Bob_Bylan: Paul: Is Lucas Nix first off the bench on the depth chart for both tackle and and both guard positions? If so, is Jacobson next on the depth chart after Nix for all four of these positions?

Paul Zeise: Lucas Nix is off the bench for the right tackle position, the guard positions are a little less clear. It seems like if Dom Williams goes down, it would be Nix but if John Malecki goes down it is Chris Jacobson. And if Pinkston goes down it would be Chase Clowser, at least initially. In other words, they all seem to excel at certain positions and not so much at others and coaches are going to try and put them in the position that suits them best.

joe: Is Pitt's best package the powers, the buck or the bandit?

Paul Zeise: I certainly prefer the buck to the bandit but the buck is less likely to stop the powers so maybe the bandit is better, plus Buck and the Preacher was a better movie than Smokey and the Bandit or Austin Powers, so who knows ...

Mills: What happened to Greg Williams on Saturday? He spent at least the whole second half on the bench and was replaced by Max Gruder. Everything ok there?

Paul Zeise: I think he was one of the guys who get banged up a little bit. He seems to be better, this week however is crucial for Pitt because there are a lot of guys who need to heal. Not anything major, but certainly bumps and bruises and people need to get some rest. This bye comes at a good time.

JoePafearsWannstedt: Paul- now I know you have the most rational and realistic predictions when it comes to Pitt football, but I've been reading some of your articles this past week, do you really think they can make a run at 11 or 12 wins next year? C'mon Z-man tell us the truth you been partying it up with Santonio Holmes?

Paul Zeise: Yes, I do. Just look at what they have coming back -- why wouldn't they be able to? Yes, I know they lose Scott McKillop and LeSean McCoy but I am going to tell you the running back position is in good hands -- and with the defensive line they have coming back, the middle linebacker spot is a lot easier to play. But I think they have like eight back on offense and eight back on defense -- and look at the schedule they have, the Big East will be wide open again. I'm not saying they will win 11 or 12 games, I am saying they will have a team capable of it.

Chicken_Marinatto: Paul, do they play football at Providence?

Paul Zeise: I have no idea if they have some sort of rec. flag football team but I don't think they play tackle football and they certainly don't do it at the Division I level.

pittfan656: Do you think they will change the WVU game time from 12:00 to pirimetime?

Paul Zeise: No, it is already a national television broadcast and it was picked for that time specifically because it is considered a big game.

Swiss_Cheese: Does Greg Cross feel that he has made a mistake coming to Pitt? Any word on him transferring after the year?

Paul Zeise: I'm sure he has some regrets, we haven't spoken to him in a long time but like every player, he wants to be on the field. Now I have talked to a couple of people around the team who says that he seems to be pretty happy to be at Pitt, so I don't know if he'd transfer or not. I will say this -- if he were to transfer, he'd have to not play again and then see about getting a medical redshirt for this year (he did have some hand injury against South Florida) so he can have his two years intact and go to Division I-AA or whatever. And heck, Kevin McCabe is graduating at Cal -- I'm sure they'll be looking for some Division I hired gun renegade to take over so maybe that's an option......

Swiss_Cheese: Paul, do you sing Sweet Caroline at the games? Do you do the Roc Dance as well?

Paul Zeise: The Roc dance? What is that? And I thought the Rock went to Miami and was on defense --so was it a sack dance or a three-and-out dance or a pick six dance?

pittfan656: Do you think the week off will help or hurt Pitt in Cincy? I don't think its ever helped them!

Paul Zeise: I think it will help Pitt just because like I said, the injury factor is huge. Pitt needs some time to heal up and get back to 100 percent for these next three games. I think one good thing is Dave Wannstedt has dialed down the off week practices -- they aren't so physical and bruising and are more focused on skills and fundamentals and techniques. I think they'll be mentally and physically refreshed and ready to go.

JoePafearsWannstedt: What impact will Jason Douglas have? He seems a bit undersized.

Paul Zeise: I have no idea -- they already have Cam Saddler who is very much a similar player and they already have like 100 running backs on the roster, so I'm not sure, in a year when you are squeezed for scholarships, why this one was necessary, but he seems to be a good player nevertheless so we shall see.

Mills: Paul, any word on Greg Williams? I noticed he spent most of the afternoon on the bench in favor of Max Gruder.

Paul Zeise: Like I said, he got banged up a little bit. But he's back running around and whatnot -- so I'm sure he'll be fine come game time.

Swiss_Cheese: How is Bill Stull's knee? He banged knees with McCoy on the one play and limped the rest of the game.

Paul Zeise: Yes, he did but he, like Williams and LaRod Stephens-Howling and the rest of the MASH unit is healing and practicing and all that great stuff -- like I said, this week is a very good week to have off for Pitt because the last two games were very physical and they are a little bit bruised.

BurghGuy68: Cincy is in the process of playing 4 games in 21 days. What are the chances they are just plain wiped when they meet Pitt next week? With the bye week for Pitt, who has the advantage?

Paul Zeise: That is always a possibility -- but I've found kids are resilient and football players want to play, so I think the Bearcats will be fine. They also have an extra day off if I am not mistaken because I think it is tomorrow night against Louisville, not Saturday. So they will be OK.

Swiss_Cheese: Is Stephens-Howlings injury a cause for concern?

Paul Zeise: Not from what I'm told. He had been doing a little less the past few weeks as the coaches have focused on getting the ball to LeSean McCoy more. And I think Aundre Wright is to the point where he can do some of the things Stephens-Howling has done this year so if Stephens-Howling can't go, well, Pitt will be fine.

JoePafearsWannstedt: Is Dave Wannstedt the coach of the year in the Big East?

Paul Zeise: If he wins three more games he certainly is. But if he doesn't and Cincinnati finishes strong, I think Brian Kelly will and should be.

Swiss_Cheese: It seems to me that Romeus takes plays off? Do you notice this? He seemed better when he was playing sparingly.

Paul Zeise: I don't know about that -- I think a lot of teams are rolling guys his way and doing things to neutralize him. He plays pretty hard, I think he has been pretty consistently going after it, so I don't think that is a valid criticism.

Mills: Paul, if Shady does turn pro after this season, which back do you see getting the most carries in 2009? Chris Burns?

Paul Zeise: From what I saw in camp, the most complete back is Chris Burns. He is going to be a very good one, but he faces some tough competition from Shariff Harris, who is also a good one.

Swiss_Cheese: Pitt will not win 11 or 12 games unless they get some better players in the secondary, especially at corner.

Paul Zeise: Well I think they do have a few very good secondary players redshirtting right now and all of them will compete for some time next year. And Aaron Berry will be back and I know some people like to criticize the guy -- he is actually not played badly and he is a good cover corner. He's gotten beat a few times, but a few of the times it looked like he got beat -- it wasn't his man.

Swiss_Cheese: This may seem like a stupid question but does Pitt have a punter on their radar for next year? I believe Brytus is a Senior. Who knows, next year we may see him in UFC!

Paul Zeise: You can see Brytus in UFC now -- just go to Youtube, although the results on that particular fight don't seem to suggest he has a long and productive career in that sport!!! No seriously, he will likely do that because he is into that kind of stuff -- that is if he doesn't become the president of the West Allegheny chapter of the NRA first. Brytus is a great kid, he's just a little eccentric, but the walk-on kicker Dan Hutchins has been working as a punter and he is actually very good at it.

BurghGuy68: Do you know why they don't show replays of close calls on the Jumbotron at Heinz field? Is it an NCAA rule?

Paul Zeise: No, I don't think it is an NCAA rule but I did notice this. I am assuming they don't want to give the other teams something to look at to ask to review plays is part of it but a lot of places I've been don't show close calls so I don't know, I think it is just a policy of Pitt's or whatever. It is a good question.

Memory_of_Terrelle: I read the other day that Pitt will not recruit a QB for this year's class. Does this make sense to you after all that's transpired at that position the last two years?

Paul Zeise: Yes, because right now there are too many quarterbacks. If you take a year off, you would go into 2010 season with Pat Bostick, Kevan Smith and Tino Sunseri and a true freshman who would theoretically then only have to wait two years to have a chance to be the starter.

Mills: Do you feel any players that haven't really played much of a role this year will step up in the final three games and make a name for themselves?

Paul Zeise: I don't know if Elijah Fields would qualify but we've yet to see him make some big, game-changing plays and I think he's going to soon. Also, I think Aundre Wright began to do that the other day but if he keeps getting some opportunities he'll make some big things happen as well.

PittDC: Anything new on the recruiting front? Are they close to landing anyone new soon besides the kid from Florida?

Paul Zeise: No not really, they only have four or five scholarships left, maybe six at the most and most of the kids they are now waiting on are the bigger name kids, who usually wait until January to start making their decisions.

pittfan656: Is next years schedule already set?

Paul Zeise: I think so for the most part - I think Pitt has Navy, Buffalo and Notre Dame again if I am not mistaken North Carolina State and a I-AA, like Youngstown State or someone

Swiss_Cheese: Does Cliff Stoudt's son still play for Louisville? I didn't see him on their sidelines.

Paul Zeise: I am assuming that is where he is -- He is in the media guide so I am assuming he is redshirtting

Chicken_Marinatto: Paul, who needs a bailout more: the automotive industry or Big East football?

Paul Zeise: The auto industry is in far worse shape than Big East football, that's for sure. The Big East is fine and is thriving in a lot of ways, particularly financially.

frustratedfan: Paul: Could you comment on the recruiting? It appears the current commits are not as highly rated as the past few classes. It would seem that with the recent success compared to the oast few years, we would be getting more 4 and 5 star kids?

Paul Zeise: That's true but those big name kids, like I said, usually don't -- and haven't -- been pulled in until January and February -- that's because they all wait. All of the classes have been built this way -- fill some needs early and then try to land the big timers late. So be patient.

JoePafearsWannstedt: If Pitt does run the table and makes it to a BCS game I really don't see too many favorable matchups (Alabama, Florida), maybe they would have a shot at the ACC rep or a rematch with Utah, what are your thoughts about a BCS matchup?

Paul Zeise: I think it would be with the ACC champ -- and Pitt could certainly play with Virginia Tech, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia Tech -- whoever comes out of that conference. I think Pitt would match up with Utah better this time than the last time and I definitely think Pitt would match up well with Ball State (could you imagine that one?) But you are right, I don't know that it would be good for Pitt to play an SEC or Big 12 school.

PittDC: Any chance Houser can be back for a bowl game or absolutely no way?

Paul Zeise: No, he will not be back until next year. I think he'll even be limited in the spring.

Swiss_Cheese: Why did it take so long for Aundre Wright to get on the field? That cat has some serious speed and quickness.

Paul Zeise: Well it is the same as everything else, they needed to find a way to get him on the field, find a way to get him the ball and do it within the context of a game plan and not taking away carries and whatnot from all the other playmakers. His role is evolving and he'll see more as he proves he deserves more.

Chicken_Marinatto: Paul, can you explain a few football terms to me: specifically I'm looking for definitions of "power" and "bandit."

Paul Zeise: Power is a running scheme using multiple big fat guys leading the way to blow out the defense, bandit is a defensive subpackage that utilizes less linebackers and more safeties -- mostly for spread formations.

Mills: Paul do you feel that Pitt's success last year against Cincy's offense will be a confidence builder for this year's club and carry over to the game on the 22nd?

Paul Zeise: Yes, I think Pitt has done very well recently against spread offenses in general, which bodes well for the next two games.

PittDC: Do you know if the WVU game is sold out?

Paul Zeise: I don't think so quite yet but I am sure it will be, especially if both teams win their next games -- setting it up as perhaps the Big East championship game.

Memory_of_Terrelle: Regarding the QB again -- in 2010, Smith gets switched to tight end, either Bostic or Sunseri starts, the other transfers, and we're left with a starter and a true freshman backup?

Paul Zeise: There is always junior college and that's what Pitt will do if it looks like all of those things are going to happen, though I don't think Kevan Smith is going to tight end, of course anything is possible.

Swiss_Cheese: What are Nordenberg's thoughts on a playoff? I noticed he is one of 8 people on a committee in charge of looking at a possible playoff or not.

Paul Zeise: I've never asked him, but it is a great question. Knowing what I know about his commitment to academic excellence and his commitment to keeping the term student in student-athlete relevant, I'd be surprised if he was for a playoff. But that's just a guess.

Chicken_Marinatto: Paul, why does the Big East hold football in such low regard?

Paul Zeise: Because it is and always will be a basketball conference, run by basketball people. Look at the new commissioner and where he came from. He's a providence guy, another old time Big East guy and that, to me, is not really good for the football conference. That's not to say that the Big East can't become a good football conference, I just question whether that is really a priority or whether the basketball guys in Providence tolerate football because it is how college athletics are done these days.

JoePafearsWannstedt: Besides the BCS bowl what are the other possibilities for Pitt to play in?

Paul Zeise: There is the International Bowl, the Gator/Sun bowl, the St. Petersburg Bowl, the Tire Bowl or whatever it is in Charlotte, the PapaJohns.Com bowl and I think that is the Big East's lineup.

Swiss_Cheese: The Presidents of Universities are concerned about money, not academic excellence. The playoffs would be played when the universities are on break anyways.

Paul Zeise: If they were concerned about money they would have a playoff already as it would bring in far more revenue than what is happening now. They are indebted to bowl people, that is true, but one of the main arguments is that it will take too many kids away from classes late in the first semester and early in the second semester. It is a nonsensical argument, but one that they seem to be sticking by. And that's all the time I have, we'll do it again next week.