PITTSBURGH - NOTRE DAME pregame discussion

[NEWPORT]

<TABLE class=module borderColor=#111111 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=670 border=0 rgfloat="440,600"><TBODY><TR class=gameodd><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" noWrap>Sep-3</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" noWrap>177</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" noWrap>NOTRE DAME</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" noWrap align=right>+3 <INPUT type=checkbox value="1771094_S_Aug 31 2005 3:23:42:340PM" name=SelLine></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" noWrap align=right colSpan=2>o52½ <INPUT type=checkbox value="1771094_O_Aug 31 2005 3:23:42:340PM" name=SelLine></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" noWrap align=right>+140 <INPUT type=checkbox value="1771094_M_Aug 31 2005 3:23:42:340PM" name=SelLine></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" noWrap align=right> </TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" noWrap align=right> </TD></TR><TR class=gameodd><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" noWrap>8:00 PM</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" noWrap>178</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" noWrap>PITTSBURGH U</TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" noWrap align=right>-3 <INPUT type=checkbox value="1771095_S_Aug 31 2005 3:23:42:340PM" name=SelLine></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" noWrap align=right colSpan=2>u52½ <INPUT type=checkbox value="1771095_U_Aug 31 2005 3:23:42:340PM" name=SelLine></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" noWrap align=right>-160 <INPUT type=checkbox value="1771095_M_Aug 31 2005 3:23:42:340PM" name=SelLine></TD><TD style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom" noWrap align=right> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Post any insights on this matchup!!

 

[WCBias]

I've seen a lot of folks on ND here. Last time I saw them play they got run over by a mediocre Oregon State team because ND can't contain the pass. Pittsburg has a great young QB and receiver. Unless Weis has taugh his players how to run faster, seems like Pittsburg is in a good spot here at home.

 

[SkinsRaj28]

ND is in a tough spot here, simply because this game's on the road. I think Pittsburgh is vastly overrated. Their record will be better than they truly are simply because of the shitty Big East.

Regardless, it'll be tough for ND to spring the road upset in front of a hyped Pitt crowd at Heinz Field. It wouldn't SHOCK me if they won or at least covered, but I'd be more likely to stay away.

 

[Heatwave]

I like ND in this spot, because I think the addition of Weis, and the potential of the offense. Although unproven as a game coach, he has hired enough guys around him to pick up the slack if he is a little green on the sidelines (Minter, the old Cincy coach is his DC, and Cutcliffe from Ole Miss is his assistant as well). Brady Quinn has a lot of potential to be very, very good, and I think Weis is the guy to take him to the next level.

Plus, he goes against Wanny, who can probably coach your team from a win to a loss...although he doesn't have Norv Turner with him to blow the playcalling end of it. But he does have Matt Cavanaugh as his OC, who likes to run, run, run....which I don't think is great for a team with a talented QB like Palko.

I am no Golden Domer, but I think ND gets the outright W here.

HW

 

[Highdaddy]

Newport my friend, ill tell you all you need to know about this game. Dave Wannstedt will be on the Pitt sideline, enough said.

 

[PokerKingJim]

Why does Wanny get dissed so much? When has he ever had a competent QB to work with? He churned out some good defenses down there in Miami. I think he will make a much better college coach than he did an NFL coach. This defense has playmakers abound at LB and CB. Pitt unders will be a solid play early in the season as this defense will surprise and the offense will look to run the ball - I am on the under in this one. Seems like a pretty even matchup with the homefield making the difference. -3 looks about dead on to me.

 

[blueedwards]

take the irish and the points.

 

[NEWPORT]

Newport my friend, ill tell you all you need to know about this game. Dave Wannstedt will be on the Pitt sideline, enough said.

Hey man good to see you!!!! GREAT POINT ABOVE!!!! I am looking forward to your commentary!!! ALWAYS a bright spot in the College week!! Hope your well

 

[NEWPORT]

I like ND in this spot, because I think the addition of Weis, and the potential of the offense. Although unproven as a game coach, he has hired enough guys around him to pick up the slack if he is a little green on the sidelines (Minter, the old Cincy coach is his DC, and Cutcliffe from Ole Miss is his assistant as well). Brady Quinn has a lot of potential to be very, very good, and I think Weis is the guy to take him to the next level.

Plus, he goes against Wanny, who can probably coach your team from a win to a loss...although he doesn't have Norv Turner with him to blow the playcalling end of it. But he does have Matt Cavanaugh as his OC, who likes to run, run, run....which I don't think is great for a team with a talented QB like Palko.

I am no Golden Domer, but I think ND gets the outright W here.

HW

I agree with all that you have said. I think this is a god spot for Weiss and ND to get off to a productive start!! gl NEWPORT

 

[NEWPORT]

take the irish and the points.

BLUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am on it, lets get this one!!!!!!!!!!

 

[FairWarning]

Newport - The Irish have their whole offense back. They lost all of their D except for 2. I like the ND team over, as well as the over 52. I said I would never lay points with a Dave Wannstead team.

 

[FairWarning]

Why does Wanny get dissed so much? When has he ever had a competent QB to work with? He churned out some good defenses down there in Miami. I think he will make a much better college coach than he did an NFL coach. This defense has playmakers abound at LB and CB. Pitt unders will be a solid play early in the season as this defense will surprise and the offense will look to run the ball - I am on the under in this one. Seems like a pretty even matchup with the homefield making the difference. -3 looks about dead on to me.

Wannstead was way in over his head in the NFL. He had to be the control freak in Chicago. He was a horrible talent evaluator. He might be a better college coach, but I wouldn't bet on it.

I hope Wanny tries to establish the run vs ND. His qb threw for 5 tds vs ND last year. Makes sense to take his best weapon and run instead.

 

[NEWPORT]

Newport - The Irish have their whole offense back. They lost all of their D except for 2. I like the ND team over, as well as the over 52. I said I would never lay points with a Dave Wannstead team.

Yea I remember!!!! Man is this not great to see all the experts like yourself back for CFB. Were going to have some fun. ANyone heard from LSU PETE!! I will start a thread!!!

 

[primetime21+]

Weiss has no head coaching experience and is taking over a team short on talent but high on grades. Last i checked good grades doesnt win ball games.

Pitt is far ahead on the talent side of things and if you ask me wanny will be a much better college coach then pro coach. He seems to be more like pete carrol. I think weis will do wonders for ND, but not in week 1.

Personally i think the line should be closer to pitt -10 and everyone is paying for the weis hype. At one point wanny was considered as much of a defensive genius as weis is now considered an offensive genius.

 

[Arodd]

I think Pittsburgh's overall talent is much overrated. They have good talent at certain skill positions (see QB, WR) but this game will be a war. Don't underestimate ND's talent on the offensive side of the ball, either. They have key guys at key positions (Stovall and McKnight at WR, Quinn at QB, Walker at RB if he stays healthy), and bottom line is that Weis will not tolerate failure. These guys will be prepared. Throw in the fact that the last time they went into "hostile" Heinz Field, they dominated Pittsburgh behind Julius Jones.
Game could go either way, but anyone that says that Pittsburgh has ND based on talent, I think this is a gross misperception...

 

[NEWPORT]

More and more looks like ND

 

[winkyduck]

If Wanny and Ron Zook ever coach against each other you would see more dumb coaching moves in 1 game then in CFB history

Weis is unknown but Wanny is not - he is an idiot

ND looks to be the play here by default

 

[FairWarning]

Nice to see that Wanny hasn't changed. This is the sharpest ND offense since the Holtz-era. Much better prepared too.

Just remember the key to Notre Dame games - take the points and the over.

 

[winkyduck]

Nice to see that Wanny hasn't changed. This is the sharpest ND offense since the Holtz-era. Much better prepared too.

Just remember the key to Notre Dame games - take the points and the over.

in all fairness to ND - they are going against the 2nd worst coach in CFB - trailing only nimrod Ron Zook

let's see what happens in future weeks when Weis has to face a coach whose head isn't buried up his ass - like Pete Carroll