TicketsNov. 19, 2008
While this game could prove to be one of the more important ones in UC history, let me point something painfully obvious out: a win here DOES NOT cement your spot in a BCS bowl!
I say that because a lot of bandwagon fans are with us now (and welcome aboard) that will be ready to explode in Sunkist apparel should UC beat Pitt.
Let's go over the ground rules, shall we?
Yes, this game is incredibly important. If you don't win, you lose money, prestige and the front page of the newspaper.
However, if you don't win the FOLLOWING week against Syracuse, any glory gained against Pitt will be lost. I'm not here to rain on any parade, I'm just laying out the scenario for those that get too far ahead of themselves.
In other words, unless you've consulted a supremely accurate psychic, I wouldn't book your flights or hotels 'til late Saturday, November 29th (assuming UC has taken care of business).
As the great Bobby Knight once said, "now back to the game…."
This is the third monkey the Bearcats are trying to get off their back. Two down, Pitt to go.
Having defeated West Virginia and Louisville on the road, seemingly playing Pitt at Nippert would be much easier.
But, keep in mind, UC has NEVER beaten Pitt. Not here, not there, not anywhere.
And, that includes games at Heinz Field last year and one the prior year at Nippert that were highly winnable.
Not beating the "Wannstache" (Dave Wannstedt) is a mystery. The guy has always been surrounded by talent and usually finds a way to make it mediocre. He's had the best recruiting classes in the Big East, yet he's struggled to become bowl-eligible.
This year the Panthers were ranked, then not ranked, and now they're ranked again.
If the team that lost to Bowling Green and got ripped by Rutgers shows up, this could be an early celebration for the Bearcats.
Then again, if the Pitt team that won at South Florida and Notre Dame and spanked Louisville 41-7 shows up, it could be a difficult night.
At stake is the "River City Rivalry" trophy. A win over Pitt would give Brian Kelly a clean sweep of the trophies (with the Victory Bell and Keg of Nails already in the Lindner Center lobby).
This is another trophy that no one's seen much. It's modeled after a steamship steering wheel apparatus or something like that. No one's really sure.
I was at the press conference when they unveiled this trophy and most of us haven't touched it since. As it's been said before, "it's not a rivalry if we don't win".
Here's hoping it becomes a rivalry on the night of the 22nd.
WHEN: 7 or 7:15 depending on your source (seeing as its on ESPN2—bet on 7:15)
WHERE: Nippert Stadium (Ring of Red—wear red or be ridiculed)
SERIES: Pitt's won 7, UC zip
LAST MEETING: Panthers and the Wannstache 24, Kelly's 'Cats 17 on October 20, 2007
UC OFFENSE VS. PITT DEFENSE:
Assuming Tony Pike is healthy, UC should be able to move the ball thru the air on the Panthers. The key (as always) is to throw it to the guys wearing the same colored shirts. Pitt has not picked off a tremendous number of passes, so barring mental mistakes Pike should be able to get it done. Plus, Pitt has seen Grutza twice and Mauk once, but they haven't seen Pike. They also haven't seen Demetrius Jones which is the intriguing thing here. Kelly inserted Jones against Louisville and Jones has been getting snaps in practice. This could be a good, ball-control wrinkle if needed (and what the heck, his season's been eaten up anyway!) UC's running game continues to improve and clutch runs by Ramsey and Goebel will be important in this one also. Senior LB Scott McKillop highlights the Pitt defense leading the Panthers in tackles, tackles for loss and sacks. Pass or run, this game will be decided by UC's offensive line. Jurek, Canfield, Kelce, Linkenbach, et al best not be jumping and attracting those weighted, yellow hankies! Finally, UC's due for a gadget play. My only hope is that it doesn't occur on fourth down on their own 29!
NOD: Bearcats have all the momentum in the world, but still have really not put the hammer down on someone early. The plastic at Nippert will get a little more comfy if UC goes up a couple scores early in the game.
PITT OFFENSE VS. UC DEFENSE:
His name is LaSean McCoy. He ran for 137 yards on you last year. He's ran for 1,043 yards already this year. I would say stop him and you win, but Louisville actually did hold him down and the Cards were still blown out (mainly due to turnovers though). Bottom line is Wannstedt is a run-first, defensive-oriented coach and if he can beat you and eat clock, he will do so. LaRod Stephens-Howling isn't too shabby either in the Pitt backfield, having burned UC for 100 also last year. If UC matches the defensive effort they've had the last two games, then Pitt's run game can be stopped. Bill Stull is the Panther QB and his favorite receiver is Derek Kinder. The key stat here is if Pitt is forced to throw over 30 times, your odds of winning increase. They threw it 33 times in a 54-34 loss to Rutgers, 51 in the opening loss to Bowling Green. So, the message for Connor Barwin, Terrill Byrd, Lamonte Nelms, Adam Hoppel, Ryan Manalac, etc.--stoppeth the run, winneth the game. Hopefully UC's LBs get back to full strength. Andre Revels was out last week and Corey Smith was banged up. Those are two key personalities that drive your defense. If Pitt is forced to throw, we could see Mickens, Smith and Underwood add to their stats.
NOD: UC should have the momentum with the home crowd as this is a spotlight for the defense to get some well-deserved national "pub". Some of the Bearcats would like to play on Sundays and big games here can only enhance those opportunities. In QB Stull's favor, UC hasn't seen him "live" yet and OC Matt Cavanaugh has had the Bearcats' number. If there was ever a time for the "Ring of Red" to roar, it's this night.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
As usual, Kevin Huber will come into play for UC and typically at home he booms the ball high and long with pinpoint accuracy. In the Bearcat kicking game, Jake Rogers needs to shake the "Louisville yips" and just blast the ball like he knows how. If it comes down to kicks, Pitt's Conor Lee is as reliable as anyone in the NCAA, he's had just two misses and both were from 40-yards-plus. In the return game, Stephens-Howling is Pitt's threat, but he's not broken anything like Mardy Gilyard yet. I'd be shocked if Wannstedt had his kickers give Gilyard anything.
NOD: Punting—UC, Kicking—Pitt, Return game—UC
THROW IT OUT AND SEE WHERE IT STICKS
Number one, there's no tangible excuse other than a blizzard for this game not to be sold out. And, it will be crucial for those seats to be occupied with Red and Black fannies as opposed to the Blue and Gold "hineys" from Heinz Field. To send a message to the NCAA, ESPN, BCS and the good ol' USA, UC needs a convincing win and to raise their awareness level. If this is a beauty contest, you need to not only win the talent competition, you best look good doing it. This would be the third ranked team UC's beaten in the last four games, so that should enhance the resume. The Bearcats need to capture the imaginations of the bowl prognosticators, the talking heads, the recruits, this nation, this area and of THIS COACH. Brian Kelly has handled his end, if YOU don't handle yours with your support ,then you have to wonder what might go thru the head of a coach whose stock is rated higher than anything you may have in your portfolio right now. If 64, 633 can show up for a "tie" downtown, surely 35-thou can find their way to "the Nipp"!