#19 UC vs. #20 Pitt - Major Big East Championship Implications

[Redlegs23]

WVU did blow it, big time! Screwed the pooch is more like it but anyway when you think about what the Big East has been through this decade and the BCS questioning the credibility of the conference shouldn't Wanstadt have taken the best interests of the conference into consideration? Think of the money/attention the Big East would have received. Would have been huge for Pitt, Cincy, everyone in the conference, not just the Eers.

Wannstedt was having a bad year and Pitt fans were frustrated, and he was probably starting to feel the heat and worry about his job. But instead of trying to get a huge win for his program and save his job you think he should have thrown the game so that the Big East looks better and WVU fans are happy. You're crazy man.

[Redlegs23]

Oklahoma says hi!

I want UC to be successful but when they played OU earlier this year they proved that OU was in a completely different league than UC. IMO UC would stand a chance against the ACC champ and a potential non-BCS team. There was one scenario in which UC would play Florida which would have disaster written all over it.

He said nuetral site. Norman, Oklahoma is one of the toughest places in the country to play, if not the toughest. Far cry from nuetral. I think Oklahoma still wins the game, but I think it's a little closer than it was.

[Cyclone792]

Some good news and some bad news ...

The good news is Nippert is nearly sold out as there are only a few hundred tickets remaining. Pittsburgh returned 1,700 tickets earlier today from their allotment and the only tickets that remain are a few hundred from that batch. All student tickets, student guest tickets and student overflow tickets are long gone. If the few remaining tickets aren't gone by tonight, they'll be gone tomorrow.

The bad news pertains to possible bowl destinations should a Big East Championship fail to materialize. Thanks to the mediocrity known as Notre Dame, it looks like the biggest bowl game available for a second place Big East team is the Car Care Bowl in Charlotte. The Big East has a marginal tie-in to the Gator Bowl and Sun Bowl, but both are looking heavily at Notre Dame. The Gator Bowl seems to be deciding between a pair of Big 12 schools or Notre Dame, and if the Gator Bowl passes on ND, then the Sun Bowl will scoop them up. The Sun Bowl has already stated that they'll take a 6-6 Notre Dame squad (ND would have to lose to Syracuse for that to happen). If the Gator Bowl selects ND, then it's likely the Sun Bowl will select a Big 12 team.

Any way you look at it, though, it looks like it's BCS followed by a massive dropoff to Charlotte at the Car Care Bowl for the Big East this year. While Charlotte is much better than the Pizza Bowl we were stuck with last year, it'd still be a disappointing consolation prize for the squad that comes up short at Nippert on Saturday night.

[paintmered]

Jason, the picture could get even worse. The Car Care Bowl (and the rest of the BE tie-ins) isn't required to take the highest remaining finisher. Rather, they can choose any remaining bowl eligible team they want. There's nothing to keep them from picking WVU over UC even if UC finishes higher. There's a real possibility that UC could finish second in the conference and end up with the 3rd or 4th bowl game slot.

[Cyclone792]

Yep, you're definitely right, paint. The clearer the picture gets, the bigger this game Saturday night becomes. UC took 10k down to the dungeon known as Birmingham last year. They've got a BCS shot this year. The fans are responding, they're ready for the next, big step. A win takes that big step. If UC took 10k to the Pizza Bowl, they'd take a truckload to Miami (and I'd probably be on that truck).

But heading to Toronto, St. Pete, or back to the Pizza Bowl would be deflating and depressing.

[BearcatShane]

Well, lets just win then.

[bucksfan2]

He said nuetral site. Norman, Oklahoma is one of the toughest places in the country to play, if not the toughest. Far cry from nuetral. I think Oklahoma still wins the game, but I think it's a little closer than it was.

Fair enough but the problem with UC is that no matter where they go it won't be a neutral field. They just have a strong enough following. If they make the BCS anybody outside of the ACC champ and a non-BCS school will have a major crowd advantage. Could you imagine playing Florida or Alabama in Miami? Or USC out in Tempe?

[GoReds33]

Less than 200 tickets now, according to the catstix website. I can't wait!

[paintmered]

The game is now sold out. Tickets remain on Stub Hub, Craig's List and Ebay.

[paintmered]

If you are going to the game, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE give yourself plenty of time and get to campus early. With a noon basketball game, major performance at CCM and a big recruiting weekend, traffic is going to be a nightmare.

Also, I second the suggestion to use the Eden garage on east campus and take the shuttle (within walking distance as well). It's a massive garage and you'll fight a little less traffic along the way.

CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati will host four major events on Saturday, November 22 involving football and basketball games, Admissions, and the College Conservatory of Music. To avoid major traffic delays and arrive in plenty of time to enjoy pregame festivities, following are helpful parking guidelines:

· UC Athletics Parking Passes will not be collected for either the football or basketball game on Nov. 22 (ONLY on Nov. 22) and must be displayed while parked.

· Basketball parking passholders must vacate pass-designated lots/garages no later than 3:00 p.m.

· Vehicles not displaying a Game 5 football parking pass or valid keycard in designated facilities will be cited and subject to tow.

· Handicap parking at the CCM Garage for football will be limited. Handicap parking overflow will be redirected to Varsity Village and, if necessary, to University Avenue Garages.

· Garages open three (3) hours prior to kickoff/designated tailgate lots four (4) hours.

· Cash parking is available day of game at the Eden Avenue Garage for typical passenger vehicles at a cost of $8.

· RV and oversized vehicle parking is available in designated surface lots adjacent to the Eden Avenue Garage at a cost of $16.

· Free shuttle bus service from the Eden Garage to the west campus stadium area will begin at 3:00 pm. A wheelchair lift-equipped shuttle will be available as well

· Alcohol, grilling, or tailgate activity of any kind is not allowed in or on the open area decks of UC parking garages

· Stadium guidelines are provided in the 2008 UC Football Fan Guide.

[Cyclone792]

If you are going to the game, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE give yourself plenty of time and get to campus early. With a noon basketball game, major performance at CCM and a big recruiting weekend, traffic is going to be a nightmare.

Yep, I very much second this recommendation, ESPECIALLY if someone is not all that familiar with Clifton or UC's campus. I went to the South Florida game on October 30th - a game that drew circa 31k - and traffic was absolutely horrendous in the hour before the game. If someone is planning on driving down there at 6:45 and walking in the gate, then they'll most likely end up missing much of the first quarter.

[NatiRedGals]

I am coming from the Fairfield area and even though i have been to games before i am going with someone who dose not go often. I am wondering anyone have the address to the eden garage so i can get directions?

[paintmered]

I am coming from the Fairfield area and even though i have been to games before i am going with someone who dose not go often. I am wondering anyone have the address to the eden garage so i can get directions?

Try this: http://healthnews.uc.edu/directions/

[NatiRedGals]

Try this: http://healthnews.uc.edu/directions/

Thanks !!

[Cyclone792]

Weather update: it'll be dry but cold. Looks like a gametime temp of 30 degrees with temps falling into the low to mid 20s by the time the game ends.

Wear layers, wear red, be LOUD and plan to lose your voice.