Pitt_s_It: Is Shane Murray Injured? I am just not impressed with Max Gruder although you appear to like him

Paul Zeise: Shane Murray isn't injured, but it is clear he is not 100 percent healthy, either. And as such, he is probably a half-step too slow to really be effective at linebacker for an entire game. He's played some spot duty but he is still healing. That is such a tough injury to come back from and if you remember he didn't have his surgery until like midseason so it is just now a whole year and they say it really takes two years to be fully recovered from it. It is a shame, he was a tough player but injuries are a part of it.

Frankie_CigsPack: I know the players have to say they are not looking ahead to Notre Dame, but what is the attitude of the team really like this week? They have to be looking ahead ... right?

Paul Zeise: No, they seem to be pretty focused to be honest. I think they sense they have a chance to do something special this year and they are really going to go after it one week at a time. If they are looking past Syracuse they are crazy because it isn't like they've been able to blow the Orange out the past few years. This will be a tough game.

theWellHungarian: Do you think Pitt will lay the proverbial egg this weekend at Syracuse? It seems like the script is writing itself in typical Pitt fashion ... Ranked #13, ABC gives them the prime-time slot, (probably) their #1 broadcast team, ESPN plans to send Fowler, Corso, and Herby (pending victories from Pitt & ND.) Only for Pitt to come out and lose to Bowling Green, or wait I mean Toledo, or no, that's right Syracuse.

Paul Zeise: No. I really don't. I don't know that they'll blow Syracuse out but I don't see this being a game where Pitt loses. For one thing, I'm not sure the Orange have enough firepower, especially without Mike Williams, to score enough to upset Pitt. The Orange will play tough defense and make a few big plays but I don't see them outscoring Pitt.

Frankie_CigsPack: If Pitt wins out do they have any realistic chance of playing in the BCS title game?

Paul Zeise: No. They are too far behind too many other teams with only one loss or no losses and I don't know that they'd be able to gain enough points to leapfrog all of those teams ahead of them with similar or better records especially the ones from bigger conferences.

Frankie_CigsPack: I'm missing the Pitt game this week to attend my sister's wedding. Is that an acceptable excuse to miss a home game?

Paul Zeise: No. You need to tell your sister, like most die-hard fans I know, that when she is planning her wedding it cannot be in the fall and that she must have it either in August or December if she wants it late in the year....

Frankie_CigsPack: How well do you think Pitt would travel if they went to a BCS game?

Paul Zeise: I think if it were the Orange Bowl or the Sugar Bowl, Pitt would travel extremely well, probably sell out the ticket allotment, because they are easier to get to and Pitt has a lot of alumni in Florida. The Fiesta Bowl would be interesting - I think Pitt would bring a respectable crowd but I don't know that it would sell out all of the tickets it gets.

theWellHungarian: It's pretty much guaranteed that either Florida or Alabama are going to be one-half of the BCS Title Game and it got me to thinking. What if this likely scenario played-out: Texas either loses to Kansas or loses in the Big 12 Title Game, Iowa loses @ Ohio State, TCU loses against Utah, Oregon loses @ Arizona, LSU loses @ 'Bama, Georgia Tech loses to Georgia, Penn State loses to Ohio State, and USC loses to either Arizona State/UCLA/Arizona, Pitt runs the table beating, impressively, Syracuse, Notre Dame, Cincinnati, and gets a big road win at WVU. What do you think? Should I book my plane ticket and a hotel room in Pasadena for January 7?

Paul Zeise: No, I think a 1-loss Iowa, a 1-loss Alabama (or Florida) and a 1-loss Texas team would all be ahead of Pitt and thus it would still be something like Florida-Alabama or Alabama-Texas.

princell: Paul, the defense looked really slow in the first few games, but lately seems to be moving at blazing speeds. I attribute this to a change from multicolored cleats to all white following the NC State loss. I believe that while the cleats don't make them necessarily faster, they create an optical allusion of extreme speed which demoralizes and deflates and demoralizes opposing offenses. What are your thoughts?

Paul Zeise: Well, I can say this - if that is true can you imagine how fast they would look if they wore those multi-colored cleats AND Script Pitt throwback uniforms.

Ether: You were asked earlier this week about whom on Pitt could leave early for the draft. Is there a chance Jason Pinkston leaves early?

Paul Zeise: There is always a chance but if he listens to the right people and heeds the advice he gets, then he will be back. He is not ready to make that jump and more importantly, he's not going to be regarded as a high enough draft pick to make it worth leaving school a year early. I expect him to be back. I could be wrong, but I doubt it - he'll be advised to stay in school, at least at this point he will be.

itsonlyagame: How can Big East Football get more respect from these so called analysts? The Bowl record of the Big East has been great over the last 5 years which includes BCS Bowls and wins over the self proclaimed mighty SEC & Big 12. I understand tradition but don't let it cloud your thought process of who is worthy of merit. I understand that the Big East is considered the new league since the defections but give them credit for its growth. I believe that these other leagues are jealous of the success the Big East has had when they thought it was dead. Give me you thoughts?

Paul Zeise: It is simple - be patient, and keep winning and especially keep winning high profile games - i.e. Pitt-Notre Dame, Illinois-Cinncy, WVU-Auburn -- every year. If you win those games with regularity then you prove your worthiness.

Squeeze_the_Orange: Hi Paul. Have the players been able to maintain their focus in practice this week on the Orange? I imagine that announcement of ND in PrimeTime has been a temptation for distraction.

Paul Zeise: Yes and actually the announcement that the Notre Dame game could be an ESPN Gameday game has added a little extra incentive and fire to the team because they know they need to win this one to make that next one relevant. I've been around teams going through the motions, this one however, isn't, at least not this week.

Legend_of_Zeldas: Is Greg Cross hurt or redshirting? I saw he did not have pads on during the USF game.

Paul Zeise: That's a great question - even if he was given a redshirt, he would be in pads so I have to believe he is hurt. But I'll ask today and have an answer in the Redshirt Diaries later.

pitt66: Will Pitt and Penn State meet in a bowl game this year and who would win?

Paul Zeise: I don't think they will meet but I have to be honest, if they met, I think Pitt would win because the Panthers have a better and more diverse offense. It would be a close game, but I think Pitt would score a little more than Penn State would. Of course, I could be convinced the other way as well, but If I had to guess I'd say it would be something like 24-20 Pitt.

Legend_of_Zeldas: When do they decide if the Pitt-ND game will be the location for ESPN's Game Day?

Paul Zeise: After the weekend - I think it is down to a few games - TCU-Utah and Ohio State-Iowa -- obviously if Penn State wins this weekend, Ohio State-Iowa loses a lot of luster so there you go -- all of you Pitt fans out there, get your blue and white on and root for the Nittany Lions for just one week ... (ha ha!)

princell: Paul, correct me if i'm wrong, but if Pitt beats Syracuse and Cincy wins out, the backyard brawl become irrelevant to determine the Big East championship.

Paul Zeise: Yes. Pitt could lose to WVU and beat Cincy and win the tie-breaker with Cincy because WVU would have two losses.

titleman: Paul circa 1994-96, the 'Cuse beat Pitt by a collective score of 131 -24. The 'Cuse is in disarray. Do you see karma and talent leading to a blow out tomorrow?

Paul Zeise: I do think that this will be a game that Pitt will separate from Syracuse at some point in the second half. But I think it will be tough for a little while because the Orange are playing hard, play good defense and play with a lot of pride. I could see something similar to what Cinncy did last week to the Orange, you know, 28-10 or 31-10 or something with the game still being close in the third quarter

ImmaManIm40: Is U of Houston too far south and/or west to invite as BE's 9th football team? Geography aside, Cougars would be perfect. Plus would open USA's most fertile recruiting ground to BE teams. Houston isn't much further from Louisville or USF than is BC from other ACC teams.

Paul Zeise: It is not just football - what about basketball and more importantly (and this plays into it) is it a fit with the other schools academically. There are so many factors involved that it is hard to say which would be the one that would eliminate Houston. I will say this - if Houston were in the Big East this year, the conference race would be a heckuva lot more competitive than it already is.

ImmaManIm40: Hypothetical: Temple and Pitt meet next week on a neutral field. Winner? Score? Paul Zeise secretly roots for which team?

Paul Zeise: I don't secretly root for one team in that scenario, I mean, blood is thicker than water so it is "FEAR THE OWL" all the way baby!!!! As for a winner, well, all I can say is "REMEMBER 1997 and 1998!!!" The Golden Era of Temple Football has begun!!! (joking, of course, though I do root for my beloved Owls and am glad to see they are finally picking themselves up off the mat)

Philly: OK so Paulie, help me out. When talking about which teams deserve what, why do the talking heads ignore total strength of schedule in favor of conference affiliation, and ignore talent and results in favor of tradition?

Paul Zeise: Because it is easier to do and because, and I really believe this, there are certain powerful networks who would rather dictate the storyline than let the storyline create itself.

titleman: Do you agree that the Pitt and West Va. programs headed in opposite directions. The hoopie line play was awful and the o-line looked chubby.

Paul Zeise: Well, WVU certainly doesn't look the same as it did a few years ago, but then again, there is no Pat White or Steve Slaton on the roster any more, either. I don't think they are heading in opposite directions, I just think this year Pitt is a little better, though I certainly don't think that means the Panthers will win the Backyard Brawl because it is a tough game. Both programs are in pretty good shape right now and that means the Brawls are going to be a lot more interesting in the next few years.

Squeeze_the_Orange: Although the BCS as it is really is a popularity contest(especially when it comes to the human polls), do you think if all polls had to wait until October to post their first rankings that it might be a fairer result to many schools? I don't see how a 3-loss Oklahoma or VT teams should be in the top 25 right now.

Paul Zeise: Yes, the polls would be a little different if they waited but let's face it, the lovefest with certain power conferences wouldn't change and certain teams from those conferences would be overrated while other teams with better resumes would be underrated. That is just a fact of college football.

bringbacktheclassicyellowandblue: Syracuse has played Pitt tough in recent years. With so much hype on the ND game, should we be on an upset watch this week?

Paul Zeise: Technically yes, but I don't see it. I don't think Syracuse has enough to beat Pitt this week. That program has some problems right now and some growing pains and I just think this is going to be a tough week for the Orange to get up enough to pull the upset.

titleman: What about gameday Paul. What are you now hearing for Pitt-ND?

Paul Zeise: Well, like I said, there are like three or four games being considered and we'll know something after the games play out on Saturday. Pitt-ND is right in the mix, that's for sure.

titleman: Paul discuss the fall of the 'Cuse. They beat Pitt 12 years running.

Paul Zeise: Two words. Greg Robinson. End of discussion. Probably the worst coach in Big East history.

princell: Paul, do you think that the Big East would gain more respect if it were to add another team? I think a lot of the negative perception comes from being a league of 8 teams. Thoughts?

Paul Zeise: I think a few more of the RIGHT teams could help but just adding another team to add a team wouldn'd do the trick. I do think that negative perception, at least in part comes from the fact that there are only eight teams in the league so a bigger league, with the right additions, would certainly be a boost to the perception.

ImmaManIm40: Now that you're pals with Steve Pederson, implore him to call Boise State's AD and invite them on a road trip to Heinz Field next year for that replacement home game. Pitt must avoid playing two FCS teams, and Boise State needs street cred.

Paul Zeise: I'm pals with Steve Pederson? Wow - perhaps you should tell him that, I don't know that it would be good for his image to be called pals with an ink-stained wretch ... And I agree, the Panthers need to do better than two I-AA teams on their schedule, regardless of who the other three non-conference games are.

titleman: If Cig worked miracles with Stull can he do the same with Bostick?

Paul Zeise: I think he has helped all of the quarterbacks improve. It is clear. I am really interested in the spring and seeing Pat and Tino Sunseri battle and then seeing who emerges and how quickly he takes the offense to a high level. It will be a very good test of Cignetti's ability to coach quarterbacks.

bringbacktheclassicyellowandblue: Hi Paul, with the recent recruits, level of play, and record, is this the best we have seen the program in the past 25 years?

Paul Zeise: I'd say there is a CHANCE that is the case but we still have to see more from this team. The three tough games at the end of the season and then going to a bowl and then repeating it again a few times over the next few years. I'd say right now the program is on the verge - it was on the verge in 2002-03 and we all see what happened after that so I'd say we need to see more. The foundation certainly seems to be extremely solid.

Philly: Wannstedt had an interesting interview on another site. He said he spoke to Paterno and it's clear they'll never play PSU until he retires. He also said Pitt and WVU are thinking of wearing throwback jerseys for The Brawl this year. Thoughts?

Paul Zeise: Throwbacks for the WVU game? Well that would be cool I guess, it would make a certain segment happy and I guess it would make for good television. As for Paterno being the person who is keeping the series from resuming, I don't think there is any credible person who would even try to dispute that.

oline4mvp: O-line guess for next year? Mine is (from left to right) Pinkston, Jacobson, Gaskins, Turnley, Nix. There will be drop-off with the loss of Malecki and Thomas, but in my opinion, offensive line will again be a strength in 2010.

Paul Zeise: That's a very good guess, though I could see Gaskins moving to tackle, Nix moving to guard and someone else playing center as well. It is going to be interesting to see who emerges as the starting center next year.

oline4mvp: Do you think we are still showing mostly "vanilla" looks and plays on offense and we're saving a lot of twists for the stretch run (last 3 games)? I feel like F. Cignetti has some tricks up his sleeve that he's waiting to unveil until it matters.

Paul Zeise: I'm sure we will see some things we haven't seen yet, though I don't mean the wildcat or some variation of it. That is still in the package but I don't see it being used because the base offense has been so good.

ImmaManIm40: Do you see progress (so far) in Cignetti's efforts to fix the hitch in Bostick's delivery? Has it improved his velocity in practice, reduced the ball's tendency to float?

Paul Zeise: Yes, but that process started last year with Matt Cavanaugh and his arm strength has clearly improved. He doesn't have that little hitch any more and it is clear he throws a better ball because of it.

Philly: I've reminded games after big running plays, and Gruder seems to get extremely fooled on who has the ball on the read-option from the spread. I know he's athletic, but does he have "it?" Of course Clint Session was lost against the read-option too (MSU game - ugh) and he's starting for the Indy Colts, so maybe it's tough for everyone.

Paul Zeise: Yes, Gruder, you have to remember, this is his first season as a starter. He's still learning, he's still feeling his way around - he's a smart player, he picks it up a little bit each week and he's improved. I think he'll be fine.

bringbacktheclassicyellowandblue: I am a Pitt alum and my wife is just a WVU fan, no real ties to the school. We have tix to the back yard brawl and she swears up and down that I am not wearing the throwback Pistol Pete jersey. What do I do and do you know any good divorce lawyers?

Paul Zeise: Well, yes, one of my best friends is a divorce attorney - and you cannot give in so you might need him!!!

bringbacktheclassicyellowandblue: If game day is here and your sitting in Corso's seat, which head gear are you putting on?

Paul Zeise: I think he'd put on the Irish hat, but that's just a guess.

Legend_of_Zeldas: Any thoughts on who if anyone can replace Dorin Dickerson as the hybrid TE next year? Or Pitt returns to a traditional TE, and that is what made Dorin so special, I know the later has a lot to do with it, but I am hoping there are other athletes on the roster.

Paul Zeise: There isn't a Dickerson on the roster but with Cruz and Brock DeCicco there are a couple of good tight ends ready to step right in when Dorin and Nate graduate. Dorin will be a big loss because of what he brings, but perhaps Mike Shanahan can fill some of that role next year as well.

titleman: Does anybody in the press box -- say Paul Zeise -- sing along to Sweet Caroline?

Paul Zeise: No, though we all thoroughly enjoy watching the Green Man get put on the Jumbotron and we watch him sing it ...

titleman: Paul why do the media types lecture "Pitt fans " about attendance. We already go to the games. Shouldn't you guys be lecturing the Stiller yinzer idiots who are only dimly aware of college football.

Paul Zeise: I don't think anybody lectures Pitt fans about attendance and I've stated often that attendance figures are often the bragging rights for programs who have nothing else to brag about. By the same token, when Pitt fans wonder why they don't get picked for certain bowls or don't get certain respect they think they deserve, well, the lack of attendance is relevant.

The_Ultimate: So Paul, with the emergence of Mike Shanahan as a legit threat, what is the probability that Ced McGees playing time goes down more that it has lately?

Paul Zeise: No, Oderick Turner is the one who will more than likely lose a few snaps because he and Shanahan play the same position. McGee's role is more of a blocker and physical presence and he is in a lot of packages mostly because of his blocking ability down the field or in the redzone.

Paul Zeise: Ok, folks, it has been fun, let's do it again next week. Thanks for joining in and remember -- FEAR THE OWL!!!