itisonlyagame: Is the "O-line any healthier because of the off week?

Paul Zeise: The only guy who was banged up was Joe Thomas and he seems to be available and ready to play. So yes...

itisonlyagame: With Pitt having an off week recruiting was probably a big focus. Can you give us some names and positions that the coaching staff is aggressively seeking to commit?

Paul Zeise: Well I know they were hot after the junior college center from California, Robb Houser -- this is really a big need area for them. They also continued their pursuit of the Graham kid from Scranton and the multi-purpose quarterback from Dayton. These are among their targets right now becuase they fill needs. They also have stepped up their efforts to get the receiver from Norwin. So yes, they had a big week of recruiting.

itisonlyagame: God I miss the PITT VS PENN ST. game. Do you think we will ever see this game again during JoePa's life?

Paul Zeise: Probably not because I don't see him retiring until well, he is called upon to coach that great football team in the sky.

Bob_Dylan: I wonder why 2008 is looked upon as the make or break year for Wannstedt as the coach at Pitt. I know that 2008 should be the year when Pitt should have a winning season and go to a bowl game. But shouldn't 2009 be the real year of judgement in terms of Wannstedt having an outstanding season and hopefully going to a January 1 bowl? It won't be until 2009 that he will have four full recruiting classes in place and, therefore, have a chance to have his system fully in place. I know 2009 will be his fifth year, but he was not hired until December so his first recruiting class can't be counted against him since he got such a late start with recruiting. So shouldn't 2009 be the real year of judgement rather than 2008?

Paul Zeise: 2008 is the first year that it is fair to put expectations on this coaching staff, that's all. If they go 7-5 next year, I don't know that is good enough in year 4. I think it is fair to say they need nine wins and a good showing in a bowl game to continue this course and Dave Wannstedt understands that. I do agree that 2009 is the year where things could go way up, but next year there has to be some progress and some very definable progress at that.

PittAT: When are they going to get FieldTurf at Heinz Field? Once again, the conditions are going to become rediculous.

Paul Zeise: It won't happen because the Rooney's don't want it, though, I have heard they are softening on this stance and Mike Tomlin is a lot less opposed to it than Bill Cowher was. So it could happen, though I wouldn't bank on it any time soon.

SwurvinCurvin: Is it the Rice vs. Shady show on Saturday? Or should we look for some other hidden key to this game?

Paul Zeise: I think the key is the quarterbacks. If Pat Bostick plays well, Pitt will have a chance. If he doesn't, if he misses throws and whatnot, Pitt will get beat up. I really believe McCoy and Rice will sort of cancel each other out -- they will both get their yards.

Zap_Rowsdower: Paul, I keep hearing that 6-6 won't get Pitt to a bowl game. Let's say WVU beats Cincy and Pitt. Cincy beats 'Cuse. USF and Rutgers beat Louisville. All very likely. If Pitt can win against Rutgers and USF, Pitt finishes in third place (tied with Cincy). How can a BCS Conference team finish 3rd in their conference, be bowl eligible and not make it to a bowl game? Would it not be in the Big East's best interest to have Tranghese get involved and do everything he can to get Pitt in a bowl over a 5th or 6th placed school?

Paul Zeise: If all of that happens, Pitt could take a bowl spot from someone that is only one overall game ahead of them I think (the rule on this has changed so many times it is hard to remember the latest change) and if that's the case, well, then yes, perhaps Pitt could slide into a bowl. That being said -- if you have to come up with the perfect storm of everything going right in order to have a chance, you probably don't have a chance unless you win out.

jimmy_g: Based on their recent record, do the Panthers have any reasonable chance of knocking off the Scarlet Knights?

Paul Zeise: Well they have won two of their past three. And I would say of the three games they play, this might be the best matchup for Pitt, so yes, there is always a chance.

Zap_Rowsdower: Any truth to the rumor that the Georgia Tech AD turned us down?

Paul Zeise: Yes, that appears to be true.

jimmy_g: Walt Harris seemed to recruit skill position players to the detriment of linemen. How do you rate Dave Wannstedt's attempt to improve both lines?

Paul Zeise: He's done an unbelievable job of rebuilding the defensive line. There is no arguing that. The offensive line has been slower but not for lack of trying -- in Joe Thomas, Lucas Nix and Chris Jacobson, he's gotten three of the most highly regarded linemen prospects in the country and CJ Davis was a good find as well. So he has gotten the players, it just hasn't translated into that dominant line he desires yet.

Walt: Which QB does Pitt have a better chance of getting, Tino Sunseri or Zach Stoudt??? Which is the better prospect in your eyes???

Paul Zeise: Great question and since i have never seen Stoudt I can't really answer who is a better prospect. Both kids have Pitt high on their list but I think there is more competition for Tino Sunseri, so I'd say based on that Pitt will have a better shot at Stoudt, though, I think they have a good shot at Sunseri even though he has a lot of other nice offers.

Panther_Rants: Paul, in your estimation is Cavanaugh playing it too conservatively on offense? The play calling against Syracuse was fairly pathetic. I can't imagine there's any way the Panther beat Rutgers with a repeat performance.

Paul Zeise: I don't like any game plan that is crafted specifically to avoid mistakes - that to me isn't going to get it done in college football 2007. By the same token -- Pat Bostick has been given some chances to make some throws down field and he's missed just about every one of them so while the idea of throwing down the field is a good one, if you can't connect on those throws, what's the point? To me, though, the biggest disappointnment with this offense is that given the limitations of the quarterback there has been no attempt to develop a quarterback like Mo Williams to use in the Wildcat pacakage as a major part of the offense.

General_Patton: Is LeSean McCoy eligible for the NFL after next season, and if so, do you think he will declare?

Paul Zeise: I will write this one more time for the cheap seats -- he must appeal if he wants to leave after next season because his situation is not the same as Larry Fitzgerald's. Larry won his appeal based on the fact that he had enough credits to graduate from high school but chose not to and went to prep school for a year instead. That's why his prep school year was counted as post-high school and that's why he was able to leave after only two years. I will say this -- if McCoy's people find out that they are indeed eligible based on whatever criteria, they'd be foolish not to at least entertain the idea, though coming back for a third year wouldnt be the worst thing for him, either.

SwurvingCurvin: Why would they go after the Georgia Tech A.D. ? That would appear to be a lateral move, at best.

Paul Zeise: For him or for Pitt? If Pitt could pull off a sitting AD from a BCS school, that's a big win if you ask me. And he apparently is from Pittsburgh and has some relationship with some of the key people in the administration and among the boosters and whatnot.

Shady_For_Heisman: Is Wannstedt trying to recruit a more mobile quarterback who can throw to perhaps incorporate the Wildcat package more in future years?

Paul Zeise: Yes, that's the plan but he has a few of those guys this year and he hasn't even attempted to use them and that has been frustrating. The offense is so vanilla and so predictable right now, some sort of a change of pace is desperately needed.

throwtheballtobyham: Why do you suppose this team likes to play noon games?

Paul Zeise: I will try to be kind on this one -- the Big East game of the week designation which includes a noon kickoff used to be a bigger deal because there were usually good games to choose from. Now, it seems like it is the fallback option for the teams within the conference who don't get picked for the bigger network games because they aren't having a successful season. But in fairness Pitt is one of the biggest -- if not the biggest (unless you count Rutgers as part of the NYC market, which is, um, debatable) markets in the Big East and has a strong affilliate in WTAE-TV so the conference likes to get Pitt on TV as much as possible. That is also a testament to the fact that the Big East teams are on national television more than they have been -- well at least the ones who are winning.

dan6969: I live in South Fla and I have had a disagreement with a UM fan after they got destroyed by UV. Since UM is moving to Dolphin Stadium he said that would be great for UM as far as recruiting and playing at a Pro Stadium. I told him that this might hurt UM on many fronts and he said well Pitt can do it. I told him 1) Pitt also practices by the Steelers and the stadium is a lot closer to campus than Dolphin Stadium is. Do you agree?

Paul Zeise: The University of Miami played in an off-campus facility for years. The issue for Pitt (or any urban school) isn't where the stadium is located -- that's an excuse and a nonsensical one at that -- the issue is WINNING FOOTBALL GAMES. Forget about bells, whistles, marketing campaigns, awards, concerts and every other form of marketing trinkets that some genius in a tie can come up with to try and lure fans -- when Miami, Pitt or South Florida (which plays in an off campus facility as well) WINS a lot of football games, fans will come as will recruits. Miami will be fine when they hire the right coach and start winning again.

Walt: Do you think the O-Line coach, Paul Dunn, could be fired at the end of the year?? Pitt's OLine has been a disappointment

Paul Zeise: I am not the one who has to make that decision. I don't know what the future holds for any coach, but I am sure there are some on the staff who must be getting nervous, particularly because if the team doesn't win another game I'm sure there will be some staff changes called for from within the Cathedral of Learning ....

itisonlyagame: We have seen Pat Bostick grow so much in the last few weeks. Is his personal problems the thing of the past or is he still dealing with it?

Paul Zeise: He seems to be settling in and adjusting very well. I don't know if they are behind him all the way, but I can tell you he is far more relaxed and he seems far more comfortable than he did even a month ago so that is a great sign.

dan6969: I think Pitt can we the next 3 games I can see them blowing out Rutgers & USF and having a close one with WVU. I feel like the coaches have been holding back some and will let the team lose these next 3 games

Paul Zeise: I could see them winning the next two games, really, I don't think either Rutgers or South Florida is really that much better than Pitt, if at all and I think in the case of South Florida, the cold weather and horrible field conditions (remember the WPIAL will have fuor title games the day before this USF game) will be an equalizer for Pitt. I still haven't heard one realistic scenario that has Pitt beating WVU. I just think the Mountaineers are too good for the Panthers and they will be motivated to get to the BCS and they are at home.

Walt: What are Pitt's chances with Cam Saddler??? I heard that he will make a decision early December. I also read that he is related to DeJuan Blair. Is Blair trying to recruit Pitt to the football team even though Blair plays b-ball.

Paul Zeise: I'd say Pitt is less than 50 percent -- Virginia is still his leader and seems to be the team he has focused in on for a while. Pitt would have to make a late push to get him, but I'm thinking it might be too little too late.

Panther_Rants: Paul, if you're making odds, what do you feel Pitt's chances are for the following: Winning the last three?; Winning 2/3?; Winning 1/3? Finishing with three consecutive losses?

Paul Zeise: Losing three in a row -- 70 percent chance Winning one of three -- 50 percent chance Winning two of three -- 25 percent chance Winning three of three -- I have a better chance of landing a date with Halle Berry....

BrunoDC: I understand that the freshmen scrimmage every week. Are you able to see these scrimmages and if so, can you give us several players who are standing out?

Paul Zeise: No, they do this on Sunday when practices are closed. But from what I understand they are very intense and Myles Carrigan, Greg Williams and Max Gruder are just beasts and Aundre Wright is good for at least one highlight-reel worthy play per week.

Pather_Rants: Do you expect Kevan Smith to transfer at year's end? Recently the buzz has become that Pitt is recruiting two QBs this year. Is that because the staff anticipates Kevan will transfer? I just can't see any way he could play again as a Panther after how badly things ended for him

Paul Zeise: No, I don't think so. I think he could play another position -- like tight end -- which is what coaches had in mind when they recruited him anyway. He is a good athlete, a big strong kid and he could still help the team and he doesn't seem like he is giving any indications that he wants to leave. He could, however, go play baseball as he is a minor league prospect.

Walt: What ever happened to Doug Fulmer???

Paul Zeise: He hasn't gotten healthy and thus coaches are going to petition for a sixth-year for him. He has missed two full years now with major injuries -- two different ones at that. They are hoping he gets healthy for the spring then gets back to form for next training camp but he has been out for a long, long time.

Walt: Who will start, Bachman or Joe Thomas??? Please tell me Bachman.

Paul Zeise: I think Bachman has still taken the majority of the snaps, though Thomas seems to be getting healthier and likely will be available to play.

Panther_Rants: Why isn't Byham being used more?

Paul Zeise: This is one of the great mysteries of our planet in our time. I have no idea. I have asked the question many times, many ways and have gotten plenty of cryptic answers that still don't answer the question, but I can't for the life of me figure out why you wouldn't want this guy to touch the ball eight to ten times per game at a minimum. He does something great almost every time they do throw it to him.

Panther_Rants: Paul, where will you be taking Ms. Berry on your date?

Paul Zeise: Hmmmmm? Well, I suppose I could take her to see Pitt play in the papajohn's.com bowl. I hope she is a fan of Birmingham....

SwurvinCurvin: Why not Da Coach Ditka for A.D.?

Paul Zeise: What, other than he is a "Pitt-guy" and an all-time great "Pitt-guy" at that -- exactly makes him qualified to do this job? And I suppose if you want to take Pitt's athletic department back to the stone age, this is a good idea, but otherwise, why not find someone who understands and has been successful as an administrator in college athletics in 2007?

99fcpanther: Paul, Being around the team all the time what is your feeling on their mindset right now going into the last three games? You've mentioned before how they seem to enjoy playing unlike past teams at the end of the season.

Paul Zeise: They seem to be confident and they seem to be still having fun and enjoying playing football, which is much different than last year at this time when everyone seemed so miserable and it was clear some guys had packed it in.

jimmy_g: Do you agree with Dave Wannstedt's coaching philosophy of holding back Pat Bostick to prevent mistakes?

Paul Zeise: Not completely. I think you need to let a guy play and play without fear if you want him to really succeed and at this point -- what does Pitt have to lose by taking a few risks?

Panther_Rants: Is E.J. Borghetti being given any consideration for the AD job?

Paul Zeise: NO, though he might just be the smartest guy in that athletic department. I think if they were going to promote from within and Donna Sanft wasn't the choice, a good choice would be Jim Earle.

skirace217: What chance do you give Pitt at landing Gateway's Cam Saddler?

Paul Zeise: Like I said -- less than 50 percent as Virginia seems to be his clear leader.

Panther_Rants: How would you grade the play of the offensive line this season?

Paul Zeise: The first six games? D+, except for Otah who was probably a B+ The last three games? Probably a B- and Otah has been an A.

BuyeysTwoMeatballSubs: So the broad definitely doesn't want to be the AD? How about Boehm from Nebraska? He was 2 for 2 when hiring hoops coaches. That's a pretty good record considering Pitt's track record.

Paul Zeise: Um, broad? We are en enlightened bunch here, not cavemen. Donna Sanft may want it but she has said publicly she doesn't. She'd be a good choice if she decides to pursue it. As for Boehm, there doesn't seem to be any momentum for that, particularly from Pitt's side of things. Heck they already passed on him once.

Paul Zeise: OK, well, it was a lot of fun and a lot of great questions. We will meet again next week at the same time -- actually now that I think about it we might have to do it Friday or miss it all together because Thursday is Thanksgiving. Have a wonderful holiday and we'll keep you posted about next week's chats.