Funny, you wouldn’t know it’s not the super bowl if you wander over to the Pitt rivals board on occassion and see nearly every other thread is about your in-state rivals, then again there seems to be only like 20 posters or so on that board and not much daily action so I totally understand why you come over here...I just hope you aren’t putting too much faith in Pickett, some here tried to use the same logic when thinking Kyle Bolin would be our savior because he had two decent games while at Louisville...with your schedule I fully expect you to be a bowl game and should be that one “ranked OOC opponent” on PSUs schedule” by the end of the seasonPenn State is not the Super Bowl for Pitt. LOL!!!!
Pitt's 2018 OOC schedule includes 3 teams who finished the 2017 football season ranked in the Top 11 unlike Penn State who's OOC includes no ranked teams.
The talent gap is actually not that much different and I think you will see that this September.
Actually, our friends on the Rutgers Board have an OP entitled "Big Ten Players in the NFL (by school)". Using the information they provided, they list Penn State as having 42 players in the NFL whereas Pitt has 32 players in the NFL.
Due to injury Pitt played most of last season with a back up (walk on) QB.
Pitt's D was also young and inexperienced but continued to improve as the season progressed and by the end of the season was able to hold 4 of their last 5 opponents to 20 points or less (including Miami to 14 points-last game). Narduzzi has finally established his D and Pitt returns 9 starters.
Pitt's O will also be much improved led by true Soph NJ QB Kenny Pickett who I predict will be something special. As a true frosh he came in late in the 2nd quarter with Pitt losing to VT(next to last game) and nearly won. The following week he beat (then #2 ranked) Miami.
I know Penn State fans are expecting a 5-7 Pitt team to show up at Heinz but according to Phil Steele (Football Mag 2018), his 9 sets of power ratings indicate it is also possible Pitt could be 10-2 this year.
Actually, I believe Pitt will beat Penn State this year at Heinz.
Enjoy the game, I know I will.
HAIL TO PITT!!!!