MPM: Will Pitt employ any special defensive packages that we?ve not seen this year in an effort to stop Cincinnati's offense on Saturday?

Paul Zeise: No, probably not but I'm sure we will get a large dose of the nickel package and the dime package and both of them we've seen. I'd say we'll see some combination of what Pitt did against WVU, Navy and South Florida. Tony Pike is a special kind of a player because he can throw well and throw well on the run so Pitt has to get him sacked when they have an opportunity.

MPM: If Pitt wins on Saturday will it be the Sugar Bowl should Georgia Tech win the ACC, or the Orange if Clemson wins, or is it going to be the Sugar Bowl regardless of the outcome of the ACC Championship?

Paul Zeise: I think it would be the Sugar regardless -- if it is Clemson there would be a better chance of Pitt going to the Orange but I still think it would be the Sugar. Some of it also depends on that Big 12 championship game - if Nebraska wins, all BCS the bowls, except the championship game, are much happier, that's for sure.

Bob_Dylan: Hi Paul: Even if Andrew Taglianetti is fully recovered by next season, do you think it will be difficult for him to regain his spot in the lineup as a starting safety? Dom Dicicco will be back and Jarred Holly has done a very good job in taking over for Tags, so will there be room for Andrew in the starting lineup? Is there any chance that Holly will be switched to cornerback since that may be a position of need after Berry and Chappel graduate? And where will Elijah Fields fit into the defensive backfield mix next year?

Paul Zeise: Yes. Jarred Holley has been way too good for him to lose his job. Taglianetti would fit in on special teams and in the nickel and dime packages again and he'd likely be the third safety as I expect Elijah Fields to move as close to full-time linebacker status as possible without actually being called one.

Homey: Who would you take between '09 Lewis and '08 McCoy?

Paul Zeise: That's a tough one -- I'll say this -- I'd love to see the numbers McCoy would have put up with this offensive line and this passing game to take the pressure off of him. For that reason - the line wasn't as good and the passing game did not exist -- I'd say what he did was probably more impressive.

MPM: Should Pitt lose on Saturday is Birmingham and the Papajohns.com Bowl the most likely destination? And of the three lesser bowls (Papajohns.com, International, and St. Petersburg) wouldn't this be the "best" option since it would be against an SEC team, most likely South Carolina?

Paul Zeise: It seems that way. The Tire Bowl - oh I am sorry, Meineke Bowl -- people have said on the record they would look at Pitt but I was told and this is the key phrase "a disappointed fan base is never a good thing" and if the Panthers lose two in a row to end the season, well, I'm sure ticket sales for whatever bowl game would not be great. The PapaJohns Bowl would indeed be the best option because it would be against an SEC team and that would generate more interest than the other games - though I'd love to see my Temple Owls take the Panthers to the woodshed in Toronto! Joking of course, but only half-joking. :-)

Bob_Dylan: Paul: As happy as I am for Dorin Dickerson to be nominated for the Mackey award, I can't help but think that this is a little unfair to Nate Byham. After all, Nate has been the starting tight end for three years and he was first team All Big East last year and may be again this year. Nate is recognized as one of the best blocking tight ends in the country, and he is not a bad receiver the few times the ball comes his way. On the other hand, for all his success this year, Dorin has never started a game in his four years at Pitt and he is, in fact, the second string tight end this year. He is an outstanding receiver, but only adequate as a blocker at best. Does the Mackey award actually focus on the receiving skills of tight ends rather than the total package of skills required to play that position?

Paul Zeise: Unfortunately it is about stats, all of those awards come down to stats. And Dorin has had a great year statistically. Nate has had a good year as well - he just hasn't put up stats, instead he's been a big part of the blocking and protection. Those things, however, don't win awards. That is just the way it is.

Pitt_s_It: Appears to me that Pitt is in serious trouble this week. The match ups are all favorable to Cincy. Pitt could not possibly win a shootout with Bill Stull and the weakest part of the defense ( secondary and linebackers) have to contain an explosive passing game. Do you see it differently ?

Paul Zeise: I don't think all the matchups favor Cincy. I like Pitt's offensive line and run ggame against Cincy's defensive front but I do agree this is a very tough game for the Panthers and it is very hard to see how they could win if it does turn into a shootout since they haven't fared very well in high-scoring games recently.

Bob_Dylan: Paul: Why was Dorin Dickerson hardly a part of the offense against West Virginia? It seems that there were very few balls thrown his way. I can only remember one short reception in the flat and a drop over the middle (or maybe the latter was a poorly thrown ball by Stull). Did WVU's defense take Dorin out of the game? Or were Cignetti and Stull not looking for him, which seems hard to believe since he is one of our primary weapons?

Paul Zeise: He seemed to be a little bit banged up as he was in and out of the lineup a lot and I saw him limping some. I thought in general, though, the Pitt offensive game plan made very little sense and seemed to be uninspired at best. There was so little about that team that resembled the team that had won nine games and did so with a diverse offense.

Stull_The_Warrior_King: Any updates reported on Neil Diamond making a live appearance Saturday?

Paul Zeise: Have not heard yet, though I am told if Neil Diamond can't make it Chris Ferris and Justin Acierno are going to take the mic at the 50-yard line at the end of the third quarter and lead the singing of "Sweet Caroline" as well as perform an encore of "Forever in Blue Jeans"

Pitt_s_It: If Pitt wins Saturday would they move back into the top 10? Do you believe the 6 or 7 position drop was rather severe for a last second loss in a rivalry away game?

Paul Zeise: I would think it depends on who wins and loses ahead of the Panthers. I do think it would give them a shot to get into the top ten, though.

Stull_The_Warrior_King: Just for fun, how many of the offensive and defensive regulars do you expect to make the NFL? I think the number could be as high as 13-15 which has to be amongst the highest in the nation based off of regular contributors for this season.

Paul Zeise: I could see that but make the NFL is relative term -- I mean, I think as many as 18 or 19 could be invited to a camp or minicamp but as far as making an active roster, the number is probably closer to eight or nine.

Stull_The_Warrior_King: Do you think the Panthers will make a strong, early effort to get Dorin Dickerson involved? It seems that the best offensive performances this year have involved a lot of Dickerson early and then Lewis and Baldwin to close it out.

Paul Zeise: It is not just Dickerson - it is the lack of effort to get everyone else involved against West Virginia that was troubling. They need to get more people involved, have the ball spread around and have it spread around in a way that it keeps Cincy's defense guessing.

HinesBored: Do you suspect a decent Cincy fan base?

Paul Zeise: Yes, there will be a decent - say 5,000 or so -- representation from Cincinnati but I don't expect it to be like when WVU or Notre Dame plays at Heinz Field.

PittDC: Anything planned for Foge on Saturday?

Paul Zeise: I would assume so. It just happened last night so I am sure they are in the planning stages of a moment of silence or something similar to that.

HailToFoge: Hi Paul, Have you gotten to see the team practice at all this week? If so, how has their attitude been and how hard are they going at it?

Paul Zeise: They seem to be in good spirits and a loose. The coaching staff appears to be the very tense. So we will see - will the coaches influence the players and the team is tense or will the players influence the coaches and the team will be loose and having fun.

Dion28: How is Aaron Berry's shoulder?

Paul Zeise: Allegedly he is going to play and ready to start. Allegedly.

SDWC: Paul, I can almost equate Pitt's strategy to be similar to the way NFL teams try to beat the Indy Colts. Play ball control, keep away, limit time of possession for Cincy, and try not to give Pike the ball at the end of the game if Cincy is within a touchdown. What do you see as the keys for success?

Paul Zeise: I think ball control is fine -- as long as you are scoring touchdowns. If ball control results in kicking field goals Pitt will lose. The key to this game is scoring touchdowns and creating turnovers on defense. I don't think you stop a team like Cincy - they will move the ball - you just have to keep them out of the end zone and get into the endzone when you have a chance.

Stull_The_Warrior_King: Bill Stull played pretty well against Cincy last year. Aside from being sacked 7 times, I think he was one of the main reasons Pitt was even in that game. Do you expect Stull to play with great poise and confidence?

Paul Zeise: You would hope - this is his last game as a Panther at Heinz Field. He is a fifth-year senior. If it doesn't happen in this one, it isn't going to happen for him.

novoman: Do you think Cincy will choke like their last two trips to Heinz Field? If they dont, I dont think we have a chance.

Paul Zeise: I don't think they choked two years ago - I think Pitt played a great game, had a great defensive game plan and just beat them. But this Cincy team is much better than that one so the Panthers will have to play their best game of the Wannstedt era.

Pitt_s_It: Assuming this is the last chat session, thanks for the good sessions this year.

Paul Zeise: Well we will have another one next week to wrap up the season and then one the week of the bowl game, but thanks for all your participation!

HailToFoge: Paul, ball control doesn't really seem to matter against Cincy. Was following their game last week, and most of their drives were maybe 2-3 minutes. I think time of possession was 22-8 against Cincy at halftime. Does the secondary have much of a chance? And will Berry be back this week?

Paul Zeise: The secondary has its hands full and like I wrote a little bit ago - Cincy will make plays and move the ball. The key for Pitt is to score touchdowns and the second key is to catch interceptions if they get hands on the ball. You might not stop Cincy from moving up and down the field - but if you can turn over Tony Pike a few times, you take away possessions from them.

Stull_The_Warrior_King: Was watching "The Waterboy" recently and there is a line "Last game of the year can't hold anything back." Do you think Wanny and company will subscribe to this idea? Also if they do, what do you think it is that they don't hold back? I would imagine we'll see some Cam Saddler at punt returner and either Saddler or Aundre Wright involved on some WR screens and/or reverses.

Paul Zeise: We might see a few new wrinkles, but c'mon, you've been around, this is a meat and potatoes operation and that's what they'll give a large dose to the Bearcats. I expect Pitt to try and get Dion Lewis rolling and play a defense that forces Cincy to go ten plays to score.

Stull_The_Warrior_King: In 2007 against Cincy, Pitt's game plan was incredible. They got pressure, covered well, and forced turnovers. Last year, the pressure was non-existent, the coverage was soft, and Cincy completed 81% of their passes. Would you expect Pitt to try to press WR at the line of scrimmage and play zone coverage behind the initial jam?

Paul Zeise: They are going to have to do some of that and I would disagree with this - they got pressure on Pike last year, they just failed to make tackles when they had the chance.

hail2pitt98: If you had to bet your 6-figure paycheck, are you taking Pitt or Cincy?

Paul Zeise: Thankfully I don't have a 6-figure paycheck to worry about losing it ... But my prediction is Cincy 27, Pitt 24.

BCS_Pitt: Paul, why did Wannstedt try a 53-yard field goal in cold weather with a kicker who had not kicked one that long all year. At Heinz Field, Harper tried the 50+ one even though it wasn't close.

Paul Zeise: This was what I'd call a classic "throw up arms and give up" kind of decision. He claims there was a wind behind Hutchins but there could have been a hurricane blowing behind Hutchins and he wasn't making a 53-yarder. Pitt should have punted there and at the very worst, if it went into the end zone, the Panthers would have still gained 17 yards of field position - which in a game like that is a lot.

BCS_Pitt: Paul, Did Cavanaugh come back as the OC for the WVU game? Sure looked like it. Force all passes Baldwin's way and no one else.

Paul Zeise: The game plan did smell and look a lot like the Sun Bowl, didn't it? I'm not sure whay that was but hopefully the Panthers offense we saw for the first ten games return for game 12.

novoman: I see tickets are sold out again, but do you think we'll have the crowd we had for ND? I know a handful of ND people that bought Pitt season tickets just for that game and either gave the others away or tried to sell them online?

Paul Zeise: No, it won't be as big for that reason and because for the Notre Dame game they sold 3,000 SRO tickets and for this game they are only selling 1,000.

laker44: Paul, what are the field conditions going to be for Saturday after all those WPIAL games there last week?

Paul Zeise: The field will be fine - they've had a week to work on it. The weather, of course, could change that but the field should be in very good condition.

ImmaManIm40: On what floor is your office? Did you see any Pitt fans hurtling past after jumping off the ledge? This loss isn't even close to Bowling Green 2008 or Navy 2007, agree?

Paul Zeise: I agree - this wasn't a bad loss but it was a bad way to lose. Pitt didn't give itself a chance to win the game because the Panthers on offense didn't play near to their capabilities.

BCS_Pitt: Odds Kelly leaves for ND?

Paul Zeise: I have no idea, but from what I am reading I'd say it seems better than 75 percent.

ImmaManIm40: At the risk of oversimplifying, is it safe to conclude that Pitt was caught looking past WVU for a much bigger game? It happens somewhere every weekend (including several times last weekend), despite head coaches always protesting to the contrary saying it won?t.

Paul Zeise: No, and if that is the case, shame on Pitt. What exactly has Pitt accomplished in recent years that it could or has the luxury to look ahead or past anyone?

ImmaManIm40: Did the Temple Owls get caught looking past the Fightin' Soliches of Ohio U last weekend, anticipating Central Mich? Bettin' that Al Golden said before the game that wouldn't possibly happen?

Paul Zeise: No, I think Temple just got stomped by what appeared to be a better team - but don't get too happy, I'm sure the Owls have something for the Panthers in Toronto ...

Menofpaws: I realize Cincy replace 10 starters on defense, but how are they against stopping the run? Ball control from Pitt and the O-line are the keys to winning this game.

Paul Zeise: Well like I wrote, I think this is an area where the matchup clearly favors Pitt. I think the Panthers can establish the line of scrimmage and get Dion Lewis going because that is what teams have been able to do to the Bearcats.

Menofpaws: A 53 yard field goal? Really? I like Wanny, but he and Stew weren't matching wits, they were matching emotional decisions that were more than questionable.

Paul Zeise: I agree - like I wrote, the 53-yard field goal attempt smelled a lot like a classic "throw up your arms, we're out of answers" kind of decision and those are the difference between winning and losing.

ImmaManIm40: What did you lose in your bet with Colin Dunlap? Did he make you walk home?

Paul Zeise: No, he made me go to Birmingham while he gets to go to Jacksonville.

Memory_of_Terrelle: Kelly leaving has got to affect their morale, no?

Paul Zeise: I don't know, perhaps a little but he has been good at deflecting it all this week so I think they'll be focused and ready.

ImmaManIm40: Speaking of Pitt's 53-yard FG try, don't we have a long-range PK? If yes, why didn't he take a whack at it? And what is Hutchin's outside range, what's he hit in practices?

Paul Zeise: Yes - Harper - but he was given an opportunity earlier this year (I forget which game) and he missed, of all things, short ...

burgh87: Paul: I kept yelling at the tv for Stull to pass to someone other that Baldwin. Waht's up with that? With all those weapons, here we are one game to go for a BCS and we have to worry about Stull again. Crazy?!

Paul Zeise: Well the way things went Friday certainly has to have some fans nervous but again, he has been pretty good for the other ten games so for now just call it a bad day at the office.

BeatCinci: How many players on this years roster do you project will be drafted in the NFL next year?

Paul Zeise: I assume you mean seniors - I think Mick Williams has a chance, perhaps Malecki if he can convince teams he can make the transition to center, Nate Byham and maybe Aaron Berry. Not saying all of them will get drafted but they all have a chance.

Menofpaws: Is this finally the week to take the over?

Paul Zeise: I think the number is high - like 60 - and while I sort of can see that, I also can see this being an over-bettor's nightmare - Pitt comes out and tries to play ball control, falls behind a few touchdowns and then can't catch up and loses like 35-13 or something.

ImmaManIm40: Does the seat under Wanny or any of the coordinators start to warm up if Pitt loses a close game Saturday? I hope not, and it shouldn't ... but who knows?

Paul Zeise: No, they are fine. The coordinators have both done a good job this year.

Paul Zeise: OK, folks, thanks again for all of your questions, we will chat again next week.

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