Week 2 didn't quell any fears about their respective teams in Pittsburgh and Happy Valley. Questions abound for these two teams and it's anyone's guess where these teams will end up at season's end. In Morgantown, the mood is much higher as the Mountaineers destroyed Norfolk State. I'll do my best to give my opinion on what went down this weekend.
PITT 35, Maine 29
- It's never a good sign when your team only beats an FCS team by six points. Pitt didn't play well, but in all fairness the score was much closer than the game actually was. Still, Pitt needs to perform better if they want to beat conference opponents.
- Tino Sunseri is bad. Really, really bad. I want to believe badly that he will turn it around and lead Pitt to a Big East title, but I'm not sure I can even convince myself of that.
- Todd Graham gave his vote of confidence to Sunseri and he will start this week, but I suspect the leash is much shorter than Graham is letting on. Obviously he's saying all the things he should be saying, but I have a feeling if Pitt isn't winning at halftime against Iowa, we'll see Trey Anderson.
- The defense looked worse this week than last week and they took a ton of heat for their performance against Buffalo. Why is this? It's my opinion that the offense is wearing them out. Pitt wants to move down the field fast and score points. That's fine and dandy, but they aren't doing that. They're running 3, 4, maybe 5 plays and then punting. The defense can't get a break and that may have a lot to do with why they can't stop anyone.
- Kevin Harper better get it going fast. His missed kicks have been a big reason why this offense has taken the amount of heat they have. Pitt has scored 35 points per game. If Kevin Harper makes every kick, and he should have, Pitt is averaging 40 points. It's not a huge difference, but it looks a lot nicer for sure.
- At least I got something right about this Pitt football team. Ray Graham is a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate and will be as long as Pitt wins the Big East. He's the nation's leading rusher and would only be better if the quarterback play improves.
WEST VIRGINIA 55, Norfolk State 12
- If you didn't watch or read about this game, you might not believe it, but Norfolk State was winning 12-10 at halftime. West Virginia needs to start quicker if they want to win the conference, but the 2nd half more than made up for it.
- I think it's pretty clear that this team is the class of the Big East. They have more talent than any team other than Pitt. However, even though they can't run the ball, they sure can pass it and Pitt can't stop the pass. Right now - Edge, West Virginia
Alabama 27, PENN STATE 11
- Forget the game, the better team won. The issue is that Penn State is obviously no longer an elite program. There really wasn't much question over who was going to win the game, it was more a question of if Penn State would cover the spread (they didn't). I hate to do this, but they're very similar to Notre Dame. They beat who they should and hang around against good teams.
- So the question is how does Penn State get back to elite status? Find a way to make Joe Paterno retire. I hate even saying that, but he really is just a figurehead and his staff isn't good enough to cover for what he lacks. A new coach (Tom Bradley anyone?) would turn this thing around instantly. If I'm Penn State, I NEVER ask him to step down. He's done too much for this program to get the Bobby Bowden treatment. But somebody's got to let this guy know he just doesn't have it anymore. Jimbo Fisher's done pretty well for himself at Florida State.
- Okay, I'll talk about the game a little bit. Rob Bolden needs to be the starter and lone quarterback used. He played pretty bad, but Matt McGloin played way worse. It won't happen this week and that's why Penn State doesn't stand a chance in this conference.
DUQUESNE 22, Dayton 13
Liberty 38, ROBERT MORRIS 7
Click here for more local scores
More Articles from the web on all three local teams:
Pitt
http://espn.go.com/blog/bigeast/post/_/id/23391/big-east-what-we-learned-2
Penn State
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/09/07/joe-paterno-must-retire-as-penn-state-s-football-coach.html
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11253/1173780-143.stm
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11256/1174162-215.stm
West Virginia
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/college/s_756197.html
Duquesne
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