Ray Jr. on Sports

urbanmediatoday

September 14, 2017

1103

Pitt Hosts Oklahoma State Saturday-After their 37-14 shellacking at the hands of Penn State, the Pitt Panthers hope to rebound against another ranked team in the Oklahoma State Cowboys, a team that the Panthers faced last season and lost 45-38 in Stillwater, Ok. I watched last year’s game and it was a true shootout in which the losing team would do so on defense, which was Pitt.
Can Pitt Win Saturday? Well, punchers always got a chance, but I wonder how much ‘punch’ does Pitt has? The team that faces Penn State didn’t have much punch and the 2016 team that faced OKS last year was a much better team, especially at quarterback.
Pitt’s Defense Will be Tested-Although they weren’t awful against Penn State, the Pitt D will face a Cowboys team that has averaged 51 points in there and 573 yards their first 2 games. If they can put the pressure on the QB and force some turnovers, then the Panthers have a chance.
Pitt’s QB Issues-I know that Head Coach Pat Narduzzi is sticking with USC Transfer Max Browne as the starter, but is that wise? I don’t think it is. Browne thinks too much in the pocket in my opinion, and that has led to sacks, incomplete passes (especially in the Red Zone) and interceptions. I guess it’s fair to give him one more shot, but against a top 10 team? Oh boy.
Pitt’s Running Game-For the second straight week, this unit has proven to be the strength of the team as they rushed for 155 yards against Penn State and 208 against Youngstown State. Starter Quadree Ollison rushed for 96 and 91 yards in the 2 games and has earned the starter’s spot. So, if Pitt’s smart, they will keep using the run to their advantage, especially for the time of possession.
Pitt’s Uniforms vs. Penn State-You know I was happy that the Panthers introduced the road throwbacks for last Saturday’s game. It was truly a classic look and I really hoping that they will be the team’s primary uniforms starting next season (with the blue helmets as an alternate)
Head Coach James Franklin’s remarks after beating Pitt-For him to say that beating Pitt was like beating Akron was a low blow, but he’s entitled to it. His comment just made the 4-game series even more intense and it will add to Next Year’s game at Heinz Field.
Narduzzi’s response? Of course, he was going to keep it classy, but here’s how he responded: “You have to ask him. They went low, we went high.” Like I said, classy. But I know Narduzzi wasn’t thrilled. All part of the rivalry folks.
Where’s Quadree Henderson? Yes, the All-American All-Purpose back has struggled because YSU and Penn State have zeroed in on him and I was afraid that would happen. But it goes with the territory. Now the question is, what kind of adjustments will be made to his game? I think the Jet Sweep needs to take a break and he is not a WR. We shall see.
AP Top 5-To no surprise, Alabama remains #1, but Oklahoma is now #2 after upsetting Ohio State last Saturday. Clemson is #3, USC is #4 and Penn State is #5. (down from #4 after beating Pitt) The Buckeyes have dropped to #8, which isn’t bad for a 1-1 team.
Steelers vs. Vikings-Fresh off their 21-18 win vs. Cleveland, the Pittsburgh Steelers will now host the Minnesota Vikings who beat the New Orleans Saints 29-19 on Monday. QB Sam Bradford looked pretty good and the Saints surprisingly looked bad, especially former Viking Adrian Peterson, who only had 18 yards on 6 carries. Wow.
The Steelers chances vs. the Vikings-I think they can beat them if they don’t Ben Roethlisberger effectively using his weapons and the born-again defense making Bradford’s life miserable will make the Steelers 2-0.
TJ Watt-I really believed that he was the real deal when the Steelers drafted him, and now he’s proving it. Watt had 2 sacks and an interception in Sunday’s game and has earned the AFC Rookie Defensive Player of the Week Award. If he keeps this up, he’ll win the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Write it down.
Stephon Tuitt-One day after he signs the $61 million contract extension, the Steelers DE gets hurt in Cleveland with a biceps injury, but the reports are that he’s not expected to miss the rest of the season, which is good news. Their signing of free agent DE Tyson Alualu as a backup now makes GM Kevin Colbert look like a genius.
New England Patriots-Of course a lot of folks are down on the defending SB Champions after losing 42-27 to the Kansas City Chiefs, but unless they lose like that for the next 15 weeks, it’s only one game folks, The Patriots are too good to allow that type of loss to affect them, and that’s just reality. Expect them to bounce back in Week 2.
Giants Beckham out with hand injury-WRs need their hands, and without them, they’re basically nothing and the NY Giants Odell Beckham Jr. is now facing that as he’ll miss 6-8 weeks due to a hand injury. It’s a shame to see that happen to the NFL’s 3^rd best WR (after the Steelers Antonio Brown and Atlanta’s Julio Jones)
Kobe Bryant’s Numbers will be retired by Lakers-You heard that right: Bryant’s #8 and #24 will be retired by the LA Lakers during the upcoming NBA season and I think it’s awesome. Bryant dominated wearing both of those numbers and he’s the first to receive such an honor.
Should the Bulls then retire MJ’s #45? Get real folks. Even Michael would laugh at that one. Jordan wore #45 when he returned from his first retirement because #23 was the number that his Late father last saw him play in, but eventually, he switched back to #23 and no, the Chicago White Sox shouldn’t retire his #45 either. Just cut it out, folks.
The Pirates-As we shift to MLB, the Pittsburgh Pirates are now finishing up on a disappointing season, but there’s some good news, OF Andrew McCutchen hit his 200^th career HR Wednesday which is an awesome accomplishment. The question is, will it be one of the last HRs that he hits in a Pirates uniform? Remember, he was almost traded to the Washington National last year. I wouldn’t put it past the Pirates.
Indians set MLB Record-And you thought the LA Dodgers was the hottest team in MLB? Nope, it’s the defending AL Champion Cleveland Indians who are looking like they could make a run for it again after winning their 21^st straight game, which is a new MLB Record. I hope they keep it going.