Bring on the SI curse

[Falconboy]

10-2 and 8-0 in the conference? Yeah, as much as I would like to believe that's possible , I don't think so. Our D in itself is not good enough for that kind of record to be possible. Offense probably, defense absolutely not.

[BGSU33]

As Lee Corso says, "Somebody knows something I don't. I'm going with the somebodies (somebuddies?)."

LOL! I love when he says that, it always cracks me up when he does. As much as I would LOVE to see us go 10-2 overall and 8-0 in the MAC, it's hard for me to agree with the prediction. However, I sure as hell hope SI is right!

[Falconfreak90]

I think the Boise State game can be won but am not expecting it. They are too damn good on the smurf turf and have a huge home field advantage. I think they've lost TWO games there in the last decade...perhaps one of our friends from Boise can verify that. They just don't lose there and even though the Broncos have only 12 starters back, I believe that will be our toughest game of the year.

As I've said before, I genuinely believe we can beat Boise, and if we do, it will be on the shoulders of Geter, Bullock, Turner, and Ransom. That defense is very good against the pass, and QBs seem to have problems making reads against DBs in blue playing on blue turf. If we can keep it on the ground, take pressure off of Sheehan, keep our offense on the field, and maybe come up with some good defensive stops, we can win this game.

And, I'll see it in person - they'd better win

Mark,

I agree we can beat Boise State. It will take a total team effort playing as flawlessly as possible. If we can pound away at their D and run the ball, heck yeah we can win. I seriously think it is as hard to win in Boise as most BCS schools...harder than some.

I know there is a lot of skepticism about our defense...and it does need to improve, no question. This is Coach Ward's 2nd season as DC...the D has had 3 different DC's in the last few years and each coach has his own ideas. I think this D is going to do much better with a lot of veterans on the unit.

BTW, SI.com has Pitt ranked #19 in the preseason poll, Boise State #37, Wyoming #77 and Minny #78, FWIW. BG is #65.

BEAT PITT

[Lord_Byron]

I think the Boise State game can be won but am not expecting it. They are too damn good on the smurf turf and have a huge home field advantage. I think they've lost TWO games there in the last decade...perhaps one of our friends from Boise can verify that. They just don't lose there and even though the Broncos have only 12 starters back, I believe that will be our toughest game of the year.

Looks like you are correct, Freak. Lost to Wash St in 2001 and Arkansas in 2000.


Boise State Historical Scores

[Class of 61]

RE: the problems QB's have with reads against DB's in Blue on Blue turf....how much longer will Boise be allowed this home field advantage? That turf's got to wear out sometime and need replacement...Why should THEY be the ONLY team in College FB to be permitted "colored" turf?

[TG1996]

That turf's got to wear out sometime and need replacement...

I believe I read it got replaced this year, and has been replaced a number of times, but they're allowed to keep it blue.

[cw08]

RE: the problems QB's have with reads against DB's in Blue on Blue turf....how much longer will Boise be allowed this home field advantage? That turf's got to wear out sometime and need replacement...Why should THEY be the ONLY team in College FB to be permitted "colored" turf?

That's asinine. By this thinking, Michigan State shouldn't be allowed to wear green on grass then.

[footballguy51]

I think we should do all orange turf, or all brown turf, and then wear all that color for home games. If enough teams do it, the NCAA might start doing something about it.

[VDub26Falcon]

I think we should do all orange turf, or all brown turf, and then wear all that color for home games. If enough teams do it, the NCAA might start doing something about it.

Orange or Brown turf...Worst. Idea. Ever.

[1987alum]

FYI - After Boise unveiled the Smurf Turf, the NCAA stepped in and, basically, said - green turf only.

Carry on.

[Warthog]

Two points.

One, the NCAA made it illegal for any other institution to install 'colored' turf anymore.

Two, I think you have to be on the cover of SI for the curse to have an impact. Just because we got picked to win the MAC, no curse is involved unless Sheehan, Ransom, Turner, Haneline, Briggs, et al are on the cover. FWIW, tOSU was on the cover of this issue. (Maybe it's regionalized now, but nonetheless, they were on the cover of our issue.) That means they carry the curse this year.

[tiznow]

Two points.

One, the NCAA made it illegal for any other institution to install 'colored' turf anymore.

Two, I think you have to be on the cover of SI for the curse to have an impact. Just because we got picked to win the MAC, no curse is involved unless Sheehan, Ransom, Turner, Haneline, Briggs, et al are on the cover. FWIW, tOSU was on the cover of this issue. (Maybe it's regionalized now, but nonetheless, they were on the cover of our issue.) That means they carry the curse this year.

Yep, the covers are regionalized.

[Lord_Byron]

That's what I thought, too, '87, but when I went to look for cites, I found this: Wikipedia Smurf Turf.

Look in the "myths" area whichs says there is no such NCAA rule against colored turf. I couldn't find anything else that was on point.

[Jacobs4Heisman]

A quick look through the field rules in the 2007 NCAA football rulebook yields no mention of bans on colored turf.

Paint it orange quick!

[JoeFalcon]

A quick look through the field rules in the 2007 NCAA football rulebook yields no mention of bans on colored turf.

Does it say anything about the singing of Sweet Caroline?