How so? You stated that winning the Sun wouldn't move the needle more than winning in the Pinstripe. You also stated that this game is as big as the 2008 Sun which may be true but the opponent in 2008 wasn't Stanford but Oregon St., a lesser program for sure. My response was the status of the Sun coupled with beating a bigger name team, Stanford, would have created more buzz than beating NW. At least we can agree on the weather being equivalent, although there won't be many people watching Pitt/NW at 2 on a weekday.
Northwestern
- Thread starter Pitt 4 Brains
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I really don't think beating Stanford creates more buzz than Northwestern. Final poll will be determined by what happens with teams ahead of us and how we perform in bowl. A 52-28 beatdown of Northwestern will move needle more than a 42-41 close game with Stanford. I want the easiest path to 9 wins and a top 20 ranking and I think Northwestern presents a slightly easier path. That's what will be remembered about the season, not which bowl game.
Remember everyone here still rallies around Wanny the greats 10 win season, even though that was achieved by playing a bowl in Carolina that was totally ignored by the fans (very poor attendance). The only thing people here seem to remember is 10 wins and a ranking, not the bowl or opponent.
But imagine the throngs that will be watching the Sun Bowl at 2:00 on a weekday.
Or did you not know that the Sun Bowl is also being played at 2:00 on a weekday? And not only that, but 2:00 on a weekday when another game is being played.
I think it's fair to suggest that Friday is a better day than Wednesday as far as viewership is concerned. People will be taking long weekends.And wouldn't you rather play Stanford than NW? Nobody gives a $hit about NW...nobody.
No, but if people won't be watching Pitt in the Pinstripe Bowl at 2:00 on a weekday then what makes you think they will be watching Pitt in the Sun Bowl at 2:00 on a weekday when ESPN will also be showing a game (or really, two overlapping games)?
More people will be hope friday watching Fb than on Wednesday and more people will be interested in a Pitt/ Stanford than a Pitt/Penn, I mean NW matchup
But there will also be lots of people at home who are interested in college football who will be watching the other games that will be going on at the same time.
Don't know about you but while I want to see us get to 9 wins, I'd like to see the press(especially outside of Pittsburgh) give us some credit if we do so. And personally, I always enjoy watching a game in which we have more to gain than lose or where the stakes are about the same for both teams. If we beat NW I don't think the needle moves but if we lose......But that's just me and my personal assessment.
I agree. Can't have enough bowl games, IMO.
By the way, Ron Cook worked in the NU athletic department and live with a bunch of NU football players back in the '70's. I'm sure he'll have an article or two on NU in the coming weeks.
... or the listening. These guys do not live in bubbles and we are definitely NOT a sure thing on Dec. 28.
The only Poster that used to bitch that Pitt making a Bowl Invite was not anything to be excited over and thought only his opinion was fact and used to do that, he now lives in Highland Park........South of Oakland! The Mocker Often Got Mocked!
The entire Narduzzi Era started in 2015 and carried into this year 2016 has been far more about Toss Ups Italian Salads Style, but I'll take it!
I hear you. I'm literally boarding a plane at the same time as the kickoff, coming home from a vacation we could have chosen to leave the day before or after a month ago. We picked the 28th. Best laid plans.
Regarding NU, they are a pretty decent team. They lost their first two against weaker competition, then improved. But even though they are decent, Pitt's defense should do well against them ("well" is a relative term here.)
Their best player is their RB, Jackson, who is really good. But Pitt keys on stopping the running game, and does it well. Their QB isn't bad, and their best receiver Carr is a very effective walk-on, but overall, their passing attack is about as lethal as Duke's. Defensively, this is a good match-up for Pitt.
NU's defense is pretty good, but they've not seen the likes of Pitt's offense, and I think we win this one by a couple of scores. This will be an impressive, season-ending win, that will have us finishing well within the top 20.
Nope was mentioning a name and a place they live now, was meant to be location, someone failed seeing it!Someone failed geography!
I'm right there with you. My only complaint, call it selfish. I will do my damdest just to not work so I can watch the game, but it won't be easy. I really think it's cool Bowl, all things considered. I would love to go to see Pitt in NYC, at yankee stadium. That's just not possible for me on a Wednesday at 2:00 that close to the holidays because of work.
Been there. Missed most of the Cinci game at Heinz with the Orange Bowl on the line on the way to the DR. WE landed and got a text from my son that Pitt was up by 21. By the time we got to the hotel Pitt was up by 6. I turned on the TV just in time to watch Cinci score the winning TD....you talk about a bummer; not the way to start a vacation!I hear you. I'm literally boarding a plane at the same time as the kickoff, coming home from a vacation we could have chosen to leave the day before or after a month ago. We picked the 28th. Best laid plans.
Never underestimate the enemy. NW is well-coached and will come to play. Any of you that thinks that this will be a sure win is being absurd. The Vegas line started only at -4, not an indication of a sure win or blowout. Why can't you guys just accept that Pitt can beat anybody, but can surely lose to a decent team like NW? No need to be arrogant, just savor a win. There have been bigger upsets than this in previous bowl games.
Agree, anyone disrespecting Northwestern just does not know the excellence of pat Fitzgerald and Players that execute in every game. The Wildcats played Ohio State Tougher than Penn State!
Greetings Pitt fans. Looking forward to the bowl game.
My Wildcats have been pretty bipolar this year, with an absolutely heinous loss at home to Illinois State where the o line got pushed around like blocking sleds.They turned it around and played much better in conference. They have trouble with bigger, more physical teams at the LOS, so the Pitt matchup is a tough one. Look at the Minnesota tape if you want to see the Cats get manhandled at the LOS (or just wait for the Pinstripe LOL).
The Cats are solid against the run with a deep rotation and speedy linebackers. We struggled with generating a pass rush from the front 4 and are vexed by mobile quarterbacks (see OSU and Nebraska losses). The secondary is young at the corners (we lost two starters two injury before the season began) but has played well enough. We have a very good safety in Godwin Igwebuike who play in the League. Expect to hear his name called a lot.
Wish you guys the best and a great holiday!
My Wildcats have been pretty bipolar this year, with an absolutely heinous loss at home to Illinois State where the o line got pushed around like blocking sleds.They turned it around and played much better in conference. They have trouble with bigger, more physical teams at the LOS, so the Pitt matchup is a tough one. Look at the Minnesota tape if you want to see the Cats get manhandled at the LOS (or just wait for the Pinstripe LOL).
The Cats are solid against the run with a deep rotation and speedy linebackers. We struggled with generating a pass rush from the front 4 and are vexed by mobile quarterbacks (see OSU and Nebraska losses). The secondary is young at the corners (we lost two starters two injury before the season began) but has played well enough. We have a very good safety in Godwin Igwebuike who play in the League. Expect to hear his name called a lot.
Wish you guys the best and a great holiday!
Thanks for stopping by. I see a high scoring game with a slight edge to PITT due to the OL!
How have your allotment sales gone so far?
How have your allotment sales gone so far?
Cat fans travel well. Our enrollment is only about 10k, so we just don't have a big alumni base, but we typically sell our allotment and then some. No exact word on the allotment other than sales are "good." The trustees of NU ponied up to give each student two free tickets, which should boost attendance. NU attracts a fair number of students from the NYC metro area, so I think turnout will be good.
Every student gets 2 tickets....interesting
PITT travels well to NYC as well dating back to the Big East Tourney. Hoping for an injury free & entertaining game.
PITT travels well to NYC as well dating back to the Big East Tourney. Hoping for an injury free & entertaining game.
It should be an emotional moment for Conner in his last collegiate game. I would like to say that i hope he has one to remember, but...anyways I think the world of him and I am sure the Pitt community is very proud of him. Seems like a great kid.
I would think we give the other running backs more carries now that Conner has decided to go pro.
We handled Iowa and really should have beat them by more than 7, but special teams couldn't stop the big return. Most on our board think Pitt will win the game. Some think Pitt spanks us silly.
Our O line has been very inconsistent and is our biggest weakness. We have an AA WR that somehow manages to catch a bunch of passes when the other team knows he is basically our only WR threat. We do have two very good RB's and if they can generate a decent game will should be able to score plenty. Our QB is a Sophomore and tied the school record for most TD's in a season. He's broken a few long runs in his career too.
Our D will really need to step it up against your potent O if we are to have a good game. Our bend don't break D worked against lesser teams, but we will get trounced if we give up the edge to your jet sweeps and allow the easy 7 yard completion on first down because our DB's are playing in the next county.
My perspective is you guys are underrated and your advantage in the trenches bode well for Pitt. Our best chance is if we somehow figure a way to establish the run And keep your O on the sidelines. We are better than these other middle of the pack big ten bowl teams like Indiana or Maryland, but our season was shot in the first two games of the year. To our players credit, they fought back to make this game. We have a few glaring weaknesses that will be difficult to overcome, but if you come out lackadaisical then we can spring the upset.
Pitt has a great head coach and does things the right way. It's a refreshing change from what we are accustomed to at Ped State from flim flam Franklin. Glad we both own Franklin and here's to hoping for a good game.
well, we had 11 starters out... and still almost won. You are hardly worthy of chest thumping.
Certainly not the game I expected. I was shocked the Cats were able to run the ball so effectively after we struggled mightily in the trenches vs Minny and Wiscy. Pitt fans got a good look at what makes Justin "Jackhorse" so unique. The other Cat who played really well was Garrett Dickerson.
The ability of the Pitt front four to generate pressure left me envious. I wish we had guys who could do that.
Quadree is the second scariest return man in CFB after Adoree Jackson.
Good luck to Pitt next season. I enjoyed getting to know some of the fanbase.
The ability of the Pitt front four to generate pressure left me envious. I wish we had guys who could do that.
Quadree is the second scariest return man in CFB after Adoree Jackson.
Good luck to Pitt next season. I enjoyed getting to know some of the fanbase.
