LOSING OUT ON FOSTER

On Friday, Pitt lost WR Rober Foster to The University of Alabama.  This one hurt.  I listened to the experts and just like the original Dorian Johnson decision, that came back to haunt me.  I even had my youtube clip all picked out.  The problem is this: As I hurried back from my office Christmas party to stream the decision live, I felt it coming.  Most Pitt fans probably did.  When something is too good to be true for Pitt fans...that is when we get kicked directly in the balls. 

What we know is that as of Thursday evening, Pitt was it for Foster and he had even told family of that decision on Wednesday.  He had a change of heart at the last minute and shocked everyone, including the Pitt coaching staff by selecting the Tide.  Look, I've always liked the Tide. It goes back to my childhood when they would play Penn State, but man...it's like the rich 16 year old getting a Porsche instead of a Mercedes.  Damn..I was leaning towards cheering for the Irish in the National Championship...now I think I will go for Notre Dame.  Sorry Tide.  his one put me over the edge.

I don't know about other Pitt fans, BUT, I do wish Foster nothing but the best in Alabama. He seems like a good kid and should not have to deal with childish and hurtful messages on twitter because of what he felt was best for HIM.  I did not see a whole lot and I am hopeful that what I saw of good indication that most of the Panther faithful was wishing him well.

Now we turn our attention to Tyler Boyd. As you will know, Boyd is a "Pitt lean" according to all the experts, but I think we've heard this before.  I won't be holding my breath...yes, I will.  I'm a Pitt fan and of course, I fully expect the best outcome leading up to it...no matter what.

HAIL TO PITT!

SOME DOWN TIME THOUGHTS

Let’s have a little bit of a rundown on what’s gone on in the last week since the Bowl Game was announced, shall we?  I know, I know, the Steelers lost and you are all depressed.  Reading this blog would be like giving a heroin addict another hit of smack, but take your chances and read on anyways:

The best news of all is that Pitt and Penn State announced that they would not only play in 2016 and 2017, but also in 2018 and 2019!  This is VERY exciting news.  I can’t tell you how much I have really missed this rivalry.  I would rather get the shit kicked out of me and settle it on the field, rather than not play and wonder what if…especially with a rivalry game.  I feel like it is good for Pitt, PSU, and the state of Pennsylvania.  Penn State will travel to Heinz Field in 2016 and 2018, while Pitt will visit Happy Valley in 2017 & 2019. PSU leads the all-time series 48-42-4…well, 46-42-4 since that whole scandal took away victories in 1998 and 1999.

Next on the list of issues is a little tweet that was sent out by former Panther Scott McKillop last week.  The former linebacker sent out a tweet saying that there is a rumor going around that Pitt will be breaking out the Pitt Script for the bowl game on January 5^th!  Now…this is JUST a rumor.  This is NOT official.  It brings up the whole should Pitt do the Pitt Script again?  The answer is simple….YES!  This is not a hard issue to tackle.  Pitt is moving to the ACC and it would be nice to make a big splash and make the alumni and fan base happy and create some more talk.  The change in uniforms would do it and they can do it VERY easily.  Break them out for the bowl game….then do them for one home game and one away game a year!  Everyone wins!  Pitt gets more money from merchandise, they don’t have to spend money to change the logo and colors of the school, and it creates a buzz.  Why is this so difficult for some to understand?!?!?!?!  If you have not already, please do two things….follow @PittScriptLogo on twitter and PLEASE go to his site and sign his petition.

Speaking of the bowl game, as mentioned before Pitt goes to Birmingham, AL to take on Ole Miss on January 5^th.  If you are a male Pitt student and thinking about going to the game…on the fence about going to the game, or just don’t want to go, I plead with you to get down there.  Why?  Because they are playing Ole Miss!!!!!!  No one does tailgating or has better looking girls than Ole Miss.  There will be a huge party with hot girls…why not go down there and have some fun and support the Panthers!  Don’t believe me?  Do yourself a favor and google two things: “Best College Tailgating” and “Hottest Girls at College Tailgates” and see how far down the list Ole Miss is on there.  They are pretty high both lists.  Also check out Dixieland Delight by Clay Travis if you need more proof.

 

Last on this little rundown…Pitt had another big recruiting weekend.  It went pretty well by all accounts.  I was waiting to post this as I was hoping Chris Peak, at Pantherlair.com would send out a commit text to members, but he has not as of yet.  Some of the bigger targets were OL targets Alex Officer and Jaryd Jones-Smith, DL Justin Moody, RB JoJo Kemp (who sounds really close to coming to Pitt), and CB Jaleel Hytchye.  I would love to see Moody and Jones-Smith commit more than anyone, but Hytchye would be really nice.  Hoping to hear a commit soon!

That’s all for now…try and not stress about the Steelers too much, as it was fun to see Nate Diaz lose, the 30 for 30 Bo Jackson special, and the Ravens and Bengals both blew it badly today!  So, keep your chin up Pitt fans!

RECAPPING USF

Pitt is going bowling!  The Panthers brought their record to an even 6-6 and kept with the 2 game streak of this season earning them yet another trip to the BVBBNSBSDFKLHSDKFJHSDLFKJS Bowl in Birmingham, AL.  Look…I’ll be honest, I live just north of Philly and I was REALLY hoping for a Backyard Brawl in the Bronx, but anytime Pitt plays football, I am pretty happy, so I will take it.  Pitt will take on Ole Miss January 5^th at 1PM.  Not only do I love to watch Pitt football, but I have always enjoyed watching SEC games…particularly the pretty cool uniforms of the Rebels, so I can’t wait for the game.

On a surprise note in the game, Senior Cam Saddler did not make the trip due to disciplinary reasons. This was a surprise to many (including myself) as Saddler has always been known as team-oriented and very likable guy.  Circumstances surrounding his discipline were only characterized as breaking “team rules.”  This is a big reason that I am very happy for a bowl bid, so that Cam can go out from Pitt ON the field and not off it.  That would have been a bad way to end his Pitt career. Despite not reaching the standard that many felt Saddler would hit when he committed to the Panthers, Cam has always been one of the more fun Panthers to read about and watch.

Tino Sunseri was steady, save for an AWFUL 30 yard loss and fumble on a sack.  He continued his mistake free streak with over 200 yards and 1 TD pass.  Ray Graham chipped in with almost 100 yards and 2 TDs, and Rushel Shell came in to take care of business late with his bruising running style.  Mike Shanahan also had a strong game on the offensive side of the ball with over 100 yards receiving.  The offensive line continued their maddening streaky play of the season with a less than impressive effort which kept South Florida in the game early.

The defense was dominant and gave up just over 100 yards on the day and forced four turnovers.  If you watched the game…it really should have been more turnovers as the Bulls were BAD on the offensive side of the ball.  The defense was strong and my GOD…we are running out of adjectives for Aaron Donald.  I almost felt bad for the USF center/guard combo that was in charge of trying to block the big man.  I really hope Donald sticks around for his senior year, as I think this defense has a chance to be special next season.

Onto another aspect of Pitt football and a pretty important one:

Two local super prospects have announced they will make their college choices on certain dates.  Central Valley’s Robert Foster will go first on December 21^st and will announce from his high school.  He is down to Alabama and Pitt.  Clairton’s Tyler Boyd will announce on January 4^th before he plays in the US Army All-Star Game and he is down to Pitt, WVU, Arizona, and even Rutgers and Michigan State are being thrown around….as is Penn State, but he did cancel a visit there.  Pitt fans take a cue from this kid for these two dates.

 

The next few weeks will be full of information with commits, bowl practice, and other notes and I will try and keep up with everything.  Pitt has a HUGE recruiting weekend coming up on Friday-Sunday and will probably result in a commit or two…..stay tuned.