BUFFALO PREVIEW

Pitt kicks off the Todd Graham era on Saturday at 6PM at the big ketchup bottle, as Boomer likes to call it.  The latest line has Pitt favored by 29.5.

Buffalo finished last season 2-10, but don't let that full you.  They will be better this year.  The offense averaged less then 15 points per game, but they were under first year head coach, Jeff Quinn.  Quinn was installing the same offense that he ran as the offensive coordinator at Cincinnati under Brian Kelly....YES, THAT CINCINNATI (I will give you a few minutes to act like this guy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umDr0mPuyQc ).  Relax, he doesn't have the same weapons.

While last year got off to a rocky start, the Bulls of Buffalo should be improved on the offensive side of the ball.  Their offensive line was smaller and banged up last year, and they had real problems under center.  This year, their offensive line may still be somewhat of a weakness, but they will be improved there.  The QB situation will be put in the hands of Cincy transfer, Chazz Anderson, who was the back up while Quinn was at UC.  The running back for the Bulls is very unsettled, but the receivers are the strength of the offense and they are deep. 

The defensive front seven for UB is also a strength and should test Pitt's reconfigured offensive line.  The bad news is that if Pitt's big boys can handle business up front, it could be a long day for the Bulls.  Every starter in the defensive backfield graduated last year.

UB is picked by most outlets to finish near the bottom of East division in the MAC.  Despite that outlook, most Pitt fans will remember another MAC team they were supposed to manhandle when they lost to Bowling Green a few years ago...I do...I was there.  Unlike that Pitt team,  I do feel like Graham cannot wait to get started at Pitt and wants to get off on the right foot with this team.  He's excited and so should the fans.  I do believe there will be a few growing pains this year, and that could contribute to a couple of  problems on Saturday, but my pick is Pitt 44-17. 

I believe Pitt can handle the defensive front of Buffalo and the new look defense should get a good amount of pressure on Anderson Saturday night.  Hopefully, around 9:30 on Saturday evening, Pitt will be feeling pretty good (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TF_v_eRx1ds ).

DEFENSE WILL HAVE FAMILIAR LOOK TO STEELERS' FANS

Check out the link to Paul Zeise's notes in the PG this morning.  The defense may look a little familiar to Steelers' fans this season, which is something I know a lot of people want.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11243/1170978-233.stm

Follow me on twitter...@BrunoPittsburgh

MESSAGE TO PITT FANS

This was Todd Graham's message to Pitt fans in his opening presser today:

"What I want to ask of them is the same thing: I want it to be new and improved," he said. "I want to create an atmosphere unlike any atmosphere we've ever had at Heinz Field. I can't wait to hit that field, I can't wait to run out of that tunnel, and I want them to know how thankful and grateful I am for their support. It's been overwhelming, it's exciting; that's why I do this. I love competing and I love being part of a special group."

WHAT HAPPENS TO PITT FANS WHEN THEY GRADUATE?

I watch a lot of Pitt games and always have, almost without fail, the same question every year:  What happens to Pitt fans when they graduate?  It started when my sister was attending Penn State and I was complaining that Pitt could not fill their stadium, but Penn State always did.  She looked at me and stated a fact.  “It’s not the student section, they always show up.  It’s the alumni.”  She’s right.  Take a look at this video…not many shots of the crowd, besides the student section. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI_XfofBTuc

When I lived a little closer in Washington, DC, I purchased season tickets for a few years and noticed that she was right.  It was never more evident to me than in the 2009 season.  The 6-1 Pitt Panthers took on South Florida in late October and ran them off the field, 41-14…and the game was not that close.  It was a noon kickoff (we’ll get to that later) and I told my father I wanted to get there early to soak in some of the atmosphere.  Why do I do that to myself?  I’ll never know.  We came across the Ft. Pitt Bridge before 11AM and as we passed the stadium it was completely empty….of course except for the Pitt student section, who were not only there in full force, but giving it to the Bulls hard throughout warm ups.  I could see it from my seats across the field, as USF coach after coach was pulling players away from shouting matches with the students.

This seems to repeat itself game after game after game after game.  Of course, there are the exceptions…that usually occurs when Pitt plays Notre Dame, WVU, or another school with a passionate fan base that travels well.  The other exception is the rare of all rare games….a game with HUGE implications between two teams with high rankings, V-Tech versus Pitt comes to mind in the Walt Harris era, when Pitt came storming back….but again, the Hokies have a passionate fan base that travels.

The excuses are many.  That is one thing that Pitt fans have tons of….excuses.  Speaking to my friends and reading some other blogs (by the way, if you are not reading Pitt Script with twitter great @FearTheStache or Pitt Blather or the man, the myth, the legend, Paul Zeise of the Post-Gazette, you are missing out), every excuse has been heard.  Some of our favorites are as follows:

 -          Too much traffic on the north side on a Saturday (this makes DC, Philly, NYC, and pretty much every other major city laugh).

-          Noon games are too early to get up for (insert bad team here or a team not good enough for Pitt fans).
-          Gotta rest up for the Steelers game tomorrow.
-          It’s a pro-sports town, not a college town.  There is too much competition for the entertainment dollar.

The last reason is the ONLY one that holds water.  What someone does with their money is up to them, but this is Pittsburgh!  You know, “the drinking town with a football problem.”  Western PA is supposed to be able to have something to talk about when it comes to football.  Friday nights are pretty big and Sundays go without saying around there, but Saturdays….ehhhhhh. 

As mentioned before, the Pitt student section shows up strong the majority of the time, but the alumni and other casual fans do not.  When they do show up, Pitt hopes that they have the opponents backed up into the student section, because otherwise, they will have no problem hearing the signals, because most of the rest of the stadium is like this classroom: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxPVyieptwA

I get some excuses….if you live 5 hours away or somewhere around there, I get it.   Money should not be an issue really…have you seen Pitt ticket prices???

Of course, there is the one issue….what if Pitt won and won big and did it on a consistent basis?  Well, they have been winning on a pretty consistent basis, but that is not enough for most Pitt fans.  They want that BCS game and they want it in 11-1 or 10-2 fashion….OH, and they want it exciting as well….oh and if the games can start later in the day and be against a big name opponent who is ranked high, and the weather needs to be nice, and…well, I think you get the point. 

With all of the excuses, the Pitt fan base will never be satisfied.

I am hoping things change this year.  There is a strong home schedule, Pitt is expected to contend for the Big East title, the offense will score points, and do it in exciting fashion.  Lastly, it does seem that Graham and his staff are picking up where Wanny’s staff left off, and that is with community and alumni relations.   I have moved over 5 hours away, so I will have to watch from afar, except when the Panthers travel to Rutgers on October 8^th.  Hopefully after my wedding next year, I can get back into the season ticket thing…in the meantime, I am secretly hoping that tickets are tougher to come by when I come back.

RECRUITING

Chris Peak does a tremendous breakdown of Pitt's recruiting!  Check it out...it is worth the read.  Here is the link.  http://pittsburgh.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=551&mid=161873299&sid=996&tid=161873299&style=2&Override=1

If you are not a member of Pittsburgh Rivals....Peak is also giving you a great deal right now to join.  His articles are fantastic and it is worth the $.  Just email him for the offer at chrispantherlair@gmail.com.

Don't take my word for it, but please listen to this guy, as he seems to mean business.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoqDYcCDOTg&feature=related

OFFENSE

Great link from the PG's Paul Zeise talking with Graham about the Pitt offense and how much of his offense will realistically be installed.  Also discussed in the link is Kevin Harper's expectations and Pitt's newest recruit who, gave the Panthers a verbal today!
http://blogs.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/sports/pitt-redshirt-diaries/29278-a-look-at-the-offense-and-some-notes

PREVIEW

This is the inaugural post of this brand new blog....cue the parade and drop the balloons (or just react like this guy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlBr2fyqn9g ).  I figured we would kick things off with a short preview of the upcoming team as the start of the 2011 season approaches and Pitt prepares for the University of Buffalo on 9/3.

Head Coach - Todd Graham begins his first season as the Panthers' coach and brings a new energy to the school.  I am very excited and I don't see how anyone cannot be at least some what intrigued.  I was a big Wanny guy and supported him throughout, however, you have to love a guy that comes in and tells the media on day one, that the fans at Pitt games will not want to sit down.

Offense:

QB - Despite many fans' feelings, Tino Sunseri is the man under center again this year. I have always liked Tino and feel like he will manage this offense very well. 

RB - Ray Graham is poised to have a huge year and transfer Zach Brown will bring in a great change of pace as the back up.  Corey Davis appears to have broken away as the third down back as a true freshman and is a player to keep an eye on this year.

WR - This is where the offense gets really fun as they want possibly 6 receivers getting into games and contributing.  The starters are pretty set with Devin Street, Mike Shanahan, and Cam Saddler.  The remaining receivers that are looking to make a push are someone whose name you better get used to....Ronald Jones, as he has turned a ton of heads the last couple of weeks.  He will play and he is battling Saddler for the PR job.

3Back - This is what someone like a Dorin Dickerson type position.  It looks like Hubie Graham and Drew Carswell will split time here and you may possibly see Anthony Gonzalez, once his suspension is up.

OL - Oh yes, the much maligned offensive line.  This is the best part of "High Octane Football".  The offensive line does not have to be great.  The starters from left to right will be Juantez Hollins, Chris Jacobson, Ryan Turnley, Lucas Nix, and Jordan Gibbs.  Despite the question marks, I really feel like they will surprise some people with this unit.

Overall - I always wondered what it must have felt like for Dorothy, in The Wizard of Oz, to open the door from black and white to color....this is the closest I think I will ever come to that.

Defense:

DL - One part that will be like Wanny....the defensive line will remain the strength of this team.  Myles Caragein, "The Donald", and Chas Alecxih will start, but you will also see plenty of KK Mosley-Smith, Tyrone Ezell, Justin Hargrove, and TJ Clemmings.

Inside LBs - It appears that Max Gruder will anchor the inside and Shane Gordon seems to have taken the starting job from Tristan Roberts, but I have a feeling that Roberts will still be on the field plenty.

Spur Linebacker - Todd Thomas will start and Greg Williams will back him up.  This position will be a little bit more like a safety, then a straight up linebacker, requiring more speed then the usual linebacker.

Panther Linebacker - Named after Hugh Green, this will be the highlight of the defense and it is fitting that Quip product, Brandon Lindsey will man the position.  It will be more like a down lineman without the down part....leaving Lindsey standing up.  Lindsey won't be the only one enjoying the benefits that will come from this position, as freshman Ejuan Price will also get some playing time.

CBs - The defensive backs were always the whipping boys of Wanny's defenses, due to playing about 10-15  yards off the receiver.  I don't think people will have that problem, as the defense promises to be very aggressive.  K'Wan Williams, Antwuan Reed, and Buddy Jackson will rotate in two positions and all be on the field a good deal.

Safety - This position is strong with returning starters Jarrod Holley and Jason Hendricks, being backed up by Andrew Taglianetti.  If they have a good year, Pitt will be very tough, as I expect the corners to attempt to jump a lot of routes, and if the Pitt safeties can help out on deep passes, this defense could be scary.

Defense - Pittsburghers love their defense and I think they will like this one....look for lots of route jumping by the defense backs and A LOT more blitzing.

Special Teams - Pine Richland grad Matt Yoklic will man the punting, while Kevin Harper will take over the field goal and extra point duties.  From all accounts, Harper has come into camp and done a great job.

For a look at the freshmen that could see playing time, I highly recommend reading Paul Zeise's preview of the incoming class....it is very detailed and well done (http://blogs.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/sports/pitt-redshirt-diaries/29262-fresh-faces-a-look-at-the-newcomers-likely-to-play ).

All in all, I have not been this excited for a Pitt Panther season in a very long time.  Not all posts will be this long. I hope you enjoyed this and are not sitting at your computer like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-NrPOMBKnw .