IOWA RECAP AND THE ACC MOVE

Let’s get down to it.  I was at a wine festival all day on Saturday and it’s a good thing.  I needed my good friend, alcohol.  With many texts, tweets, and emails, while checking ESPN, the day had my head spinning with all of the news.  Pitt and Syracuse will join the ACC, but in the same day, I take a nice swift kick to the balls with a 24-3 second half lead blown by the Panthers. Want to know how I felt? Check this out: This was me yesterday afternoon around the time of 3PM…give or take a few minutes:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwcIau9NxvI&feature=related

After the wine festival, I watched the biggest sucker punch in boxing history….thanks Floyd…you are all class.  Larry Merchant, despite the fact that you sound awful, thank you for speaking for America. Hurry, I have a feeling this link will NOT last long.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NSE0r8wXNc .  I got home at 1:30AM and tried to sleep.  I gave up at 6AM and had to sit down and watch and I kept thinking…this is awesome (even though I knew the outcome).  This is what I expected from Pitt.

Then, the wheels came off.  There were some nice plays and executions throughout the game, and the defense looked good for the most part, but when it went bad, it went so very bad.  Just a few notes:

-You could tell Todd Graham is losing his patience with Tino and who could blame him.  Chances are, he will NOT wait next week and I fully expect some sort of one for one series against Notre Dame.  Too many missed plays, bad decisions, a horrid interception at the goal line, bad sacks and not only that, but the timing of the sacks (also go watch his last INT…Devin Street had his man beat).  He must get better, because, I fully believe Trey Anderson will make the most of any opportunity he is given.  Don’t believe, check out his high school highlights and please remember, this is 5A football in Texas.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kcZ_mqBLMg

-Tristan Robert must also either improve or sit down.  He did not have his best game.

-Two big injuries….these would NOT be good. Chris Jacobson and K’Waun Williams both left the game yesterday.  Let’s hope they are okay and able to play next week as they are very key to Pitt’s chances.

NOW…onto the news that is actually overshadowing all of this.  Pitt and Syracuse will join the ACC.  The USA Today is also reporting that Rutgers and UConn could be next.

I read a few comments from Louisville AD, Tom Jurich.  He blasted Pitt and said he does not know what Pitt brings to the table to the ACC….really Tom….REALLY!?!?!?  You don’t know what Pitt brings?  Let’s see…they are a very solid academic institution, a top 10 basketball program and despite all the bitching by myself and others, they do have a solid football program as well and they are in a top 25 TV market…I’m sorry, do you need more?  OK, here you go….V-Tech, Virginia, and Maryland are all well within a nice drive for away games and one of Pitt’s biggest alumni bases is down in Florida…you know where Miami and Florida State are located.

Here is the best part.  There were numerous reports that the Big East knew 3 WEEKS AGO that Pitt and Syracuse were talking to the ACC…head the warning RIGHT NOW John Marinatto, you are about to lose Rutgers and UConn as well….you think UConn doesn’t see the perfect fit to join BC in the conference???  You think Rutgers doesn’t see the natural fit with Syacuse?  The USA Today is reporting it…so get off your ass and do something if you want to save the Big East.  Do you think WVU is going to stick around, with the SEC sniffing  around.  Pitt AD Steve Pederson (who I think does deserve some credit, as he takes a TON of blame) and WVU AD Oliver Luck told the Big East a while ago, while everything was going down to be active and not reactive.  The Big East did not listen and no one wants to be left without a chair when everything goes down.

We will have to see how it all shakes out.  In the meantime, I would like to thank  Chris Gates (on twitter @Chris_Gates) for his outstanding coverage yesterday.  He saved me with updates on the game and also on the move to the ACC.  Over the next few days, I would follow him, @PaulZeise from the Post Gazette…or go read his red-shirt diaries (his coverage is unreal).  The link for Red Shirt diaries is here http://blogs.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/sports/pitt-redshirt-diaries/29765-it-is-official-pitt-and-syracuse-to-the-acc .   Also, a good website is a paid site, but the coverage is great and the information keeps coming at http://www.pittsburgh.rivals.com/ .

If you can’t get enough, Pitt Blather at http://www.pittblather.com/ and also Pitt Script blog here http://www.pittscriptblog.com/ . They both do a spectacular job and I believe will have GREAT updates over the next few days.