NCAA Football FanHouse

Old School: Pitt-West Virginia 1975

John Radcliff — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 19:03:00 EST

Filed under: Pittsburgh Football, West Virginia Football, Big East, Pittsburgh, West Virginia

Old School" is the College Football FanHouse's irregular look back at the rich history of college football, usually through the medium of embeddable flash video. Check out the Old School archive for more famous plays and infamous hair.

One of the biggest wins over Pitt in Mountaineer history. Probably a lot like this years game will be remembered by Pitt fans. Badump-bah! The Voice of the Mountaineers, Jack Fleming narrates and at the 1:44 mark you can see that there used to be a lot more guns at Old Mountaineer Field. And hats off for getting Yes to do the sound track. That #33 for Pitt is some guy named Dorsett.

Besides being against a Pitt team that was ranked and had one of the best running backs in the history of college football, this game is most remembered for the dramatic ending that seems story book for the home team and nightmarish for the visitors as Bill McKenzie kicked the winning field goal as time expired. Not some of Fleming's best work, at least until they cut in to his live play-by-play. I guess they didn't want to step on Rick Wakeman's toes while he wowed us with those funky keyboards.

Old School: Pitt-West Virginia 1975 originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 23 Jan 2008 19:03:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

College Football Songbook: Karma Is a Cruel, Instrument-Wrecking Mistress

John Radcliff — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Pittsburgh Football, West Virginia Football, Big East, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, FanHouse TV

The College Football Songbook is a weekly feature in which we'll be making as much fun as humanly possible of the most embarrassing moments in college football. Through words, music, and related video we'll leave a lasting memory implanted on the brains of the vanquished that they are not soon to forget. lament the loss to Pitt.

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Video Link

College Football Songbook: Karma Is a Cruel, Instrument-Wrecking Mistress originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 03 Dec 2007 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Another Sidelined Pitt Player

Charles Rich — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 15:06:00 EST

Filed under: Pittsburgh Football, Big East, NCAA FB Injuries, Pittsburgh

It's as if Pitt has had a season worth of injuries and drama, and it's only week one of the season. Potential starting safety suspended for the season; the team's defensive leader charged with possession (subsequently dropped); heralded freshman QB leaves on the eave of training camp for a week to deal with "personal issues": the #1 WR blows out his ACL in a non-contact drill; the top freshman offensive lineman from the recruiting class dislocated a knee cap in training camp who was expected to at least be on the two-deep if not starting; add in the team's best offensive lineman who still not fully recovered from off-season shoulder surgery; and now the starting QB is out for at least four weeks with torn ligaments in his thumb.

Bill Stull went down in the 3d quarter of the game against Eastern Michigan. At this point Head Coach Dave Wannstedt won't even consider naming a starter. It will either be redshirt freshman Kevan Smith or true freshman Pat Bostick.

The odds favor Smith since he has a year practicing Pitt's offense, he has a strong arm and much needed mobility given the porous nature of the offensive line. His biggest problem, and it is a big problem, is that he just can't seem to take a snap cleanly. It was something he struggled all through camp and in relief of Stull on Saturday, he fumbled one snap.

If Pitt suffers a 3d straight .500 or worse season, at least this year there's a good excuse.

Another Sidelined Pitt Player originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 04 Sep 2007 15:06:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Pitt Names a QB but Still Looking for an O-line

Charles Rich — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 00:06:00 EST

Filed under: Pittsburgh Football, Big East, Pittsburgh

Bill Stull was named the starting QB for Pitt. A move that shocked no one since he has spent the entire training camps taking snaps with the first string offense.

"It is pretty obvious Billy Stull is our starter at quarterback, he's performed the best," Wannstedt said. "He's confident in what he is doing, he understands our offense and Kevan Smith and Pat Bostick will keep working behind him."

It also didn't hurt that heralded freshman QB Pat Bostick left camp for a week just as it started, to essentially knock him out of the picture to start the season. Not to mention, redshirt freshman Kevan Smith spent the entire camp struggling with accuracy and simply taking the ball from under center.

No other starters were named at the conclusion of training camp, though the depth chart is expected to be announced in the next day or so. The bigger issue will be whether Stull will have protection from an already beaten-up offensive line. The most experienced and versatile offensive lineman, Senior Mike McGlynn did not practice for most of camp while still recovering from shoulder surgery. Freshman Chris Jacobson, considered the team's top offensive lineman recruit for the 2007 class is likely out for the season with a dislocated kneecap that will require surgery. Another freshman, offensive tackle Dan Matha is also out for the season with shoulder surgery.

Pitt Names a QB but Still Looking for an O-line originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 23 Aug 2007 00:06:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Big East Football Preview '07: The Mediocre

Matt Glaude — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Pittsburgh Football, Big East, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati Football

With Syracuse and Connecticut occupying the worst two seats at the Big East Bonanza, somebody needs to sit in between the kitchen door and the dais.

This is not to say that either of the following two universities cannot move from their seats on the floor to positions of honor. Recent history has shown that the Big East hierarchy is fluid in nature. 2006 saw Rutgers move from its position as a predictory "mediocre" team to one of the conferences "contenders"; similarly, Cincinnati moved from the "dregs" to the class of "mediocre."

Pittsburgh Panthers

Last year: 6-6 overall; 2-5 Big East

WHY THEY'LL WIN: The Wannstache has been stockpiling the Panther talent cupboard for almost three years now. At some point, all that potential will start paying dividends. 2007 may not see an explosion of contributions from the young talent, but it should see a steady rise of talented play.

Even if Pittsburgh's corps of youth does not immediately raise the Panther's level of play, the schedule should not turn into a Murderer's Row. Having to play at Louisville, Rutgers, and West Virginia is harrowing, but Pittsburgh should be able to accumulate a nice cache of wins in its first seven contests -- Eastern Michigan, Grambling State, at Michigan State, Connecticut, at Virginia, Navy, and Cincinnati. The Panthers should get at least four to five wins from that group and manageable home contests against Syracuse and South Florida may make Pittsburgh bowl eligible.

WHY THEY WON'T: If the offensive line continues its 2006 trend of playing like a sieve, there is no chance that the Panthers will find more success than failure. The proof is in the pudding: when Pittsburgh plays poorly up front, the offense puts on its best Syracuse impression.

In addition to the offensive line play, the loss of Derek Kinder may hamper Pittsburgh's success. One man a team does not make, but Kinder put together tangible production and senior leadership. No matter how good Oderick Turner is, he does not bring to the table Kinder's total package.

PROGNOSIS: Expect Pittsburgh to improve from 2006, even though the Panthers will finally feature a non-Palko under center. The conference record may look ugly, but overall the Panthers should string together six victories.

Cincinnati Bearcats

Last year: 7-5 overall; 4-3 Big East

WHY THEY'LL WIN: Why not? Nobody with operating gunk betwixt their ears expected Cincinnati to win seven games in 2006. Why should anyone question our future Bearcat overlords now?

The offense returns six key starters, including quarterback Dustin Grutza, wide receiver Dominick Goodman, and the entire right side of the offensive line in Trevor Canfield (RG) and Jeff Linkenbach (RT). Except for Linkenbach, all the returning contributors are upperclassmen, which should help stabilize the unit's transition to Brian Kelly's wide open philosophy.

On the defensive side, the Bearcats will feature eight familiar faces. While individually the unit is less than stellar (save Mike Mickens and Terrill Byrd), the unit as a group is very strong. Things should not change much for Cincinnati's defense in 2007.

WHY THEY WON'T: The list is long:

New coach in Kelly (former coach Mark Dantonio left for greener pastures at Michigan State);
New offensive philosophy;
Loss of Brent Celek, the most underappreciated player in Big East history, is bound to effect offensive production;
Unsettled quarterback situation; and
A pretty unrelenting conference stretch of: at Rutgers, Louisville, at Pittsburgh, and at South Florida.

PROGNOSIS: The out-of-conference schedule is almost criminally easy, so a six or seven-win season should be reachable. If the offense fails to grasp Kelly's new philosophy, however, four or five wins is more likely.

Big East Football Preview '07: The Mediocre originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Fri, 17 Aug 2007 14:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Big East Football Preview '07: Impact Freshman

Matt Glaude — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Pittsburgh Football, Big East, Rutgers Football, Pittsburgh, South Florida Football

"Impact" is obviously a relative term. Some freshman contribute immediate gains and earn the tag as franchise-like players. Others contribute on a lesser scale, either by strengthening a team's weaknesses or enhancing a team's strengths.

The following represents a handful of freshman expected to have such a program impact in 2007. For the record, redshirt freshman (or those expected to redshirt) are considered.

1. Mike Ford, RB, South Florida

In 2006, the South Florida Bulls managed to accumulate 1,874 yards on the ground. Matt Grothe -- South Florida's All-Everything quarterback/savior -- accounted for a third of those yards and almost matched the total number of carries accumulated by the Bulls' top two running backs (178-195).

Despite this odd state of affairs, Jim Leavitt's charges went 9-4 and have become a chic pick for the 2007 season.

If South Florida is to turn the corner from "Curious Anomaly" to "Viable Contender," Mike Ford's rushing prowess must take center stage. Easily the Bulls' most heralded recruit since the program's relatively recent inception, Ford has the opportunity and skills to diversify South Florida's offensive performance and methodology.

A guy that rushes for a Florida state record 2,836 yards as a high school senior tends to have that effect. Of course, in order for that effect to take place, Ford must try and keep his nose out of trouble.

2. LeSean McCoy, RB, Pittsburgh

It's not that LaRod Stephens-Howling is a bad option at tailback. In fact, Stephens-Howling has done an admirable job toting the bean for The Wannstache (5.02 yards per carry in 2006) given the fact that he has been running behind what can only be described as an underwhelming offensive line.

LeSean McCoy, though, has the potential to become a superstar. With speed, hands, and a balance that allows him to see the entire field, McCoy can do it all. Even The Wannstache has seen the potential McCoy holds:

"I've kind of been hesitant to say his name, but after (Monday's) practice I have to say some good things,'' Wannstedt said. "LeSean McCoy made some plays in today's practice that were awfully exciting. He's working extremely hard and learning the offense, and he's playing tough. And those are the things that initially we were waiting to see."

McCoy is not expected to get the lion's share of carries this season, but he will provide an excellent second option to Stephens-Howling.

3. Anthony Davis, OL, Rutgers

If Rutgers is to achieve is goal of absolute and unquestioned global domination, it's probably helpful to have a guy that resembles The Thing.

Standing 6'6" and tipping the scales at around 350 pounds, New Jersey native Anthony Davis fits the bill nicely. One of the most coveted offensive line prospects in the country, Davis spurred, amongst others, Ohio State and Southern California to join the Greg Schiano Mafia.

It is uncertain whether Davis will start this season for the Scarlet Knights (he is currently battling some serious conditioning issues due to a summertime affection for anything mildly characterized as "food"), but Schiano obviously sees the potential Davis holds:

"He does some things where you sit there and go 'whoa,'" head coach Greg Schiano said. "But the next play he makes a freshman mistake. He is a freshman."

Once Davis figures out how to put it all together, he may go down in history as the best offensive lineman to play in the Big East (and that includes the wealth of line talent that came out of Miami and Virginia Tech in the league's halcyon days).

Others to Watch

Here are a handful of freshman that are likely to become positive forces within their team's program structure:

Jermaine Pierce, LB -- Syracuse

Blessed with size and strength, there is a very good chance that Pierce will see serious time this season for Greg Robinson's Orange. The linebacker situation remains unsettled at Syracuse and if Pierce continues to impress his coaches, Pierce could be the first young linebacker to immediately contribute since Clifton Smith.

Noel Devine, RB -- West F'n Virginia

How does a blue-chip prospect fall to an "Others to Watch" category? Simple: he is playing behind arguably the most exciting player in college football (Steve Slaton). Devine will play in 2007, but due to the riches West Virginia is currently experiencing, his contributions will not have a superior impact.

Look for Devine to make his mark next season when Slaton, more likely than not, moves on to the NFL.

Doug Beaumont, WR -- Louisville

He won't push Mario Urrutia or Harry Douglass for starting time, but Beaumont is projected to be pretty good. Kentucky's reigning Mr. Football, Beaumont looks to follow in the footsteps of the league's finest set of receivers. Expect to see Beaumont in three-receiver sets during the 2007 campaign.

Big East Football Preview '07: Impact Freshman originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 15 Aug 2007 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Major College Athletic Departments Issued Subpoenas in Loan Probe

Brian Grummell — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 22:49:00 EST

Filed under: Auburn Football, Georgia Tech Football, Kansas Football, Louisville Football, Oregon Football, Pittsburgh Football, UCLA Football, UCF Football, Rutgers Football, NCAA FB Scandal, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Oregon, Pittsburgh, Texas, Arkansas State Football, Bowling Green Football, Central Michigan Football, Colorado State Football, East Carolina Football, Florida Atlantic Football, Houston Football, Ohio Football, Oregon State Football, South Florida Football, TCU Football, Tulane Football, UAB Football, UTEP Football

New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has issued subpoenas for 39 collegiate athletic departments in a probe of their relationships with student loan providers. At its most basic, this investigation is asking whether or not cash, kickbacks, gifts and other bribes or misleading measures were communicated between various student loan providers and the cited athletic departments.

Cuomo is investigating whether athletic departments at these universities agreed to promote SFS loans to students in exchange for kickbacks.

"Students trust their University's athletic departments because so much of campus life at Division I schools centers around supporting the home team," said Cuomo. "To betray this trust by promoting loans in exchange for money is a serious issue, especially when Division I schools already generate tremendous revenue from their student athletes. Today's action is an important new step as we continue to examine the unethical conflicts that pervade the student loan industry.

"The Attorney General's office is specifically investigating whether athletic departments evaluated UFS interest rates before recommending their federal loans, or if their endorsement of UFS was based purely on payments from the lender. Such an arrangement would constitute revenue sharing, which is a violation New York state consumer protection laws, as well as a violation of federal law.

D-IA football schools named (prominent schools in bold): Arkansas State, Auburn, Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Colorado State, East Carolina, Florida Atlantic, Georgia Tech, Ohio, Oregon State, Rutgers, TCU, Tulane, Alabama-Birmingham, UCLA, UCF, Houston, Kansas, Louisville, Oregon, Pittsburgh, USF, UTEP. See link for complete list.

Of note: USC and Texas have also been scrutinized in a similar probe, but to my knowledge it has not been linked to their athletic departments but rather the university-wide financial aid offices of the schools.

It's good that athletic departments have an awareness of and working relationship with loan providers, but obviously there's a problem when that relationship gets too cozy and bad loan options are pressed upon students and student-athletes.

(Via: Yahoo!)

Major College Athletic Departments Issued Subpoenas in Loan Probe originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 01 Aug 2007 22:49:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Pitt Safety Suspended for ... Something

Charles Rich — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 14:52:00 EST

Filed under: Pittsburgh Football, Big East, NCAA FB Rumors, Pittsburgh

What it is, no body is actually saying. There's speculation, rumination and rumors -- lots of rumors. Pitt and Coach Dave Wannstedt, however, are filing it under "violation of team policy." Yeah, that will quell the questions and rumors. A season long suspension for violating team policy. Nothing to take notice of here. Fields, of course, has been unavailable for comment.

Elijah Fields was expected to be in the mix for the starting strong safety position. Fields, a sophomore, has been suspended numerous times by the team already. He was suspended for several practices in the spring for skipping several conditioning workouts and classes. Despite the missed practices, he still starred in the spring game.

At this time, Fields is still enrolled at Pitt and there has been no word that he is leaving the program. Everything about the kid on the field says he has great potential all the way to the NFL. His inability to deal with off-the-field matters could keep him from being anything but a minor "what if." At least Pacman Jones made it to the NFL before he started letting his off-the-field issues take him from the game.

Pitt Safety Suspended for ... Something originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 01 Aug 2007 14:52:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Leadership Does't Include Possession Charges

Charles Rich — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 10:17:00 EST

Filed under: Pittsburgh Football, Big East, NCAA FB Police Blotter, Pittsburgh

Last week, the Big East had its Media Days. Pitt's contingent included Senior Defensive End, Joe Clermond. A player on the preseason watchlists for the Bronko Nagurski (top defensive player), Chuck Bednarik (top defensive player) and Ted Hendricks (top defensive end) Awards. Clermond was expected to be a team captain as a senior and was naturally the subject of puff pieces regarding his increased leadership role on Pitt.

The way to deal with all of that pressure, was apparently to get busted for possession at a concert.

Clermond, 22, who was getting out of the silver sport utility vehicle when officers pulled up, denied smoking marijuana, but police spotted what appeared to be a half-smoked blunt, which is a cigar with the tobacco removed and replaced by marijuana.

[Former West Virginia player] Chris] Coker, a 21-year-old junior from Ashburn, Va., who was in the passenger seat, was found carrying a small amount of marijuana in his pockets. A small bag of marijuana also was found in the front-seat console.

Pitt is waiting to see what Clermond does at his hearing this Monday. Clermond is rumored to be denying that the marijuana was his or that he inhaled.

Coker was a former walk-on at WVU, until the end of spring drills when he apparently walked off the team according to the Mountaineers.

Leadership Does't Include Possession Charges originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Thu, 26 Jul 2007 10:17:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Pittsburgh Passion Wins Women's Football Championship Game

Michael David Smith — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 11:26:00 EST

Filed under: Pittsburgh, Women's Sports

If you didn't know there was such a thing as the Pittsburgh Passion, or if you didn't know there was such a thing as the women's football championship game, well, now you know. And if you like pictures of female football players set to country music, you're in luck:

That was the Passion during its 2006 season. Its 2007 season concluded when it won the National Women's Football Association championship Saturday. Congratulations, ladies.

Hat tip: Sports by Brooks.

Pittsburgh Passion Wins Women's Football Championship Game originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 23 Jul 2007 11:26:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Louisville Dominates Big East "National" TV Package

Matt Glaude — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 12:43:00 EST

Filed under: Louisville Football, Pittsburgh Football, Syracuse Football, West Virginia Football, Big East, Rutgers Football, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, West Virginia

Who would've thought that the network that brings you Arena Football League action also wants you to watch Brian Brohm throw a bazillion touchdowns on its college football broadcasts?

While television schedules are inherently fluid in nature, the Big East Conference announced today during its Media Day festivities the 2007 television package for the league. Louisville, fresh off of its defeat of Wake Forest in the Orange Bowl, will highlight the conference's televised slate of games with seven total appearances on "national" networks (the Cardinals games against Murray State and Kentucky will appear on ESPNU and ESPN Classic, respectively).

Steve Slaton and West Virginia will appear on ESPN or ESPN2 five times, although only two of those contests -- against Pittsburgh and at Marshall -- will occur on a Saturday. In fact, of the 22 games listed as "national" broadcasts, only seven will occur on a traditional Saturday afternoon or evening. That's a whopping 68 percent of the Big East's "nationally" televised contests.

Rutgers and Pittsburgh will make four "national" appearances. It appears, therefore, that the nation is just as enamored with Ray Rice's rushing ability as it is with Dave Wannstedt's awe-inspiring mustache.

Louisville Dominates Big East "National" TV Package originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 17 Jul 2007 12:43:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Big East Media Tabs Mountaineers as 2007 Favorite

Matt Glaude — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 11:15:00 EST

Filed under: Louisville Football, Pittsburgh Football, Syracuse Football, West Virginia Football, Big East, Rutgers Football, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, West Virginia, Connecticut Football

The Big East Conference media horde has spoken and two things are abundantly clear: (1) West Virginia is carrying a ton of cache within the league; and (2) Syracuse head coach Greg Robinson better be renting his place in the Salt City.

Released today in the college football hotbed of Newport, Rhode Island, the 2007 Big East preseason media poll does not contain too many surprises. The Mountaineers took home 20 of the available 24 first-place votes, while Louisville (3) and Rutgers (1) picked up the remaining tallies:

2007 BIG EAST FOOTBALL PRESEASON MEDIA POLL

1. West Virginia (20) 188

2. Louisville (3) 167

3. Rutgers (1) 142

4. USF 123

5. Cincinnati 86

6. Pittsburgh 80

7. Connecticut 45

8. Syracuse 32

The bottom of the poll could generate some mild arguments. Pittsburgh is obviously carrying more pure talent than Cincinnati, but given the fact that the Panthers must travel to Rutgers, West Virginia, and Louisville this season (in fact Pittsburgh is the only Big East school which will run such a gauntlet), it is not totally out of the scope of reason that the Panthers will lose those three games. Thus, Pittsburgh's position behind Cincinnati is not without merit.

The other area of intrigue is the slotting of Syracuse and Connecticut. Plagued with question marks on the offensive line and behind center, neither program is likely to challenge for the league's championship in 2007. However, to see the Huskies a full 13 points ahead of the Orange is striking, especially considering the fact that Syracuse -- operating under similar youthful and injury-plagued conditions to that of Connecticut -- drilled the Huskies just one short year ago. Methinks that Syracuse's trip to East Hartford, Connecticut on November 17th swayed the vote.

Big East Media Tabs Mountaineers as 2007 Favorite originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 17 Jul 2007 11:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Respect the Big East Schedules

John Radcliff — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 19:24:00 EST

Filed under: Louisville Football, Pittsburgh Football, Syracuse Football, West Virginia Football, Big East, Rutgers Football, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, West Virginia, Connecticut Football

For a long time now, the new Big East has been taking one on the chin for their lack of tough scheduling. Most notably, West Virginia has been plagued with talent rich teams that played mostly inferior opponents, paying a heavy price in the public opinion polls. And the rest of the conference has been forced to play MAC and D1-AA teams, or whatever you call them now. Is it playoff division? Whatever! Anyway, because of the departure of Miami, Virginia Tech, and Boston College, the Big East teams that remained had to scramble to fill out the league as well as their schedules. So far, Louisville has been a great pick up. South Florida looks to be building a fine program. Cincinnati and Connecticut haven't quite panned out.

But now that the dust has settled and the league has been able to get back on it's feet, the schedules are coming together. This from the Charleston Daily Mail.

If naysayers have had a field day trashing the Big East non-league schedules last season and this one, they will need to find a different target in the future. Conference teams, for the most part, are taking bigger challenges.

"The past few years we've admittedly been in a little bit of a building phase," said Nick Carparelli, the Big East associate commissioner for football operations. "What you see (in the future) is that our teams are taking another step schedule-wise."

And actually there is a pretty nice pdf of the future out of conference schedules for the Big East here, provided by the Daily Mail. Pitt has upcoming series with ~~traitors~~ Virginia Tech, ~~traitors~~ Miami, Notre Dame, and Clemson. Syracuse has scheduled series with Penn State, ~~traitors~~ Virginia Tech, and USC. No, I'm not bitter. Not at all. And really, the list of impressive OOC schedules goes on and on.

With the improvement of the conference and the schedules, the next step it to expand the conference. But like fellow FanHouse blogger Matt Glaude puts it, there really aren't any choices out there that make sense at the moment. No matter what Mitch Vingle thinks.

Respect the Big East Schedules originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 10 Jul 2007 19:24:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Wannstedt on the Wannstache

Charles Rich — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 23:07:00 EST

Filed under: Pittsburgh Football, Big East, Pittsburgh

It had to happen. All the comments, the jokes, all the years. Someone finally asked Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt about the big furry caterpillar in the room.

SB: When did you decide you were going to adopt the mustache as your signature look?

DW: Well, I always thought the Charles Bronson look was the way to go, and I didn't realize it would take off. The biggest problem I have is that I don't have much skill with a razor in my hand. I've butchered that thing up more times than not. I had never really given it any thought until someone told me I was on the 10 most viewed mustaches on some Internet service, up there with Charles Bronson and Tom Selleck and myself. So it's crazy. I've been at games in stadiums with students who have pictures drawn up, and that's all they talk about. It's hilarious. I don't plan on shaving it off, that's for sure.

He never did quite nail that Charles Bronson look. Yet somehow the Wannstache is immortal, while Bronson's mustache slowly fades from memory.

Wannstedt on the Wannstache originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 02 Jul 2007 23:07:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Paterno Sees No Return of Pitt-Penn State

Charles Rich — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 14:07:00 EST

Filed under: Penn State Football, Pittsburgh Football, Big 10, Big East, NCAA FB Coaching, Pittsburgh

In other stunning news, the sun rises in the East and water is wet.

Every year this repeats itself. Joe Paterno comes to Pittsburgh for a Penn State alumni event. During the time he takes questions from the press. One of the questions is inevitably about resuming the Pitt-Penn State rivalry in football. Joe Paterno runs through his usual reasons for it not happening:

Grudge -- Pitt wouldn't join his eastern sports conference back in 1979. Yes, he still cites a nearly 30 year pipe dream.
Money -- Penn State needs 7 home games, and can't fit Pitt in a 12 game schedule unless Pitt were to do a 2-for-1. Makes you wonder how Florida-FSU, Georgia-GT, USC-ND, South Carolina-Clemson, Iowa-Iowa State and Colorado-Colorado State can manage.
Alumni -- Apparently they have a significant contingent in Nebraska that needs a game.
Absurd -- Complaining that the final time they played, after PSU had declared that they would not continue the series, Pitt bundled individual tickets with a game versus Temple (excepting the allotment given to the visiting team to sell/distribute). Conveniently ignoring the fact that it was still cheaper than a single game ticket at PSU.

Then he finishes with the humorous:

" I personally would like to have a home-and-home series with Pitt, but I don't think it's realistic right now."

Right. Because everyone knows that Joe Paterno has no real power at Penn State.

I'm admittedly biased as a Pitt alum with Penn State parents. Still, I've accepted that the game won't return until a few years after Paterno is no longer at Penn State.

Paterno Sees No Return of Pitt-Penn State originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 20 Jun 2007 14:07:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Pitt's Logo Goes from Bad to Worse

Charles Rich — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 21:36:00 EST

Filed under: Pittsburgh Football, Big East, NCAA FB Campus, Pittsburgh Basketball, Big East Basketball, NCAA Basketball Campus, Pittsburgh

As a loyal Pitt alum, I keep waiting for the athletic department to finally give up the ghost on the "Panther Head" logo (along with the boring and bland navy and gold and just go back to the old colors, along with the script "PITT" but that's a different rant). The Panther Head logo introduced back in the mid-90s (on the left) was accurately described this way:

...the panther-head thing on the helmet looks like Beowulf's Grendel as drawn by the troubled comic book fan at the back of the class.

The only good news is that this thing has been relegated to a "secondary" logo in the last two years. The present, primary logo is a block-lettered "PITT." The bad news is that they are still trying with a new style of the Panther Head as shown on the right as the secondary logo.

As expected, the Pitt message boards are less than impressed with the new logo. Since I didn't like the old Panther Head that much, it's hard for me to get too worked up over the newer version of a secondary logo I would like to ignore. About the only good thing to write about it, is that it is less detailed in contrasting colors which made the older version look like an unidentifiable blob when shrunk too small or viewed from a distance. Then again, that might be the bug in the new design rather than the feature.

UPDATE: The picture of the new logo came via Panther Rants blog. Apologies for the lack of credit.

Pitt's Logo Goes from Bad to Worse originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Mon, 18 Jun 2007 21:36:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Random YouTube Magic: Bring Back Pitt-Penn State!

Bruce Ciskie — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 09:10:00 EST

Filed under: Penn State Football, Pittsburgh Football, Big 10, Big East, General CFB Insanity, NCAA FB Video, Pittsburgh

I'm all about full disclosure. I'm a Wisconsin guy. Born and raised in Wisconsin. I've always been a fan of the Badgers.

As I've learned more about the history of college football, I've come to truly appreciate rivalries like Auburn-Alabama, Michigan-Ohio State, Army-Navy, Harvard-Yale, Stanford-Cal, etc. They're not just great rivalries, but they're among the great traditions in the sport.

Until today, I admit to knowing very little about one of the great old rivalries, Pittsburgh-Penn State. Now, thanks to YouTube, I can catch up a bit:

It's official now. I know more about the Pittsburgh-Penn State rivalry than I ever would have learned from Wikipedia. Does the greatness of YouTube know any bounds?

(Some enterprising fan really should fix this Wikipedia problem. You can learn more about the Pittsburgh-Cincinnati rivalry that's existed since like 2005 than you can the Pittsburgh-Penn State rivalry.)

Count me in. Forget Notre Dame, guys. Play each other. It would be great for college football, and it's not like you're going to lose anything playing each other over playing Notre Dame (ooh, burn!).

While we're at it, if someone wants to produce a video narrated by one of the NFL Films guys, I'll probably get jazzed about your favorite rivalry, too.

No, Ohio-Kent State probably doesn't count. But it can't hurt to try.

Random YouTube Magic: Bring Back Pitt-Penn State! originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Sun, 10 Jun 2007 09:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

The Bill Snyder Scheduling Award -- Big East Edition

Charles Rich — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 13:17:00 EST

Filed under: Louisville Football, Pittsburgh Football, Syracuse Football, West Virginia Football, Big East, Rutgers Football, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, West Virginia, Connecticut Football

Former Kansas State Coach Bill Snyder is a legend in college football. Not just for making K-State relevant, but for his astounding non-conference schedules that presented not simply a minimal risk of loss, but usually guaranteed a 3 touchdown beatdown -- minimum. It would be compounded by rarely including a single road game and almost never an opponent from another BCS Conference. To honor the legacy of Coach Snyder, we bring you the FanHouse "Bill Snyder Award Honoring Excellence in the Scheduling of Creampuffs and Patsies".

The Big East presents an interesting situation with only 8 members and a 12 game schedule. While all of the other BCS Conferences have 4 games, the Big East teams need to find 5 opponents. This can create a real Bill Snyder schedule challenge. How do you manage to play nobody and avoid more than one road game?

There are some real stinkers on the Big East non-conference slate, especially with the 1-AA opponents. Louisville-Murray State; Pitt-Grambling; USF-Elon and Cinci-SE Missouri St. The competition really came down to two teams for overall patsy scheduling.

Runner-Up: UConn
A tremendous effort despite the inclusion of two road games against ACC opponents. They start out the season with a game on the road, but at Duke. That is followed up by home games with the 1-AA Maine Black Bears and the should be 1-AA Temple Owls. That opening three game effort is hard to match by any patsy schedule.

After an early conference road game it's back home to face the Zips of Akron who are projected to be near the bottom of the MAC. UConn would almost have the prize, but then conclude their non-con with a road game to Virginia. Ooooh, that really hurt. They were so close. Couple that with the expectations that UConn will finish 7th or 8th in the Big East put them in the Silver.

Winner: Rutgers
Rutgers is heading into the season ranked in the top-20. They have a Heisman Trophy candidate in Ray Rice. Greg Schiano won numerous "Coach of the Year" awards. They have a legitimate shot at winning the Big East a BCS bid, and a non-conference schedule that would make Bill Snyder glow with pride.

4 of 5 games at home
1 1-AA opponent (Norfolk State)
1 road game against a team with a triple digit preseason ranking (Army)
1 home game against a team with a triple digit preseason ranking (Buffalo)

Their most embarrassing game is on Homecoming with 1-AA Norfolk State, a bottom feeder in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). They start the season with Buffalo. The only road game is a November trip to West Point where the only thing interesting is that it will be Scarlet Knights versus Black Knights.

Home games with Navy and middle-of-the-ACC (at-best) Maryland are mixed in the opening month. Both went to bowl games last year, but are not nearly the same teams. Navy returns only 2 starters on defense and has to fill 3 spots on the O-line to make their triple-option work. Maryland has half of its starters back but will have a new QB and a questionable O-line.

Rutgers has set their schedule so they won't even have to leave New Jersey until mid-October. Given the expectations for Rutgers, the number of returning starters and the hype paired with this schedule. The Scarlet Knights have runaway with the "Bill Snyder Memorial Award for Non-Conference Scheduling and Pastry-Making" in the Big East. Bravo!

Previously at Fanhouse:
These Unkowns Will Rule the Big East
Games That Deserve Hootin' and Hollerin': The Big East

The Bill Snyder Scheduling Award -- Big East Edition originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 05 Jun 2007 13:17:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

These Unknowns Will Rule the Big East

John Radcliff — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 09:02:00 EST

Filed under: Louisville Football, Pittsburgh Football, Syracuse Football, West Virginia Football, Big East, Rutgers Football, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, West Virginia

We are at 90 days and counting until the start of the 2007 college football season. And you should notice quite a bit of talk here on the Fanhouse over the next day or so to get your appetite going for some college football!

And with that, here are a few names to keep an eye out for this year in the Big East.

Matt Grothe, Quarterback, South Florida- Most people in the Big East know who Grothe is. But on a national level, most people probably still don't know what a phenomenal freshman season he had. Most of the country is probably more familiar with Grothe for his bar tending skills. Grothe did go through some growing pains in his first year as a college starter, but he had almost 2,600 yards passing and 622 yards rushing. And looks to be an ideal combination of rushing and passing skills for the spread option offense of South Florida.

Wes Lyons, Wide Receiver, West Virginia- While Lyons didn't have nearly as impressive freshman season as Grothe, he did see some considerable playing time. And at 6'8'', he could be a weapon on jump ball situations for the Mountaineers this year. Someone is going to have to fill the void left behind by Brandon Myles at the receiver spot. And Lyons looks to be the prime candidate at this point.

Anthony Allen, Running Back, Louisville- Allen may not turn out to be the next Michael Bush, but he did do a good job of getting the ball in the end zone for the Cardinals last season. He only had 406 yards rushing and a 4.23 average, but he accounted for 13 rushing touchdowns. And Louisville is sure to keep the offensive production up compared to last year with Brohm and Urrutia back for another year. So expect Allen to get a lot more chances at touchdowns from short distance. And don't be surprised if someone starts calling him the bus.

LeSean McCoy, Running Back, Pittsburgh- If ever anyone needed a rushing game, it is the Panthers. And incoming freshman LeSean McCoy could be the answer to coach Wannstedt's prayers. The five star recruit should receiver a fair chance at the starting position in fall camp.

Unknown Enigma, Wide Receiver, Rutgers- Someone is going to have to step up and be the go to guy for the Scarlet Knights this year. With the graduation of Brian Leonard and tight end Clark Harris, everyone is going to sell out on stopping Ray Rice. There are several wide receivers returning for Rutgers, but none have really made themselves the answer yet. Still just a bunch of questions. But for Rutgers to be successful this year, Mike Teel is going to need someone he can count on when he checks out of the run.

These Unknowns Will Rule the Big East originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Tue, 05 Jun 2007 09:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Mixed Bag of Big East Cash

Charles Rich — Wed, 30 May 2007 09:54:00 EST

Filed under: Louisville Football, Pittsburgh Football, Syracuse Football, West Virginia Football, Big East, NCAA FB Campus, Rutgers Football, Georgetown Basketball, Pittsburgh Basketball, Connecticut Basketball, Marquette Basketball, Louisville Basketball, Villanova Basketball, Syracuse Basketball, West Virginia Basketball, DePaul Basketball, Seton Hall Basketball, Cincinnati Basketball, Notre Dame Basketball, Big East Basketball, NCAA Basketball Coaches, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, West Virginia

An interesting piece talking about the Big East revenue distributions (via Big East Basketball Report).

While the Atlantic Coast Conference recently awarded its 12 schools an average of $10.85 million for the tax year ending June 30, 2006, the Big East awarded its eight full members an average of $5,842,599.

The Big East average has fallen for the last three years. For the July 1, 2003, to June 30, 2004, reporting period, when Miami, Virginia Tech and Boston College were still members, the average was $6,794,029.

After the ACC's raid, six Big East schools (including BC, but not Tech nor Miami) received full football-basketball share averages of $6,445,968.
...
Overall, the Big East's total revenue went from $74,800,951 in 2003-04 to $62,641,685 in '04-05 to $75,411,511 in '05-06. So over the tumultuous three-year period, the league's revenue increased - but only $610,560 in a healthy sports atmosphere.

Some of the fluctuation, though, had to do with television and radio rights fees earned by the league. In 2003-04, the Big East made $25,910,626 in fees. In '04-05, after the defections, it dropped to $15,349,543 before rebounding to $19,225,441 this past reporting period.

There was never any doubt that for the first few years after the revised Big East, that the football revenues from TV would be down. The first year after everything that happened was simply about trying to remain part of the BCS coalition.

It could be argued that only a few of the football schools took significant revenue hits in the first couple of years. Half the football schools were coming into a new conference.

WVU hasn't suffered as much, because the Big East distributions aren't completely equal, but still their revenues from Big East football have been flat. Pitt, Syracuse and Rutgers probably have been feeling more of the pinch. They saw media revenue dip to varying degrees.

For three of the eight members -- Louisville, Cinci and USF -- the money was still better than what they were getting from being in Conference USA. UConn never got serious football money until moving up to 1-A and becoming a football member of the Big East. These four schools may have expected more money flowing to them initially, but it was still an increase.

On the football side, arguably, the Big East managed to do okay in the short term. Especially considering they had to drop to eight teams -- and lacked marquee names.

The basketball side, however, may reveal a bigger problem.

In the last reporting period, Big East basketball took in $34,492,992. Split 16 ways, the average take was $2,155,812. Big East football, meanwhile, took in $28,400,000. Split eight ways, that average take was $3,550,000. The difference was a mere $1,394,188.

Sixteen teams makes the split much smaller. Even with the Big East's latest TV deal that begins next year, the basketball side of things would seem to have too many hands in the jar to create significant revenue increases per member school. That means the relative take for each school remains fairly flat.

It's also worth pointing out, that even though the Big East's basketball side of things may have actually generated more revenue than football, the individual take for each school on the football side of things was greater for all of the schools except Cinci. In football they got the lowest payout in the last period: $2,129,031. About $26,000 less than the average in basketball.

The only way to increase an individual school's take, is in the NCAA Tournament. Creating even more pressure to win, and with that increased ticket prices. The basketball only schools will feel more pressure from the flatter revenue stream. Unlike the football schools, basketball is their only revenue producing athletic activity. Expenses will not remain nearly so flat.

I've always believed that the Big East would split at some point in the next 4 years. I think it might take a little longer, but I still think that. Where I may have been wrong is which side would drive the split. I always assumed the football side would finally break-off with the need to expand and grow. Now, I'm beginning to see how the basketball side might want to make the break.

Mixed Bag of Big East Cash originally appeared on NCAA Football FanHouse on Wed, 30 May 2007 09:54:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments