Why can't this Pitt team go 10-2?

[Sean Miller Fan]

And I say 10-2 because I (and many other people) consider a regular season with 2 or less losses a "great" season and Pitt hasn't had one of those in over 30 years. But, when you think about it, we have one of the best offenses we've EVER had:

We have the best WR in the country, the best RB in the country, a QB who I think can be very good, and a very good offensive line.

On the defensive side, we were one stop away from 8-4 or 9-3 last season, if Narduzzi/Conklin is any upgrade at all over House-ball, I mean if we can just hold teams under 30 or 35, we're going to win a lot of games.

I know a lot of people are saying 6-6, 7-5, 8-4 but despite a very challenging schedule, there's no reason why we can't do a lot better.

Here's how I see it:

YSU - win
@ Akron - win
@ Iowa - we are better than them, we were last year, win
@ VT - they're overrated, this is a statement win
UVA - win
@GT - triple option, loss
@ Syr - win
UNC - win on a Thursday night which could be a great crowd if we only have 1 loss
ND - win, ABC Saturday night, maybe College Gameday, we always play them well
@ Duke - loss, Cutcliffe's offense is tough and this is a trap game
Louisville - big game, big crowd, we usually lose a game like this but not under the Nard Dawg
Miami - Possible Coastal Division Championship Game - we win a game like this for once

The other way of looking at it though, is we really only have 1 guaranteed win (YSU) and 3 "should-be" wins (Akr, UVa, Syr). Given the strength of the schedule, it wouldnt surprise a lot of people if we went 5-7.

 

[TIGER-PAUL]

Its been over 30 years since a season less than 3 losses?

 

[geeman2001]

I agree on paper that the offense should be potent. But, as similar as the offensive philosophy / plays might be to last year (both pro-set offenses etc), it's still a new OC and new head coach. It may not be radical but it's a new system and new people.

That means inevitable learning curve mistakes. How many or few if those will dictate a lot of how we do in the first two months.

Also remember the overload of away games early in the season, which will mean potential crowd noise issues impacting snap penalties and audibles.

And I simply don't have huge confidence Duz can improve this defense enough to have it at a level where it can steal games for us early while the offense gets its act together.

Not to say all of this is inevitable but it has to be overcome right away to win that many games.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Its been over 30 years since a season less than 3 losses?

Yes, one of the only D1 programs in the country in that time to not have a 2 (or less) loss season. And this has had a big effect on Pitt's fanbase. The majority of Pitt fans or casual yinzers have never experienced a "great" Pitt football season. And worse than that, they usually lose a few games early so it dampens any excitement. For example, if Pitt started out 9-0 and was ranked #7 in the nation, people would be amped.......and even if we lost the last 3 we could still remember how great those first 2 months were, dreaming of a NC. Pitt has only gone 4-0 once I think in something like 20 years, maybe 30?

 

[Pitt79]

Yes, one of the only D1 programs in the country in that time to not have a 2 (or less) loss season. And this has had a big effect on Pitt's fanbase. The majority of Pitt fans or casual yinzers have never experienced a "great" Pitt football season.

That's true, and if they get a big Pitt season, they might get fired up and jump on the band wagon. Like my nephew was born in February 1993, played soccer, never played baseball, never cared about the Pirates, first 20 years of his life they had a losing record very year, guess what he is now? A big Buccos fan who goes to a lot of games with his buddies. All you gotta do is win, and the fans will come.

 

[geeman2001]

That's true, and if they get a big Pitt season, they might get fired up and jump on the band wagon. Like my nephew was born in February 1993, played soccer, never played baseball, never cared about the Pirates, first 20 years of his life they had a losing record very year, guess what he is now? A big Buccos fan who goes to a lot of games with his buddies. All you gotta do is win, and the fans will come.

Another factor is the Steelers. They've kind of stunk (for them) the past two years, they are without a huge player for the first two games, they just lost their automatic placekicker, and they still have a crappy defense that gets no pressure. It's a winning organization that typically overcomes such adversity ... but this adds up to a real chance that they start poorly. Add to the last couple of subpar years, and spoiled yinzers could grow antsy and more inclined to at least look over at the Pitt bandwagon...IF Pitt could somehow get off to a magic start. Gotta say though, even one loss would quickly puncture that balloon. And if the Steelers win that NE game (I see it as still NE's to lose even without Brady, since the Steelers are without Bell and have that shaky defense) ... forget it, the town will be Ga-Ga and dreaming of the SB as usual.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Yes, one of the only D1 programs in the country in that time to not have a 2 (or less) loss season. And this has had a big effect on Pitt's fanbase. The majority of Pitt fans or casual yinzers have never experienced a "great" Pitt football season. And worse than that, they usually lose a few games early so it dampens any excitement. For example, if Pitt started out 9-0 and was ranked #7 in the nation, people would be amped.......and even if we lost the last 3 we could still remember how great those first 2 months were, dreaming of a NC. Pitt has only gone 4-0 once I think in something like 20 years, maybe 30?

Add on top of that, when Pitt was truly great, the Steelers were also in the midst of their dynasty. There wasn't 24/7 sports coverage like there is now. So Pitt got completely overshadowed and because of this, IMO, never got the local bump in core non alum fans like a lot of successful programs do.

 

[Pghfan]

Its been over 30 years since a season less than 3 losses?

A couple years ago, I saw a stat that Pitt and only 2 other teams from a major conference (Big East was included) have never had a season with less than 3 losses.. They used a 30 year window so im guessing the starting point was early/mid 80s.. Not sure who the other 2 were.. So in short, we are due to catch lightning in a bottle. Everyone else does, at least once so why not us??

 

[ratking17]

This team won 6 games last year. How many were legit losses? How many do you blame on coaching and poor execution? Akron and Duke are 2 games we should never have lost. Yet we did. I don't believe akron should ever beat us, but they dominated us last year in the trenches. Chryst may have success at calling plays, but making adjustments didn't happen. For some reason I think 10 wins is more realistic than another 6 win team. I think 9 wins is our fate

 

[geeman2001]

Add on top of that, when Pitt was truly great, the Steelers were also in the midst of their dynasty. There wasn't 24/7 sports coverage like there is now. So Pitt got completely overshadowed and because of this, IMO, never got the local bump in core non alum fans like a lot of successful programs do.

This is a key point few remember or acknowledge. Yinzers were delirious over the Steelers at that time (still are) and there was simply no room for Pitt popularity to gain real traction despite great success. The Steelers were far from the attention dominators before that (because they mostly stunk).

As a Steeler fan who came of age around that same time, I certainly am glad they had that success, but it did Pitt no favors. Maybe if Pitt hadn't come up short every year after 76 ... but even then, no, I think they'd have been in the Steelers shadow (mainly, cuz they finished the job!)

Even with all that though, Pitt still mustered very good crowds in those years, and as you mentioned, there was much less sports hype and discretionary spending on sports (plus, the city was hurting economically too). So it portends that Pitt could have massive popularity today with success.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

This is a key point few remember or acknowledge. Yinzers were delirious over the Steelers at that time (still are) and there was simply no room for Pitt popularity to gain real traction despite great success. As a Steeler fan who came of age around that same time, I certainly am glad they had that success, but it did Pitt no favors. Even with all that though, Pitt still mustered very good crowds in those years, and as you mentioned, there was much less sports hype and discretionary spending on sports. So it portends that Pitt could have massive popularity today with success.

That is where we screwed up. If we could have kept Sherrill and had that same sustained success into the mid to late 80's, as the Steelers sucked, we could have made some traction here. Even the 9-4 and 10-3 win season came when the Steelers were once again, Super Bowl contenders or champs.

 

[Pghfan]

That is where we screwed up. If we could have kept Sherrill and had that same sustained success into the mid to late 80's, as the Steelers sucked, we could have made some traction here. Even the 9-4 and 10-3 win season came when the Steelers were once again, Super Bowl contenders or champs.

Our slide, or demise, whatever you want to call it, really came at a terrible time.. Networks, espn, cable, college football as a whole, really took off in the 90s as far as popularity when money is concerned. It was always popular of course, dating back to WW2 and after being more popular than the NFL, but in terms of exposure and cable, it was incredible. And of course, our mindless leaders get their panties in a bunch about rich alumni and some players fighting cops at "The O" so let's de-fund the football program, great idea. And in turn, we basically alienated a generation of western PA fans...

Think about it, if you are a 10 year old kid living in Pittsburgh in the mid 90s, would you rather watch Lavar Arrington jump over the line of scrimmage or watch Pitt lose to ohio state by 154 points? Would you rather watch Eddie George run thru the Big ten or watch johnny majors lead his pitt team to a 60 point loss at notre dame? In 1993, wvu was beating Miami and the students were carrying the goalposts thru sunnyside to the bars on National TV while Pitt was giving up 500 rushing yards to Virginia Tech.. I honestly don't blame kids for looking elsewhere during that time. We became irrelevant for literally, 15 years while programs east/west/ and south of us were on ABC regional..

You are right, had we stayed relevant, those kids grow up as Pitt fans and it's a trickle down theory.. Oh well, ifs and buts I guess.

 

[geeman2001]

That is where we screwed up. If we could have kept Sherrill and had that same sustained success into the mid to late 80's, as the Steelers sucked, we could have made some traction here. Even the 9-4 and 10-3 win season came when the Steelers were once again, Super Bowl contenders or champs.

Yep. Major lost opportunity.

And the Steelers seem in a mini slump now too. So perhaps a new opportunity.

 

[wbrpanther]

And I say 10-2 because I (and many other people) consider a regular season with 2 or less losses a "great" season and Pitt hasn't had one of those in over 30 years. But, when you think about it, we have one of the best offenses we've EVER had:

We have the best WR in the country, the best RB in the country, a QB who I think can be very good, and a very good offensive line.

On the defensive side, we were one stop away from 8-4 or 9-3 last season, if Narduzzi/Conklin is any upgrade at all over House-ball, I mean if we can just hold teams under 30 or 35, we're going to win a lot of games.

I know a lot of people are saying 6-6, 7-5, 8-4 but despite a very challenging schedule, there's no reason why we can't do a lot better.

Here's how I see it:

YSU - win
@ Akron - win
@ Iowa - we are better than them, we were last year, win
@ VT - they're overrated, this is a statement win
UVA - win
@GT - triple option, loss
@ Syr - win
UNC - win on a Thursday night which could be a great crowd if we only have 1 loss
ND - win, ABC Saturday night, maybe College Gameday, we always play them well
@ Duke - loss, Cutcliffe's offense is tough and this is a trap game
Louisville - big game, big crowd, we usually lose a game like this but not under the Nard Dawg
Miami - Possible Coastal Division Championship Game - we win a game like this for once

The other way of looking at it though, is we really only have 1 guaranteed win (YSU) and 3 "should-be" wins (Akr, UVa, Syr). Given the strength of the schedule, it wouldnt surprise a lot of people if we went 5-7.

I've already predicted 10-3 [counting the bowl game]. Of course I've been accused of looking through my blue and gold glasses all the time.

 

[geeman2001]

Our slide, or demise, whatever you want to call it, really came at a terrible time.. Networks, espn, cable, college football as a whole, really took off in the 90s as far as popularity when money is concerned. It was always popular of course, dating back to WW2 and after being more popular than the NFL, but in terms of exposure and cable, it was incredible. And of course, our mindless leaders get their panties in a bunch about rich alumni and some players fighting cops at "The O" so let's de-fund the football program, great idea. And in turn, we basically alienated a generation of western PA fans...

Think about it, if you are a 10 year old kid living in Pittsburgh in the mid 90s, would you rather watch Lavar Arrington jump over the line of scrimmage or watch Pitt lose to ohio state by 154 points? Would you rather watch Eddie George run thru the Big ten or watch johnny majors lead his pitt team to a 60 point loss at notre dame? In 1993, wvu was beating Miami and the students were carrying the goalposts thru sunnyside to the bars on National TV while Pitt was giving up 500 rushing yards to Virginia Tech.. I honestly don't blame kids for looking elsewhere during that time. We became irrelevant for literally, 15 years while programs east/west/ and south of us were on ABC regional..

You are right, had we stayed relevant, those kids grow up as Pitt fans and it's a trickle down theory.. Oh well, ifs and buts I guess.

Yes, all very true. And it was very evident while happening too. Which is why I rant about Pitt's admin frequently. They had a golden gosling and shot it before it matured. The blaming the fans nonsense many perpetuate here is just that. The fans would have come (literally and figuratively) if Pitt had done fundamental diligence to provide even the occasional happy ending.

 

[daminals76]

And I say 10-2 because I (and many other people) consider a regular season with 2 or less losses a "great" season and Pitt hasn't had one of those in over 30 years. But, when you think about it, we have one of the best offenses we've EVER had:

We have the best WR in the country, the best RB in the country, a QB who I think can be very good, and a very good offensive line.

On the defensive side, we were one stop away from 8-4 or 9-3 last season, if Narduzzi/Conklin is any upgrade at all over House-ball, I mean if we can just hold teams under 30 or 35, we're going to win a lot of games.

I know a lot of people are saying 6-6, 7-5, 8-4 but despite a very challenging schedule, there's no reason why we can't do a lot better.

Here's how I see it:

YSU - win
@ Akron - win
@ Iowa - we are better than them, we were last year, win
@ VT - they're overrated, this is a statement win
UVA - win
@GT - triple option, loss
@ Syr - win
UNC - win on a Thursday night which could be a great crowd if we only have 1 loss
ND - win, ABC Saturday night, maybe College Gameday, we always play them well
@ Duke - loss, Cutcliffe's offense is tough and this is a trap game
Louisville - big game, big crowd, we usually lose a game like this but not under the Nard Dawg
Miami - Possible Coastal Division Championship Game - we win a game like this for once

The other way of looking at it though, is we really only have 1 guaranteed win (YSU) and 3 "should-be" wins (Akr, UVa, Syr). Given the strength of the schedule, it wouldnt surprise a lot of people if we went 5-7.

Very little talent on Defense.

The offense will also take a step back due to new coaching / continuity.

8 wins would be max with this schedule.

 

[Pghfan]

Only reason I hesitate to say 9 or more wins is because I think we are sleeping on Miami.. They've been down and think they are trending upwards. They sucked last year but everyone is really high on their QB.. Ga Tech could be a top 10-15 team too, ND is always over rated but even if they are, they are still a top 15 team.

 

[Pitt79]

Another factor is the Steelers. They've kind of stunk (for them) the past two years, they are without a huge player for the first two games, they just lost their automatic placekicker, and they still have a crappy defense that gets no pressure. It's a winning organization that typically overcomes such adversity ... but this adds up to a real chance that they start poorly. Add to the last couple of subpar years, and spoiled yinzers could grow antsy and more inclined to at least look over at the Pitt bandwagon...IF Pitt could somehow get off to a magic start. Gotta say though, even one loss would quickly puncture that balloon. And if the Steelers win that NE game (I see it as still NE's to lose even without Brady, since the Steelers are without Bell and have that shaky defense) ... forget it, the town will be Ga-Ga and dreaming of the SB as usual.

Forget it then, I always put the Steelers ahead of Pitt, so no way would I want a bad start for the Steelers so Pitt can get more attention.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

Yes, all very true. And it was very evident while happening too. Which is why I rant about Pitt's admin frequently. They had a golden gosling and shot it before it matured. The blaming the fans nonsense many perpetuate here is just that. The fans would have come (literally and figuratively) if Pitt had done fundamental diligence to provide even the occasional happy ending.

What is amazing is how much, how great of individual talent has gone through these doors the last 30 years with absolutely nothing team wise to show for it. We always list the Panther greats of the Golden Era, but it extended well after. Ironhead, Doleman, Gilbert, Spindler, R. Brown, J. Christy, Stepnoski, Richards, Fitz, Shady, Revis, Donald, etc...etc....all with NOTHING in regards to team success. That is impossible. Even puke programs like Kansas and Wazzou State have managed a 10 win, BCS bowl type of season.

That is why I think the old "hidden vigourish" of Bob Prince fame eventually happens here, meaning luck as much of anything allows a confluence of events for a huge season.

Look how ordinary Penn State's team was the year Michael Robinson was a QB. They lucked into so many wins. Yet, they managed to go 11-1 and was a 50/50 call away from 12-0. Pitt, we never, ever put it together like that. That is why PSU is so popular. That is why the Steelers are so popular. Those last Super Bowl teams weren't "great" by historical standards. They were good, got hot at the right time and got lucky too. The last few New England super bowl teams were flawed for sure. But great teams, franchises and programs get it done. Somehow, they get it done.

 

[geeman2001]

Very little talent on Defense.

The offense will also take a step back due to new coaching / continuity.

8 wins would be max with this schedule.

I think the same. 7-5 was my first instinct. Could be better for sure. But if our opponents have any real offensive fire power, we could also be boat raced in A LOT of games. Duke games the past two years could be realistic prototypes for many others, and like those, could go either way.

 

[ratking17]

Narduzzi and Josh c > house.

That alone should give us 2 additional wins at least

 

[KennyTheKangaroo]

Pitt is pretty good, and can probably hang with most teams in the country. But lets face it, there isn't a single team that sees Pitt on the schedule that looks at pitt and doesn't belive that they can win that game.

 

[vegasgreed]

7 or 8 wins is probable. Ones predicting 10 wins are going to be disappointed.

In the future we will be better, even without Boyd and JC.

 

[daminals76]

Pitt is pretty good, and can probably hang with most teams in the country. But lets face it, there isn't a single team that sees Pitt on the schedule that looks at pitt and doesn't belive that they can win that game.

I agree... Every P5 team with Pitt on their schedule will pencil in a W that week. And really, that is a good thing...

Teams will overlook Pitt, and won't be likely to come out keyd up with their A game.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Ga Tech could be a top 10-15 team too, ND is always over rated but even if they are, they are still a top 15 team.

I am predicting that GT goes 13-0 and makes the CFP. With their tough schedule, they could make the CFP at 12-1. They are the classic sleeper pick.

 

[Pitt79]

That is why I think the old "hidden vigourish" of Bob Prince fame eventually happens here, meaning luck as much of anything allows a confluence of events for a huge season.

I don't know why, it seems Pitt is cursed, the luck is always bad! Like missing a 33 yard FG to win vs. #1 ND, missing a 26 yard FG to win vs. Duke, leading by 31-10 in the BE title game vs. Cincy, then missing an XP and losing 45-44! Leading a bowl game last year 34-13 with less than 4:00 left and losing the game! Who else witnesses stuff like this on a regular basis! When Pitt lost that bowl game last year, I was sitting there, not upset, or surprised, thinking "typical Pitt outcome", not unusual.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I don't know why, it seems Pitt is cursed, the luck is always bad! Like missing a 33 yard FG to win vs. #1 ND, missing a 26 yard FG to win vs. Duke, leading by 31-10 in the BE title game vs. Cincy, then missing an XP and losing 45-44! Leading a bowl game last year 34-13 with less than 4:00 left and losing the game! Who else witnesses stuff like this on a regular basis! When Pitt lost that bowl game last year, I was sitting there, not upset, or surprised, thinking "typical Pitt outcome", not unusual.

Yea. Are we ever on the other end of stuff like that? I can't think of one game we won where I can say the other team blew it by making some bonehead plays or a missed gimme kick at the end.

 

[OriginalEther]

Yea. Are we ever on the other end of stuff like that? I can't think of one game we won where I can say the other team blew it by making some bonehead plays or a missed gimme kick at the end.

I asked that last year and no one could think of any incident either.
My "favorite" was actually @ Nebraska in 2005. For those who don't recall:
Trailing 7-6 with 10 seconds (Pitt should have been winning that game, but that's another story).
Pitt lines up for about a 40 yard FG. Ball is snapped, but directly to the holders helmet. Amazingly, it bounces to the kicker, who throws it just past the line for an incomplete pass. Amazingly, we get the call and it is not ruled grounding, so Pitt has another shot.
It gets blocked. Game over.

There's lots of other ones but I think that one is the most surreal.

 

[TIGER-PAUL]

Pellini, Bowden, 5 of first 7 on road, new coaches.
All Pitt fans should be worried.

 

[OriginalEther]

Back the OP, obviously, I think Pitt can go 10-2. But we could say that about almost every Pitt team since 2001. Needless to say, it hasn't happened.

The angle I will take on this that hasn't been brought up yet is Narduzzi.
He's a first year head coach at a BCS school.

A few months ago, I looked up similar coaches - coaches who were OC's or DC's that got their first head coaching job at a BCS school - that ended up being a success. (I left out guys who stayed at the same school like Jimbo Fisher or Dabo Sweeny)
These included: Bo Pelini, Bob Stoops, Bobby Petrino, Dan Mullen, Charlie Strong.
In all of these cases, the new coach improved their team by at least one regular season game. But that's the caveat: In most cases, it was 1-2 games. Pelini was the exception, improving by 3 games.
No one did 4, which is what Pitt and Narduzzi would have to do to win 10 games. So that history suggests that 10-2 isn't likely to happen.
Now, what these guys did was breakthrough in year 2 or 3, so this discussion is more plausible in 2016 or 2017.

Conversely, I couldn't think of a similar coach who inherited a team and kept the record the same or made it worse, and was still successful; if someone can, help me out. Otherwise, if Pitt goes 6-6 or worse this year, then well, we'll probably be talking about coaching candidates in 2020 or so.

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

"Sean Miller Fan, post: 246975, member: 704"]And I say 10-2 because I (and many other people) consider a regular season with 2 or less losses a "great" season and Pitt hasn't had one of those in over 30 years. But, when you think about it, we have one of the best offenses we've EVER had: We have the best WR in the country, the best RB in the country, a QB who I think can be very good, and a very good offensive line. On the defensive side, we were one stop away from 8-4 or 9-3 last season, if Narduzzi/Conklin is any upgrade at all over House-ball, I mean if we can just hold teams under 30 or 35, we're going to win a lot of games.I know a lot of people are saying 6-6, 7-5, 8-4 but despite a very challenging schedule, there's no reason why we can't do a lot better.

Here's how I see it:

YSU - win
A great test for Coach Pat & Staff since he going against Bo Pelini the School his Father coached. Coach Chryst & Staff left a good Offense but we shall see if a Defense and Special Teams start to develop here. Pitt should win by 3 TDS. I expect many mistakes on Defense as Pitt Players & Coaches learn to put in that system.
Pitt 27 YSU 14
1-0

@ Akron - win
Bowden's Team that beat Pitt last years are all back. They are aTeam full of experienced Juniors and Seniors and a comparison of what to expect will be watching how Akron Zips play against Oklahoma in the first week. Pitt owes them a beating but this game too is a good test for Coach Pat & Staff and they are meshing with the Players. I do not think this is an easy win so early but Pitt should win it.
Pitt 21 Akron 14
2-0

@ Iowa - we are better than them, we were last year, win
This is really a rematch of last year and depends on Coach Pat & Staff being ready to know the players and coach the Team in a pivotal road game. Iowa will have some New Lineman and all inexperience Linebackers. However, Coach Ferentz is known to develop these positional players and Iowa will execute as always. Yet, Pitt should execute better with more experience players, but the New System and Staff & Players will be learning together as a Team? The Game is played after the Iowa-Iowa State Game. If Iowa loses that game, the Hawkeyes could be in the means season, if they win, they will be tougher since they are learning too. Tough win on the Road and Pitt Defense will have to be ready to play for a win. Ferentz is an experienced Head coach and one of the oldest in the Big Ten, that Coach pat challenge in this game. The Game will be on the Big Ten Network!
Pitt 27 Iowa 24
3-0

@ VT - they're overrated, this is a statement win
Frank Beamer will have his Team ready for a win at Pitt. To me, this will be the signature test for Coach Pat & Staff for the early season. Everybody is back on the Hokies Defense except at one position and will be opening up against Ohio State. The VT offense will have added 4 younger Players on Offense and i expect a shoot out and the special teams of either team can win this game. If Pitt is 3-0 by the game day I can give Pitt the edge at home. However, with a New Coaching Staff it will have to be at the top of their game. Tough win but Pitt does it, they can win 10 games?
Pitt 31
VT 33
3-1

UVA - win
This is not an easy win either in spite of everyone saying Coach London is on his knees to save his season. To me that makes them more tougher and Virginia's Defense has some great Players. The good news is their QB is still learning and they do have some holes to fill on both Offense and Defense. It will be a closer game than expected, but Pitt should a close one. This is where the Pitt defense will have to start to be seen stepping up. Virginia will have been playing some tough Teams by the time they play Pitt, so this is not an easy win.
Pitt 29 UVA 23
4-1

@GT - triple option, loss
This is where I expect to see the benefits of Coach Pat & Staff being prepared for Johnson's Team. Johnson's Yellow Jackets are one of the most underestimated and underrated Teams for 2015 as I suspect? They will be starting some freshmen on offense and the Defense will expect Pitt to be rolled over like last year record mistake game. It is my opinion, if Coach Pat & Staff has this Pitt Team playing together by now, the Players themselves will be up and ready for this game, just due to how badly they played last year. I am going on record Pitt Is It on Game Day?
PITT 35
GT 24
5-1
PART I ABOVE:

 

[CaptainSidneyReilly]

PART II BELOW:
@ Syr - win
This is a pretty good experienced Cuse Team full of upperclassmen starters. The question is pure coaching on both Teams. If Coach Pat & Staff has adjusted to their players and does not have key injuries, Pitt can win easily. If not, close game win. Cuse is seldom an easy win against Cuse and if Pitt beats Georgia Tech, Pitt Boys could get bushwhacked. I just don't see Coach Pat & Staff letting that happen.
PITT 24
Cuse 19
6-1

UNC - win on a Thursday night which could be a great crowd if we only have 1 loss
The Tar Heels have most of their Starters all back. The Pitt Teams lost to UNC Coach & Team due to poor Special Teams that Coach Chryst ignored and cost Pitt at least 2 to 3 wins every year as Coach Chryst was a Yearling learning to become a Head Coach on Pitt dime. Fedora will have his team ready but so should Coach Pat & Staff by now. More importantly, Coach Pat was smart enough to find and bring in a Special Teams Coach for this Pitt Team. It pays off on Thursday Night!
Pitt 36
UNC 29
7-1

ND - win, ABC Saturday night, maybe College Gameday, we always play them well
This is going to be one of Kelly's better Teams. They are big, fast, and experienced at all positions. This is going to be a big test for Coach Pat & New Staff. I see Pitt playing the Fighting Irish very tough, but just wears out on Defense by a squeaker. Pitt will need some big plays from Special Teams and tough for Pitt smaller players on Defense beating ND;'s Offense?.
Pitt 19
ND 31
7-2

@ Duke - loss, Cutcliffe's offense is tough and this is a trap game
SMF is spot on, very tough win like the year before and just like a tough loss year due to coach Chryst calls and horrible Special Teams non-coverage's. It is really a Toss-Up Game that depends on coaching and execution and Cutcliffe will have his Team ready, the question is will Coach Pat & Staff? If Coach Pat is winning 7 games by now, then Pitt can win this one, if not, very tough win get for Pitt?? Injuries could impact on Pitt and Duke too!
Pitt 49
Duke 45
8-2

Louisville - big game, big crowd, we usually lose a game like this but not under the Nard Dawg
If Coach Pat & Staff beat Petrino in this game, get ready to watch a Great Coach in the making, in Coach Narduzzi. Many factors will be part of this game. Petrino is breaking in a number of Offensive Starters but this the 11th game, and they will be playing together by this game. The defense will be much tougher to overcome for Pitt. Sorry, until I see Pitt coaches beating Petrino I cannot wish it, it must be learned and earned? If Coach Pat is a great Head coach and shows it in his first year, Pitt Fans will see it here!
Pitt 24
ULou 21
9-2

Miami - Possible Coastal Division Championship Game - we win a game like this for once
This a very young but very talented Miami Team and it being the 12th game does not help Pitt as these Canes of Pain will be ready to play. The Fact is a Toss-Up Game that either team can win and lose. It will define Coach Pat & Staff decide Pitt fate for a 10 win season. sure, Pitt can win 10 games this year, but it all depends on coach Pat & Staff and knowing their Players as well as avoiding key injuries. Pitt can easily be just 6-5 if the Staff is still learning just like under Wannstedt, Graham, and Chryst had problems adjusting to College Head Coaching taking over New Players & Team. Yet, sometimes it happens that a young coach that has been waiting for a longtime to become a Head Coach shows in his first year, he can relate, knows, and develops his Players, and I love what I am hearing about Coach Pat! So it can happen that Pitt wins 10 Games!!! Yet, my predictions in Wannstedt, Graham, and Chryst have always been overrated with higher expectations and two of those Coaches had Head coaching experience one in College at Tulsa and the other in the NFL. The 10 win season is won or loss here if it happens?
Pitt 33
Miami 31
10-2

It all does depend on Coach Pat and he handles adjusting to become a Head Coach with his first New Staff, even with a very good Offense inherited from Coach Chryst. Yet, the Defense and Special Teams needs Players and the development and time to adjust and learn Coach Pat's Defense??? This is not an easy task to accomplish?

Moreover, almost every one of Pitt Opponents have Great Coaches in Beamer, Johnson, Kelly, Cutcliffe, and Petrino with many of their Players back for this season except Petrino? Even Pelini and Bowden are good coaches! The other Teams have many of their Players back at VT, UVA, UNC, AKRON, ND, GT, DUKE, and CUSE. Experience counts at QB and OL and that is the rub in predicting Coach Pat & Staff New Staff? Additionally, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, Notre Dame, ULou, and Miami, have great Programs that recruited Top Talent with Great Coaches.

The other way of looking at it though, is we really only have 1 guaranteed win (YSU) and 3 "should-be" wins (Akr, UVa, Syr). Given the strength of the schedule, it wouldnt surprise a lot of people if we went 5-7.
I still like wins against YSU, Akron, Iowa, Uva, Cuse, Unc, at least!
????We Shall See????

 

[Slick Manager of Champs]

thoughts: Schedule scares me this season. not a walk in the park like Penn States. Unfortunately this could lead to nothing better than 8-4 or 7-5.

Comparison with Steelers: C'mon, the Steeler's win, and win, and then win some more. Pittsburgh loves a winner. Plus you have many ex-pats and people with no connection to the Steeler's who adopted them as their team. We need to capitalize on this the same way Shellenberger played up the dolphins connection to boost up Miami.

 

[deepelemblues]

there's no reason they shouldn't have gone 9-3 last year. gave up 3 leads that's 9-3 right there. personally i'm going to be really disappointed if they aren't at least 9-3. i like pc and will defend him but giving up leads is squarely on coaching. he could not hold a lead in too many games. you shouldn't have to hope that someone will make a sportscenter top 10 play to hold a lead and that is where pitt was all the time last year: in the lead, but not for long unless someone made a superb individual play and got a turnover or another TD. that is not where you want to be as a team. you aren't going to get those plays week in and week out.

i think we have a staff that isn't going to give up the lead in multiple games each year and so i expect big improvement in the W-L pretty damn quick.

 

[GT74]

And I say 10-2 because I (and many other people) consider a regular season with 2 or less losses a "great" season and Pitt hasn't had one of those in over 30 years. But, when you think about it, we have one of the best offenses we've EVER had:

We have the best WR in the country, the best RB in the country, a QB who I think can be very good, and a very good offensive line.

On the defensive side, we were one stop away from 8-4 or 9-3 last season, if Narduzzi/Conklin is any upgrade at all over House-ball, I mean if we can just hold teams under 30 or 35, we're going to win a lot of games.

I know a lot of people are saying 6-6, 7-5, 8-4 but despite a very challenging schedule, there's no reason why we can't do a lot better.

Here's how I see it:

YSU - win
@ Akron - win
@ Iowa - we are better than them, we were last year, win
@ VT - they're overrated, this is a statement win
UVA - win
@GT - triple option, loss
@ Syr - win
UNC - win on a Thursday night which could be a great crowd if we only have 1 loss
ND - win, ABC Saturday night, maybe College Gameday, we always play them well
@ Duke - loss, Cutcliffe's offense is tough and this is a trap game
Louisville - big game, big crowd, we usually lose a game like this but not under the Nard Dawg
Miami - Possible Coastal Division Championship Game - we win a game like this for once

The other way of looking at it though, is we really only have 1 guaranteed win (YSU) and 3 "should-be" wins (Akr, UVa, Syr).

Given the strength of the schedule, it wouldnt surprise a lot of people if we went 5-7.

Nothing is impossible, even 11 or 12 wins, but 10 or more is improbable. Pitt is on the rise, but, as much as I think Narduzzi and staff will get Pitt to the next level, this will be a transition year. Offense great, but defense just improved. We must keep in mind that the players are learning a new system, which means a transition period, and some ups and downs. The schedule isn't Pitt friendly either with 5 of first 7 on road, and a tough stretch at the end. I would be ecstatic with 8 wins. Even with that, the attitude about Pitt football will be changed dramatically, recruiting will become easier, and there will be an upward trend with attendance. It is a good time to be a Pitt fan with the new admin, coaching staff, and better PR. As an optimist, I am hoping to win every game, but also realistically know that few teams ever do it. I also know that Pitt was real close to winning at least 8 last year, so karma may be with us. Overall though, we as fans need to stay positive, enjoy the season, and support the program.

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

thoughts: Schedule scares me this season. not a walk in the park like Penn States. Unfortunately this could lead to nothing better than 8-4 or 7-5.

Comparison with Steelers: C'mon, the Steeler's win, and win, and then win some more. Pittsburgh loves a winner. Plus you have many ex-pats and people with no connection to the Steeler's who adopted them as their team. We need to capitalize on this the same way Shellenberger played up the dolphins connection to boost up Miami.

It's not only that Pittsburgh loves a winner, EVERYONE loves a winner. The difference between Pitt and many teams that are well supported without winning that much, is that they have no sports entertainment dollar competition.

 

[cruzer]

And I say 10-2 because I (and many other people) consider a regular season with 2 or less losses a "great" season and Pitt hasn't had one of those in over 30 years. But, when you think about it, we have one of the best offenses we've EVER had:

We have the best WR in the country, the best RB in the country, a QB who I think can be very good, and a very good offensive line.

On the defensive side, we were one stop away from 8-4 or 9-3 last season, if Narduzzi/Conklin is any upgrade at all over House-ball, I mean if we can just hold teams under 30 or 35, we're going to win a lot of games.

I know a lot of people are saying 6-6, 7-5, 8-4 but despite a very challenging schedule, there's no reason why we can't do a lot better.

Here's how I see it:

YSU - win
@ Akron - win
@ Iowa - we are better than them, we were last year, win
@ VT - they're overrated, this is a statement win
UVA - win
@GT - triple option, loss
@ Syr - win
UNC - win on a Thursday night which could be a great crowd if we only have 1 loss
ND - win, ABC Saturday night, maybe College Gameday, we always play them well
@ Duke - loss, Cutcliffe's offense is tough and this is a trap game
Louisville - big game, big crowd, we usually lose a game like this but not under the Nard Dawg
Miami - Possible Coastal Division Championship Game - we win a game like this for once

The other way of looking at it though, is we really only have 1 guaranteed win (YSU) and 3 "should-be" wins (Akr, UVa, Syr). Given the strength of the schedule, it wouldnt surprise a lot of people if we went 5-7.

Why can't Pitt go 10-2? Because we're Pitt. If we win 8 or more games this year I will be absolutely ecstatic. 10 wins and I might need to be hospitalized for excessive euphoria.

Cruzer

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I asked that last year and no one could think of any incident either.
My "favorite" was actually @ Nebraska in 2005. For those who don't recall:
Trailing 7-6 with 10 seconds (Pitt should have been winning that game, but that's another story).
Pitt lines up for about a 40 yard FG. Ball is snapped, but directly to the holders helmet. Amazingly, it bounces to the kicker, who throws it just past the line for an incomplete pass. Amazingly, we get the call and it is not ruled grounding, so Pitt has another shot.
It gets blocked. Game over.

There's lots of other ones but I think that one is the most surreal.

People forget when we were 4-0 in 2000 coming off of the Penn State win with people as excited about Pitt football since the 80s, we had a chance to go 5-0 for the first time in decades by beating a good Syracuse team at the Dome in a nationally televised ESPN mid-afternoon game but Nick Lotz misses a few kicks in OT including one that could have won it.

 

[The Loaded Italian]

And I say 10-2 because I (and many other people) consider a regular season with 2 or less losses a "great" season and Pitt hasn't had one of those in over 30 years. But, when you think about it, we have one of the best offenses we've EVER had:

We have the best WR in the country, the best RB in the country, a QB who I think can be very good, and a very good offensive line.

On the defensive side, we were one stop away from 8-4 or 9-3 last season, if Narduzzi/Conklin is any upgrade at all over House-ball, I mean if we can just hold teams under 30 or 35, we're going to win a lot of games.

I know a lot of people are saying 6-6, 7-5, 8-4 but despite a very challenging schedule, there's no reason why we can't do a lot better.

Here's how I see it:

YSU - win
@ Akron - win
@ Iowa - we are better than them, we were last year, win
@ VT - they're overrated, this is a statement win
UVA - win
@GT - triple option, loss
@ Syr - win
UNC - win on a Thursday night which could be a great crowd if we only have 1 loss
ND - win, ABC Saturday night, maybe College Gameday, we always play them well
@ Duke - loss, Cutcliffe's offense is tough and this is a trap game
Louisville - big game, big crowd, we usually lose a game like this but not under the Nard Dawg
Miami - Possible Coastal Division Championship Game - we win a game like this for once

The other way of looking at it though, is we really only have 1 guaranteed win (YSU) and 3 "should-be" wins (Akr, UVa, Syr). Given the strength of the schedule, it wouldnt surprise a lot of people if we went 5-7.

First off... we SHOULD have been 10-2 last year. We had 4 losses that were sure wins that we gave away, and one the ref gave away. So, I agree that we could go 10-2, but need ALLLLLL the bounces, calls, injuries to go our way. And being a Pitt fan my whole life, I dont see that happening.

That being said... our defense may be awful... we dont know. Voytik was decent last year, but no way looked ready to put the team on his back and carry us to victories. He needs to be that guy this year. And of course Boyd is THE ONLY WR we have seemingly that can do anything. Those are some big holes to fill. If we go 10-2 it would be one of the finest coaching/playing years I would ever remember.

But... stranger things have happened. Lets see if we win the first 2 games before we go crazy.

 

[Willie Lump]

10 - 2 is possible and fan support will be paramount. Fill the stadium and achieve that home field advantage feel and you just never know.