This game matters more to PSU

[buckage]

This game is so much more important for Penn State than it is for Pitt. If Pitt loses they simply lose a game they were expected to lose. It does not affect their ability to win the division in the ACC to reach the ACC Championship. It also wouldn't affect them if they were able to qualify for a BCS bowl game. Pitt knows it is not a national contender this year.

Penn State on the other hand, has a lot more to lose. If they lose, it knocks them out of the playoff scenario, which is their ultimate goal. This game is so much more dangerous for Penn State.

That said...

PSU 52
Pitt 27

 

[TFloss]

This game does not knock PSU out of the playoff. PSU could still go 12-1 with a B1G Championship. They would not be eliminated.

 

[PITTLAW]

This game does not knock PSU out of the playoff. PSU could still go 12-1 with a B1G Championship. They would not be eliminated.

Maybe, maybe not. Depends what the rest of the college football field does. We do know that Pitt beating the Nits last year kept them out of the playoffs Hail to Pitt!

 

[VAPITTALUM]

This game does not knock PSU out of the playoff. PSU could still go 12-1 with a B1G Championship. They would not be eliminated.

Yeah, that's not going to happen if PITT were to beat PSU. The Michigan and OSU defenses are much stronger than what PITT is fielding this year. That's not a knock on PITT, it's simply a fact due to the massive turnover from last year's team (Graduation: MLB, OLB x 2, DE, S x 2, CB, DT x 2; Suspension/Injury: S, MLB, DE) who wasn't dominant. If PSU loses to PITT, I look for at least 3 more losses on the PSU schedule.

This would be a huge upset for PITT given the number of players who have seen 1 game at the college level in their careers on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.

 

[sappycrease]

I think you just made their argument for not wanting to play this game.

 

[UPitt '89]

Maybe, maybe not. Depends what the rest of the college football field does. We do know that Pitt beating the Nits last year kept them out of the playoffs Hail to Pitt!

We also know that Pitt beating Clemson ...AT Clemson... did NOT keep them out of the playoffs.

PSU can lose this week and still make the playoff. They just would have no margin for error.

 

[Pittx9]

I can tell you one thing for an absolute fact... neither team is going to a BCS bowl this season

 

[JWB389]

This game is so much more important for Penn State than it is for Pitt. If Pitt loses they simply lose a game they were expected to lose. It does not affect their ability to win the division in the ACC to reach the ACC Championship. It also wouldn't affect them if they were able to qualify for a BCS bowl game. Pitt knows it is not a national contender this year.

Penn State on the other hand, has a lot more to lose. If they lose, it knocks them out of the playoff scenario, which is their ultimate goal. This game is so much more dangerous for Penn State.

That said...

PSU 52
Pitt 27

That being the case, you can say that about every PSU game, including the dog next week. The only team it doesn't matter to is Ohio State, since you get to go to the playoff regardless of head to head results.

 

[VAPITTALUM]

I think you just made their argument for not wanting to play this game.

No, I didn't. If you read my post, I point to the level of inexperience with this year's group; a group that will return a large percentage of the players next year. Furthermore, a win for PSU only evens the series at 1. To say PITT is not a strong enough program to earn the right to play PSU (sorry, this is laughable given their recent records) is absolutelly off-base.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

This game is so much more important for Penn State than it is for Pitt. If Pitt loses they simply lose a game they were expected to lose. It does not affect their ability to win the division in the ACC to reach the ACC Championship. It also wouldn't affect them if they were able to qualify for a BCS bowl game. Pitt knows it is not a national contender this year.

Penn State on the other hand, has a lot more to lose. If they lose, it knocks them out of the playoff scenario, which is their ultimate goal. This game is so much more dangerous for Penn State.

That said...

PSU 52
Pitt 27

I would agree that this year it does but not just for the CFP. PSU fans I know are so excited about this game and desperately want to beat Pitt for the first time since 1999. They want it really bad. There's a reason secondary market prices are what they are.

 

[PittGuyYessir]

Until Duzz has Pitt ranked in the top 25 consistently, the game won't be a resume builder for PSU, only a possible resume destroyer (kept them out of the playoffs last year). That doesn't mean they shouldn't play ever year, but I agree it would be a devastating loss for them.

 

[maxxwell]

When McSorley and Barkley are gone, it might be different. But, this year, sure, PSU has much more to lose than Pitt. Of course, the same will be true of half their Conference games, too. With that said, I'm pretty sure they want to win this one and would really like a dominating win.