Ranking the Pitt recruiting class

27. Ryan Winslow P Wnydmoor, PA. - It is not everyday you sign a punter to a scholarship, but Pitt did just that. Paul Chryst had the numbers to make this happen. Winslow is a big guy at 6-5 215, and did well in preseason camps. He very well could be a four year punter after redshirting this season.

26. Chris Blewitt K Alexandria, VA. - Blewitt has a name that just screams that he will miss a big kick at some point, but until then.....  Pitt needed a Kicker, and Blewitt may be able to compete for the job right away.

25. Jeremiah Taleni DT Kailua, HI. - Hawaii typically is not a Pitt recruiting area, but they walk away with a big defensive tackle. Taleni was lightly recruited, but still picked Pitt over Hawaii and Washington State. He is big at 6-2, 315. Pitt needs interior linemen, and this risk may be able to pay off.

24. Terrish Webb Ath Clairton, PA. - Terrish Webb is one part of the "Killer T's" from Clairton. Obviously the kid is a winner, and was a big part of three straight state championships in high school. Webb picked Pitt after initially committing to Kent State. He was not highly recruited, but the kid has very good athletic ability. They may try him at either corner or receiver.

23. Zach Poker LB Ocononiwic, WI. - Paul Chrust was able to go to his home state for this prospect. at 6-4 220, Poker would be a very big outside linebacker. He is a very bright kid, as he was accecpted into West Point. He was another lightly recruited player, but has lots of potential. It is worth it, simply so Paul Chryst has some ties back home.

Jaymar Parrish

22. Jaymar Parrish FB Monroeville, PA. - Parrish will come to Pitt as a Fullback. Obviously with a pro style attack, the Fullback plays an important role. Parrish has good hands, and good size. He can be an offensive threat, and not just a blocker. Gateway is an important school to have a connection with, and having some players on the roster is a good start. He picked Pitt over his only other offer, Akron.

21. Carson Baker OL Fairborn, OH. - Buffalo and Toledo were the only other offers for Carson Baker. He brings good size into the program, at 6-6 315. He is definitely a Paul Chryst style linemen. Pitt needed to add depth up front, and Baker should add to that.

20. Aaron Reese OL Chambersburg, PA. - Aaron Reese is another big linemen that should help improve and replinish the line depth. Reese is listed at 6-5 290, so he can fit the big linemen role. He did not receive any other offers other than Pitt, but he committed very early, so some teams backed off early.

19. Jester Weah WR Madison, WI. - Chryst went back home, and came back with a very intriguing prospect. Jester Weah barely had any offers, but seems to possess plenty of athletic ability. He is a 6-3 receiver with a solid vertical. This could be one hell of a steal by Chryst. Pitt needs receivers, and Weah could potentially work his way into playing time sooner rather than later at Pitt.

Zach Challingsworth

18. Zach Challingsworth WR McDonald, PA. - Challingsworth has been a great recruiter and ambassador of the recruiting class. He seems to be ready to play for his hometown team. He is  fast, and has good size. I think he is pretty underrated. Pitt got a talented player from right in their backyard. Again, the Wide Receiver depth is nothing special at Pitt, he could challenge to play soon.

17. Titus Howard CB Clairton, PA. - Part two of the "Killer T's" Titus Howard could be a good corner down the road. He needs to add bulk, but all the tools are there otherwise. Howard has the frame to put on the size, and being 6-2 could make him a tough CB in the future. He can lay the wood, so maybe a Safety down the road.

16. Tony Harper TE Toledo, OH. - Harper could be moved to Safety, but Pitt thinks they may have found a versatile H-Back. Harper may not be an every down tight end, but he can bring something else to the table. He selected Pitt over some MAC offers.

15. James Conner  RB Erie, PA. - Conner comes from McDowell High School in Erie. Most websites list James as a Defensive End, but he will get a chance to play Running Back at Pitt. Conner is a big guy at 6-2, 230 and he had a very good campaign as a rusher this past season. Pitt missed out on some other backs, but Conner could be more than just a fall back plan. His size makes him very intriguing.

14. Rachid Ibrahim S Gaithersburg, MD. - Ibrahim could end up being another steal by Paul Chryst. He chose Pitt over Boston College and Iowa. He should be an athletic member of the secondary, and could see some time after a redshirt this season.

13. Matt Galambos LB Havertown, PA. - Pitt added some very talented linebackers in the previous recruiting class, but Galambos could add some more young talent to the program. He will be an inside linebacker coming from the prestigious prep league in the Philadelphia area. He chose Pitt over Syracsue, Rutgers, Harvard, and Yale. So, yeah, he's a smart guy.

12. Luke Maclean DE Grand Blanc, MI. - Paul CHryst and his staff added another Midwestern kid, this time from Michigan. Maclean is 6-3 230. He will at least get a chance to see some time this season, because the defensive end spot is still rather thin. Maclean chose Pitt over Indiana, Georgia Tech, Cincinnati, and Kansas.

Reggie Green

11. Reggie Green WR Cranford, NJ. - Pitt found a pretty good athlete from the Garden state. Green is a 6-3 200 athlete, that should get his first chance as a receiver. Despite his low ranking as a two star, he managed to get BCS level offers from Michigan State, NC State, Rutgers, and Boston College. Green is a little better than the amount of stars next to his name. I think he will be a good one for Pitt.

10. Tyrique Jarrett DT Pittsburgh, PA. - Jarrett is a big boy, 6-4 310. He hails from the Pittsburgh City League, but he is coming to Pitt after one season at Milford Academy of New York. Jarrett was originally committed last year, but never wavered from that verbal. He is already enrolled at Pitt, and will get a great chance to see some snaps this Spring.

9. Devon Edwards TE Columbus, OH. - It is always nice to step into the heart of Ohio, and pick up a quality player. Chryst is big on Tight Ends, and he sure is replenishing the position this class. Edwards is severely underrated as a two star, but holds offers from West Virginia, Nebraska, Purdue, NC State, and Kentucky. The offer sheet should be a more telling sign, than stars by the name. Edwards is a big guy at 6-5 240, and if Tight End doesn't work out, his size translates to Defensive End.

8. Justin Moody DE Philadelphia, PA. - Pitt was able to snag Justin Moody away from Rutgers and Syracuse. He is a tweener, in that, he could play interior line or end. He has good size, and played for a good George Washington HS team in Philadelphia. Moody will add depth, and should figure prominently into the future.

7. Alex Officer OG Rochester, NY - Officer is another big bodied linemen for the Panthers. He figures to be a Guard in college.Officer is a big presence at 6-4 320. Pitt needs to build that aspect up, and they were able to this recruiting class. Officer chose Pitt over Rutgers, Syracuse, UConn, Boston College, and Purdue.

6. Shakir Soto DE Wilkes Barre, PA - Shakir Soto is already enrolled at Pitt, and he could see the field this season. Soto has been a good ambassador for Pitt, and helped recruit some of his fellow classmates. Soto has good size, and he is a bright kid. He had offers from Virginia, Maryland, and Boston College, but opted for Pitt.

Jones-Smith

5. Jaryd Jones-Smith OT Philadelphia, PA. - Jones-Smith has not played football for very long, but he sure knows how to make an impression. He is a big 33 selction out of Philadelphia West Catholic. He is a giant, literally. 6-7 300. This is an excellent addition for Paul Chryst and his staff. He was a big win as he picked Pitt over fellow ACC program, Virginia. Jones-Smith also had offers from Michigan, Arizona, NC State, Wisconsin, and Vanderbilt. Philadelphia is a nice place to have some in roads, and Chryst landed a few of the bigger prospects from the area.

4. Scott Orndoff TE Pittsburgh, PA. - Scott Orndoff was the very first commitment of this class, and he was a good one. Orndoff picked Wisconsin very early in the process, but followed Chryst to Pitt. He had offers from Michigan, Michigan State, West Virginia, and Virginia. He is a big prospect at 6-6 245, and many believe he can play right away. Orndoff was not one of the absolute elite WPIAL players this season, but he was surely up there. It was a big signing for Pitt.

3. Tra'von Chapman QB Kent, OH. - Pitt was able to lock down a four star quarterback for the second consecutive season. Chapman is not a downfield gunner, but a very athletic QB. He can make plays on the run very well. Chapman is 6-2 200, so he is not a tiny player either. He picked Pitt over Arizona, Illinois, Northwestern, and Wisconsin. Chapman will likely redshirt, but he is enrolled early, and he is serious about competing this year. He is the type of player you would want in the program. He is the son of a coach as well, and very knowledgeable in the game.

Tyler Boyd

2. Tyler Boyd WR Clairton, PA. - Tyler Boyd gave Pitt quite the scare about switching schools, but stuck with the hometown Panthers. Boyd is a top 100 prospect, and was very highly sought after. He is the most important part of the "Killer T's" of CLiarton High School. He never lost a game at Clairton, and broke the all time touchdown mark in the WPIAL. Boyd is an absolute burner, and a game changer. He will play receiver at Pitt, but will see time in the return game, and may see snaps out of the backfield. He had offers ranging from the Big Ten, SEC, and Big 12. He was a national recruit, and a big plus for Pitt to keep him home.

1. Dorian Johnson OT Belle Vernon, PA. -  Way back when, Dorian Johnson pledged to Penn State, but the sanctions made him rethink that decision. Pitt beta out Ohio State and Virginia Tech for his services. Johnson played in the Under Armor All American game in Orlando and made quite an impression. He skyrocketed up the Rivals.com rankings, after frustrating one of the best recruits in the country. Johnson will get an opportunity to start right away. He certainly needs to bulk up, but Pitt's best recruit being an offensive linemen is tremendous.

2014 Western Pennsylvania Recruiting.

            2014?  Already?   Yep. The 2013 recruiting class is far from over, but many programs are nearing the end process. Offers have been made and visits are happening. It is all up to the kid at this point. Most players that are uncommitted will wait until their high school seasons are over or until the official visits end. December-January is the final hurrah for recruiting classes, but it is also the start for the next recruiting cycle. Coaches can start making serious contact and that is when the class of 2014 will come to forefront.
           Pitt, Penn State, and Ohio State are the real true players in Western Pennsylvania these days. It is interesting because all three coaches are in their first year with the respective programs. The players do not know what each coach offers just yet. Penn State will be behind for quite some time, so Ohio State and Pitt should really take advantage of their opportunity to take control of the talent rich Pennsylvania pipeline.
             Paul Chryst and Urban Meyer are battling out to get the top un-committed prospects of 2013 still. Dorian Johnson and Robert Foster both have recently named "top threes" and Pitt and Ohio State made both cuts. This looks like it will be a trend for the foreseeable future. Obviously Meyer is eons ahead of Chryst is just about every coaching category, but Chryst has something nice building at Pitt. 2014 will feature a number of prospects that will attract national attention, and here is a look at some of the names to watch out for...

-Chandler Kincade QB Blackhawk HS- Kincade only has one offer, but the offer is from Pitt. Kincade committed to Todd Graham's staff last season, and recently re-affirmed that to Paul Chryst. Kincade has been receiving some local attention from the Tribune Review, and one article mentioned him as being compared to Dan Marino and Ben Roethlisberger. That is some pretty nice company to be mentioned with at only 16 years old. He has received interest from Michigan and Michigan State. Many other schools will come in to play for Kincade's services. I think he will stay with Pitt, and could be that quarterback Panther fans have longed for. I suspect he will be rated a top 250 prospect, perhaps even top 100. That will earn him 4 star rating from just about all the recruiting services.

-Dravon Henry S Aliquippa HS-The tiny little football factory has another elite prospect. Henry is likely to be a four star rated player, and another local prospect that could end up at Pitt. He already has earned offers from Pitt, Rutgers, Maryland, and WVU. I suspect more ACC and Big East teams to come calling. Henryis versatile and could play corner, safety, or even receiver in college.

-Montae Nicholson S Gateway HS-Nicholson will be the next great Gateway prospect. He has offers from Pitt, Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, and WVU. Most of the Big Ten and ACC will take notice of Nicholson's skills. He will be a top 100 player, and may be good enough to garner 5 star ratings. He will be one of the most sought after Safetys for the 2014 recruiting class. Not sure where he will end up, but Pitt and Ohio State may be set for another year long battle.

-Justice Rawlins LB Monessen HS-Rawlins' older brother, Chavis, is committed to play ball at West Virginia. Justice may follow him there, but I get the sense he will try to be his own man. Pitt and Rutgers have offered. He will create noise throughout the country, and some SEC schools will come calling. He will be a four star player, and potential top 100 guy. He will get offers from big time Big Ten,SEC, and ACC teams, and it is too early to say where he will pick. I do not anticipate him going to Pitt, but stranger things have happened.

-Shai McKenzie RB/LB Washington HS-McKenzie has not garned a lot of attention just yet, but he will. Pitt and Toledo have offered, but I expect more BCS level teams to take interest. He should be a three star guy during the ranking process. He is a big guy at 6-0 210, and that is why teams could see him as a Linebacker. He could be a power back in some running schemes as well. I assume he will be a Pitt Panther when it is all said and done.

-Brenon Thrift LB Gateway-Thrift is another high level prospect from Gateway. He has offers from Pitt and WVU, and is already high on WVU. He is a big guy at 6-3 230 pounds, and could play as a defensive end in college. I'm sure other teams will offer, but some may back off if he chooses WVU early. I see him as a three star.

-Elijah Zeise S North Allegheny-Zeise has an early offer from Pitt, interesting because Zeise's dad is Paul Zeise. Paul Zeise is the usual Pitt beat writer, but has since moved positions to avoid a conflict of interest. I have a feeling Elijah will try to go somewhere else to be his own man. He may end up at Pitt, who knows. He should be a three star player and will earn some more recognition after the season. North Allegheny is the best team in Pennsylvania, which should bring more exposure.

-Mike Grimm OT Bethel Park-Grimm is huge and could end up being a big recruit as the process moves on. Pitt is the only team to offer, but the 6-7 315 frame should attract attention. He is the perfect size to be a Pitt offensive linemen. Chryst loves giant linemen, and Grimm fits the bill. I could see him climbing the charts to a four star player, but certainly a three star.

Many other names out there will make Western PA recruiting pretty special in 2014.....keep an eye on these guys...

-Brock Boxen DT Beaver Falls
-Brendan Blair CB Sto Rox
-Niko Thorpe LB Central Catholic
-Nate Stone LB Greensburg CC
-Ricky Rogers WR Gateway
-Tyree Spearman CB McDowell
-Anthony Davis DB Gateway

A Real Good Win.

                 Paul Chryst got his first of hopefully many wins as the Pitt head coach. Pitt played a fantastic game on both sides of the ball and were able to beat the 13th ranked team in the country. The offense has a purpose, and the defense made the big plays. This team looked nothing like the team we saw in the first two weeks of the season, and there now becomes hope for the remainder of the 2012 season.

              Pitt played a fantastic game on offense, and I think that starts with the offensive line. They finally looked like a solid unit collectively. The inside men, Chris Jacobsen,Ryan Turnley, and Ryan Schlieper had great games. The tackles are a work in progress, but they still played much better. The offense was without Hubie Graham at Tight End, but JP Holtz and Drew Carswell played well. Holtz is a very physically gifted freshmen and aided in that run blocking that was so good. The line did great, but the stars of the show were the running backs. Rushel Shell and Ray Graham form one of the best backfield duos in the country, and I mean that. Rushel Shell looks like he could play in the NFL from a physical standpoint. He is a man-child, and ran over a vaunted Bud Foster defense like it was nothing. Shell finishes all of his runs with stiff arms or lowering of the shoulder, and about five separate times a Va Tech defender was on the ground trying to tackle him. Ray Graham is still not 100%, and it is obvious. He does not have that breakaway speed, but if that is him at 80%...that is scary to think about. Graham ran very well and accounted for three of the Pitt touchdowns. The other surprise is Tino Sunseri. He did not take careless sacks or force throws. He made good throws and reads and outplayed a future NFL quarterback in doing so.He came up limping in the 4th quarter, but gutted it out and hung in there. Pitt fans have been harsh on this guy, but they have to appreciate the effort he put forth on Saturday.

             The Defense also looked like a completely different unit. They went from having 0 turnovers in two games to 4 on Saturday. Logan Thomas made some errant throws, but Pitt was able to take advantage of that.  Va Tech scored a touchdown on special teams, so the defense only allowed ten points. The lone touchdown came on a missed tackle that Lafayette Pitts should have had. Pitt was able to get off the field for the most part Saturday, and limited the Hokies to just 59 rushing yards. Aaron Donald was an absolute beast in pressure. TJ Clemmings and Devin Cook played great games at Defensive End. Shane Gordon and the linebackers did a nice job. Gordon looks like he is becoming a star. He made two huge plays on 3rd and 4th down in the second half stuffing Va Tech not allowing them to get a yard. The corners played spotty, but stood tall in key plays. Jason Hendricks and Jarred Holley each came up with interceptions and looked very good. They played a great game, and after being manhandled by Youngstown State they returned the favor and manhandled the Hokies.

           Pitt has nine games remaining, and it is still an uphill battle. They need to take care of Gardner Webb on Saturday and get ready for the Big East. The Big East always is a shot in the dark at who could win the league. Pitt gets Rutgers and Louisville at home this season, and will be huge game for the Panthers.  Pitt still is far from becoming a good football team, but they looked like one on Saturday. They took a major step in the right direction, and at least give the fan base some hope and excitement. 

Panthers Add a pair of Defensive Recruits.

James Conner

                  Pitt coach Paul Chryst has landed two more verbal commitments for his 2013 recruiting class. Luke Maclean is a 6-3 230 pound Linebacker/Defensive End combo player that verbally committed on August 12. He is a consensus three star recruit by Scout,Rivals, and ESPN.  He is from Grand Blanc, Michigan and had offers from other BCS schools in Cincinnati,Georgia Tech, Indiana, and Kansas. He is a rare recruit from the state of Michigan.  Pitt also has received a commitment from Defensive End, James Conner. Conner is from McDowell High School in Erie and is listed at 6-3 225 pounds. He is rated a three star by Rivals.com and is listed as the 12th best player in Pennsylvania and the 24th rated weakside defensive end. He is unrated by ESPN, and a two star by Scout.  Conner did not have any other BCS level offers, but held a number of MAC offers.
              Pitt landed two players in positions of need. The Defensive Line is thin with the Panthers, and Pitt had not gotten a Linebacker commitment for 2013. They certainly are not the blue chip recruits Pitt fans are looking for, but they do not appear to weak links. Pitt needs defensive players to add, and the other names out there do not have Pitt leans. These guys could turn out to be productive players. Maclean's highlight tape is rather impressive, and it looks like he has a Scott McKillop knack for the ball.  I know fans expect big things right away, and Chryst is not delivering. The guy is not Urban Meyer and he is not outspoken. I do not think that means he is not trying to get top flight players, it means he is having a tough time selling Pitt. Pitt has not been the place for stability of late. They have been through seemingly a million coaches in the past three seasons, and recruits obviously have noticed. Pitt has been able to attract top local talent through the years, and there is no doubt Chryst can still do that in time. Robert Foster, Dorian Johnson, and Tyler Boyd are still out there for this season, and could still end up with the Panthers. Chryst could still please the casual fans with grabbing some of those type of guys, but he is quietly adding depth until that happens. Pitt has room for 23 incoming recruits without counting early exits or transfers. Pitt has 15 commitments so far, so there is room to add eight more guys. I hope he can continue to add depth on both sides of the line. The big recruits will happen in the future, I'm not worried they aren't jumping on board right away.

Pitt Defensive Back Situation.

Jarred Holley

               The Defensive Backfield could be the best unit on the Panthers' team. They have experience and highly skilled players across the board. The Safety position in particular is absolutely loaded with four players that could start. The best player of the unit is Jarred Holley. Holley is coming off and All Big East caliber season, and is in the running to gain national recognition this season.  He will man the one Safety position without a doubt, but the other spot remains a mystery. Jason Hendricks comes into his junior season with some valuable game experience. He has started games in each of the past two seasons, but missed the end of last year with an injury. He will look to rebound and provide depth and challenge for the starting spot.  Andrew Taglianetti is a great program player. He has played the Nickel position and has been a special teams demon with 5 blocked punts in his career. He started some after Hendricks went down, and will be on the field in a variety of ways. Ray Vinopal is the final name in the group. Vinopal is a transfer from Michigan and he started six games as a true freshmen while playing for the Wolverines. He is just a Sophomore and will be a big time player for Pitt the next few years.

K'waun Williams

            The corner back position has some depth and talent, but it is unproven. The one slot is filled by returning starter in K'waun Williams. Williams is a junior and had a successful 2011. He will be counted on to play the opponent's best player every game. He has plenty of talent and pro potential, his biggest thing is consistency.  The other spot has a good two way battle for the starting position.  Lafayette Pitts is a redshirt freshmen out of the storied Woodland Hills program. He was a good high school player, and his athleticism is rather impressive. He could be a very good one for the Panthers. The other competitor is Cullen Christian.  Christian is a local guy but started his career at Michigan. He was the top rated corner back coming out of high school and played some as a true freshmen with Michigan. He has the size and tools to be a productive corner back. Lloyd Carrington is the fourth guy in the race and will be there for depth. He is a sophomore from Dallas and played some in 2011.

Titus Howard

             The future of the Pitt secondary is in good hands. Jarred Holley and Andrew Taglianetti are the only seniors in the group. Hendricks and Vinopal should be solid moving forward, and the corners return the top four, unless Williams were to leave school early. The talent does not stop there. There is currently four very talented true freshmen on the roster. Bam Bradley,Trenton Coles, Ryan Lewis, and Jahmal Pardner could all turn out to be solid players. Coles is tall at 6-3 and is a great athlete as he hails from the Pennsylvania powerhouse, Clairton High School. Bam Bradley could end up being a Linebacker with his size and hitting ability, he is going to be fun to watch.  The 2013 recruiting class has two commitments so far. Another Clairton standout in Titus Howard, and an unknown player from Ohio named Tony Harper. Neither player was highly recruited, but Titus Howard keeps that pipeline into Clairton, which is turning into the new Aliquippa.

Pitt Linebacker Situation.

Todd Thomas 

                 Pitt has some serious young talent at the Linebacker position. The unit will start some very talented players that have some game experience. The middle spot will be manned by 6-1 220 pound junior, Shane Gordon. Gordon comes into 2012 with some starting experience, but will look to take on the role full time. Gordon will have to fend off remarkable story, Dan Mason. The health of Mason is still in question as he is attempting to return from a neck injury. He may not have it altogether physically, but it would be special if he can contribute. Mason was a blue chip recruit coming out of High School and was making a name for himself before the injury.  The other backup in the middle will be 5th year senior, Joe Trebitz.  The Outside positions are one of intrigue and promise for the Panthers. Todd Thomas and Ejuan Price are both sophomores coming off good 2011 seasons. They are both injured, but should be ready to go by September. Thomas is one of the more athletic players on the team. Price has great instincts and good be in the NFL when it is all said and done.  They will be backed up Eric Williams and Nicholas Grigsby. Grigsby is a redshirt freshmen that was a four star out of High School, and Williams is a Sophomore that is a good athlete.
              The future for Pitt Linebackers is solid. Everyone that is expected to see playing time will be back for next season. They have a chance to be one of the more special units on the whole team. The defense as a whole is actually really strong on paper, and could turn into a real strength for the team. Pitt has two true freshmen this season that will have trouble seeing playing time. Mike Caprara is from nearby Woodland Hills. He was an underrated recruit because of his size but he was a tackling machine in high school. Devin Porchia passes the eye test. He is a physically imposing player out of Maryland. He could have a special career at Pitt. The 2013 recruiting class does not currently have a Linebacker committed. I imagine Chryst will try to add at least one. Todd Thomas and Ejuan Price are two players that could be special for Pitt and they will help lead this unit for years to come.

Pitt Defensive Line Situation.

Aaron Donald

               The Panthers have some talent on the defensive front, but not a lot of depth. The star of the group is Aaron Donald. Donald was named second team all Big East last season as a Sophomore, but garnered national attention as well. He will play one of the inside positions in the 4-3 alignment. He will be a focal point of the defense and could be looking at double teams all season long.  Khaynin Mosley-Smith will be the other tackle, and he will need to play well to offset Donald's double teams.  Mosley-Smith played some in 2011, but will have a much bigger role in 2012. He is a big guy at 305 pounds. The other tackles will be LaQuentin Smith and Terrell Jackson. Smith is a converted Linebacker that was tried at End, but has made the move to the inside recently. He is a tough hard nosed player that will be a good player for Pitt. He is only a Sophomore, but will definitely be in the rotation.  Terrell Jackson is a true freshmen, but will be forced into action due to lack of depth. The Defensive Ends have more depth, but they are not heavy on experience.  Bryan Murphy and TJ Clemmings are two fromer blue chip recruits that have disappointed so far. They are both entering their sophomore seasons and may finally be ready to contribute. Clemmings is a giant 6-6 290 presence, while Murphy is a strong 6-3 255 player. They will be pushed by Tyrone Ezell and Shayne Hale.  Hale is a senior that has never been a big time player. He may finally be a contributor. Ezell is a junior that has moved over from tackle.  The coaching staff thinks he can make an impact even with his 6-4 300 pound frame.

TJ Clemmings

             The future of this unit is bright for next year. The lone senior is Shayne Hale, everyone else should be back. Aaron Donald does not have pro size, but is a terrific college player. The two Ends in Murphy and Clemmings are exciting players. They were both supposed to be impact freshmen, but it never worked out. The talent is there is to play professionally if they put it all together. LaQuentin Smith is going to be a good one for the Panthers. Terrell Jackson and fellow true freshman, Darryl Render are promising players.  The lack of depth is still concerning, but the talent is there to be good for the future. Pitt has Tyrique Jarrett committed to the 2013 recruiting class. He is a big 6-4 310 pounder from the Pittsburgh city league.  He is currently in prep school.  The Panther defensive line could really be a strength now and in the future. The 2013 class still needs a few more prospects added.

Pitt Offensive Line Situation.

Ryan Turnley 

                  Pitt does not have a strong offensive line. They have a lot of question marks going forward into the 2012 season. The group up front consists of Chris Jacobsen, Ryan Turnley, Matt Rotheram, Cory King, and Ryan Schlieper. Turnley and Jacobsen are the best of the bunch going into the season. This will be Jacobsen's sixth year at Pitt and the senior has plenty of experience and talent. He is also the smallest guy of the group at 6-3 295 pounds. Ryan Turnley was thrust into the role of Center last season, and he played very well. Turnley will be a key figure up front. He is 6-6 320 pounds and fits the large linemen type Paul Chryst excelled with at Wisconsin.  Ryan Schlieper will start opposite of Jacobsen as a Guard. Schlieper saw some action in 2011 and at 6-5 310 pounds, he too is a large linemen Chryst likes. The tackle positions will feature two new starters. Juantez Hollins started all of 2011, but has a full year suspension on his hands. That leaves Pitt with Matt Rotheram and Cory King as the starters. Rotheram is a massive 6-6 335 pounds that was a well regarded recruit. He is just a Sophomore and had a strong Spring. Cory King is taking Hollins' spot. He is a 6-6 325 pound Junior. The worry is he will not have the athleticism to play tackle, but he at least has the size. This unit will be instrumental to Pitt's success. The second team appears to consist of Artie Rowell at Center. Tom Ricketts and Justin Virbitsky at Tackles, and Shane Johnson and true freshmen Adam Bisnowaty.

Dorian Johnson

                 Pitt will start two Juniors and a Sophomore in 2012. They are big and will fit well into the Paul Chryst offensive scheme. The future is still in question, though.  Tom Ricketts will certainly get a chance. The former North Allegheny product/Penn State transfer was a big recruit at the time, and could be an impact player for Pitt. Adam Bisnowaty is a true freshmen this season from Fox Chapel, and was also a four star recruit. CHryst has been recruiting some unknown linemen as well. The two committed to the 2013 class have very few offers, but have that size the is offense needs. The thought is that the coaches will be able to make them into good linemen. The common phrase goes, "you can't teach size" and both of these guys have size. Obviously Pitt would still like to add top talent up front. Dorian Johnson is a major recruit in Pitt's backyard. He committed to Penn State over Pitt a few months back, but has since opened up his recruitment.  Pitt needs to beat out Virginia Tech and Ohio State for his services. Many believed Johnson would be a Panther originally, so his second recruitment will be interesting.  The offensive line position is a position of great need for any college program, and Pitt is in need of some upgrades. The 2013 line may be more of a question mark than this season, and that is saying a lot.

Pitt Tight End Situation.

Hubie Graham

                  The Tight End position is a strong one for the Panthers. They have four capable players on the roster. The starter will be senior, Hubie Graham.  Graham is a former 4 star recruit and is a transfer from Illinois. He played last year and did fairly well.  The offense of 2011 was not very Tight End friendly, but Sunseri was able to find Graham enough to make him a factor. I expect Graham to do well in his senior campaign. He has serious pro potential, but will be asked to block a little more this season. Drew Carswell brings a different element to the position and he could be a valuable asset for the offense. Carswell is only a Sophomore and had a productive Freshmen season. He is built more like a receiver and could find himself lined up on the outside at times. He is very athletic and will get plenty of playing time. Brendan Carozzoni is the third Tight End. He receiver little playing time as a Freshmen,  but got some game experience. He is another big target and will be good depth behind Graham and Carswell.  The final Tight End in the equation is JP Holtz. Holtz was one of Pitt's top recruits in 2012 and has a nice combination of size and athleticism. He has a very a promising future, but could see a redshirt this season. Pitt has three other Tight Ends and Holtz may not unseat any of them for playing time.

JP Holtz

              The future for Pitt Tight Ends is very bright. Hubie Graham will move on, but the position will be in good hands in 2013 and beyond. JP Holtz looks like a future star and a future professional. Paul Chryst has handled Tight Ends very well in his tenure at Wisconin, so Holtz will be in good hands.  Drew Carswell and Carozzoni are just Sophomores this year and still have room to grow into their own.  Pitt is bringing in another Pittsburgh area Tight End for 2013. Scott Orndoff was originally a Wisconsin commit before changing to the hometown Panthers. He is really big at 6-6 and is pretty coveted as far as prep Tight Ends go. Orndoff and Holtz are two good local prospects that could hold the position down for years.  Hubue Graham is a good reliable player for 2012, but the prospect of having guys even better down the line has to have Panther fans giddy.

Pitt Wide Receiver Situation.

Devin Street

                Pitt possesses some experienced starting receivers. The depth and future appear to be the questions moving forward. Devin Street is the most talented receiver on the roster. Street caught 53 balls last season and some actually see him as a future first round pick. He has the size and athleticism to be a big time target for Sunseri this season. HStreet needs to show consistency and not get lost like he did at times last season.  Mike Shanahan is a Senior and is a receiver with trusted hands. Shanahan stands at 6-5 and creates matchup problems for defensive backs with his size and positioning. Sunseri will be looking his way a lot. The duo forms a an experienced set of starting receivers and will be a strength of the team. After these two, it is anyone's guess. Cam Saddler has never had the breakout season he was expected to have. The former 4 star recruit from Gateway will get the first crack to be the slot receiver. Ronald Jones and Brenden Felder are two options that will see that slot position. Jones played various roles as a freshmen last season, and could be another trick play guy.

Robert Foster

              The future for the receivers will be an interesting one. Shanahan and Saddler will be graduating, and Street could potentially leave early. Ronald Jones,Salath Williams, and Brandon Ifill are just sophomores that could play a factor. Salath Williams is in the Devin Street mold, and Ifill impressed in the Spring game this season after converting from being a defensive back. Demitrious and Chris Davis are twin brothers that will be freshmen this season. The depth ahead of them could force them to redshirt. They both have plenty of talent and their versatility as runners will make them exciting players to watch in the future. Zach Challingsworth is a relatively unknown recruit, but he has committed for the class of 2013. He is believed to be a possession guy and will be a nice change of pace from all the quick, young receivers Pitt has.  The 2013 recruiting class can be made with receivers as well. Tyler Boyd and Robert Foster are two big time prospects right in Pitt's backyard. Landing either one, or both will be a huge get for Paul Chryst.  Pitt has some experience for the 2012 season, but beyond that is a question. Paul CHryst will need to recruit to replenish the position.

Pitt Running Back Situation.

Ray Graham

              The Running Back situation at Pitt appears to be the most stable position on offense, and perhaps the whole team.  The health of Ray Graham is important, but not detrimental to Pitt's success on offense. He may not be 100% to start the season, but will likely get there soon enough. That is not a problem as Pitt has some talented underclassmen that will be able to carry the team.  Isaac Bennett got to see action at the back end of 2011 and responded very well. He has a lot of promise and as a Sophomore will play a big role into the future as well as this season.  Rushel Shell is one of the most highly anticipated Pitt recruits ever. He is the state of Pennsylvania's leading rusher of all time. He boasted an offer sheet in High School of nearly every top program. Shell will most certainly be expected to come in and get his opportunities right away. Shell possessed college size  as a High School Sophomore. He is a unique talent that will factor into Pitt's success for the next three seasons. Ray Graham will be the go to guy as he was the leading rusher in the nation before his knee injury. Shell and Bennett will both get carries, and will battle for that number two spot. I believe there will not be much of a difference as Paul Chryst has found ways to get three Running Backs the ball at Wisconsin. The depth will be a good thing. Corey Davis will be safety valve for Pitt. He is a small scat back that could be a change of pace guy here and there.

Rushel Shell

                 The future for Pitt Running Backs is in good hands. Rushel Shell and Isaac Bennett will be around for the next few years. Pitt also has Corey Clement committed for 2013. He is from New Jersey and runs a lot like former Panther, LeSean McCoy. Running Back has always been a strong position for Pitt as they have produced Hall of Famers like Tony Dorsett and Curtis Martin. There has been a strong stretch of late also. LaRod Stephens-Howling,LeSean McCoy, and Dion Lewis are all in the NFL and had successful Pitt careers.  Ray Graham, Isaac Bennett, Rushel Shell, and Corey Clement have the ability to follow in the footsteps of recent Pitt Running Backs for successful college careers and perhpas future professional careers. Paul Chryst has had some special Running Backs at Wisconsin, but there likely will not be any drop off with the talent he has at Pitt.

Pitt Quarterback Situation.

Tino Sunseri

              The Quarterback situation for Pitt just got a little bit more interesting.  Mark Myers, the presumed back-up to Tino Sunseri has left the team. Myers was a former 4 star recruit out of Cleveland. He never seemed to grasp any of the Pitt coach's systems and will take his career to an unnamed Division III school. The departure by Myers leaves Pitt in a bit of a bind. Tino Sunseri will enter his third season as the Pitt starting Quarterback, and it will be the third straight season with a new offensive scheme.  Sunseri has played alright at times in his career (seriously) but when he is bad, he is bad. He will be the starter all season unless injury or he really falters with his play. (Which I doubt will happen.)  Pitt's only other QB's are Sophomore Trey Anderson and Freshmen Chad Voytik. Anderson is a former walk-on that struggled in the little amount of playing time he received last season. Voytik is a four star incoming freshmen that will likely be Pitt's Quarterback of the future.
           The obvious scenario for Pitt is for Sunseri to play well and stay healthy and keep Voytik red shirted. Injuries and unforeseen things happen in football. Sunseri may not be able to go all 12 games. Will Paul Chryst burn Voytik's redshirt? Will he go with the average talent in Anderson?  Or will he call on Anthony Gonzalez back to the QB position from his current home as a Safety?  This will be an interesting situation if things come up.  An inconsistent Senior, a Sophomore that could be in over his head, and a true Freshmen does not sound like a sound Quarterback situation.

Chad Voytik

          The 2013 future for Pitt Quarterbacks looks better. Voytik is a talented freshmen that is expected to do big things. Tom Savage will have one year of eligibility next season. Savage is a former Rutgers QB, who was once a heralded recruit. Pitt also has Tra'von Chapman verbally committed for 2013. Chapman is a four star from Ohio and plans to enroll in January. Pitt technically still has Chandler Kincade as a verbal commitment. Kincade is a 2014 prospect (HS Junior) that committed to Todd Graham last season.  Kincade is from Blackhawk High School near Pittsburgh and is expected to garner national recognition.  The Quarterback situation of the future looks a lot better than the present. The key to Pitt in 2012 will be how Sunseri plays. It has an impact on this season and beyond.

Panthers Add a Forward

               The 2013 Basketball recruiting class for Jamie Dixon got off to a good start Saturday as Mike Young pledged to the Panthers. Mike Young becomes the first commitment for Coach Dixon in 2013, and could be the start of another solid recruiting class.  Mike Young is a talented 6-8 Power Forward that projects well as a three-four year player. He is regarded as a top 100 type talent and fills an area of need for Jamie Dixon. Pitt is thin at the Power Forward spot after 2012 with Dante Taylor graduating and leaving Talib Zanna as the only option, and he will be a senior. The 2013 recruiting class seems to have room for only two players as Travon Woodall and Dante Taylor are the lone seniors. The prospect of a transfer or Steven Adams leaving early could obviously change that.
             Mike Young is coming home of sorts. Young is a McKeesport native that played a season at Shady Side Academy in Pittsburgh. Young transferred to St. Benedicts of New Jersey to get more exposure and obviously that move paid off. Young got to play better competition and also played in better AAU circuits. Western Pennsylvania is not a Basketball hotbed, and New Jersey could be considered the best state for High School Basketball. Young is the most highly regarded Pittsburgh basketball player since DeJuan Blair His hometown relations obviously played a factor into his decision.
            Pitt still has one scholarship to play around with for 2013, but it is very evident that the talent of Pitt is going up. The 2012 class of Steven Adams and James Robinson could be a special group that could carry Pitt to that coveted Final Four appearance. The commitment of Young could call for Pitt to try to land an off guard shooter of sorts. Pitt could also look to find another Center to backup Steven Adams and replace him in the event of an early departure.    Either way, Jamie Dixon has been recruiting very well of late and Pitt looks to be gearing up to be an elite ACC team moving forward.

Chapman, Newest Panther.

Tra'von Chapman is Pitt's 11th commitment for Paul Chryst's 2013 recruiting class. Chapman is a four star Quarterback from Kent, Ohio. He has offers from the likes of Wisconsin,Cincinnati, and Minnesota among others. He is dual threat quarterback that throws extremely well, yet has 4.5 speed to keep defenses honest.  He joins Corey Clement and Scott Orndoff as Pitt's prized recruits for the 2013 class. Chapman also joins a Quarterback race for the future.  Chad Voytik was a four star prospect for 2012, Tom Savage has one year of eligibility in 2013 after transferring from Rutgers and Arizona, and he too was a four star. Also, 2014 Blackhawk High School Quarterback, Chandler Kincade has verbally committed to Pitt as well.  The Quarterback situation at Pitt has been bleak from the onset of the Wannstedt era, and now it is the strongest it has been in years.  Chapman and Voytik are similar players and both seem poised to lead Pitt on offense.  The race the next few seasons will definitely be worth watching.
     Chapman's commitment also looms large in the pursuit of two highly regarded prospects.  Tyler Boyd of Clairton and Robert Foster of Central Valley are two marquee Pittsburgh based recruits Pitt is pursuing. They both play wide receiver, and the best way to attract a receiver is to have a quarterback to throw them the ball. Chapman has a high skill set and may be able to persuade at least one of the stud wide receivers. The commitment of Chapman could not have come at a better time.  The Paul Chryst critics were in full force after Pitt lost out on Dorian Johnson, a highly touted offensive line from Pittsburgh. Chapman should ease the worries for now, and could be a very good player for Pitt down the line.  Welcome Tra'von!

Titus Howard, Welcome Aboard!

Pitt secured its 8th commitment for the 2013 Football recruiting class as Clairton Defensive Back, Titus Howard pledged to the Panthers Sunday afternoon.  He is the second defensive commitment for Coach Paul Chryst, and the forth WPIAL player in the class. Howard holds offers from Connecticut,Arkansas State, and Toledo.  His offers should not be too concerning as his 6-2 frame and athletic ability warrant his Pitt offer.  He is rated as a 3 star prospect by Scout and 2 star by Rivals.
      Howard comes from the Class A powerhouse Clairton High School.  Trenton Coles and Kevin Weatherspoon are former Clairton Bears themselves, as Pitt is starting a nice pipeline.  Clairton looks poised to make another State Championship run, and Howard will likely be a driving force. Howard could also be the key for Pitt landing Clairton star player, Tyler Boyd. Boyd is one of Pitt's primary targets for the class of 2013 and could be the key to Paul Chryst opening up a big WPIAL pipeline.  Pitt's recruiting is picking up nicely as of late. They may not be landing four and five star prospects, but they are adding quality players that can make an impact. Pitt still is very much in the race for guys like Robert Foster,Dorian Johnson, and Tyler Boyd.  The 2013 recruiting class can be a very good one.

**Update** Dorian Johnson has just picked Penn State, obviously not ideal for Paul Chryst, but not the end of the world.

OK, He Can Recruit.

Paul Chryst received a major commitment this weekend as Corey Clement of Glassboro, New Jersey made the call to come to Pitt.  Clement has excellent vision and is a very creative runner.  He runs very similar to LeSean McCoy, as he is not afraid to reverse field and juke out ten defenders in the process. Clement chose Pitt over some very serious programs, so this is a great addition for the Panthers. Clement had offers from Penn State, Ohio State, Notre Dame, West Virginia, Nebraska, Florida State, and Wisconsin.  Some of those offers are from all of Pitt's chief recruiting rivals, so it is a big win for the Panthers coaching staff. He has a 3 star rating from Rivals, but 4 star ratings from Scout and ESPN.  Recruiting rankings are a shot in the dark, but the offer list speaks volumes of the kind of player he is.  Paul Chryst has a stable of young running backs at his disposal already, convincing Clement he will get carries obviously took some work.  Rushel Shell is Pitt's most prized recruit in years, and Isaac Bennett is turning out to be a diamond in the rough left by Todd Graham. Paul Chryst has be known to keep multiple backs happy and productive, so there is no doubt in my mind he can continue that here at Pitt.
     Paul Chryst was receiving some criticism from the caliber of the recruits he had received before Clement. This should silence the masses for now.  Ohio State and Penn State have been getting plenty of good and talented recruits, so that obviously is why there was anxiety from the Pitt fanbase.  The Panther faithful have had some rough years, understandable they are impatient.  Chryst is a laid back guy, and his approach is the complete opposite of Graham.  Time will tell if it works, but Pitt has two very solid recruits (Scott Orndoff) on board already.  Chryst is on the cusp of landing Tra'von Chapman, a four star Quarterback from Ohio.  Pitt has leans from major WPIAL prospects, Dorian Johnson and Robert Foster.  This class can be very good, and it can silence the critics of Paul Chryst's recruiting ability.

Graham and the questionable recruits....

People are hitting the panic button a little soon.  The man has yet to roam the sidelines of a half full Heinz Field and see what Pitt Football is all about.  Yes, it took him longer than usual to add some recruits.  Yes, the stars and more so the offers that are next to these kid's names are troubling. BUT we must let him do his "thing" on the sideline first.   Let us not forget some of the best Pitt players in recent memory were Dion Lewis, 2 star with a Miami (Oh) and Tulane offers, and also Greg Romeus with barely any offers himself.  Also current starters, Jason Hendricks(3 MAC offers,JMU, and UConn) and Devin Street(3 MAC and UConn) are also former 2 star recruits.  And former 4 star recruit, Pat Bostick is now in broadcasting.  So there is that.  Nothing involving 17-18 year olds is a sure thing.  Good football players are good football players.  And a couple of these recruits may be good football players.

Marzett Geter-How about a sure thing?  Geter commits and says he is not 100% sure about coming to Pitt. He's 5-10 180, likely going to be a Cornerback. Coming in from the WPIAL AA ranks.  So who knows, but Graham involving himself with WPIAL coaches is not a bad thing.

Brandyn Cook- He's 6-2 290, and looks like he can be a Center down the line.  He has a good head on his shoulders, and is looking into Pitt Law School.   So thats a good thing.  Plus Centers are never highly rated prospects any way you look at it.

William Parks- At 6-2 180, he can either be a Big Corner, or a Safety.  He had a few offers from around the country.  Don't know much about him, but adding bodies in the secondary can't hurt.

Trenton Coles- I'm a little bit excited about this one, yet skeptical.  He is 6-3 175 with 4.4 speed.  He comes from a top flight A program in the WPIAL, and he does not have an offer from anyone but Pitt.  How can that be?  Grades is question?  Character?  I'm not sure, but I don't buy into the whole playing for an A school hurts you.  Elijah Fields was a 4 star recruit out of Duquesne High School.  So that theory is useless.  Graham is all about speed, and he got one of the fastest PA has to offer.

Myles Hilliard- He is the "prize" recruit so far.  Standing at 6-6 240, he fits the mold of a prototype Defensive End.  He had multiple offers from other Big East schools, so that is a good battle won picking this guy up.  Hopefully he is another Jabaal Sheard.

Totals- 5 commits. 2 WPIAL. 1 Philly. 2 Ohio kids.   2  3 Stars   3 No stars.

What it means-   Well for one, Graham is off the hook thus far.  He added 4 guys in one weekend.  Two of the guys seem legit. People are starting to throw out he's a "horrible recruiter"  and that adding guys to fit the system isn't going to work.  Umm how do they know this already?  He could add Spence,Shell, and Voytik for all we know. And like I pointed out before stars do not mean everything.  WVU, Boise State, and TCU are teams that manage to win without top flight recruits.  And Pitt was a team that managed to lose 4-5 games a year with top flight recruits under Wannstedt.  Change can't be a bad thing, and let's actually let the guy coach a game or two before we start to get critical.  No games can be won in June.

Pitt, Penn State. It's back on, and it should be back on forever.

     

                        VS.



Can you ever imagine Alabama and Auburn taking a fifteen year hiatus  in their rivalry? How about Florida and Florida State decide its not in their best interest to play, ditto for USC and UCLA. Some of these games are within conferences, I understand that, but the principle of these teams not playing is outrageous.  Well it is the same thing right here in the Keystone State.  Pennsylvania supports two large Universities with proud Football traditions and solid teams year in and year out, yet they have not played since 2000.  Its not right anyway you shape it. The game is good for the state of Pennsylvania, the fans of the two programs, and college football in general.

         The debate about this game has raged on for a decade, and you hear the same arguments over and again by the two sides. I would like to go into a few of the arguments.  "Pitt needs Penn State more than Penn State needs Pitt"  It depends how you look at it. Who is Penn State's rival? Ohio State?  The Lions are 2-7 in their last nine meetings with the Buckeyes.  Michigan State and the made up rivalry trophy?  I just don't get the sentiment that anybody from Central Pennsylvania gives two hoots about Michigan State and their average program. But hey it might just be me.   So the only Eastern School in an all Midwestern conference lacks that true rival. Hey how about a team less than 200 miles away?  It makes too much sense.  I understand Penn State can play Harvard and still manage to round up 100,000 people to the erector set.  But why not play a meaningful game that will excite the fan base and the entire state?  The game will be on ABC, College Gameday is almost assuredly to be there.  It will be one of the games of the year, every year.  From a Pitt perspective, it is said by someone that Pitt needs the game more than Penn State.  Why? They don't NEED it.  Pitt has an archrival with West Virginia.  Pitt plays Notre Dame on a yearly basis.  They have their two big selling games. Its no secret Pitt isn't selling out on most years, it takes them to actually be in the Top 10 to start getting attendance . Nobody from Pitt will deny it.  Pitt has a great fan base, but horrible fan support.  Its just one of those things.  And in my opinion they aren't begging to play this game based out of a need, but as a want.  The game will generate instant buzz. ESPN, National TV, College Gameday, Showcase for two great Schools, Showcase for a very proud "Football State".  You get why I'm saying?  So in a sense Pitt needs this game, but I believe Penn State needs it as well.
      Another argument you may have heard is Penn State does not want to make this game a priority, that they have more important games.  "He said it works for a two-year series because there were openings in the schedule, but the school is looking to play nonconference games throughout the country to enable the large Nittany Lion fan base to see the team play. And the school's need to play road games across the country combined with its need to play at least seven home games every year means there is very little flexibility in scheduling."  (Taken from the PPG)   Really that is the best Tim Curley can come up with?  Well in the past five seasons, Penn State has played twenty non conference games, only four of which their "large fan base" was able to see.  And by that they play one game at Temple, which was basically a home game, they played up at Syracuse, and Notre Dame, and Alabama(I'm Sure the Nittany Lion Nation is crawling all over Tuscaloosa?)   This season Penn State is going to play their other in-state "rival"  Temple again.  Why not replace the annual Temple game with Pitt?  Let's see a game on ABC at 8:00 in primetime, or the BTN at Noon?   Come on Tim Curley!  And maybe he is just saying this because the old man is still alive, and Joe has never been too fond of Pitt.  But he can not be serious with statements saying he has to play across the country. I don't know why Penn State administration will not just give in from previous stances and just play the game.

    Thirdly the other argument you hear, or have heard is, "Penn State doesn't care about Pitt anymore, the rivalry is dead."  "That is erroneous, erroneous on both accounts."  The rivalry is very much alive, and you would be blind not to see that.  Seriously, think about it.  The two teams recruit the same players, the schools are the two major institutions of the state, and academic wars and arguments rage on all the time. The two schools compete for students, and both are very proud and believe they are the better University.  The Football game will only enhance it further.  Pitt does have West Virginia, but for generations it was Penn State.  That was the game, that was the team.  And the same goes for Penn State.   They don't have anyone to call their rival.  They have played some magnificent games with their neighbors to the West.   It only makes sense to play the game.  Penn State fans will say they don't care about Pitt.  Go out and read message boards, anyday of the year for the past ten years.  Penn State people will be on Pitt boards, vice a versa. When a Penn State played gets arrested its a topic on the Pitt boards, when Pitt loses its a topic on the Penn State boards.  Its silly to say the rivalry is dead, because the rivalry anymore is strictly trash talking.  Its a great thing to settle the debate on the gridiron.  It would be great for the teams to play in every sport. It has recently been talked about playing in Basketball again.  The gap between Pitt-PSU Basketball is a little greater, than Pitt-PSU Football.  But why not play the game?  Penn State bringing Pitt to the Bryce Jordan might cause a stir and get them a sell out game.  A game at the Consol with the tickets down the middle would also be fun.  The schools are so close, they should play.  Plain and Simple.
              This article was clearly written from a Pitt point of view.  But to be fair, its how I was raised. Its how I am.  The rivalry was instilled in me from a young age.  It was made important to me early because I have a predominately Penn State extended family. But facts are facts.  And I will not take them away from Penn State.   Penn State is a huge school, thus creating a huge fan base. And with that fan base, they breed great support.  Pitt, not so much. Pitt is still a fairly large school, in a football town, with lots of fans. But for one reason or another, do not draw well. The sky is blue, the grass is green, and Pitt is only good for 40,000 fans for home games. It is what it is.  Also Penn State does not need Pitt on the home schedule to sell tickets, they can play a High School team and draw just as well.  But I think Penn State needs to realize, they do lack a true rival. They do not have that one circle your calender type game. Pitt can and will be that game. Pitt is Penn State's most frequent opponent in their history, meeting just shy of 100 games.(PSU is Pitt's 2nd most played game outside of WVU).  Alabama,Florida,Michigan, Texas,Oklahoma, Georgia,South Carolina, North Carolina,Virginia, Indiana,Illinois, Iowa, Colorado and more.  What do they all have in common?  Those states get to have in-state rivalry football games on a annual basis.  The Football driven State of Pennsylvania does not.   Something is wrong here.  Let's settle our differences, and agree to hate each other once a season for the rest of our lives.  Penn State fans know they hate Pitt, and Pitt fans know they hate Penn State.  Its a beautiful hate-hate relationship.  Let it grow.