Pitt vs. Connecticut talk.

[shocker]

As much as I like college football, I cant help but look at how the Heisman is no longer looked at as being prestigeous (sp). But then again, look at the entire BCS system....it makes one think about what is actually good about college football.

[Sneakers]

I can't recall...can someone help me? Is UConn close to what would be considered Division I ?

[Coach]

good win for Pitt today playing at 3:30 and getting nice regional coverage...

I'm not trying to say anything to get crap started but I really can't believe how many empty seats there are for a big game. I honestly don't think that place is much more than half full.

[abpk2903]

yeah I watched the game and it was a great win for Pitt but I just can't understand why they have the attendance issues they do there. I know its claimed that there is more things to do in Pittsburgh than other areas but there should be due to the higher population density. I mean this was a game that was make or break for Pitt winning the Big East at 3:30 with the Steelers away tomorrow but it was only 1/2 full.

[WPIAL~Titan]

What don't you understand?

Pitt football is the #4 draw in a huge professional sports town, behind The Stillerz, Pens, and Pirates. They could even be #5 behind the men's basketball team.

It's not that hard to figure out. Pitt's student enrollment and alum base are not all that large either. Let's also not forget that Pittsburgh isn't exactly a large city in terms of population (only around 300k)...Canton/Akron, OH is larger, for example.

This, coupled with an off campus stadium, all adds up to lower attendance for Pitt.

[The Ancient Enemy]

They play in an NFL stadium, dude. And in addition to that, its one of the best ones in the nation. Don't make excuses for Pitt, i.e. "off the campus stadium". The fact of the matter is that Pitt chose to use Heinz because it is a beautiful stadium in a beautiful setting to help with recruiting AND HELP WITH ATTENDANCE. How's that working out?

Don't make excuses. The problem was and still is the fact that those coaches cannot win enough games. If they wouldn't have been dog**** since 2004, this would not be happening. Whether or not you want to face that fact, that's your own problem. I'm telling you exactly what the issue is: Pitt does not win enough games. They are NOT the historical powerhouse the Pitt blowhards think they are. Pitt is a program that must win games to generate interest. Sorry, guys, you are not Michigan or Penn State or Florida State or Texas. Pitt can't afford (literally) to have seasons where they are not bowl eligible and not in contention for the BE. They have GOT TO WIN GAMES TO GET THEIR ATTENDANCE UP.

That being said, Pitt got a win today over a team I figured would beat them. They are what, 5-1? Go 10-2 or 11-1 and attendance will spike a little bit. Do that again next season. Do that in 2011. Do it again in 2012. With the recruiting in the state of PA and Pitt's pipelines in NJ and small pipeline to FL, there is absolutely NO EXCUSE for this team not going 10-2 or better EVERY SEASON. There is NO EXCUSE.

Pitt has had the top or 2nd place BE recruiting class for YEARS. Aren't all those linemen 4 or 5 star recruits? You have a 5-star TE. You have a 5-star WR. Dickerson was a 4-star. Wasn't Berry?

I don't wanna hear any of this "5th best team in town" garbage. You are making excuses and allowing Dave Wannstedt off the hook. His inability to deal with those two HORRIBLE coordinators sunk Pitt. BUT... The BE is atrocious this season other than Cincinnati, and Pitt is an upset away from a BCS bid. You have a great opportunity this season, you have BOTH those coordinators gone now... There's no excuse, Titan.

Pitt's going to have to realize they are going to have to build attendance and build that program the exact same way everyone else has: By winning football games. Accept it, for God's sakes.

[WPIAL~Titan]

How much has Notre Dame won lately? They still get great attendance. Win or Lose, ND gets attendance...Why you ask? See my last post for some of the answer.

I agre that Pitt producing consistent winning teams (like 9-3, 10-2, or better for a sustained period) would help attendance. Even if Pitt went 10-2 for five years in a row, I doubt they'd fill the stadium for teams like Eastern Illini or Youngstown State. There's just too much else to do and too many other sporting events that folks in Pgh want to see other than Pitt football.

[The Ancient Enemy]

Notre Dame gets that attendance, Titan, because they have actual tradition. They are a perfect example of MY point. Pitt is nowhere even CLOSE to the tradition of any major college programs. On a scale of 5, 5 being ND and Texas and Michigan and Ohio State, Pitt is about a 3. The evidence is in the voting. And Duke beating NC State doesn't help.

Win 10 games this season. Win 10 or 11 next season. Just get into contention on a yearly basis. With the kids they have and the kids they have access to, there just is not an excuse.

[deliverance]

Can't we all just be honest here? No one in their right mind would pay to watch Wanny coach. The guy is an awful head coach. He's a pretty good recruiter and that's the only reason he still has a job. For once, I completely agree with TAE. Pitt should be in contention to win the Big East every season, yet they rarely are ever within 2 games of contention at the end of the season. How are you going to draw fans that way?

[abpk2903]

Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't Penn State run into a problem with filling their stadium during the '00-'04 stretch. I mean it wasn't to the extent of Pitt (a lot of 85,000-95,000 games) but at the same time the product dropped off and the attendance wasn't far behind.