A year ago, Pitt was 4-6, a loser of six of eight games and (even though no one knew at the time) less than a month from another coach search — its third in four years.
To the players’ credit, Pitt beat Syracuse and Miami to become bowl eligible, but the Orange and ‘Canes hardly seemed interested. Paul Chryst certainly wasn’t interested in finishing what he started when he was lured by the chance to coach his alma mater, Wisconsin.
With two games left in this season, Pitt is 7-3, with an athletic director who actually listens to his head coach and a head coach whose commitment to the university is the strongest of anyone in his position since the final days of Dave Wannstedt.
The other difference, however, is Saturday’s opponent, Louisville, won’t be subdued easily, even though it might only be the fourth-best team on Pitt’s schedule.
The Cardinals are athletic on defense, and their offense is functionally well, with Kyle Bolin at quarterback and Brandon Radcliff at running back. Slow down those two to a significant extent and Pitt will win.
Pitt has a lot at stake, most notably a chance to win nine games by beating Louisville on Saturday and Miami next Friday. Pitt hasn’t taken nine victories into its bowl game since 2009.
Even though it’s a longshot, Pitt still has a chance to win the ACC Coastal Division, but North Carolina must lose two while Pitt is winning two. The Tar Heels are on the road for both games, starting with Virginia Tech on Saturday in Hokies coach Frank Beamer’s last home game before retirement.
I expect a close game at Heinz Field, but Louisville will extend its winning streak to five in a row (seven of eight), 27-23.
Feel free to disagree.
I don’t think a loss to Louisville will affect Pitt’s bowl berth greatly, unless the Panthers also lose next week to Miami. If so, perhaps it’s hello (again), Birmingham. Yes, the Birmingham Bowl — no longer sponsored by BBVA –is on the long list of bowls with ties to the ACC.
As it stands now, Clemson will play in the College Football Playoff semifinal, if it wins the ACC Championship game (maybe even if it doesn’t).
Florida State or North Carolina would go to the Russell Athletic. That leaves the Sun, Belk, Pinstripe, Music City and Taxslayer to juggle FSU or UNC, Pitt, Louisville, N.C. State, Miami, Duke and Virginia Tech (assuming the five-victory Hokies reach bowl eligibility).
It will be interesting to see which bowls send representatives to Heinz Field on Saturday.
LINK:
http://blog.triblive.com/college-lo...e-years-time-makes-a-big-difference-for-pitt/
To the players’ credit, Pitt beat Syracuse and Miami to become bowl eligible, but the Orange and ‘Canes hardly seemed interested. Paul Chryst certainly wasn’t interested in finishing what he started when he was lured by the chance to coach his alma mater, Wisconsin.
With two games left in this season, Pitt is 7-3, with an athletic director who actually listens to his head coach and a head coach whose commitment to the university is the strongest of anyone in his position since the final days of Dave Wannstedt.
The other difference, however, is Saturday’s opponent, Louisville, won’t be subdued easily, even though it might only be the fourth-best team on Pitt’s schedule.
The Cardinals are athletic on defense, and their offense is functionally well, with Kyle Bolin at quarterback and Brandon Radcliff at running back. Slow down those two to a significant extent and Pitt will win.
Pitt has a lot at stake, most notably a chance to win nine games by beating Louisville on Saturday and Miami next Friday. Pitt hasn’t taken nine victories into its bowl game since 2009.
Even though it’s a longshot, Pitt still has a chance to win the ACC Coastal Division, but North Carolina must lose two while Pitt is winning two. The Tar Heels are on the road for both games, starting with Virginia Tech on Saturday in Hokies coach Frank Beamer’s last home game before retirement.
I expect a close game at Heinz Field, but Louisville will extend its winning streak to five in a row (seven of eight), 27-23.
Feel free to disagree.
I don’t think a loss to Louisville will affect Pitt’s bowl berth greatly, unless the Panthers also lose next week to Miami. If so, perhaps it’s hello (again), Birmingham. Yes, the Birmingham Bowl — no longer sponsored by BBVA –is on the long list of bowls with ties to the ACC.
As it stands now, Clemson will play in the College Football Playoff semifinal, if it wins the ACC Championship game (maybe even if it doesn’t).
Florida State or North Carolina would go to the Russell Athletic. That leaves the Sun, Belk, Pinstripe, Music City and Taxslayer to juggle FSU or UNC, Pitt, Louisville, N.C. State, Miami, Duke and Virginia Tech (assuming the five-victory Hokies reach bowl eligibility).
It will be interesting to see which bowls send representatives to Heinz Field on Saturday.
LINK:
http://blog.triblive.com/college-lo...e-years-time-makes-a-big-difference-for-pitt/
