Since stinking up the joint in Chicago three weeks ago, the Steelers have seemingly put it together and have won in Baltimore and Kansas City, and at home against AFC North rival Cincinnati. The Steelers are far from a perfect football team, but they are getting better…much better. The Steelers won a hard fought game at Heinz Field behind the running of Le’Veon Bell, passing of Ben Roethlisberger, who still has some football left him in, and a defense that is making the Steelers a legitimate contender. Pittsburgh is now 3-0 in the division and the best could still be ahead of them.
• The Steelers left a lot of points on the field against the Bengals. They failed to covert several times and had to settle for field goals. They’ve got to improve in that area. I was baffled by some of the play calling. I didn’t understand why the Steelers tried to run the ball inside the ten with seconds remaining in the first half and only one time out. Bell had no chance. They should have thrown it to the endzone twice. Later, the Steelers had a third and one and tried to throw it deep down field. Again, why do that?
• IUP should have blown out Clarion on the road. Instead, the Crimson Hawks struggled and managed to hang on for the victory. Championship teams have these games from time to time. While it wasn’t the Hawks’ best performance, it was a win. That’s all that matters. IUP remains undefeated and I still expect them to run the table and finish the regular season undefeated.
• Penn State put on quite a show on a White Out night in Happy Valley. The Nittany Lions manhandled Michigan, a complete reverse of last year’s game when Penn State was pounded in the Big House. Penn State’s offense, led by Saquon Barkley and Trace McSorley, was dynamite against one of the top ranked defenses in the country. And speaking of defenses, the Penn State D, which has come a long way in the last year, was equally terrific. There were lots of big-time recruits on hand at Beaver Stadium. They, like the record crowd of over one hundred ten thousand fans, had to like the show they were treated to.
• To win the Heisman Trophy, and many consider him the favorite, Penn State’s Saquon Barkley must perform well against Michigan, Ohio State and Michigan State. Barkley passed the test against the Wolverines with a long touchdown run the first time he touched the ball while running out of the wildcat. That was a new wrinkle Penn State put in during their off week. Barkley also showed the nation that he can be an explosive receiver too. He dropped a pass that should have led to Penn State points, but made up for it when he made a juggling touchdown catch that just added to his already impressive highlight reel. Former Penn State great Jack Ham, who does commentary on the Penn State radio broadcasts, calls Barkley the best back he has ever seen in Happy Valley. He may also end up being the second to take home college football’s most prestigious award come December.
• Pitt is back on the winning track, thanks to a comeback win over Duke. It was the first ACC victory for the Panthers, who have really struggled so far this season. Up next the Panthers play Virginia, surprise losers to Boston College at home. A week ago I would have picked Virginia to win easily. Now I’m not so sure that Pitt won’t make it two in a row.
• The Penguins play nineteen back to back games this season. So far they are 0-3 in the second game of the back to backs and have been blown out in two of those losses. That should concern Pens’ coach Mike Sullivan. If I were Sully I would also be concerned about my backup goaltender Antti Niemi. I hate to pile on the guy but he’s been brutal. The Penguins’ backup last year was Marc Andre Fleury. The Pens knew they could win every time The Flower was in the net. I can’t imagine the reigning Stanley Cup champions feel the same about Niemi. If this continues Jim Rutherford may be forced to make a move.
• It’s the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Houston Astros in the Fall Classic. My colleague Jack Benedict will be rooting for his Dodgers, who are trying to win their first World Series since they shocked the Oakland A’s in 1998. The Astros lost to the White Sox in their only World Series appearance while representing the National League. This time around they’re in the American League. I followed the Astros quite closely during my fourteen years while living in Louisiana in the 80s and early 90s, and saw a lot of games in the old Astrodome. Houston had some great teams in the 80s but never even made it to the World Series. I’d love to see them win this time around. It would be great for baseball, and for a city that is still reeling from the recent hurricane.
• RIP John Brown. The former Pitt tight end passed away this week. Brown will always be remembered for his last second catch in the 1982 Sugar Bowl that propelled the Panthers over the Herschel Walker led Georgia Bulldogs. I covered that game, and will never forget the pass from Dan Marino to his tight end. It was an incredible moment, and may be the most famous play in Pitt football history.
