Understand that I feel like I write a lot.  So, when I see that it's actually been weeks since I visited the blog, I am shocked.  There's so much to consider. 

Of course, the Steelers are #1.  And I feel like they are burning their own house down.  Why have a backup quarterback if it would take a death to play him?  Why get rid of your fullback if you are supposed to be a running team?  Why throw the ball at the end of each half when running the ball would have been such a better option?

The Steelers can't get out of their own way.  They've absolutely given away two games.  The loss to the Giants was explanatory.  The Giants were miraculously held out of the end zone many times in the first half.  That the Steelers were in position to beat them was a bit surprising.  But, if they don't snap the ball out of their own end zone, they may be able to get it done. 

And last week's loss to the Colts was the product of an accumulation of testosterone that even the best athletes couldn't overcome.  I rarely use the word stupid when I speak of athletic endeavour.  While the best are smart in the way they play the game, few are Rhodes Scholars.  Ben Roethlisberger was dumb last week.  The Steelers are dumb for playing him if he can't practice and is dinged up.  Ben was dumb for throwing risky passes deep in his own end. 

The Steelers' offensive coordinator is dumb as well.  What the Colts' defense was giving the Steeler offense wasn't worth taking.  What ever happened with imposing your will on the opposition.  The Colts came in with a lowsy record against the run.  Why were the Steelers not running the ball with great regularity?  They found a way to do it.  It was the counter play with the pulling guard.  They got nice yardage each time they ran the play.  It seems that the Steelers have lost their patience with the running game.

Injuries have certainly taken their toll.  They've taken a toll on all the NFL teams.  The fact is that the Steelers could have/should have won the last two games they lost.  If this keeps up, they'll struggle to get into the playoffs.  And if this defense is on the outside for the post season, someone's head should roll.

Penn State suffered the WVU-Pitt loss from last season.  How on earth could Penn State have lost that game to Iowa.  Iowa shouldn't be in the same solar system with the Nits.  This was a game that Penn State needed to take control of from the beginning.  Maybe that's why they came out throwing.  I believe Pitt did well on the ground against them.  What would be wrong with that?  Truth is, Penn State just looked different on Saturday. 

Darryl Clark has been impressive but on Saturday, he looked confused and seemed to lack the confidence he exhibited in the previous nine games.  His concussion must have had some lingering effects.  And when they needed it most, the defense let the Nittany Lions down.  That was a can't happen event.  The problem with college football is that losing to a team that you were supposed to beat throws you off the table of those considered for a national title game.  The good thing about college football is that every game matters.  Saturday, Penn State lost.  The consequences are obvious. 

Back in the opener, Pitt lost to Bowling Green.  Then they struggled against Buffalo.  It was apparent that they just weren't as good as the experts thought.  Then, they beat South Florida.  Then they lost to Rutgers.  Geez.  Then they beat Notre Dame and Louisville.  Now, they're 21st and on the climb.  They play at Cincinnati on the 22nd. 

This by the way is the third off week, the Panthers will experience.  Who the hell made this schedule.  My son seems to think the off week hurt Penn State heading into Iowa.  Suppose that's possible, but three off weeks is insane.

Oh, and Harrisburg lost their playoff game to Central York last week.  Not sure if it mattered but they did lose a player because of the late game squabbles they had with Altoona in the regular season finale.  They also turned the ball over seven times.  I wish I could say that I was disappointed for them.  Maybe their coaches will try to teach them something positive from the loss.  From what I was able to see, there hasn't been much in the way of positive lessons taught these young men before now.