Fans MIA at Pitt

Poor Pitt.

Look at that pitiful crowd during the Panthers Spring Game on Saturday. Look, spring games can be a lot of fun and they can also be boring.

But The Stache is trying to rebuild Pitt, which almost won the Big East last year. If LeSean McCoy had not left early for the NFL the Panthers might be the early favorite to win the conference in 2009.

This is just plain sad. I know Pittsburgh has so much more to follow than Pitt. The Steelers just won their sixth Super Bowl, the Penguins are playing well heading into the NHL playoffs, the Pirates have a winning record and Pitt basketball is much more fun to watch. So there just aren't enough fans to go around.

Even the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette didn't report on the annual Blue-Gold Game until Monday. One interesting note from the PG's coverage is the mention that Bill Stull appears to be the top quarterback for 2009. That's not good news for new OC Frank Cignetti Jr.

Picks of the Week

Three consecutive winning weeks has lifted me back over .500 (barely). There are some great games this week, so now let's see if I can make it four winners in a row.

Oklahoma (-16.5) over Missouri
I don't know how many times I've watched this game and it had national title implications. It almost always seems like the team that needs to win doesn't. So why pick Oklahoma? The Sooners offense has just been scary good the past five weeks, and Missouri is the third most disappointing team this fall (behind Georgia and WVU). Plus, even an injured Sam Bradford is better than most.
Pick: Oklahoma 44, Missouri 21

USC (-33) over UCLA
I don't see any way that the Bruins can actually win this game, but this one still scares me. I could see UCLA keeping it closer than expected because Pete Carroll may want to take it easy on the cross-town rival. Don't embarrass them too much this season and build up too much ill will. Also, it appears Mark Sanchez is having more trouble with his knee than anyone is letting on. However, I can't pick against the Trojans.
Pick: USC 48, UCLA 14

Boston College (even) over Virginia Tech
I've felt all season that Virginia Tech was too young and inexperienced to be in this game. Thanks to the parity in the ACC the Hokies will meet BC for the second consecutive year. The Eagles have also played better than expected and they'd like to avenge last year's loss that cost them a BCS bowl. This is by far the worst conference championship game of the weekend.
Pick: Boston College 18, Virginia Tech 17

Cincinnati (-7) over Hawaii
Like the three games before this one, something just isn't right about picking this game. The Bearcats should be an easy favorite. But Brian Kelly's team doesn't have much to play for. With the Big East title and BCS bowl game in the bag, this is a long trip for Cincinnati and it will be its 13th game of the season. Hawaii is always tough at home.
Pick: Cincinnati 37, Hawaii 27

Upset of the Week
Pittsburgh (+2.5) over Connecticut
As much as I would personally like to see UConn get the win in Storrs, Pitt will give the Huskies a hefty dose of Lesean McCoy and pull out a close game on the road. The win will also secure the No. 2 spot in the Big East and probably a spot in the Sun Bowl against Oklahoma State.
Pick: Pittsburgh 28, Connecticut 20

Bonus Pick Navy (-11) over Army
If you listened to the podcast this week you know how much I look forwad to this game each year. This game is just dripping in tradition, and as Phil mentioned, there's a whole lot of running and very little passing in this one. Navy has won the past six contests and eight of the last nine. Army's lone win during that stretch was 26-17 in 2002. There's a good chance Navy will make it nine out 10 (and cover the 11 points).
Pick: Navy 30, Army 9

Last Week: 4-1
Season: 28-27

If it's true ...

Then Pitt enters the 2009 season as the favorite in the Big East.

Panthers running LeSean McCoy, who is preparing for his second Backyard Brawl against WVU on Friday, told reporters on Tuesday that he is enjoying college and thinks he may need another year of seasoning before heading off to the riches of the NFL.

It has been widely suspected that McCoy, who has eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing in his two seasons at Pitt, would be a first-round selection if he came out early. "I'm the one who has to take all the hits," he was quoted as saying in a wire story. "I'm still a young kid. I think my size, I can get a little bigger and stronger, and I can become a better blocker. My knowledge of the game is coming on faster than I thought, and that's pretty good for me."

Honestly, McCoy is ready for the pros. But I always respect a guy who wants to stay in college longer and he's right. He knows if he's prepared better than anyone else.

Hey Wannstache, this is a third or fourth chance for you. At 7-3, your Panthers will play in their first bowl game in five seasons. Next year you'll return seven starters on offense with McCoy, something he claims he wants to be a part of.

So it's time to be a legitimate contender in the Big East. Now if McCoy has a change of heart in two months, all bets are off.

Picks of the Week

Even after going 4-1 and picking the Rutgers upset at South Florida, 'Eer is still looking to get back to .500 on the season. Let's hope he makes some sound picks (and gets a little luck). Here we go again:

Ohio State (-20.5) over Michigan
Don't tell me that in all rivalries you throw out the records because anything can happen. I've seen it happen, but there is no way the Wolverines can go into Columbus and beat the Buckeyes. Jim Tressel owns Michigan to the tune of 6-1. Rich-Rod doesn't respect this game and UM is lacking in talent.
Pick: Ohio State 48, Michigan 8

Akron (-2.5) over Ohio
Staying in the state of Ohio, the Dennis Kennedy-led Zips come into Peden Stadium and take down the underachieving Bobcats. Akron would be bowl eligible with a win at 6-5 and remain in second in the East Division of the Mid-American Conference. OU is trying to avoid its ninth loss.
Pick: Akron 37, Ohio 14

Rice (-9) over Marshall
Turning my attention just up the Ohio River is where we find Marshall. OK, actually they'll be in Texas playing Rice. The Thundering Herd must win its last two games to get bowl eligible and possibly save Mark Snyder's job in Huntington. Not going to happen. At 5-1 in the West Division, Rice is playing for a Conference USA championship.
Pick: Rice 31, Marshall 20

Boise State (-5.5) over Nevada
The Wolf Pack are tough at home, but Boise is 10-0 and will make a BCS bowl if they can win out. Chris Petersen will not let the Broncos lose focus as they travel to Reno. No. 9 Boise State is led by a balanced offense that includes running back Ian Johnson (539 rushing yards and nine TDs) and quarterback Kellen Moore (2,637 yards and 20 TDs).
Pick: Boise State 28, Nevada 20

Upset of the Week
Pittsburgh (+5) over Cincinnati
Maybe this is more my heart than head. What? Yeah, a Mountaineer rooting for Pitt. Well, that's what it takes for WVU to have a shot at the Big East title. But I actually believe the Panthers are better than the Bearcats and LeSean McCoy is going to run crazy. Even Wannstache has figured it out that it's just good job security to keep feeding McCoy.
Pick: Pittsburgh 27, Cincinnati 24

Last Week: 4-1
Season: 21-24