Paul Zeise: We had some technical difficulties, but I think we are all squared away now, so let's get started.

jdf: From the Press Confr. on Mon. it sounded like DW is going to pull back the reigns on the defense again? Why?

Paul Zeise: Thanks for hanging in there, we are up and running. I don't know if that is the case or if he is just trying to throw Louisville off. Either way, I will be very interested to see what the defense does this week because I think this offense, Louisville's, is far better than Cincy's was and the teams that have had success against Louisville have done so by blitzing brohm

pittfan: Surprise, Pitt wins over UC, does this take the pressure off the staff....even if just for a little while?

Paul Zeise: I don't think there is any more or less pressure this week than there was last. The bottom line is winning games and if at the end of the year they haven't won enough, it will be time to be make a judgement. For instance, if they win five in a row here and win the Big East, it would be a much different feeling in the offseason than if they were to lose five in a row and finish 3-9. You have to let all the games play out before we start really talking about hot seats and how many changes are going to be made and whatnot.

las_Vegas_Panthers: Paul, it seems we will be in worse shape next year with regards to the O line. Whay did it take two years for the Wanny to see that we needed to recruit there? No great O line recruits in Wannys first two classes>?

Paul Zeise: I don't think it did -- he has recruited linemen in every class and I think what he's found is it takes time to develop them, even highly rated one. I think there is no question, however, that Dave Wannstedt understands he has a team that has a chance to be pretty good next year if the offensive line doesn't hold it back so it wouldn't shock me if he went out and looked for a junior college center and tackle to try and fill the void until some of the young kids are ready to play and contribute.

jdf: Does DW just not want to admit that pressure up front helps cause turnovers? I am basing this on he said he di not know what happened to cause 3 TO's last week.

Paul Zeise: He often says pressure creates turnovers. He has simply said that since Pitt has trailed so much in the games they were losing, they didn't have much opportunity to apply pressure or blitz or force things because teams went into safe mode.

jdf: Was U of Cincy overrate, or did Pitt really play that well?

Paul Zeise: Pitt played well, you can't take anything away from them. But I said last week and I believe this -- Pitt has better players than Cincinnati so it doesn't shock me that they beat them. I was surprised by how well the defense played but I figured the offense would be able to grind it out on the Bearcats because Pitt is bigger and stronger up front and has great running backs.

pittfan: Would you agree that Pitt probably has better RB's than U of L right now? (something that could not be said the past 3 years)

Paul Zeise: Yes, I think Pitt's stable of running backs -- if you throw in Conredge Collins -- is as good as any you'll find anywhere. There may be some with more speed, but Pitt's top two tailbacks as very good.

Zap_Rowsdower: Do you see Mo Williams getting more involved? You would think the would be perfect in the Wildcat formation as either the wr or taking the snap.

Paul Zeise: He did last week with Cedric McGee hurt and Marcel Pestano suddenly falling out of favor a little so I don't see why he wouldn't continue to get more snaps and playing time. He is a talented kid, a real talented kid.

jdf: Is the Big East overrated, as conference this year, I think there are a couple quality teams but outside of the top 2 or 3 it seems so so.

Paul Zeise: Over rated and Big East are two words I would never use in the same sentence. And the way South Florida has been treated --- they have one less loss than Florida, went on the road and beat a team (Auburn) that won on Florida's home field, and have a win against a team currently ranked in the top ten (Florida does not) and yet somehow South Florida finds themselves ranked behind Florida, which is nonsense -- shows what people think about the Big East still. The Big East has a number of good teams and continues to improve each year.

walt: why is central florida trying to get out of game with Pitt next year??? Who could replace them???

Paul Zeise: I'm not sure what the exact reason is but this school has been a pain in the behind for Pitt to try and schedule these games with so you'd hope, unless they get a new administration down there, that this series will never be renewed. It was originally signed as a 2-for-1, then UCF kept playing games with the dates, finally got Pitt to agree to go down there first and is now trying to back away from the agreement. Perhaps they want an easier game or perhaps they have a money game they want to schedule but either way, Pitt should not let them out of it because as we've seen in the past, it will create a void that will likely be filled by an inferior opponent.

jdf: Is this week's game headed for a shootout, can the Panther's offense keep up if it is?

Paul Zeise: I think so, I just don't see Pitt slowing Louisville down much in this game. I do think that Pitt can slow the tempo down by running the ball and controlling the clock but I don't think Pitt can win unless they score 30-plus points, which they can if they mix it up on offense like they did last week.

walt: Why didn't Pestano play in Cincy game? Is he in doghouse with Wannstedt?

Paul Zeise: I don't know if he is in the doghouse, he just got passed by TJ Porter, who is finally starting to realize his potential, on the depth chart and he probably didn't help his cause when he got that silly penalty early in the game because we didn't see him at all on the field after that happened.

walt: With Clemson opting out of the home and home series with Pitt in the coming years, have you heard who Pitt may replace them with???

Paul Zeise: Well, there were some things in the works but the athletic director left and went to Arkansas, so this is a big problem right now. These games need to get scheduled but there isn't any one up there right now who can work on getting them scheduled. I guess this would fall under Donna Sanft's umbrella of duties but I'd doubt football scheduling is her priority right now.

jdf: Did Dickerson play much last week, I did not hear his name called at all from what remember?

Paul Zeise: It didn't seem like he played very much at all, which could have been just a matchup situation where they felt more comfortable with Adam Gunn knowing the assignments.

pittfan: Didn't sound like the UC coach understood that Pitt may have better talent than his team in some of his post game comments...do you have any comment to that?

Paul Zeise: No, he was just frustrated and if you've read anything about him he seems like a loose cannon and one of these hard-driving, high-motivation guys who is as much about rah rah speeches as he is X's and O's. This is the same guy who called out the Cincy media for not covering the team enough, which seemed a bit like cutting off your nose to spite your face given that football team's place in that market.

HolyBlitzburghBatman: If Pitt finishes 6-6 overall but 4-3 in the big east play, do you think they will make a bowl game?

Paul Zeise: I think Pitt would be in better shape to be selected for a bowl game this year at 6-6 (provided there are spots) because they finished strong and they have exciting young players. Don't forget last year they finished on a 5-game losing streak and looked pretty awful at times in achieving that.

skirace217: Where do you expect Wannstedt to coach from this Saturday: The Field or The Box?

Paul Zeise: He said he'll be in the box

pittfan: Think Pitt can run the ball vs U of L this weekend?

Paul Zeise: Yes, I think Pitt should be able to move the ball against Louisville both on the ground and through the air. The key will be finishing drives, finishing them with touchdowns and not turning it over.

walt: how close is jonathan Baldwin at making a decision about college? How much of a chance does Pitt have with him?

Paul Zeise: I don't think very close from what I understand and I think Pitt has an excellent shot of getting him.

jdf: Is TJ Porter then next big time receiver at Pitt, he looked good last week and from what I read he has the skills.

Paul Zeise: It is one game, but he certainly showed some flashes that he can become a big-time player in the future. The thing I like about him is he seems to be getting tougher and becoming a more physical player, which, with his talent could make him a different kind of player all together for years to come.

jimmy_g: Was last week's game just a fluke or has the defense gotten better?

Paul Zeise: The defense played well last week. Did it get better? Log in and ask me next week after we watch it play against Louisville....

shady_is_sweet: How do Pitt's corners match up with Douglas and Urrutia?

Paul Zeise: From what we've seen this year -- I don't like that matchup at all. Not for a minute. I think this is an area that has to improve for Pitt -- the coverage of the corners and the coverage of the safeties. It hasn't been terrible, but it hasn't been great either and it needs to be great this week because the Cardinals receivers are special.

panicbutton: What about Pitt's offense versus Louisville's D? The focus is on Pitt's D this week, but I'm hoping to see a big game from Shady and company.

Paul Zeise: Well that's what we have been talking about. It all comes down to Pitt posession the ball, the taking some time off the clock with nice long drives and not turning it over or settling for field goals. Louisville will score some touchdowns so Pitt needs to match that.

HolyBlitzburghBatman: Just when it seemed a bowl game was out of the question, Pitt upsets a ranked team. If Pitt can win this week it looks as though a bowl game is possible again. What are your thoughts?

Paul Zeise: It is possible, but boy, I can't help but get the feeling that Navy game will haunt Pitt over a long cold winter and into next year the same way the Ohio game did in year 1 and the Connecticut game did last year......

Mr._Jones: Do you watch film of the upcoming opponents, either videotapes or coaches films? How do you see Pitt matching up with Louisville?

Paul Zeise: No, but I do make sure I watch all of Pitt's opponents play as many times as possible and I've seen Louisville plenty and I see a team that is supremely talented and not playing very well. Pitt I don't think matches up greatly with Louisville's offense but Pitt's offense can pose some problems for the Cardinals defense so unlike in the past two years, when it was a forgone conclusion that Louisville would win, I really think this comes down to which team plays better.

pittfan: Do you think John Bachman's insertion to the line-up can equate to what happened to the Pitt O-Line in the 2001 season when Dan LaCarte manned his spot mid-way through the year?

Paul Zeise: Yes, John Bachman played very well and he is very athletic and he understands that position and frankly, he could be the missing link that finally helps this line play better football for the long haul. I liked what I saw from him at guard last year.

las_Vegas_Panthers: The cards D is horrible. That 11 point line seems a little high? How close will this be?

Paul Zeise: I think it could be close -- I also could see a blow out by Louisville if Pitt's offense makes a few early mistakes and the Panthers fall behind. That being said, I don't think Louisville is unbeatable and if it is close in the fourth quarter, they have shown themselves to be the kind of team that will make the key mistake first.

jimmy_g: As a long time Pitt fan, it is very frustrating to see teams like Rutgers, Louisville, South Florida, and Cincinnati with better overall records. When is this going to change?

Paul Zeise: Coaches are banking on next year for this team to arrive. That's usually easier said then done.....

las_Vegas_Panthers: The pass D gives up 170 yards a game and is ranked nationally for that. It has been brought up all week. Isnt that more a case of the run d being so awful?

Paul Zeise: Yes, I think to a degree. The run defense has improved from last year but it still hasn't been great, which is why this is such a dangerous offense. The run isn't a big part of Cincy's offense -- it is a part of Louisville's offense and that will keep Pitt's defense off balance.

pittfan: Assuming Joe Thomas picks up his level of play this year and/or next, could he move to OT?

Paul Zeise: Yes and if they don't sign another one from junior college there is a good chanc he'd be tried out there in the spring.

las_Vegas_Panthers: Bostick's deep ball looks a lot like mine, what is all the hype about with this kid? He is not mobile, he has an average arm?

Paul Zeise: But he is a quarterback, a kid who understands offense and defense and can make the throws they ask him to make and make good decisions and in Matt Cavanaugh's offense, if you can make good decisions, not turn it over, direct traffic and get the ball to your playmakers and let them do things after the catch, you are going to be highly successful. The kid is completing like 60-plus percent of his passes and that says a lot about his decision-making.

Paul Zeise: Well, sorry we had to cut it short today but technical difficulties and computer issues spiked our first half hour. Thanks for hanging in there and we'll chat again next week at noon.