OT: D1

[IUP24]

Airwaves in Columbus have been interesting this week. Lot of belief that their Buckeyes don't win at Penn State this weekend. I'm not sure it matters, as I bet they will still make the playoff with 2 losses. Also hearing a lot of buyers remorse on Will Howard. Lot of discussion that they should not have run Kyle McCord out the door.

Ryan Day's problem here, and I firmly believe this knowing how these people act, is that he has no affiliation to the state of Ohio or Ohio State football prior to arriving in Columbus. Fans blame him solely for "allowing" Michigan to win a national championship under his watch and lose three straight in the rivalry simply because he is not from Ohio. And it's assumed that because he isn't from Ohio, he doesn't care enough about "The Game."

Having been here for most of Urban Meyer's tenure, I'll say that the fans in Columbus needed a dose of reality, or some humble pie in that sense. The manner in which Urban Meyer treated that rivalry was borderline creepy. Obsessive to the point that it was cringe worthy. I get it played with the fans, but it was odd. I always thought Ryan Day was a really good coach, but there was a moment when he stopped trying to be Ryan Day and tried to be Urban Meyer. That personality and approach isn't who he is. I think that's where things started going the wrong direction for him.

It's also funny to say it like that, considering Ohio State wins 10-12 regular season games a year, mostly with ease. Lol

[IUP24]

The Holstein angle got traction early in the week but the line still hasn't moved much (any) since it was said he was playing.

It seems like a very attractive number. That said, nobody knows more than those Vegas line setters. The B Team was rambling on about it this morning.

Pitt's strength of schedule could be scaring some off. I read this morning Pitt is the lowest ranked 7-0 team in the history of the AP Poll. If they win down in Texas tomorrow night they should gain some more street cred.

I don't want this at all to be misconstrued as being argumentative, because it's not. I'm not saying that Pitt will or will not win in Dallas tomorrow.

But I think it's equally likely that Vegas just is wrongly underplaying teams who are having unexpected big seasons. Pitt is 6-1 ATS this year, so clearly Vegas has not had a good beat on them. SMU is 5-2 ATS. BYU was a 3 point underdog to a horrendous UCF team that has a passing game worse than the one Pitt trotted out with Phil Jurkovec last year. I get the "they always know something" mantra, but they clearly haven't had a beat on some of these teams this year.

I doubt a win notches them any street cred. Look at who is around them in the polls. Nobody is losing this weekend that allows for significant movement. We'll learn a lot more about things next week because the CFP rankings come out. I listened to a national college football podcast this week. The question was, "what does Pitt need to do to reach the CFP." The guest laughed and said, "Go undefeated. Because they aren't getting in as an 11-1 team out of the ACC." Seeing how these rankings are shaping up and the national media's perception of them is exactly why I never wanted the expanded playoff.

"We want to expand the field! Give everybody a shot!" They all said that. People on this thread said that. But when the rubber meets the road, the "everybody" they are talking about is to just see more of the same teams out of two conferences. Everywhere you look, the talking heads are doing everything to downplay teams not in the SEC or B1G. They are literally stumping in the exact opposite way that they protested for this expansion. Fans should want the likes of Pitt or SMU to be in strong positions to make the CFP, because that's exactly what they said they wanted.

Regarding strength of schedule, or who anyone has played...

Team A:
- 7-0
- 19 PPG margin of victory
- .521 opponent winning %
- 2-0 vs FPI Top 40

Team B:
- 7-0
- 19 PPG margin of victory
- .537 opponent winning %
- 2-0 vs FPI Top 40

Team A is Penn State.

Team B is Pitt.

So if it takes a team from the ACC not named Miami or Clemson to go 12-0 to reach a 12-team playoff, what are we actually doing here?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

The only thing I can think about regarding the line was there were questions as to whether Eli Holstein would play (he is). But I also think much of that was gamesmanship. The report from inside the Pitt program was that he didn't have a concussion and never actually "got his bell rung," using that terminology. He took himself out of the game, supposedly, because he got dirt in his eye and couldn't see at the line of scrimmage. Pitt decided to just keep him on the sidelines after that.

The Holstein angle got traction early in the week but the line still hasn't moved much (any) since it was said he was playing.

It seems like a very attractive number. That said, nobody knows more than those Vegas line setters. The B Team was rambling on about it this morning.

Pitt's strength of schedule could be scaring some off. I read this morning Pitt is the lowest ranked 7-0 team in the history of the AP Poll. If they win down in Texas tomorrow night they should gain some more street cred.

[IUP24]

I got my bet on Pitt in early thinking the line would go down, but it hasn’t so far. Now I’ve gotta wonder what Vegas knows that I don’t. Hopefully it’s nothing and I’ll rake in the easy money this line appears to be on the surface. I can see Pitt possibly losing, but not by more than one score.

What tv provider do you have? I would’ve figured just about everyone has picked up the ACC Network by now.

The only thing I can think about regarding the line was there were questions as to whether Eli Holstein would play (he is). But I also think much of that was gamesmanship. The report from inside the Pitt program was that he didn't have a concussion and never actually "got his bell rung," using that terminology. He took himself out of the game, supposedly, because he got dirt in his eye and couldn't see at the line of scrimmage. Pitt decided to just keep him on the sidelines after that.

[IUP24]

I was actually planning to watch it. Of course, now that they put it on the football version of WQED I cannot.


Interesting spread, btw. As of today, Pitt is getting +7.5 at most major sports books.

The forecast has improved (some).

If you haven't watched all year, please stay away LOL.

Everybody do the same thing they have done all year, please!!! Haha

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I get it as ACC Network (as well as all the other conference channels) are part of the Dish Network package. What do you have? Cable?

You definitely want to procure ACC Network so you can watch Pitt men's basketball this winter!

Fair point. I may have it and not know it. I'll have to check.

[Chuck Norris]

I was actually planning to watch it. Of course, now that they put it on the football version of WQED I cannot.


Interesting spread, btw. As of today, Pitt is getting +7.5 at most major sports books.

The forecast has improved (some).

I got my bet on Pitt in early thinking the line would go down, but it hasn’t so far. Now I’ve gotta wonder what Vegas knows that I don’t. Hopefully it’s nothing and I’ll rake in the easy money this line appears to be on the surface. I can see Pitt possibly losing, but not by more than one score.

What tv provider do you have? I would’ve figured just about everyone has picked up the ACC Network by now.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Pitt-SMU at 8:00 on ACC Network. Assume that means no Fowler/Herbstreit and no College Gameday.

Oh well, keep it rolling and get all of that at home against Clemson on the 16th.

I was actually planning to watch it. Of course, now that they put it on the football version of WQED I cannot.


Interesting spread, btw. As of today, Pitt is getting +7.5 at most major sports books.

The forecast has improved (some).

[IUP24]

While I’ll certainly criticize the Nard Dawg for his in game decision making and the games he will play with and through the media, the good he’s done for Pitt far outweighs any negative. And I have no doubt that he’s honest, often brutally so, with his players and assistants. This is a good article. He and the school are putting a real effort into adapting to this crazy new world of college athletics and you have to appreciate that, even though I’m sure there will be ups and downs from a results standpoint.

Agreed with the ups and downs comment. Pitt is far better off with Pat Narduzzi than without him. Many in the fanbase wanted him fired last year; most here did too.

I generally don't understand the fan or media disdain towards him. He's like every other coach. He has brutally honest soundbites that are grabbed in a vacuum. When you listen to the full context, he is a guy that really loves football and his players.

If anyone watched Kirby Smart after the Texas game, that was a Pat Narduzzi soundbite. "They counted us out." "They tried to take it away from us." More criticism of the officials. Praise for "his guys." Etc. It was a rant with passion and anger after his team just won a huge game. That's Narduzzi in a nutshell after a win. But Pat gets eviscerated by the media and Kirby gets celebrated for that on field interview.

[IUP24]

While I’ll certainly criticize the Nard Dawg for his in game decision making and the games he will play with and through the media, the good he’s done for Pitt far outweighs any negative. And I have no doubt that he’s honest, often brutally so, with his players and assistants. This is a good article. He and the school are putting a real effort into adapting to this crazy new world of college athletics and you have to appreciate that, even though I’m sure there will be ups and downs from a results standpoint.

Player movement has become such a big topic of late, but it actually started to become a thing in the couple years before NIL was adopted. The transfer portal was created in 2018 for football. Things have changed since 2018, but that was when player movement started increasing.

And while a ton of schools have massive roster turnover every year, Pitt's done an excellent job at player retention. Far better than most. Pat Narduzzi says the same thing every show he's on and every time he is asked about NIL opportunities.

Paraphrasing, but here are his consistent points since day one:

- The real money is in the NFL. And he will help to develop guys to get them there.
- He wants guys who love football, not money.
- Money doesn't mean you will play well or be happy.

Somebody will poke a hole in each of those bullet points or try to discredit it. That's okay. I know, I know... "Money talks." Overall, Narduzzi does a good job at recruiting players to his program that really want to be there.

[Chuck Norris]

Nice article on Pat Narduzzi and Pitt.


How'd Pat Narduzzi turn around Pitt? NIL cuts, tough conversations and an offensive overhaul. 'S*** I have to clean house' - Yahoo Sports

While I’ll certainly criticize the Nard Dawg for his in game decision making and the games he will play with and through the media, the good he’s done for Pitt far outweighs any negative. And I have no doubt that he’s honest, often brutally so, with his players and assistants. This is a good article. He and the school are putting a real effort into adapting to this crazy new world of college athletics and you have to appreciate that, even though I’m sure there will be ups and downs from a results standpoint.

[IUP24]

Nice article on Pat Narduzzi and Pitt.


How'd Pat Narduzzi turn around Pitt? NIL cuts, tough conversations and an offensive overhaul. 'S*** I have to clean house' - Yahoo Sports

[Ship69]

I think the noon start benefits The Nits. It’s doesn’t give James Tenandtwo more time to **** it up.

Night games are wonderful up there if you don't mind trying to get out of State College and driving a couple of hours home well after midnight. But I know they love their precious whiteout up there. Ohio State has a lot of shiny toys, but they seem to have some problems with their o-line. It could be a more interesting game than usual. If Franklin loses this one, I think it's more likely he's James Elevenandone this year.

[IUPNation]

Can they flex the PSU/OSU start? I'm sure they'd (network) love to get that off the dreaded noon slot.

Obviously that's the main attraction.

I think the noon start benefits The Nits. It’s doesn’t give James Tenandtwo more time to **** it up.

[Ship69]

Florida State had an extremely experienced group last year. They were also led by a bunch of impact transfers that Norvell had previously brought in and had been in the program for multiple years. Jordan Travis being one in particular.

They had seniors all over an elite 2-deep on defense. They were a really good team, but they were also extremely experienced. They graduated a ton, in addition to just some traditional attrition type losses every program now experiences.

Norvell tried to replace many of those guys with quick fix imports out of the portal. And he didn’t hit on hardly any of them, specifically at QB. Given the environment we’re now in, that’s going to happen. I certainly didn’t expect FSU to be this bad, but they were going to take a significant step back this year given what they lost after last season. The real problem was them being ranked Top 10 to start the season, which they never should have been. I get those polls are based on how you finished last year, but the voters should actually do research formulate intelligent rankings.

I suspect some of these big-money teams are going to be picking up more and more guys from the portal, which can be a hit-and-miss thing. If some of these guys were smart, they'd scout out the talented o-linemen in the country and throw money at them. Ohio State had to use their backup left tackle Saturday, and he was getting beat like a drum