In a league where no one is able to perform well when anything is on the line, the Pitt Panthers still have a shot at a BCS bowl berth. First, Pitt would have to beat Cincinnati, (Saturday at noon on ESPN). Second, West Virginia would have to lose to Rutgers, (Saturday at noon on ABC). Finally, UConn would have to lose to USF, (Saturday at 8 p.m. on ESPN2). Stranger things have happened before. Still, most of the Pitt fans and sports writers have pointed out that this season has been an unmitigated disaster. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Paul Zeise has even unleashed his gem:
When I say soft, I’m meaning, they are not tough physically and they are not tough mentally. They have no ability to reach down and find that extra something that usually is the difference between winning and losing. Instead, this team has far too many whiners who make excuses for why they can’t get the job done, they like to point the fingers elsewhere instead of themselves and this team has come unglued every time there has been even a hint of adversity.
Dave Wannstedt, everybody!
Poor Finishes and Bad Losses (Pitt Blather)
So there are issues. Don’t worry, Coach Wannstedt has carefully examined the WVU debacle and knows what went wrong.
Wannstedt concerned more about Bearcats than his job (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
“Ultimately, it is my responsibility as the head coach and our responsibility as a staff to get this team ready to play each week, and right now that means getting this team ready to play as well as we can against Cincinnati and then in a bowl game. I promise you, that nobody out there is more disappointed than I am in how this season has gone and I am focused on getting this program back on track.”
News & Notes (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Staff Blogs)
“Looking at the numbers in terms of bowl eligible teams and bowl spots across the country, it is highly likely, almost a lock, that Pitt will find a spot even at 6-6, but a couple of upsets this weekend and a few more teams become bowl eligible and you never know. Why leave it to chance? Why not do something very Un-Pitt-like and just win the game and control your own fate. I know, it is a tough concept but hopefully the Panthers get it right, for once.”
Pitt can still earn a share of the Big East title (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
There is plenty of speculation about Wannstedt’s job security, but most of it is from outside the university. Indications are that he likely will survive despite a very disappointing season for the Panthers. And a win against the Bearcats would solidify his hold on the job.
It’s kind of funny to me that “a win against the Bearcats would solidify his hold on the job” since this win will likely mean nothing at all. “Dave, we’re not real happy with a season where we expected you to go to a BCS bowl and finish in the top 15 nationally… but if you go out and beat a 4-7 team and take your team to the Meineke Car Care Bowl, we’ll keep your seven-figure salary going.”
Big East Excess 