I like how PSU fans think this is a "big game". Attendance is up because its the first time the two in-state schools have played in over a decade and have almost played 100 games historically, but you cant label a game as "big" when both teams are very average, neither are ranked, PSU is likely to only be a 7 win team even with a weak schedule, etc. Next weeks game versus ranked Oklahoma State is a big game IMO.
In terms of the Sandusky/PennState child sex abuse scandal, its really brought up more based on the complete denials of Penn State fans. There are people on BWI genuinely rooting on Jerry Sandusky to be found not guilty, berating alumni/students who dont agree with the PS4Rs narrative, targeting victims of the abuse, and willing to believe every conspiracy theory out there. Had they owned up to it, this wouldnt even be an issue today. It also goes to the greater PSU fan base arrogance thinking they are an elite program, when merely you are a regional program with an extremely large student/alumni base (given the branch campus system) and the fact that there is nothing in the Alabama-section of Pennsylvania in terms of professional sports team to draw locals. Pitt fans know we are an average program with decent history and that we definitely self-sanctioned ourselves in the 80s under the Chancellor at the time who chose to deemphasize what the football program was in the 70s/80s. Even the recent coaching changes by our fired athletic director resulted in far worse "sanctions" than what PSU received in covering up child molestation on and off campus by a coach that was widely known issue around campus. Again, that issue like most when people own up to their issues pretty much floats away even though it still happened. While Pitt fans (and most human beings) are disgusted by any story of child abuse or people not going to every extent possible to prevent it when it knowingly is occurring, most of the comments by a lot of Pitt fans are towards the denial culture of any wrong doing...whether it being the Sandusky/PSU child sex scandal, racism on campus, issues with treatment of visiting fans, etc. According to Penn State fans, none of these things happen and they are a shining star that everyone is jealous of which is why the nation dislikes them. Its pretty comical viewpoint, given actually publications to the contrary on everyone of those points. At this point, the Sandusky molestation and cover-up has pretty much past for me outside of denial (which appears to be the only reason the sports and regional media even brings it up as well). For me, the racism issues are far more of an issue that very much exist among PSU fans/alumni and present in State College.
I've said it before multiple times. Hopefully this series is not renewed and mostly for the reason of the PSU culture. If you look among college football when there are two P5 teams in the same state, the two play (regardless of conference or non-conference)....so I get why some people want to see the game or at least one rational for it to be played. To be truthful, neither team has a true rival at this time. For me, I want to see Pitt play more national opponents within the P5 rankings, with variety in the scheduling, and as someone who travels to away games more interesting locations. No offense (and I know its cliche saying that), but there is really nothing to do in State College and Beaver Stadium is a large dump of a stadium. For me ideally if there is a series between the programs, play a four game series every 12/16/20 years. Same with WVU. If the ACC goes to 9 conference games and only 3 OOC opponents, it becomes even more difficult. Like this year if we were not playing ranked Oklahoma State next week coupled with a Marshall team that won 10 games last year (but will probably be down this year), the OOC schedule would have sucked with just a mediocre/average PSU team. Im sure its the same with PSU OOC schedule given playing bad non-P5 programs like Kent State and Temple and then only an average Pitt team headlining the slate. I certainly wouldnt be happy with that every year. I know PSU fans seem to value any W and having a home game over if the opponent is actually average or better, so maybe that isnt the case. Just know thats how I would view it if you consider Pitt's OOC schedule if we didnt have a big match up with ranked Oklahoma State next week.
