PITTSBURGH ATTENDANCE

[Jacobs4Heisman]

Well - I think their defense will be tough. And we'll need to score 24-30ish to win I think. If we can come out firing, and then actually make some adjustments and continue to move the ball once they adjust on us, we'll be in good shape. We need to totally sell out on McCoy, and hope their passing game sucks like it should.

[SB-50]

As stated in an earlier post in this thread, the key for us will be controlling McCoy, especially in the 4th qtr. We've had problems stopping the run of the BCS teams in the 4th qtr. Those big O-lines seem to wear down our slightly down-sized front 7 and control the ball/clock late into games. Okla, Wisc twice and even Minnesota all did this. We need to hold Pitt to less than 200 yds rushing, and limit their 4th qtr yards.

In fact, the MAC does not put out many D-lineman to the NFL. I know there are those that are drafted but Jason Taylor (3-rd Akron) and Dan Williams (1-rd Toledo) seems to be rare exceptions. Dan Bazuin (CMU) was selected in the 2nd rd last year by Chicago, but was on IR.

[bgsufalcon24]

To me, there are two big keys to winning this game.

1.Minimizing mistakes on offense - Sheehan can't be throwing INTs, and our RBs have to hold on to the football. If we have trouble against Pitt's good defense, punting is better than turning it over. Granted, we have to score to win, but I have a feeling this game might be more low scoring than we're used to because Pitt (at least on paper) features a good defense and a mediocre offense. If we are smart with the ball and don't give them any short fields, we're in good shape.

2.Not giving up big plays in the passing game - We all know that shutting down McCoy is going to be a big priority, just as shutting down Pinnix vs Minnesota and Ringer/Caulcrick vs Michigan State were. But if you remember, we lost to Michigan State because of several huge plays in the passing game. They had at least two bombs of over 50 yards, and there might have been a third in there. Our cornerbacks and safeties can't be fooled on play action fakes and giving up huge passing plays, because that will doom our efforts to shut down the run.

If we accomplish these two things, I think we leave Pittsburgh with a win.

[Falconfreak90]

That surprises me a bit...must be a hangover from Mobile. I can see 6-7 but 13 seems like a bit much to me.

I like BG by 5.

Mike, In addition to our bowl disaster, seems like Pitt did a number on WVU last year late in the season...That little RB is dynamite!

McCoy is the real deal. But I'm not sold on their QB Bostic, he was rather unimpressive. Their other guy is the linebacker Scott McKillop, he is an absolute stud.

Pitt is good, but the same team that beat W. Virginia lost to Navy. I just don't see Pitt being 13 points better than us.

In addition, Pitt must replace 3 OL, 2 which were drafted in April. A new QB with a lot of new faces on the Oline? Briggs and Magnone could be a nightmare for the new QB....Pitt has more ??s on their O line than we do.

I expect BG to win. We are good enough to beat this team.

BEAT PITT!!!

[PITTMAN]

First time poster from Pittsburgh.. I found this site through a link on the scout site..

Looking forward to the upcoming season, if there are any question regarding Pgh, I'll try my best to answer them for you.

I've followed this thread over the past couple of days and thought I'd give you my thoughts on Pitt.

-The last poster hit on our one big questionmark; our O-Line. While most believe we will be fine there, they will be somewhat unproven and probably a downgrade seeing as two of last years starters will be playing on sundays..

-The QB is NOT new to the system; he was last years starter who tore his thumb up and missed the entire system. We were forced to use an 18 year old true freshman who graduated from high school in june, missed a week of summer camp in august, and was a starter at Pitt in October.. Stull (this years returning QB) will be much better b/c he knows the playbook and is an accurate passer..

-While many of you know about McCoy, Pitt also has a senior RB who was a 2 year starter before McCoy came to Pitt, Stephens-Howling.. He is one to watch as well..

-We are also returning one of the top recievers in the Big East from 2006 who was lost all of last year due to a severe knee injury, Kinder.. We are returning Turner, Porter, and have RS Frosh Wright and true freshman Saddler who are burners... Coupled w/ our 5 star, 6'6 4.4 40 wr J. Baldwin (Frosh), we will have one of the best WR groups in the league..

At TE, we have the number 1 TE in the nation from 2006 Nate Byham, along w/ D. Dickerson who has at LB last year for Pitt. Dickerson came to Pitt as an ATH, has been moved around from position to position, but belongs on Offense. He will create match-up nightmares for a LB trying to cover him..

Our Defense was ranked 5th in the country last year.. We have one of the best front 4 in the country, an all-american at LB, and two play making safety's that were redshirted last year.. Rumor has it that our one safety, E. Fields, may very well play on Sundays when he is done at Pitt..

We also have 16 RS Frosh going to see thefield for the first time from our top-10 recruiting class of 2006.. They may not pan out, but there is real potential..

Again, anyone making the trip and has any questions, feel free to ask..

[TG1996]

Thanks for stopping by and the report on your team, PITTMAN.

I'm planning on being there for the game and am hoping for a good one!

[SB-50]

I HAVE SOME CRITICAL QUESTIONS

1. Is beer sold at the Pitt games? (say yes, say yes, say yes)

2. Where are the decent bars around the stadium?

3. Please report in as soon as you hear of a start time for the game. We're all guessing noon, since Pirates play at 7:05pm. I do have tickets for Bucs-Brewers and look forward to that.

[Falcon137]

I HAVE SOME CRITICAL QUESTIONS

1. Is beer sold at the Pitt games? (say yes, say yes, say yes)

2. Where are the decent bars around the stadium?

3. Please report in as soon as you hear of a start time for the game. We're all guessing noon, since Pirates play at 7:05pm. I do have tickets for Bucs-Brewers and look forward to that.

I'm not sure if there is one close, but one spot you must hit is Pimani Brothers if you've never been. I've only been to the one near campus, but there is one downtown somewhere.

[tiznow]

I HAVE SOME CRITICAL QUESTIONS

1. Is beer sold at the Pitt games? (say yes, say yes, say yes)

2. Where are the decent bars around the stadium?

3. Please report in as soon as you hear of a start time for the game. We're all guessing noon, since Pirates play at 7:05pm. I do have tickets for Bucs-Brewers and look forward to that.

I'm not sure if there is one close, but one spot you must hit is Pimani Brothers if you've never been. I've only been to the one near campus, but there is one downtown somewhere.

They have a Primanti Brothers at Heinz, but it is not nearly the same.

[Falcon137]

Thanks for the info Pittman! I like Pitt I have several friends that go there and visit often.

I really like McKillop the linebacker, that guy is a stud. With that said, I don't think BG will have any trouble moving the ball against Pitt, it will be inside the 20 where we will run into trouble.

It will be interesting to see how Bostic preforms this season, he was....shall we say not very good last year, granted he was young but the kid came in with a ton of hype, correct?

[Falconfreak90]

Pittman,

Appreciate the insight on the Panthers. I find Pitt tough to figure out. The Panther's D will be very solid, that I am convinced. The RB's are top notch.

How do the majority of Pitt fans feel about DW? Is this a make or break season for him?

Hope the game is injury free...I am looking forward to the short drive over from the Akron area...it's actually a closer drive to the Burgh for me than going to BG.

[PITTMAN]

Sorry for the late response...

They only sell beer in the club levels (sorry)

Primanti brothers is right beside the visitors section (thats a plus)

Bostick will not be starting this year, he will probably redshirt... We have Bill Stull, our starter last year who we lost in the second half of the first game... We have a four-star JUCO QB transfer who will see the field a bit as well..

Right next to the parking lots, there is McFaddens (awesome bar), Calico Jacks (awesome bar), and the Bettis Grille (you guessed it).. They are literally the only buildings standing b/w PNC park and Heinz Field... With the buccos in town, it should be a pretty big crowd after the game..

The view on DW is an interesting question...
First thing, the man knows how to recruit... His 3 full recruiting classes ranked 11, 8, and 25 in the country... His first year in 05, he was hired almost at LOI day, so that wasn't his class... He completely changed the philosophy of Pitt football and said "He is building a wall around WPa (recruiting wise); focus on the running game; and the defense front".. His efforts are definately noticed... 05 was a transition year from Walt to DW, 06 the season started out 6-2 and lost the last 4 games of the season which costed us a bowl game... And last year, we lost our starting QB forcing a true freshman start; an all-conference wide reciever; and many othe notable injuries.. With an 18 year old running our offense, the playbook was cut down dramatically and teams could put 8 in the box to stop McCoy (which still didnt work).. We lost a lot of close games last year, and many in the Burgh feel that if we had a AVERAGE QB, we would have had 7-8 wins...
I say this because expectations are extremely high and the Pitt fan base, from what I can see, is right behind DW... We understand it takes a year or two to implement your system, and last year couldn't have went any worse injury wise... With that said, many people are saying that anything less than 8 wins, DW must go... I tend to agree... Pitt beat WVU last year w/ RS Frosh and Soph; DW's first recruitng class are now RS Sophs and Juniors.. Last years 8th ranked recruitng class, which 16 redshirted, will see the field... There is not a team in the BE that should be able to match our talent, but we are realists... This was the target year for DW, and the fans have been extremely patient, and in some peoples minds, too patient... he needs to win or hes out...

Sorry about the lengthy post..

[PITTMAN]

And yes, it is a noon kickoff being broadcasted on ESPNU.. Pirates play at 7:05 the same night...

The people that run the parking lots between the two stadiums seem to be a-holes when it comes to these types of Saturdays... They try and clear the Pitt fans out of the lot as quickly as possible to make room for the Pirate crowd...

What I'm going to try and do this year (I've never done it before, so I don't know if it'll work) is after the Pitt/BG game, go and try to buy Pirate parking so I can take my time after the game and not be rushed out... You can probably stay as long as you want w/ little hassle as well, but I'm willing to spend an extra $10-15 to eliminate even this hassle... Its the first game of a highly anticipated season; I want to take my time...

[TG1996]

Its the first game of a highly anticipated season; I want to take my time...

If, say, it's not so anticipated around 3:30 Saturday afternoon, can I have your Pirates parking ticket??

[tiznow]

Its the first game of a highly anticipated season; I want to take my time...

If, say, it's not so anticipated around 3:30 Saturday afternoon, can I have your Pirates parking ticket??

Are you going to the Bucs game on Saturday night? You know it is Willie Stargell commemerative plate giveaway.

My family got tickets for Sunday's game. I plan on wearing my Bucs hat with a BG shirt on Sunday.