Game Watch Spots

Folks, I asked and you answered -- 

Here are the gamewatch spots for tonight's Pitt-Utah game that everyone submitted. It is on Versus, and not everyone gets that network, so here is a list of some good spots to catch Dave Wannstedt and company in their opening act of 2010.

Unfortunately, I somehow deleted the original post just as I was about to send so I can't credit the people who gave me these suggestions because I'm not sure - - I know, I'm a dope and I also lost a bunch of your answers to my survey question about 9-3 versus 11-1 into cyberspace as well.

That being said overwhelmingly - and I had a ton of responses - and I mistakenly read Reed Kohberger's sentiments to mean he was in the 11-1 crowd. He is not in the 11-1 crowd, however, (I thank a sharp reader, Maher Hoque for pointing this out to me and I went and read what Reed had to say over) but he does make the "next level" argument as I originally had, but in his view the next level is getting to a BCS bowl and that means winning the Big East.

I will publish all of your comments tomorrow if I can recover them but for now, this is a great summary of the overwhelming sentiment of Pitt fans.

Here is what Reed had to say:

"I believe it all goes back to 2005 and whether or not you believe the PITT administration actually mandated reaching “the next level” or were more concerned about replacing their present coach.  We have reached double digit wins, gotten into an won a bowl game – the next level would be to get into and win a BCS Bowl game. We all know that given the national reputation of the Big East the only way to do that is to win the conference during the regular season. Second place in our conference means the exact same type of bowl we had last season – while enjoyable to watch the team win it isn’t “The Next Level”.  No, winning the  conference and playing in a BCS Bowl is the next logical step for the Panthers. Because of that Dave Wannstedt needs to keep his eyes on the prize this season and adjust personnel playing time with injury concerns to ensure we have full firepower for the conference games as they are the only games which truly matter if the ultimate goal is a BCS game."

And here is another summary from Andrew Ramey who also says it is all about the rings, baby!!

"How could this NOT be black and white? 9-3, Big East Championship all the way. Let's not forget that means we beat WVU too in the brawl! You can't get the exposure and money of the BCS anywhere else, and an outright Big East Championship would be a special season. Thanks to the shabby reputation of the Big East and Pitt's bad travel rep, 11-1 means we're probably going to the Car Care Bowl again. No question, 9-3, beat WVU in the Brawl, and I think this team is talented enough that by the end of the year they'd be playing their best football and capable of beating the ACC champ in the Orange Bowl, or a Big Ten runner-up in the Fiesta."

Now, Maher Hoque, makes the counter argument which is, 9-3 and a Big East title isn't the next level: "I agree with you that 9-3 without having beaten anybody out of conference is equivalent to the previous Big East title game. 11-1 is the next level, even with a loss to Cincinnati."

So let me amend my thoughts to read this -- Sorry, Andrew and Reed, I tend to agree with Maher - it is about getting to the next level and winning the Big East while beating nobody out of conference isn't much different than what went on in 2004 - and that is a season we all regard as a bit of tainted Big East title. If Pitt went 11-1 against that schedule, they'd finish in the top ten and be a legitimate top ten team and might still get a BCS bowl berth depending on what happens elsewhere. It would also be legitimately the best season Pitt has had since the Marino era - and that was the next level. 

** One other note: Pete Spence gave me the head's up that John Malecki was indeed cut by the Browns. Keep me posted on these things over the next few days as I'll be traveling. That is a shame for Malecki, he is a warrior no doubt but a lot of excellent college players don't get a sniff at the NFL. Hopefully he'll get another shot.

Now as for spots to watch the game (luckily, my browser history has all of the links to the bars so I won't forget them)......

** Cupka's II in the Southside on Carson between 23rd and 24th is owned by a very big Pitt fan and he said he will have all the screens on the Pitt game along with the sound except for one which will have the Steelers game on it. But this is an overwhelmingly Pitt-friendly bar.

** Lot 17 on Liberty Avenue in Bloomfield is another place where Pitt fans gather and will gather to watch the game. It is located on the left on Liberty Avenue just past the Bloomfield Bridge as you are coming from town.

** Buffalo Blues in Shadyside is apparently a hot spot as there is a big crowd of Pitt fans headed there. It is located on S. Highland Ave right near the corner of Ellsworth and S. Highland.

** The Fox & Hound in North Hills will have at least one room dedictated to the Pitt game, complete with the audio from the broadcast. There should be a good crowd there as well. It is located on McKnight Road in the Northway Mall.

**  Also, there will be a 24-foot by 15-foot screen on the lawn of the Peterson Event Center. Only students will be admitted to sit, but there are dozens of spots along the hill, buildings and even parking lots to view the game.

** Another spot - Barry's Pub on East Carson Street in the Southside. It is located in between 11th and 12th on Carson.

** For those in the North Hills/Westview area -- The Highland Bar at the corner of Perry Highway and Highland will be a spot as well.

** One late addition to the gamewatch is Ruggers Pub in the SouthSide just off of E. Carson Street on South 22nd street. And there is this little incentive - for this and every Pitt game the bar is offering this special -- $2 Yuenglings.

** Someone also suggested the following places: Bettis Grille 36 (though be careful because we're not sure how many screens will be committed to Pitt game) in the North Shore, all of the suburban Primanti Brothers spots as they all have plenty of televisions and space. And one place to avoid at all costs - the Wheelhouse Sports Bar at River's Casino. A guy called them and they said they are all Steelers tonight.

If you have any other spots and want to get them up here before the game, let me know and I'll add them in.

**** And here is our shameless plug of the week for a live chat tonight at Post-Gazette.com during the game **

Then check back in during the Pitt game tonight for the first in a series of live college football Game Day chats this season. Debate what's going on during some of the key Pitt, Penn State and WVU games, or just gloat, cheer, whine or analyze the action. Game Day chats will focus on local college football teams, but comments and questions about the national college football scene are welcome, too. The first chat opens at 8 tonight, a half-hour before Pitt and Utah kick off, and continues throughout the game. The next chat will open at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, just before the Penn State vs. Youngstown game.