Penn State is awful.

[vman]

Nitwits have now dropped nine in a row against top-five competition...Other statistics paint an equally bleak picture.

The Lions have gone 3-12 against top-10 teams since 2000. They're only 9-28 against teams ranked higher than them during that span, along with 3-16 on the road against ranked teams.

[KirkHerbstreit]

It certainly gives Pitt fans something to cheer.

[The Ancient Enemy]

There's a reason why McGloin had no offers coming out of HS.

Ya know what, the more I see the offense, the more I understand why that defense doesnt take chances. They cant afford to when they know they'll be on the field for 80% of the game.

[WPIAL~Titan]

Penn State is below mediocre; Pitt is awful.

Pitt fans have nothing to cheer about. Pitt is 2-0, but why do I, as a Pitt fan, feel like Pitt is 0-2?

I see huge problems with this team. After watching the 1st two weeks, I do not think that a 5-7 or even 4-8 record are out of the question. As a matter of fact a .500 season or worse is probable.

Pitt does not have the quality LBs necessary for a 3-4 defensive scheme to be effective. Pitt's LBs are slow and not athletic, they look more like DEs. Max Gruder is ClarionU or Slippery RockU type talent. Their defense will be ineffective because they simply do not have the athletes at LB. Pitt's strength is on the DL (LIndsay, Donald, and Mason are bulls, all very solid), but Pitt will give up a ton of yards in a 3-4 scheme because of weak LBs. Pitt does have a few LBs with great potential and athleticism (ie-Todd Thomas, etc.), but these guys are young and inexperienced and cannot be counted on to contribute at this level at this point. I have no idea why Pitt wouldn't want to play to their strength, which is the DL.

The offense looks confused. Graham is exceptional at RB, but when teams with more talent and better coaching than Buffalo and Maine scheme Pitt, they will limit PItt's run game. This shouldn't be hard because they run the wrap around draw/delay about 80% of the time. Sunseri does not have the experience or knowledge, let alone the athleticism or mobility, to run an offense where there are 10,000 different formations and options and where precision throws and hot reads must be made regularly.

Pitt's offensive line, particularly pass blocking, is as bad as can be. 7 sacks to Maine? That's right I said 7 sacks given up to M-A-I-N-E...Not Penn State-Main, but MAINE, a team that's a lot closer in talent to PSU-Fayette or PSU-Behrend that to PSU-Main...

Pitt has one legitimate major D1 OL (Lucas Nix, who will be a pro); the rest of Pitt's OL is PSAC type talent. This will become even more problematic vs. higher quality opponents.

Now, maybe Pitt has played it close to the vest the 1st two games and some different strategies will be unveiled vs. Iowa and ND, but unless things change dramatically, you know what they say about making chicken soup out of chicken poop...The biggest issue I see is that this team does not have the personnel to run the defensive scheme that I have seen. Pitt's lack of defense is going to result in a lot of painful-to-watch losses (with scores like 33-30, 49-45, 52-42, etc.) God, I never thought I'd see the Buddy Hackett or Majors II era defenses again, yet here we go again...

Coach Graham has his face plastered all over billboards in the city preaching his high octane offense...When I hear him speak, I get the feeling that he's selling me a Brand new Lexus, which is in reality is a "sporty" Ford Pinto with the engine and drivetrain of the pushmower that I use to cut my grass. I see more of a low or no octane offense so far, I'd like to see some high octane defense and special teams. BTW, the kicking game has been absolutely abysmal. Harper comes with a good background, but clearly looed shaky the first 2 games. I wouldn't want to depend on him making a FG, even a short FG after his missed extra point last weekend, to win the game this coming weekend at Iowa.

It's going to be a rough season for Pitt, unless something changes. Fast.

[KirkHerbstreit]

That car salesman thing is exactly what Graham reminds me of. He would be a great salesman. Reminds me of Buddy Garrity from Friday night lights

Paterno reminds me of Bernie from Weekend at Bernies.

LAst week told me alot about Penn State. I would not be shocked if Penn State either loses to Temple or gets taken to the wire. I also wouldnt be surprised if Penn State wins their next 7, but that would be due mostly to the schedule

This week will tell me alot about Pitt as well as the Notre Dame game. If Pitt wins this coming weekend, all will be forgotten regarding the first two weeks.

[jack daniel]

If Pitt wins this coming weekend, all will be forgotten regarding the first two weeks.

I would've agreed with you on this, until Iowa lost to Iowa St Saturday.

[Crimson's Ghost]

Its hard to read into rivalry games like Iowa-Iowa State. They lost in Triple OT on the road. You know Iowa State was completely geared up to play in that. Pitt at Iowa is still a very difficult game, and I think iowa can and still will beat Pitt and Penn State this season.

[WPIAL~Titan]

The deal with PSU is that in terms of the talent they get, they SHOULD be doing much better. Every year they get top 25 recruiting classes, some years top 10-15 classes. An 8-4 season should be a disaster with them, instead they keep rolling out the 9-3, 8-4, even 7-7 seasons like last year. They are a classic underachieving program and tHE university has allowed the tail (Paturdo) to wag the dog (the football program and what's best for the university). I will be curious to see the reaction of Spanier, Curley, and the fan base when JoePa asks for another contract when his current contract expires at the end of this season. You Nitters have to see it coming...

(Setting: Paterno's front lawn)

Spanier: Thank you for the 45+ years you've given us Mr. Paterno, we are appreciative of all your work.

Paterno: I THOUGHT I THREW YOU OUT OF HERE 7 YEARS AGO...^%^&%&^&* YOU GUYS, I WANT ANOTHER 5 YEAR CONTRACT!

Curley: Coach, we think it's time for you to step down so that we can try to move the program forward.

Paterno: YOU CAN'T FIRE OR NOT RENEW ME, WHATEVAHHHH, I DO WHAT I WANT (said like Cartman, listen here: AHEAD AND TRY TO FORCE ME OUT AND I'LL CLAIM AGE DISCRIMINATION...LOOK AT MY RECORD, IT SPEAKS FOR ITSELF, YOUR NO RENEWAL OF MY CONTRACT WILL CAUSE A PUBLIC RELATIONS STORM THAT WILL COST YOU BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN DONATIONS, HORRIBLE PRESS, AND SO FORTH...NEITHER OF YOU HAS THE GUTS TO STICK YOUR NECKS OUT AND DO THIS, IT WILL BE CAREER SUICIDE FOR BOTH OF YOU...NOW GET OFF MY LAWN AND DON'T COME BACK UNTIL YOU HAVE A NEW 5 YEAR CONTRACT FOR ME WITH AN 8 DIGIT SALARY AND EVEN BETTER BENEFITS!

Curley and Spanier: Yes master, whatever you say sir. We'll get right on it.

Paterno: BE SURE THAT YOU DO! ...AND WHEN I DO DECIDE TO RETIRE OR I PASS AWAY, THE JOB WILL GO TO MY SON JAY...I RUN THIS UNIVERSITY AND I AM STATING IN MY LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT THAT JAY WILL BE THE NEXT COACH AT PSU WITH A NO-FIRE CLAUSE IN HIS CONTRACT.

Curley and Spanier: Yes master, whatever you say sir.

(Spanier and Curley walk off Paterno's lawn, and head straight back to their offices to draft Joe's new 5 year deal.)

Pitt has gotten some talent at the top of their depth chart, but they have zero depth. With the change in coaching, last year's class, as well as next year's class will be horrible.

Jokepa, Jay, Galen, etc. have done an abysmal job developing talent; its seems as if far too many players regress during their college careers.

[Crimson's Ghost]

Agree, Pitt's depth chart is very, very thin. Pitt's top of the line recruits are good, but some of the linemen,linebackers and now Graham is going after terrible DB's. That concerns me.

Pitt has 4 recruits committed right now that I think can play. The other 12 are MAC level players, period. I think he is really banking on Rushel Shell. Pitt never gets the top ranked WPIAL players. They always get the 2nd,3rd,4th, 5th ect.....but the best guy always leaves. Getting Shell would be a big step for Graham.

[The Ancient Enemy]

The other 12 are MAC level players

I think you are right about that.

You have to give Graham time to recruit for his system. I know that sucks right now, but if you actively hire a guy w/ a different system, you have to allow some growing pains. He's running his offense w/ kids that can't run it.