SDWC: Paul, do you personally think the Claussen play was a fumble or should have been ruled incomplete?

Paul Zeise: I don't know - I have seen it about ten times from every angle and about five of them I have said "that is an incomplete pass" and the other five I've said "that is a fumble" --- that being said, there is now way the video evidence was conclusive enough to overturn the ruling on the field so it should have remained an incomplete pass and Notre Dame's ball with 4th-and-16.

SDWC: If Pitt would beat Cincinnati and go to the Orange Bowl then you would have on Jan 3 the Steelers at Miami, the Pens at Fla. Panthers, and two days later Pitt also in Miami.

Paul Zeise: Well then I think that most of the people in Miami will get really annoyed by all of the black and gold, terrible towels and Pittsburgh fans in general running around town.

MPM: What would be your best guess of the bowl game if Pitt's final record is 9-3, 10-2, or 11-1?

Paul Zeise: 9-3? I'd say Pitt would be headed to Toronto or Birmingham 10-2? That would be interesting - I think Charlotte and Jacksonville might be more in play but it would depend on how things fall 11-1? Sugar Bowl or Orange Bowl.

theWellHungarian: Just a heads-up, Dave Wannstedt will be on the Jim Rome radio show today (970am) ... "rack him"

Paul Zeise: That's good information. I'm certain it won't be as amusing as Rome's takes on "softball guy" and "golf guy" and "NCAA bracket guy"

Stull_The_Warrior_King: #9 Costello on the kick coverage units. What can you tell me about him? I see he is listed as a punter on the team roster and a graduate of Hempfield High School.

Paul Zeise: He is a walk on punter who plays special teams and makes a few tackles here and there

Stull_The_Warrior_King: Are they any recruiting updates to report? I know Notre Dame was a big recruiting weekend, but do you also expect the Cincinnati game to attract a large number of recruits?

Paul Zeise: All is quiet right now - I talked to Dave Wannstedt yesterday and he said that they have so few scholarships left t that it is going to be tight here down the stretch to February. I think the Notre Dame game, however, helped them get a good jump on next year with some guys.

Stull_The_Warrior_King: Paul, I see that the Pitt marketing department decided to get rid of the "Lil Jovi" for the ND game. It never enraged me like it did you, but I guess it's nice to know that Pitt listens to its loyal supporters (you, the fans, etc).

Paul Zeise: Yes I was glad to see that gimmick was not a part of the presentation this past week -- though the marketing gurus swear they were not, cough cough, copying Rutgers - though, if we were in a court of law and there was a jury - the evidence against them is very strong ...

Stull_The_Warrior_King: Did you watch the Freshman/Backup scrimmage yesterday? If so, which players stood out to you? Any surprises from summer camp until now?

Paul Zeise: No, they did not have it open - the practices was closed on Tuesday during they bye week so I didn't get to see it. The two freshman defensive linemen apparently put on show though as did Carl Fleming.

theWellHungarian: Any word if Frank Cignetti will get any looks at any of the head coaching vacancies? In my opinion, he's got to be a hot commodity. I also just read that Mark Mangino will be dismissed from K.U. at season's end, if not sooner. Any chance Pitt would replace Cignetti with Mark Mangino?

Paul Zeise: No and no. I will be extremely surprised if Frank Cignetti is not the offensive coordinator here next year. He loves it here, his family loves it here and frankly he has put himself in position to be the next coach here if he is willing to wait a few years fo Wannstedt to retire.

PittDC: Paul, how excited are the kids on the team right now with all of the attention? You've mentioned this team is very focused, do you see any of them losing it with the attention that is coming with a high ranking and high profile games coming up?

Paul Zeise: You know what - some days I want to bring one of those machines in to check to see if these guys have a pulse. They are just so even keeled and so steady and really don't get that giddy, rah rah kind of attitude. They just go about their business. They are all obviously happy with where they are at but I am telling you that if they don't win the Big East they will all be extremely disappointed - that is their only goal.

BCS_Pitt: Paul, I can understand Big 12 game (Texas) playing primetime night game since they will more than likely in BCS Title Game. However, why did ABC/ESPN pick ACC Title game when the Pitt vs Cincy game probably has the two highest ranked teams other than the SEC title game when it comes to the games on Dec 5

Paul Zeise: I have no idea why these decisions are made - the noon time slot is a full national telecast - that means the entire country gets the game. It is a great time slot for Pitt and the Big East -- they aren't sharing the spotlight with anyone.

BCS_Pitt: How ridiculous was ABC for tracking down Bill Stull's parents and bringing up the negatives and booing when that stopped weeks ago. They just have to try to create controversy.

Paul Zeise: Extremely ... but while I am not into conspiracies, I still would like to know how exactly ABC knew where to find Stull's parents.....

Stull_The_Warrior_King: Paul, has there ever been a more popular student/fan leader for a Pitt team than "Green Man" at the football games? The guy is a cult hero and there are rumors of an action-figure release of his in time for the holidays.

Paul Zeise: Um, OK, if you say so ... of course, he will always be second behind the "dancing Pitt lady" in terms of cult-hero Pitt fans ...

theWellHungarian: Is Brian Kelly (in 2009) in a similar situation as Rich Rodriguez (in 2007)? If B.K. wins, he has a chance, albeit small, to play for the National Title, if he loses, is he a goner and take the, apparent, opening at Notre Dame?

Paul Zeise: No, I think there is a good chance he'll leave regardless - it is just a matter of when. Cincinnati didn't come through with some promises and he has done all he can do there. It won't surprise me if he leaves for Notre Dame (assuming they offer him the job) win or lose. If he wins and does go to the national title game, he may stay until after the game.

theWellHungarian: Who's the better receiver Jonathan Baldwin or Mardy Gilyard?

Paul Zeise: Different players and I'll take either one of them on any day of any week. I'll give a slight edge to Gilyard because he is a little more mature, a little older and more experienced and thus a little more refined.

PittfanTJ: How has Pat Bostick looked in practices? Reading your Q&A about how Tino did not grab the starting job when he had the chance I'm guessing if Pat has made strides in his mechanics & strength he should be the front runner next season.

Paul Zeise: Pat doesn't get many reps at practice because Tino and Bill get the first team reps and Greg Cross runs the scout team some as well as Janocko. So Pat does a lot of standing. It is tough for him right now because he is almost like a graduate assistant coach. Next year, it will be a very good battle between Tino and Pat and you'd think with a full year of Frank Cignetti under both of their belts they will both be much improved

Stull_the__Conquering_Hero: Since its the bye week, any word on the redshirting guys, or did you already give us everything you got?

Paul Zeise: Dave Wannstedt said he liked the defensive linemen and the two linebackers. I thought it was interesting that he was extremely high on the two receivers - I liked them both in camp a lot. I would expect Devin Street, Greg Cross, Ed Tinker, Cameron Saddler and Mike Shanahan to put forth a very entertaining battle in spring and summer to fill the spots left vacant by McGhee and Turner, not too mention Dickerson. In fact, it will be interesting to see how the tight end spot works out next year. One dark horse candidate to fill Dickerson's role - Todd Thomas. They are conflicted whether to use him on offense or defense - he was a great safety at Milford -- but one role they've kicked around for him is that hybrid tight end kind of player.

PittfanTJ: Am I being too much of a homer if Pitt was to win it's last 2 games and the whole Sugar Bowl thing plays out that we play the loser of UF/Bama that I would rather play Bama since their offense is a better match for our defense?

Paul Zeise: I think Alabama's offensive and defensive lines would be a very tough matchup for Pitt - but you are right, the Crimson Tide (and Florida for that matter) isn't exactly explosive on offense and if Pitt could find a way to get that defensive front seven blocked, they could perhaps make some plays to win the game. I wouldn't like their chances of doing that, however, as I just think Alabama would be a tough matchup for Pitt.

hail2pitt98: Chances that Brian Kelly is still at Cincy next year? For the sake of the Big East, I hope he is. But someone is going to throw money at him.

Paul Zeise: The one thing about it is this - outside of perhaps Notre dame, I don't know that there will be another marquee kind of job open up that would be attractive enough for him to leave. I mean, go through the conferences -- there just aren't many teams who are on the verge of firing their coach

ImmaManIm40: Will the "Backyard Brawl" be a sellout? Presuming yes, percentage split between homers and billies?

Paul Zeise: I think it is and it will likely be 75 or 80 percent WVU fans

wannstache: Any chance Baldwin or Romeus gets loaned out to Jamie Dixon to make our hoops squad better?

Paul Zeise: Not likely. A few years ago they wanted a few football players to help fill the practice squad for a few weeks due to injuries but the guys they wanted were all either injured or on Dave Wannstedt's untouchable list ...

Pitt_Panzer: Who look to be the starting secondary next year?

Paul Zeise: Well that is interesting - - safeties I would assume will be DeCicco and Holley. One corner I would assume would be Ricky Gary and the other, well, let's see - Atwuan Reed, Buddy Jackson? Then you'd have a few guys like - -perhaps Todd Thomas, or Elijah Fields to play that nickel/bandit linebacker stuff -- and you still have Andrew Taglianetti to work in. So that position should be in good shape next year.

G_Tate: Lot of season left this year and it should be an exciting final 3 games, but since it is a bye week, why not throw this out, is next year the year Pitt makes a run at the national Championship?

Paul Zeise: Well - you lose Dickerson, Byham, Malecki, Joe Thomas, Robb Houser, Bill Stull, Turner and McGee from the offense. Then you lose Mick Williams, Gus Mustakas, Adam Gunn and Aaron Berry from the defense (and perhaps a guy like Greg Romeus) ... I'm thinking, no.

ImmaManIm40: Do you agree it was a good thing that back-up quarter ... errrr, cornerback Antwone Reed got in some work Saturday? You know, for the future? And while we're at it, let him cover ND's all-world WR Golden Tate to boot? Sheesh, it seemed like the game clock was running backwards for the 4th quarter.

Paul Zeise: Well he certainly was getting a baptism by fire and yes, that was a far more helpful experience than say, the back-up quarterback handing off five times and throwing a play-action pass for three yards to the tight end in the final four minutes of a 41-3 win over Youngstown State.....

ImmaManIm40: Hypothetical: Saturday's game is replayed, the only change is that Brian Kelly coaches ND. Any difference whatsoever?

Paul Zeise: Hard to say - - he doesn't coach defense. The offense would have been better but then again, the offense is pretty good.

Stull_the__Conquering_Hero: What do you think about the secondary for next year now that Holley has established himself at FS & Tags will be returning?

Paul Zeise: Like I wrote a few minutes ago - it should go from one of the team weakness to one of the teams strengths.

ImmaManIm40: What's Wannstedt's contract status? I recall he got an extension right before 13-9, but cannot recall for how long.

Paul Zeise: I think it runs through 2012 but I'm sure he'll get an extension soon.

Stull_the__Conquering_Hero: I have seen Thomas play in high school & he is special with the ball in his hands.

Paul Zeise: Agree - but he was the defensive player of the year as a safety at Milford.

Paul Zeise: OK, I have to run, I'll chat with you again next week. Thanks for the great questions.

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