YinzPitt

Happy Black Friday everyone.  I hate this day more than anything in the world, and it’s not because I go shopping.  It’s because I have to work on a day when nothing happens, everyone is closed and no one calls us.  So I just sit here, patiently, as the time slowly crawls by and everyone gives attitude because were all stuck here.

Either way, two big games this weekend as the Pitt Panthers prepare to play the West Virginia Mountaineers, and the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare to play the hated Baltimore Ravens.  Both games hold significant importance, as the Panthers are playing for a good bowl, and the Steelers are playing just to make it into the play-offs.  Both of these games are going to be nasty, down-right violent games, and that’s the absolute best thing about all of this.  There’s nothing better than beating up on WVU and embarrassing the Ravens.

The Pitt Panthers have been on a roll, and their certainly looking to extend it into this weekend and at Cincinnati next weekend.  The

University of Pittsburgh Panthers Logo

Panthers also know who spoiled WVU’s potential national title bid in 2007.  Things could certainly look the other way around if the Panthers don’t keep their heads in check going into Friday night’s backyard brawl.  This also has the potential to be a severe trap game for the Panthers, as the WVU kids always seem to show up for games against the Panthers, and the Panthers always have the ability to drop down to WVU’s levels and scrum with them.  If Pitt scrums, the chances for WVU to win go up ten fold.  If Pitt keeps it real, they won’t be touched.

Here’s a little background info on the Backyard Brawl provided by the Associated Content site:

The Backyard Brawl is the 14^th oldest rivalry in U.S. football history. Since both WVU and Pitt are contenders in the Big East Conference, it makes this match up even more exciting. After 101 games, Pitt leads the Brawl by a 61-37-3 margin. In 2007, the Panthers with a losing record of 4-7 upset the Mountaineers knocking them of the BCS National Championship Game and this game was named “Game of the Year’ by ESPN.

The rivalry began in 1895 and is considered one of the most intense match ups in the country. The West Virginia campus is a short one hour drive from the Pitt campus and this close proximity makes for an exciting game each season with sold out stadiums packed with fans from both teams. These two teams can boast that over 400 players have made it to the National Football League and 27 of them have been first round picks.

The 2009 Backyard Brawl will be played at Mountaineer Stadium in Morgantown, WV on November 27, 2009. Thousands of Pitt fans are expected to make 60 mile trek down I-79 for the game.

It’s going to be an awesome game, and I can’t wait to cheer on the Pittsburgh Panthers to a hopeful victory tonight at WVU.

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Now on to the Pittsburgh Steelers battle that will be taking place Sunday evening at Baltimore.  It’s going to be an all-out war, as both of these teams have a severe hatred for each other.  Both teams are looking to make an impact on the play-offs, in hopes of winning a wild card bid after the Bengals swept both teams in their divisional games.  I really can’t believe I’m writing that as it seems like one giant joke.  What can you do though, as it’s total damage control by just trying to survive and stay in the hunt.

The Ravens are reeling, Joe Flacco is having a sub par season, and their defense is not getting any younger.  The Steelers as well have been struggling to play competitive ball this season as far as I’m concerned and are looking to make an impact as much as the Ravens are.  I’m really surprised at the way the Ravens defense has been handling the pass.  Their corners I think are their weakest part of the team, as they are VERY susceptible to the pass.

I look and hope for Big Ben to pass for 2-3 touchdowns, as losing another game all but dooms them for a championship defense.  This is the game that Arians needs to stick with the run and not be an idiot and start getting pass happy.  Set up the pass with the run and let Mendenhall hit the ground hard.

If they don’t run the ball like they should be, and abandon it like they have the past few games, I think it’s game over.  It’s a harsh reality that’s becoming all too clear for me, as I see it time and time again.  Cover the 3 receivers the Steelers use and sack Ben all day.  Here’s hoping to another 38-7 win like the Steelers did a few years ago.  They really need a win to gain their confidence back and start trying to peak again for the play-offs(if they even make it).

Here’s to hopefully two good games this weekend.  Go PITT, Go Steelers, and Go Pens!

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