Q: I thought Conor Lee's stats are really good ... is there some reason that he is not in the running for the Lou Groza Award?

Thomas Sutton, Palm Gardens, Fla.

ZEISE: That's silly, I agree. I am not sure how that happened but if he's not one of the best 20 kickers in the country than a whole lot of NFL kickers are about to lose their jobs to younger, cheaper and more accurate guys, that's for sure. He should be in that category, I know he was on the preseason watch list, but he didn't get enough votes, apparently.

Q: Why the inconsistency? Why can't they continuously get better in all phases of the game? They always seem to put out a fire in one area, only to let another break out somewhere else. Is it the players or coaching? What say you?

Thomas DiPasquale, Pittsburgh

ZEISE: I think the team is still finding its way a little bit. I said at the outset -- this is an 8-4 team for this very reason. It has been a long time since the team has won and it takes time to learn how to win consistently again sometimes. I think there will be a few more stumbles in the road, frankly, but the team will settle in and I really believe next year should make a serious run at 12-0 given what is coming back. It is clear that Pitt has closed the talent gap with the best teams on its schedule, now it just needs to bring it all together and do it for 12 weeks in a row.

Q: Much has been made about freshmen not receiving playing time when it clearly has been earned. Last season, we may never have seen LeSean McCoy do what he did if not for an injury to LaRod Stephens-Howling. This season there is Jonathan Baldwin. At what point, coupled with a lack of on field success, (granted, this season is far from over) will that start to impact recruiting?

Larry Joseph, Mt. Lebanon

ZEISE: It won't be a factor because kids want to play for a winning team. If Pitt is winning, it doesn't have to sell immediate playing time like it has the past few years and frankly very few freshman are getting those kinds of promises elsewhere. Kids don't love redshirtting, but most have accepted it is a part of the game and aren't going to make their decision solely on the depth chart in a given year. Now, they might look at a depth chart and see that their position is jammed for a few years to come and that could be a factor, but if kids understand that they will play if they come in and can earn their spot -- and let's face it, Dave Wannstedt has made them earn it, but once they do he will continue to play them -- for the most part that is really all they want, an opportunity.