MPM: Any chance we?ll see the same defensive game plan Pitt used against South Florida this week against the Irish with a heavy dose of Elijah Fields in a nickel package instead of the base 4-3? Fields just seems to good of a player to keep on the bench.

Paul Zeise: I think that's a very good question -- it seems as if the Panthers would be able to get away with some of that as the Irish don't seem to have a very powerful run game but I'm not sure what is going on with Fields -- they say he is not in trouble, he is not being disciplined, but it is clear he has gotten into the dog house somehow and what we've seen from this coaching staff is if you get into the doghouse -- it takes a while to dig your way out of it. So we will see -- I would think, however, that if Pitt is going to win this game Fields and that bandit/dime whatever you want to call it, package will be a part of it.

SDWC: Paul, your opinion on whether Stull plays against ND?

Paul Zeise: They've been very tight-lipped about this all week. He is practicing, but I will say this -- my gut is I'd be surprised if he plays. I know they want to play him, but I would hope that two things (1) the kids health and (2) the fact that this is a non-conference game prevail in the minds of the coaches. If there is any question at all about his health -- it makes no sense to play him this week. yes, you'd like to beat notre dame and all that -- but you have four conference games coming up after Notre Dame and if you win them, you get to a BCS game. So this game is pretty meaningless to be honest. We'll see though, but again, my gut so far is that they are going to error on the side of caution if push comes to shove.

ltlakeside: What are the chances there are behind the scenes things going on with Greg Cross that are keeping him off the field? When was the last time he got any time, Iowa or USF? It just seems there has to be a legit reason that his experience and eligibility are not being utilized. He hasnt been given enough chances to say it is ineffective play.

Paul Zeise: That could be the case but it doesn't seem to be. Coaches like his work ethic, they like his attitude, he apparently is a good kid with a good head on his shoulders. I know he got a little banged up against South Florida but he is allegedly healthy. One thing I will say is this -- it is a lot easier to experiment with a gimmicky thing like that when you are not a coach in year four of a program and know that you must win in order to keep your job. I mean, coaches with a lot of job security can take some risks that coaches who are trying to win enough games to get to a bowl might not be willing to. So that is something that is at work here, no doubt, and I can tell that the pressure is on just by the body language and some of the decision making going on at this point.

SDWC: This has got to be the nation's most frustrating college football team. How can a coaching staff with all of these years of experience just "not get it" so often?

Paul Zeise: Sometimes you have a bad day at the office -- that's the best I can explain. I think five weeks this season they got it -- two they didn't. I break it down like this -- there are three games where I thought the coaching staff made a difference --the USF win the coaching staff deserves a lot of credit for but the Rutgers and Bowling Green games were not their finest hour. But they have had some other good days as well. Like I keep repeating this week -- it was only one game -- let's let the whole season play out before we write the book on this season.

PITTisthenewTEMPLE: Paul I have a bad feeling about this team, I see yet another bad streak of games upcoming, if this happens this has to be the end of Wannstedt and co. right?

Paul Zeise: The athletic director's priority is selling out Heinz Field for football and I would think it would be very hard to sell tickets to a team who has not gone to a bowl game in four consecutive seasons. So that's likely a good observation on your part -- I don't think 5-7 gets it done.

im_so_F_n_proud_of_these_guys: How much does the loss of the center hurt the Panthers? Will they still be able to run the ball as well as they had been the last few weeks?

Paul Zeise: I go back an forth with it -- I think it will be interesting to see how it hurts the passing game. I think the run game will be fine -- it is watching a guy like Dom Williams, who is a fifth-year senior with very little actual game experience, try to pick up and handle blitzes, stunts and all the other games Notre Dame's defensive front will throw at him. I think Pitt's best strategy, because of that, is going to be stay out of obvious passing situations......

Jesus_shuttlesworth: Does Tim Stein have any eligibility left? Seriously Paul can we expect a change at punt returner this week?

Paul Zeise: All I will say is this -- as has been the case all season, they have Aaron Berry, TJ Porter and Aaron Smith catching punts in practices. Now, whether one of the other two actually gets into the game remains to be seen and it doesn't seem like Dave Wannstedt is ready to give up on Berry just yet.

PITTisthenewTEMPLE: Paul, is Greg Cross such a weak passer that he isn't even in consideration for starting or a significant amount of playing time?

Paul Zeise: Yes, there is no way he would be able to run Pitt's conventional offense -- at least not being JUCO guy and only having a year left here. Maybe, had he been recruited, grayshirtted, redshirtted and whatnot -- he would have had a chance, but he is just so far away from being a drop back passer who is accurate enough to run this offense, it wouldn't be fair to him or the team. If he was the starter, they'd have to scrap everything and run an entirely different offense.

magical_one: What surprised me last week against Rutgers was the play of the defensive line. Do you feel that there will be some personnel changes this week with them?

Paul Zeise: No -- the defensive line was fine and frankly the defensive line has been shackled some by the game plans. If you notice, in the second half once the determination has been to let them go get the quarterbacks and let them pin their ears back so to speak, they have been very successful. I really would like to see them turned loose from the start of the game to the finish because they've been outstanding at creating pressure once they are given the go-ahead.

Jesus_shuttlesworth: If Stull plays has he been outfitted with one of those oversized helmets that Mark Kelso used to wear with the Bills?

Paul Zeise: No, he had a normal helmet on at practice.

luciannos: Paul, you are head coach for Nov. 1. Who do you start at QB, and how much does Greg Cross play?

Paul Zeise: If Bill Stull is cleared, healthy and ready -- he is the obvious choice. If he is not healthy, I probably start with Greg Cross in the wildcat with McCoy and Stephens-Howling in the backfield and try to go on a few nice long, clock-eating drives (to keep ND's offense on the sidelines), then I'd switch back and forth between he and Pat Bostick based on the flow of the game just to try and give Notre Dame some different looks. I think Bostick can be effective and can do some nice things, I'm not sure the offense can score enough points to win if he plays every snap.

Bubba: Paul, what's the deal with Greg Romeus? All preseason, we were led to believe he was going to be a pass rushing terror, but he has been (arguably) the most disappointing player on the team. Is he injured, or is he just not that good?

Paul Zeise: No I think people are being a little too hard on the defensive line in general because of the way they've played early in games. Romeus has done some good things, I think Sheard has done more than he has, but both seem to be at their best when the line is given the green light to attack and that hasn't always been the case given the game situations. Often they are playing run first or contain or gap containment -- they are clearly at their best when all four are told to attack but that strategy isn't always employed.

Swiss_Cheese: With the way that the corners were being toasted against Rutgers, why didnt Pitt try Fields at CB as he has height and speed to match up better with the tall Rutgers receivers?

Paul Zeise: I agree -- maybe not as a corner, but covering someone. He is, from what I have seen, second only to Aaron Berry on the team in terms of covering receivers. He could have been used more in that capacity but again, I think he must be in the dog house or something because he has fallen way off the priority list.

Swiss_Cheese: Why doesnt Pitt get the TE's more involved in Pass Offense? Dorin Dickerson seems he is playing less and less and Nate Byham makes good things happen when they throw to him.

Paul Zeise: It is one of those things -- who do you want to have the ball in his hands? I agree they could use the tight ends more than they do, but it isn't easy to get the ball into tight ends all the time and frankly if there is a chance at a bigger play down the field, quarterbacks are going to take it. The tight ends are good ones, but there are only so many balls to go around.

P.I.T.T.: Paul, how is the teams morale holding up, or not holding up, after last week?

Paul Zeise: I think the attitude seems good, the mental state seems good -- I'd expect a good effort this weekend from Pitt.

Swiss_Cheese: Cavanaugh had just started to open up the offense as he became more comfortable with Stull. If Bostick is QB, are they going back to the conservative offense they ran last year and against Bowling Green?

Paul Zeise: They will have to -- that's a fact. He's capable of doing some good things, he also has some limitations and coaches have to coach around them. He can become a very good quarterback, he's just not ready yet.

im_so_F_n_proud_of_these_guys: Has there ever been any talk of Fields moving to linebacker? I mean he already looks big enough then some of the linebackers we have.

Paul Zeise: Yes, that's been debated and we've actually seen him play some of that Bandit linebacker stuff -- it could happen perhaps in the future but I think he is best fit in his current role.

im_so_F_n_proud_of_these_guys: Will Dom Williams get all the reps this week at guard or will try some other guys at the position during the game of Saturday?

Paul Zeise: Dom Williams will get the lion's share. They may take a look at a couple of guys early in the week but by now, the game plan is in and they are putting the final details on it so the first teamers are getting almost all of the reps.

Swiss_Cheese: Is it just me or did Pat Bostick look exactly like he did last year? I thought he was supposed to be greatly improved.

Paul Zeise: he was a little bit like a deer in the headlights, yes, but it was his first time in and he didn't have much prep during the week. I'd expect if he starts he'll be a lot more comfortable and look a lot more confident in the pocket.

Bubba: Paul, if Pitt loses to Notre Dame by a relatively ugly score (i.e. 2+ touchdowns), do you see this team just collapsing like the one from a few years ago?

Paul Zeise: Not necessarily -- this team is more veteran than that team and I think that people know this is going to be a tough game for Pitt. To me, the key game is Louisville -- Pitt has to beat Louisville to have a chance to do some things.

PITTisthenewTEMPLE: Has the Defense been using smoke and mirrors all season, or did they just have a really bad game against Rutgers?

Paul Zeise: I think they had a bad game. I also think that their secondary was exposed a little bit -- which is why they should consider doing some more of that dime/bandit stuff because it seems like they do well in coverage in those formations.

panther_pride: Beano Cook was on Stan & Guy this morning saying Pitt fan's are unrealistic. Is it unrealistic to expect at 7 wins a year and maybe a Big East Championship every 3 or 4 years ?

Paul Zeise: No, that is realistic. It is not unrealistic to think that Pitt should contend for Big East titles -- this isn't the SEC for goodness sakes. I'm not ripping the Big East, I'm just saying there is no team in the Big East who should be that superior to Pitt that the Panthers can't win their share of titles.

panther_pride: Paul, If Pitt scores between 28-35 points, do they have pretty good chance to beat Notre Dame?

Paul Zeise: I think if they DON'T score 28 to 35 points they have no chance of winning. I could be way off but I expect Notre Dame to score 28 points at least -- that offense is just too good and is rolling now for anyone to stop them for an entire game.

Bubba: Paul, people can talk up Wannstedt's recruiting, but what about his player development? How many guys who have been here for a long time have actually improved a great deal?

Paul Zeise: I think that is a great point -- player development is probably as important as recruiting, if not more important. The stars have been pretty good -- like McCoy and Baldwin, but the lack of development of the young linebackers and some of the younger secondary guys is a little bit alarming.

Bubba: Paul, I get the sense from your writings this week that you're as disgusted with this never-ending display of mediocrity as the rest of us. Do you get angry during games like on Saturday, or just frustrated?

Paul Zeise: I think when you cover a football team as long as I have covered the Panthers, you begin to believe it is Groundhog day sometimes and that movie is sort of the equivalent of someone running their nails down a chalkboard.

im_so_F_n_proud_of_these_guys: From what you've seen, has Bostick looked any better this year at avoiding the rush? He seems to have the slowest feet of any QB.

Paul Zeise: No and I agree -- which is why the roll-out pass ... ah just forget it ...

im_so_F_n_proud_of_these_guys: How many times do we have to watch Thatcher get beat deep until we see someone else in there? He looks like hes about 5'4".

Paul Zeise: He will be in there because he is the most experienced player they have. And a lot of times it may seem like he is the one with deep responsibility when he really wasn't -- he just happened to be the guy left to chase down someone else's man.

Bubba: Paul, I see befuddlement from the coaches, exasperation, confusion, and disappointment. But where's the anger? Why are they not fuming and burning about these unacceptable home losses? So long as they don't get really, really angry about these things, Pitt will never be successful.

Paul Zeise: I think that the worst thing a coach can do is let his emotions get the best of him and this staff has tried to keep an even keel and not be so emotional after the roller coaster ride. Plus, who do you think they should be angry at after this one?

Swiss_Cheese: Paul, What is your prediction this week for the score of the game?

Paul Zeise: I don't know about score, I think Notre Dame is likely going to win because I just am not sure Pitt is going to be able to score enough points to win it. I do expect the Panthers to put up a fight and I'll be surprised if it is a blow-out, but I think in the end Notre Dame will score a few more points than Pitt is capable of matching.

Jesus_shuttlesworth: Paul what do you see in Bostick that so many of us are missing? To me he looks like a statue with a weak arm and slowwwww release. Other than that he is fine. What gives?

Paul Zeise: Well he is smart -- he knows the offense -- I'm not saying he is the second coming of Dan Marino -- or even David Priestly -- I'm saying it is too early in his career to write him off, that's all.

SDWC: My prediction is that Stull comes into the game late in the 3rd quarter to rally the team to a close victory.

Paul Zeise: I don't know about that -- I doubt they'd keep him out that long. If he is going to play, it would seem they will start him -- or do that thing where they try and be "tricky" (for heaven's sakes) and start Bostick, then bring in Stull on the second play or the second series to confuse them..........

frustratedfan: I have read all the articles since the Rutgers disaster, but still can't understand this totally unexpected breakdown. Since you and Gorman both expected a heavy dose of passing how in the world could Coach W expected a running game from this opponent? How could they not adjust? How can they not use Fields more? Frankly, I think there are more questions than answers.

Paul Zeise: Some things are mind boggling -- and this one will forever be the head scratcher of head scratchers -- but as I said, count it as a bad day at the office and move on.

Mr._Crystal_Ball: Pitt's remaining opponents are a combined 26-10 at the moment. Their road opponents are a nasty 11-0 at home. Given last week's performance, it can't be out of the question that Pitt could lose out, could it?

Paul Zeise: Have you watched this team over the past three years? It wouldn't shock me if we're talking about a team that is anywhere from 5-7 to 10-2......

im_so_F_n_proud_of_these_guys: Paul Im sick of people blaming the Pitt secondary for the Rutgers loss. It is so obvious that they lost because they turned off Sweet Caroline before it was finished playing!! Pitt needs to understand that playing this song after the third quarter is the key to success. Any chance they leave the whole song play at the next home game?

Paul Zeise: Well I had someone suggest that they play Build me up Buttercup since this team always builds up the fans only to let them down -- perhaps they could try that one.....

Swiss_Cheese: When is Oderrick Turner going to be benched? Baldwin, Kinder, Porter, and McGee are better options as Turner just doesnt produce on the field

Paul Zeise: Great question -- I think that he has talent but he doesn't seem very interested this year in making the most of it. He jogs, he takes plays off, he drops passes, he doesn't go for passes -- he is a very frustrating player because you see his talent but with Baldwin in the background, I'm not sure why he is still ever put on the field.

Swiss_Cheese: Why cant Stephens Howlings or Aundre Wright return punts?

Paul Zeise: Well because one has never done it before and the other is a redshirt freshman he can't be trusted back there........Like I said "Groundhog Day"

Bubba: Paul, why do so many of Cavanaugh's third-down play calls involve a pass BEHIND the line of scrimmage? Asking a player to make ten yards essentially on his own seems pretty dumb to me.

Paul Zeise: Groundhog Day.......

frustrated_fan: Paul, are you surprised as I am that ND is only a 6 or 7 point favorite?

Paul Zeise: No because Pitt and Notre Dame have played a lot of close games over the years -- and frankly I don't think that Notre Dame is that highly regarded nationally yet and Pitt, despite the pounding it just took by Rutgers, still has a fair amount of national respect. Remember that game was NOT on television so most people didn't get to see it...... That's all the time we have folks -- I'll chat again with ya'all next week. Keep the great questions coming on my Q&A's and we will continue to track the progress of these Pitt Groundhogs, I mean, Pitt Panthers.....