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Coach less than impressed with...
Coach Talk: Week #2 -- By JON CACCHIONE
Wannstedt Needs to Go!!
Before I begin reviewing how last week’s top ten fared, I must comment on how disappointed I am with the Pitt Panthers. Many, many preseason polls have ranked the Panthers ranked in the top 25 teams in the country. With 15 returning starters, three straight solid recruiting classes, and momentum from that huge win last year in Morgantown, nearly everyone thought that the 2008 Panthers’ would challenge for the Big East, and play in a reputable bowl game, at least. Well, as you know, Coach Wanny disappointed the Pitt faithful yet again. Their embarrassing performance at home versus an average, non-BCS Bowling Green team, was totally unacceptable. That game, as well as Wannstedt’s “notable” lack of achievement on the South Side the past three seasons, should have Panther fans calling for him and his mustache to get out of western Pa. Bowling Green not only beat Pitt, they should have beaten them worse. Of course, they are an average team themselves, picked by most writers as anywhere from the 2nd to 5th best team in the “always powerful” MAC.
Let’s review some of Wanny’s accomplishments since returning to his alma mater prior to the 2005 season. His overall record is 16-20. He has a stunning 9-12 record in the Big East. The same Big East that Walt Harris won in 2004, his last season at Pitt before getting run out of town. His record against top 25 teams is 2-5. He was ranked in the top 25 one week in his career, however, it was the first game of his tenure, which doesn’t really reflect anything positive about his program. By the way, the Wannstedt Panthers quickly exited the top 25 by losing to Notre Dame 42-21 in 2005’s opener. He has a very impressive 2-2 record against the aforementioned MAC, with losses to Ohio U and of course Bowling Green. He his 1-5 against non-conference BCS teams, and yes, 0-1 versus Navy. (They are not in the BCS) Three of the ‘Stache’s wins came against I-AA teams. Pitt’s attendance at Heinz Field the past three seasons (under Wanny) is right around 34,00 people per game. (According Phil Steele – College Football Previews) The Panther’s home attendance last season ranked 70th out of 119 Division 1-A teams. Now, you certainly don’t have to be a Harvard grad to assume from this data that Coach Wannstedt is underachieving at Pitt. One would certainly assume with great evidence that the Stache’s “seat” should should be lava-like. Yet, Pitt extended the contract of Wanny after that fluke of win in Morgantown last year. By the way, the biggest reason why they won that game was the excellent defensive game plan that then DC Paul Rhoads came up with to limit the Mountaineers’ offense. More bad news for Pitt fans, Rhoads knew when to divorce the unsuccessful Wannstedt, he bolted for greener pastures and became the DC at Auburn this past off-season. So Pitt faithful, here you are with a head coach that has never won anywhere, as a head coach. Alum or no Alum, he has not, and will not get it done on the south side. He is an imposter when it comes to major college football coaches. Dave Wannstedt is proof that there is far more to winning in 1-A football than recruiting. That is the only thing he has proven to be a success at. Maybe the US Marine Corps could hire him to assist in their recruiting. Let’s hope someone hires him to get him and his stache out of Pittsburgh.
Here is this week’s top ten, highlighted by one exit, already. Yes, as usual, the Clemson Tigers lost a game they probably shouldn’t have, however, we thought on this site that may have just been the team in the top ten to go down.
#1 Oklahoma (1-0) Beat Chattanooga 57-2 Competition improves this week against a scary Cincinnati team at home. The Bearcats blasted Eastern Kentucky last week 40-7. (Oklahoma –21) I like Cincinnati with the 21.
#2 USC (1-0) Demolished Virginia last week 52-7, in Charlottesville, VA. Whew, did the Trojans look good. They are off this week, getting ready for their home game next week vs. #3 Ohio State.
#3 Ohio State (1-0) Took care of 1-AA Youngstown State at the Horseshoe, 43-0. Big questions for this week are if RB sensation Chris “Beanie” Wells (foot), and star LT Alex Boone (undisclosed injury) play against tough luck Ohio University. The Bobcats lost in Wyoming, 21-20. Without Wells and Boone, I look for OSU to struggle some, on offense. I will take Ohio U. and the 34 1/2 points they are getting. The Buckeyes better heal real quick as they go to war next Saturday night at the Coliseum vs. USC.
#4 Missouri (1-0) Had an excellent offense display vs. a pretty solid Illinois team defeating the Illini 52-42. I’m a little concerned about their “D” giving up 42, but with the Tigers schedule (weak), it wouldn’t surprise me to see them in the BCS National Championship game in January. The Tigers get 1-AA SE Missouri St. this week. That will be a laugher. SE Miss. St. played SW Baptist last week and won. (Who??) Wow, are they in for a rude awakening. Ridiculous scheduling here! NO LINE
#5 Georgia (1-0) Beat up on 1-AA Georgia Southern last week, 45-21. At times, I thought the Bulldogs looked a little vulnerable. This week they play Central Michigan who is predicted to win the MAC by nearly everyone. The Chippewas erased 1-AA Eastern Illinois last week, 31-12. Georgia is favored by 23 1/2 over CMU. Could the ‘Dogs get caught looking ahead to a big showdown next week in South Carolina? I will take Central Michigan with the 23 1/2.
#6 Florida (1-0) Wow, the Gator offense reminded me of images of the 2007 National Champions. They destroyed Hawaii 56-10, and it could have been worse. It will get tougher this week when they host improving Miami, FL, on Saturday night in the Swamp. The Hurricanes took it to 1-AA Charleston Southern last week, 52-7. The Gators are a 21 1/2 point favorite, right now. And believe it or not, I like the Gators to cover that. Take Florida –21 1/2.
#7 LSU (1-0) Well, any thought that Appalachian St had of pulling off another opening day upset was quickly squashed by an impressive Tiger team. The current National Champs looked a lot like the same; fast, tough, and athletic. They beat Appy St. 41-13. It won’t be as easy this week when they host 1-0 Troy, who beat Middle Tennessee St. last week, 31-17. Many people are picking Troy to battle it out for the Sun Belt Conference this year with Florida Atlantic. This is a tough one, but I am going to pick Troy with the 24 points they’re getting. Hurricane Gustav could disrupt the Tigers preparation this week. Take Troy and the 24 points.
#8 Wisconsin (1-0) The Badgers move up one spot since Clemson embarrassed themselves against Alabama. Wisconsin beat up on Akron, 38-17. This week they get 1-0 Marshall who beat 1-AA Illinois St., 35-10. Marshall is getting 20 1/2 from Wisconsin. The Thundering Herd is supposed to be much improved this year. I will take Marshall with the 20 1/2 points.
#9 West Virginia (1-0) The Mountaineers beat 1-AA Villanova last week, 48-21. I am concerned about WVU’s defense this year. They play a huge game this week at East Carolina. The Pirates upset Virginia Tech last week in Blacksburg, 27-22. The Mountaineers are an 8 point favorite, on the road. I will go with East Carolina for the 2nd week in a row. I’ll take ECU +8.
#10 Auburn (1-0) The Tigers replace Clemson in this week’s poll. They were winners last week, 34-0, against Louisiana-Monroe. This week the Tigers get Southern Miss. The line is 17 1/2. That may be too many, but I am going to go with Auburn. Southern Miss. is down this year.
My pick Auburn –17 1/2
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Last Week’s picks with the spread, as always: 4-4
Other picks for Week #2:
Thursday night:
South Carolina (-10) @ Vanderbilt I like South Carolina to cover
Saturday games:
Georgia Tech @ Boston College (-7) I like GT with the points
Miami, Ohio @ Michigan (-14 1/2) I like Michigan to cover
Mississippi @ Wake Forest (-8) I like Wake Forest to cover
Buffalo @ Pittsburgh (-13) What the heck, I’ll go with Buffalo getting 13
South Florida (-14) @ Central Florida UCF is down, I will take USF to cover
Oregon St. @ Penn State (-14 1/2) I will take Oregon St. with 14 1/2
San Diego St. @ Notre Dame (-21 1/2) The Aztecs are down this year, I like the Irish to cover
(Jon Cacchione, a graduate of Academy High School and Gannon University, has been a successful coach at every level in many different sports. A science teacher in the Millcreek School Systen, Coach Cacchione led the McDowell Trojan footballers to several championship seasons.)
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