Top 25:
1.[1] USC(36)
2.[2] Michigan(24)
3.[3] LSU(1)
4.[4] Florida
5.[5] Texas
6.[6] WVU
7.[7] Wisconsin
8.[8] Oklahoma
9.[9] VT
10.[10] Arkansas
11.[11] Louisville
12.[12] Ohio State
13.[14] Nebraska
14.[15] Tennessee
15.[17] Penn State
16.[19] UCLA
17.[20] Rutgers
18.[21] Florida State
19.[22] TCU
20.[23] Boise State
21.[13] Auburn - Lost to Kansas State 30-27 in OT
22.[16] Cal - Lost to Tennessee 41-17
23.[24] Texas A&M
24.[25] Boston College
25.[NR] Oklahoma State - beat Georgia at Georgia 29-24
Dropped Out: Georgia Tech(18)
Week 2 Opponent: FCS Southeast (D-,D-,D-)
Prospects Visiting: T. Williams WR.
Picks: Lee - Pitt, Kirk - Pitt
Lets take it to Heinz Field.
Its a beautiful day, its 65 degree and sunny in Pittsburgh. The fans are pilling into Heinz Field to watch Pitt take on FCS Southeast. After a great showing last week from Pitt what can we expect this week?
Pitt wins the toss and chooses to Kick.
First Quarter:
FCS' opening drive doesn't go so well, its a quick 3 and out that goes for 2 yards. FCS punts the ball to Derek Kinder who jukes the one defender out of his cleats and takes it to the house for the score. 7-0 Pitt
FCS' next series doesn't go so far either, a total of 3 yards, before punting. Kinder returns it and is injured on the play. He has turf toe and will be out until the 2nd quarter. Pitt Ball. HB#21 runs for a first down on the first play up the gut and then busts out a huge run for the score the very next play. 14-0 Pitt
Pitt's next drive is just as successful as the first. HB#21 starts it with a great run, but this time Bill Stull gets FCS to bite on a play action pass and hits Oderick Turner for the score. 21-0 Pitt
End of First Quarter: Thoughts - Playing some stingy defense and my offense is working really well. If I keep this up in the 2nd quarter this is going to be a quick one.
2nd Quarter
FCS hits a 48 yard field goal to open up the quarter. 21-3 Pitt
After going for it on 4th and 1, Bill Stull throws a TD pass to the wide open Derek Kinder. 28-3 Pitt
A User Pick by CB 19, on the first play by FCS, I run it back for the score. 35-3 Pitt
FCS hits a 38 yard field goal with 53 seconds left to make it 35-6 Pitt. Going to try and kill the clock, nothing stupid.
Well trying to run out the clock lead into a huge kickoff return for me, and a big run by HB#21 for the score. 42-6 Pitt
Interception!!! Playing some Prevent D, by CB 7, leads to the score. 49-6 Pitt
End of the First Half. Thoughts - Well that was one easy and well played first half by myself. With this lead though, it hasn't been as fun. So I am going to super sim the second half so I can get to the bigger and better opponents, or if it gets interesting, jump back in.
Final Score ended up being 63 - 9. It would have been worse if I played that second half, but Michigan State is up next, and I have to beat up on Apollo's favorite team, :)
See yinz guys next time when Pitt(2-0) take on Michigan State(2-0) in Pitt's first test and first game away from Heinz Field.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Thursday, July 19, 2007
It's Pronounced LaRod Stephens-Howling
Week 1: Eastern Michigan Eagles at Pittsburgh Panthers
Ratings:
Eagles - Overall B-, Offense C+, Defense C+
Panthers - Overall B, Offense B, Defense B-
No prospects visiting Pitt today.
Pitt is figured to be the favorite in this game against the MAC's Eastern Michigan Eagles. The high powered offense should be able to take it to the Eagles.
Apollo: What are your expectations going into this season
Coach Wannstedt: Great question, my expectations this season are to perform better then last year, obviously you want to win every game, I am thinking we will go 7-5, 8-4. That should allow us to make a bowl, which is always a goal.
Apollo: What game are you looking forward too most this year?
CW: I'm looking forward to the Backyard Brawl against West Virginia, our fans always get into it and I hope to bring home the W this year. I am also looking forward to the Rutgers game, they have gotten a lot better over the years.
Lee's Pick: Pitt
Kirk's Pick: Pitt
Let's take it to Heinz Field for the game:
Pitt wins the coin toss and chooses to kick.
1st Quarter:
Interception by SS # 24, after a quick first down pass on 2nd and 13. Keep bringing the heat, they get burnt!
After 3 straight running plays, Bill Stull takes it himself on a gutsy 4th and inches around the 50 to keep the drive alive! Very next play Bill Stull delivers the goods to WR 87 for the score. 7-0 Pitt
Stingy run defense forces Eastern Michigan to throw on 3rd and 11 which is picked off by FS #10.
This next drive was all LaRod Stephens-Howling. He busted off a big run to put the Panthers in striking distance and another one for the score. Pitt 14-0
Eastern Michigan hits a 32 yard Field Goal after a huge pass play. Brought too much heat, not enough guys in the kitchen. Pitt 14-3
End of First Quarter - Thoughts: Played really good defense here, besides letting up the big pass play. The running game is performing really well and I look to utilize the pass more often to throw them off guard.
2nd Quarter
The strategy works perfectly as Stull throws a bullet to a wide open LaRod Stephens-Howling for a 64 yard passing TD. Pitt 21-3
Eastern Michigan strike on a big pass play to make it Pitt 21-10.
Don't hate the player, hate the game, Oderick Turner returns the kickoff for the TD to bring the momentum back to Pitt. Pitt 28-10
After a 3 and out by Eastern Michigan, first play of Pitt's drive LaRod Stephings-Howling takes to the house on a 70 yard counter run. Pitt 35-10
Interception MLB #40, Pitt's ball.
Pitt hits a 38 yard Field Goal to make it Pitt 38-10
Eastern Michigan hits a 17 yard Field Goal after threatening to score a TD. Pitt 38-13
End of the First Half: Thoughts - Played a great first half, offensively and defensively, can't see much to change. Have to defend the pass better then what I did in the 2nd quarter. Other then that, all is good.
3rd Quarter
I swear the challenge system is broken, seeing how my knees were down and they say I fumbled it after I was down.
Eastern Michigan attempts a fake punt, which doesn't work.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! LaRod Stephings-Howling suffers a broken collarbone and is done for the year. :(
With Howlings down, the passing game steps up and Kevin Collier steps up on a 4th and 1 to get it to the one. Where the Panthers run the Option beautifully for the score. Pitt 45-13
Eastern Michigan strikes big with another pass and makes it Pitt 45-20
4th Quarter
Pitt hits a long 49 yard field goal to go up 48-20.
I'm starting the super sim here so I can go out.
SS # 24 intercepts the ball, Pitt ball. Pitt punts it away after running the clock down some more.
Eastern Michigan scores with a 4 yard run, but is unsuccessful at gaining the onside kick. Pitt scores to make it 55-27.
That's the ball game, Pitt wins 55-27, LaRod Stephens-Howling is named Player of the game with 3 total TDs. He will be missed the rest of the season.
See yinz guys next time
Ratings:
Eagles - Overall B-, Offense C+, Defense C+
Panthers - Overall B, Offense B, Defense B-
No prospects visiting Pitt today.
Pitt is figured to be the favorite in this game against the MAC's Eastern Michigan Eagles. The high powered offense should be able to take it to the Eagles.
Apollo: What are your expectations going into this season
Coach Wannstedt: Great question, my expectations this season are to perform better then last year, obviously you want to win every game, I am thinking we will go 7-5, 8-4. That should allow us to make a bowl, which is always a goal.
Apollo: What game are you looking forward too most this year?
CW: I'm looking forward to the Backyard Brawl against West Virginia, our fans always get into it and I hope to bring home the W this year. I am also looking forward to the Rutgers game, they have gotten a lot better over the years.
Lee's Pick: Pitt
Kirk's Pick: Pitt
Let's take it to Heinz Field for the game:
Pitt wins the coin toss and chooses to kick.
1st Quarter:
Interception by SS # 24, after a quick first down pass on 2nd and 13. Keep bringing the heat, they get burnt!
After 3 straight running plays, Bill Stull takes it himself on a gutsy 4th and inches around the 50 to keep the drive alive! Very next play Bill Stull delivers the goods to WR 87 for the score. 7-0 Pitt
Stingy run defense forces Eastern Michigan to throw on 3rd and 11 which is picked off by FS #10.
This next drive was all LaRod Stephens-Howling. He busted off a big run to put the Panthers in striking distance and another one for the score. Pitt 14-0
Eastern Michigan hits a 32 yard Field Goal after a huge pass play. Brought too much heat, not enough guys in the kitchen. Pitt 14-3
End of First Quarter - Thoughts: Played really good defense here, besides letting up the big pass play. The running game is performing really well and I look to utilize the pass more often to throw them off guard.
2nd Quarter
The strategy works perfectly as Stull throws a bullet to a wide open LaRod Stephens-Howling for a 64 yard passing TD. Pitt 21-3
Eastern Michigan strike on a big pass play to make it Pitt 21-10.
Don't hate the player, hate the game, Oderick Turner returns the kickoff for the TD to bring the momentum back to Pitt. Pitt 28-10
After a 3 and out by Eastern Michigan, first play of Pitt's drive LaRod Stephings-Howling takes to the house on a 70 yard counter run. Pitt 35-10
Interception MLB #40, Pitt's ball.
Pitt hits a 38 yard Field Goal to make it Pitt 38-10
Eastern Michigan hits a 17 yard Field Goal after threatening to score a TD. Pitt 38-13
End of the First Half: Thoughts - Played a great first half, offensively and defensively, can't see much to change. Have to defend the pass better then what I did in the 2nd quarter. Other then that, all is good.
3rd Quarter
I swear the challenge system is broken, seeing how my knees were down and they say I fumbled it after I was down.
Eastern Michigan attempts a fake punt, which doesn't work.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! LaRod Stephings-Howling suffers a broken collarbone and is done for the year. :(
With Howlings down, the passing game steps up and Kevin Collier steps up on a 4th and 1 to get it to the one. Where the Panthers run the Option beautifully for the score. Pitt 45-13
Eastern Michigan strikes big with another pass and makes it Pitt 45-20
4th Quarter
Pitt hits a long 49 yard field goal to go up 48-20.
I'm starting the super sim here so I can go out.
SS # 24 intercepts the ball, Pitt ball. Pitt punts it away after running the clock down some more.
Eastern Michigan scores with a 4 yard run, but is unsuccessful at gaining the onside kick. Pitt scores to make it 55-27.
That's the ball game, Pitt wins 55-27, LaRod Stephens-Howling is named Player of the game with 3 total TDs. He will be missed the rest of the season.
See yinz guys next time
Panthers Look To Rebound
Dynasty Details:
Difficulty: Varsity
Quarter Length: 5 minutes
Team: Pittsburgh Panthers
The Pittsburgh Panthers look to rebound this year after two very mediocre years. Coach Wannstedt(11-12) looks to turn things around this year after going 6-6 last year after starting 6-0. Coach Wannstedt brought in a Top 25 recruiting class this year, but will it be enough to replace the loses of H.B. Blades, Clint Sessions, Darrelle Revis, and Tyler Palko? Will this recruiting class make a splash right of the get go? Only time will tell.
Coach Wannstedt had this to say, "It's time for this University to turn it around, we brought in a lot of help and we know we are good enough to compete in the Big East. This year we proof that and move one step closer to that illustrious National Title."
The fans are concerned this year though, they lost a lot of their starters, will Bill Stull be able to step into Palko's shoes, and will they make a bowl game this year, their first since the Fiesta Bowl in 2004.
The Panthers are already going to work on recruiting another Top 25 class for next year.
Today the schedule was released:
Week 1 - vs Eastern Michigan, what should be an great game for Stull to get his feet wet.
Week 2 - vs FCS Southeast, see Eastern Michigan
Week 3 - at Michigan St, where the Panthers look for vengeance after last year's defeat.
Week 4 - vs UConn, this time there will be no Overtime heroics.
Week 5 - at Virginia, Pitt looks to sweep this Home and Home series
Week 6 - Off
Week 7 - vs Navy, a prestigious game on the schedule
Week 8 - vs Cincy, the Ohio River rivalry returns to the Burgh
Week 9 - at #9 Louisville, can Pitt stop the high powered offense?
Week 10 - vs Syracuse, the old school Big East school do battle
Week 11 - Off
Week 12 - at #20 Rutgers, the Cinderella team from last year returns looking for glory
Week 13 - vs USF, an underrated Big East team with a lot of bite.
Week 14 - at #6 West Virginia, for the Backyard Brawl, can the Panthers end their losing steak to the Mountaineers?
Strength of Schedule: B
Preseason Ranking: 56
Big East Conference Outlook:
1. West Virginia
2. Louisville
3. Rutgers
4. USF
5. Cincy
6. Pitt
7. UConn
8. Syracuse
Preseason Awards:
Derek Kinder - 1st Team All Big East
CB #5(Revis is somehow back???) - 1st Team Big East
Oderick Turner - 2nd Team All Big East
Joe Thomas - 2nd Team All Big East
LaRod Stephens-Howling - 2nd Team All Big East
Should be an interesting season to say the least. Stay tuned to see how it all turns out.
Difficulty: Varsity
Quarter Length: 5 minutes
Team: Pittsburgh Panthers
The Pittsburgh Panthers look to rebound this year after two very mediocre years. Coach Wannstedt(11-12) looks to turn things around this year after going 6-6 last year after starting 6-0. Coach Wannstedt brought in a Top 25 recruiting class this year, but will it be enough to replace the loses of H.B. Blades, Clint Sessions, Darrelle Revis, and Tyler Palko? Will this recruiting class make a splash right of the get go? Only time will tell.
Coach Wannstedt had this to say, "It's time for this University to turn it around, we brought in a lot of help and we know we are good enough to compete in the Big East. This year we proof that and move one step closer to that illustrious National Title."
The fans are concerned this year though, they lost a lot of their starters, will Bill Stull be able to step into Palko's shoes, and will they make a bowl game this year, their first since the Fiesta Bowl in 2004.
The Panthers are already going to work on recruiting another Top 25 class for next year.
Today the schedule was released:
Week 1 - vs Eastern Michigan, what should be an great game for Stull to get his feet wet.
Week 2 - vs FCS Southeast, see Eastern Michigan
Week 3 - at Michigan St, where the Panthers look for vengeance after last year's defeat.
Week 4 - vs UConn, this time there will be no Overtime heroics.
Week 5 - at Virginia, Pitt looks to sweep this Home and Home series
Week 6 - Off
Week 7 - vs Navy, a prestigious game on the schedule
Week 8 - vs Cincy, the Ohio River rivalry returns to the Burgh
Week 9 - at #9 Louisville, can Pitt stop the high powered offense?
Week 10 - vs Syracuse, the old school Big East school do battle
Week 11 - Off
Week 12 - at #20 Rutgers, the Cinderella team from last year returns looking for glory
Week 13 - vs USF, an underrated Big East team with a lot of bite.
Week 14 - at #6 West Virginia, for the Backyard Brawl, can the Panthers end their losing steak to the Mountaineers?
Strength of Schedule: B
Preseason Ranking: 56
Big East Conference Outlook:
1. West Virginia
2. Louisville
3. Rutgers
4. USF
5. Cincy
6. Pitt
7. UConn
8. Syracuse
Preseason Awards:
Derek Kinder - 1st Team All Big East
CB #5(Revis is somehow back???) - 1st Team Big East
Oderick Turner - 2nd Team All Big East
Joe Thomas - 2nd Team All Big East
LaRod Stephens-Howling - 2nd Team All Big East
Should be an interesting season to say the least. Stay tuned to see how it all turns out.
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