know we're only 1 week into the season, but FSU might actually be bad. Clemson is once again not the Clemson of old. And Pitt's schedule is full of mid-tier ACC programs that can be beat any weekend. Miami might be the only "good" team. There's a huge opportunity for a team to step up and surprise people.

I'm trying not to get too hyped over one win against Kent State. But check on me next week if we win again on Saturday.

I went back and rewatched every play on defense, specifically to see how the DEs performed. Matlack didn’t put up much statistically but I thought he was pretty active and had a few near sacks. (I know, just like Hayes did last season lol) Scott was solid, he made a few nice plays when they forgot to block him. Not sure how much upside he has, still early with him though. Borders didn’t really flash much when he did get in but I think Bates said he’s getting better so we’ll see. The main takeaway I had was, MORE EDWARDS! Would not shock me one bit if he’s the top DE on this team by the end of the season. Really fun to watch. The way he plays reminds me of Louis. Get him more reps.

Anyone have advice on parking or getting to Nippert Stadium ?

We are staying in downtown Cincinnati- trying to decide our best options for getting to the stadium on game day.

Thanks

2 Pitt WVU club seats in section 210 for sale. Near 50 yd line. Pitt fans only. $400@

Does anyone know the extent of Jake Renda’s injury? I was looking forward to seeing him in this offense.

Maybe it is just me but raise your hand if you can't stand his over the top constant over the top laughter by him on everything said on that Gameday show...Occasionally humorous things are muttered, just not everything for two hours..Annoying. ...Its like he is part of the "whacky" morning crew on WXYZ....

What did Pitt charge for the away game tickets at Cincinnati?

Since the game on Saturday I've read numerous articles and posts about the offense. Many accolades are going to Holstein and Reid and they're entirely warranted. The guy that stood out to me though that doesn't seem to be getting noticed is Kenny Johnson. The receivers had a good day in my opinion but his play was a notch above. The body control and concentration on the deep ball as well as his touchdown catch were elite. The catch he made off the grass for a first down was really nice and he made a lunging catch towards the sideline for another difficult reception. He had over 100 yards receiving and looked like a true number one. He also gained nice yardage on his kickoff returns. Like everything else in this game I think it needs to be tempered due to the level of competition but I do have hope though that this offense may have the elite receiver that they will need going forward.

Overall all coaching poor.

OL needs to pass proect better.

Pass Rush needs to be better

Pass defense needs to be better

Disappointing performance despite the score.

Synkwan Smith helped Roswell HS to a 21-6 win over Peachtree Ridge over the weekend. Smith rushed the ball 15 times for 87 yards and one touchdown. He also had a 17-yard reception and added a 44-yard kickoff return.


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Jim and I will be live tonight at 8:30 pm for this week's Panther-Lair Show. Tune in to talk about the Kent State game, the Cincinnati game and a lot more.

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It’s honestly impressive what they are doing. They are going to lose today to go to 31-108, meaning to avoid the 120 loss mark they’d need to go 12-11, which frankly ain’t happening.

This is a mark I’d never think I’d see get beat. Really tough to do.

I think Pitt does a great job with these “Field Pass” videos.


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By the numbers, Pitt's defense had a good day against Kent State. But how good were the Panthers? Let's take a closer look at how Pitt did on Saturday - and where the Panthers need to get better.