Article Where does the Clemson game rank among legendary Pitt wins? (Free article)

[Chris Peak]

Let's have some fun this morning.

Here's my ranking of the top five biggest wins in the post-Sherrill era (roughly defined as the last 36 years):

5. Penn State 2016
4. WVU 1997
3. Notre Dame 2004
2. Clemson 2016
1. WVU 2007

I added a few honorable mentions, but I know this list will lead to some fun debate and discussion (that's the point; ha ha). I included some rationalizations for why I picked those games and ordered them the way I did.

What's your list? Where does the Clemson game rank? What else is ahead of it or behind it? And what games did I miss completely?

https://pittsburgh.rivals.com/news/where-does-the-win-over-clemson-rank-among-legendary-pitt-wins-

 

[CorsosRevenge]

Neither WVU 1997, nor 2004 Notre Dame should qualify over 2002 Virginia Tech.

 

[CorsosRevenge]

2003 Virginia Tech should be on there as well. That 2004 Notre Dame team was only 6-6.

 

[Chris Peak]

Yeah, that ND 2004 game was a debate for me, but it's hard to argue with its "legendary" status. And WVU 1997 was another one: getting bowl-eligible for the first time since 1989 and doing it in Walt Harris' first year with a win over the hated rival on the road, a win that comes in triple-overtime with a 4th-and-17 conversion - that's the stuff of legends.

 

[TD_6082]

The 04 Sunshine game. So proud of that effing team.

At the particular time, the 2001 VaTech game was really special.

Just for the historical significance, and an atmosphere that will never be duplicated, I have the 1999 Notre Dame game near the top of my list.

 

[owljag]

- Best tie (that felt like a win) of the post-Sherrill era: 31-31 in Morgantown, 1989.

- Best forgotten win of 1980s: 21-16 in South Bend, 1983.

- Best (mostly) forgotten win of 1990s: 30-23 over Virginia Tech, 1997 (the week before the OT game in Morgantown)

- Best overlooked win of '00s (Walt Harris years): 38-7 over VA Tech, 2001

- Best overlooked win of '00s (Wanny years): 26-21 over USF, 2008

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

1. Pitt-Georgia 1976
2. Pitt-Wvu 2007
3. Pitt-Notre Dame 1976
4. Pitt-Clemson 2016
5. Pitt-Penn State 2000
6. Pitt-Notre Dame 1975
7. Pitt-Georgia 1981
8. Pitt-Clemson 1977
9. Pitt-Virginia Tech 2002
10. Pitt-Notre Dame 2008

 

[Mr.Hyde]

The win over PSU in 1976 was pretty big too. Back then Penn State was making a living beating up on eastern teams and Pitt's win over the Nits finished putting Pitt in a position to play Georgia for the national championship. I am an old timer and I remember watching the game and wondering if Pitt could break PSU's string. Paterno's post game comment was, "They outclassed us."

 

[ratking17]

No love for palkos wvu game on thanksgiving night? (I think 2004).

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

The win over PSU in 1976 was pretty big too. Back then Penn State was making a living beating up on eastern teams and Pitt's win over the Nits finished putting Pitt in a position to play Georgia for the national championship. I am an old timer and I remember watching the game and wondering if Pitt could break PSU's string. Paterno's post game comment was, "They outclassed us."

I agree it was an exciting game, but the Game that put Pitt in the top 5 was beating Notre Dame for the second year in a row at the start of the season. Penn state lost 5 games that year and did not get the respect Pitt had since Pitt was playing Notre Dame almost every year. Penn State lost to Ohio State, Iowa, and Kentucky and later to Pitt and Notre Dame in the Bowl Game.

Back then, Penn State had the biggest Program by far in the East and Ref Guman fixing some games, and Joe schedule you when he wanted too. Plus, Franklin and Terry Smith do not feel Pitt is a Rival and they were playing light schedules back then too? It wasn't until Pitt started to beta Notre Dame and other Power Houses and won the National Title that Penn State started to gain respect too back then but Pitt was playing Georgia, FSU, GT, USC, UNC, and Oklahoma.