Pitt V Penn State

[Rutang]

I just see Penn State following the $$.  Thats why they are in the Big 10.  With the addition of the Big 10 network, the conference rakes in a lot of cash.

As far as Penn State returning to glory, I'm not so sure.  In the last 6 years, 3 10+ win seasons and 2 BCS Bowls.

[scrapiron]

Rutang is right that PSU isn't doing it for the rivalry factor.   I don't think most PSU fans care one way or another if they play Pitt.   It's the Pitt fans that are desperate to have a rival to play.  Having PSU on their schedule makes it look better and they probably feel they have a decent shot to win.  Not to mention the extra bucks they would get by playing PSU. 

[GoBucs21]

Rutang is right that PSU isn't doing it for the rivalry factor.   I don't think most PSU fans care one way or another if they play Pitt.   It's the Pitt fans that are desperate to have a rival to play.  Having PSU on their schedule makes it look better and they probably feel they have a decent shot to win.  Not to mention the extra bucks they would get by playing PSU. 

You have no idea what you are talking about.  Pitt grads like me, lost interest in PSU years ago.  For younger Pitt fans and grads, they have little or no knowledge of Pitt and PSU, so they don't care about it.  For them and even people like me, the Pitt/WVU game is as good as or better than Pitt/Penn State.We have the rival we want and need in WVU. 

The only desperation is of people like scraps thinking that Pitt need a rival.  Its really Penn State who needs a rival.  Ohio State and Michigan are the rivalry.  Both look down on Penn State and consider them only secondary or tertiary rivals.  The Big 10 tries to fabricate a rivalry between Penn State and Michigan State but its a dud.

Pitt has it rival.  Its Penn State looking for a primary rival.

[steve19981]

Temple makes sense because it takes Penn St close to a huge chunk of it's fanbase in Philadelphia. The 2 for 1 certainly doesn't hurt and you're right they are a cupcake. The Big Ten is challenging enough that you don't need to pad your OOC schedule. It makes more sense to schedule a cupcake than a "rival," because Big Ten schools play enough good teams during their regular season. I never claimed Temple as a rival of Penn St and they're irrelevance and location makes them more attractive than Pitt year in and year out.

[GoBucs21]

Temple makes sense because it takes Penn St close to a huge chunk of it's fanbase in Philadelphia. The 2 for 1 certainly doesn't hurt and you're right they are a cupcake. The Big Ten is challenging enough that you don't need to pad your OOC schedule. It makes more sense to schedule a cupcake than a "rival," because Big Ten schools play enough good teams during their regular season. I never claimed Temple as a rival of Penn St and they're irrelevance and location makes them more attractive than Pitt year in and year out.

Since there are no high school players out of state college, PSU makes no sense for Pitt.

I think many are missing the real point here.  The Big 10 is looking to expand to 16 teams.  They recruited Pitt in the late 90s, over JoePa's wishes and Pitt turned them down.  Pitt is a school (not necessarily a football team) they want.  Playing PSU a couple of times, is a good way to get them to jump.

Personally, I would quit following Pitt if they joined the Big 10.  I don't care if they play PSU or not.  There is a more apathy than anything else for Penn State from Pitt fans.  In Pitt student's and grad's eyes, Penn State is a one trick pony.  They would be our twice a year whipping boy in basketball, if Pitt chose to join the Big 10.

[GoBucs21]

Considering what is happening at Penn State now, Pitt should stay as far away as possible.