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Q: I went to the South Florida game with my teenage sons who have inherited my love for Pitt's football program. To say the least, I was disappointed with the so-called "college football" atmosphere at Heinz Field. The football game was great but I felt like I was at an NFL game, not a college game. It's not the same. Pitt is a great university. College football should be played on campus. Does anyone else feel the same?

Chris Zempka, Findlay, Ohio

ZEISE: A small, but vocal minority of fans share your sentiments about the stadium not being on campus. A larger group, however, shares your sentiments about the presentation at games -- the loud music, the constant barrage of sounds and gimmicks and promotions from the PA announcer and Jumbotron and here is what I'd say to you -- I don't like what marketing geeks have done to sports, either, but it is a fact of life and it is here to stay. It is not unique to Pitt, either, as I have been to numerous "college" stadiums and witnessed the same kind of stuff at every one of them. It is just the way things are these days.

Q: With our lack of depth in the secondary -- both in talent and bodies -- is quarterback recruit Anthony Gonzalez a candidate to move directly to safety?

Marc Halvorsen, Greensburg

ZEISE: Not initially, the coaches are committed to giving him a legitimate shot to play quarterback, which is one of the reasons they got him over a lot of other schools. Now, if he doesn't develop quickly, I'm sure that will be a thought because from what I understand he's a big-time safety.

Q: Can Syracuse's defense shut down Pitt's offense? Do you see a possibility that they can simply outscore us? What do you think would have to happen for Pitt to lose this game?

Anthony Polito, Mckeesport

ZEISE: I definitely think Syracuse's defense will give Pitt's offense a hard time -- the Orange stop the run well and they aren't afraid to bring a lot of pressure in passing situations. So it won't be easy for Pitt to just go up and down the field. But the Orange offense is not very good, so the answer is no, they can't outscore Pitt. If Syracuse is going to win the game it will need some help from Pitt (i.e. the Panthers turn the ball over a few times and make a few key mistakes) in order to score points, it will need the game to be low scoring and it will need its defense to have a great day against Dion Lewis. Even then, it will be difficult because the Panthers might only need 14 points to beat the Orange given how much their offense has struggled.

Q: Do you think Jason Pinkston will turn pro at the end of the season? If so will Lucas Nix be ready to make the move to left tackle next season?

Ryan Forney, Centerville, Va.

ZEISE: No, absolutely not. That doesn't mean he won't, but from what I've been told he has a lot of work to do and a long way to go before he's on the radar as a high draft pick. I think he'd get drafted this year if he left early, but he wouldn't be a first-day guy and if you aren't a first day guy, it makes no sense to leave early. He has a lot of upside and a lot of room to improve and he could stand to use another full year with Buddy Morris.

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