Miracle on Turf

[LCFP79]

Getting Pitt into the playoffs this year. I know it can't happen, but do you believe in miracles? One big reason it's likely impossible is the perception of the nation's sportswriters and others that vote in the polls. Even if Pitt wins out, most people would think we're just not that good of a team. We have no recent tradition, and we have no hype.

But hype can be manufactured. We already have a credible hype machine roaming our sidelines, James Conner. If he is cleared to play and decides to come back this year that would be a big shot in the arm for our perception nationally. And we play always-overhyped Notre Dame, who if they can beat Temple will be pretty highly ranked when they come in.

So lets say JC is ready to play. When should he come back? Forget Syracuse, how about Thursday night against NC? We'll have a national audience. If JC storms back and dominates, the buildup for ND could be incredible. With ND involved it could be the featured game that weekend, at least in the big media outlets (outside the SEC). From a hype standpoint, those 10 days pre-ND gives the talking heads plenty of time to do their magic. 10 days of hype would be a lot more valuable than a gametime surprise Conner start for the ND game. Plus it would give the Domers something to think about and maybe change their defensive preparations somewhat.

Peterman-Boyd-defense won't resonate much nationally this year, but Conner-Boyd just might. We might just look like that good of a team.

OK, daydream is over, back to reality. Pardon the interruption.

 

[Pittx9]

Let's say we win out including the ACC Championship. 5 power conference and 4 playoff spots. So who gets left out? ACC gets the least love of all them, so that may be their most logical choice. But let's say we have an undefeated conference record along with maybe another team or two from the other conferences. More than likely, there will be only one undefeated team, two at the most. I think the Pac-12 actually is better than the SEC overall this year and the best conference. I think they may be the conference left out too, as I think the conference is too good for Utah to stay the clear front runner and may lose a couple games. Notre Dame is the outsider that could enter the mix too, so that may very well be a game we have to win, despite not being an ACC game.

No doubt, even winning out it would be a longshot, but definitely possible. I'll be honest, going by the regular season Ohio State should've never been in the discussion for the playoffs last year. Baylor or TCU clearly had better regular seasons. Ohio State proved everyone wrong though and won the NC. It's a better system but still not perfect. I'd like to see the playoffs expand sometime in the near future.

 

[LCFP79]

You're right. But if we win the ACC, being the team "left out" might pay dividends next year..

 

[Pittx9]

You're right. But if we win the ACC, being the team "left out" might pay dividends next year..

Might be the biggest longshot in the world, but if we are in position and miss out on the playoffs, coming that close and knowing we have a real good shot next year might be the only thing that makes Boyd and/or Conner return. They just seem like kids that while obviously knowing of their pro intentions in the future, will not be satisfied if they don't win big in college.