With our #8 ranked Panthers in their second bye week of the season, there’s no Pitt football game to get hyped up about this weekend. The Men’s Basketball team doesn’t play again until Monday. But that doesn’t mean it’ll be a boring weekend. There’s plenty of stuff to entertain yourself with this weekend and we’ll be taking advantage of quite a bit of it. We’re going to fill you in on what The Pitt Blog writers will be entertaining themselves with this weekend in the absence of a Pitt football matchup.

Mike_B:

Friday:
#24 Syracuse at #4 North Carolina in the Coaches vs. Cancer Championship game, 7:00 PM ESPN2. – A great early season game seeing two ranked teams play against each other. Syracuse just beat California handedly and North Carolina just narrowly escaped Ohio State.

The League (DVR) – This FX show shows what really happens in fantasy football and provides great humor to both those who play fantasy football and those who have no idea what fantasy football is.

The Office (DVR) – Where will Dunder Mifflin go after the rumors of bankruptcy?

Pittsburgh Light Up Night (Live In Person) – Events start at 5:45 PM tonight and go until 10:00 PM. There are various events including concerts, tree lighting, and a firework display.

Saturday:
#10 Ohio State at Michigan, 12:00 PM ABC – This classic college football rivalry is the last game either one of these Big Ten teams will see until the bowl games. Michigan needs a win and a miracle to make a bowl. Ohio State just wants to beat their rival, as they’ve already clinched their BCS Bowl berth.

UConn at Notre Dame, 2:30 PM NBC – This is a game that every Big East fan should be watching. If UConn wins, it might just be enough to eliminate Notre Dame from the Gator Bowl and just might allow UConn to get into a bowl game. Notre Dame is reeling after two straight losses and Charlie Weis’ job is on the line.

Pittsburgh Penguins at Atlanta Thrashers, 7:00 PM FSN Pittsburgh – The Pens take back to the ice against the Thrashers. Can they rebound after the disappointment against Ottawa? Brooks Orpik is due to return during this road trip.

Ortiz-Griffin 2, 10 PM PPV – This rematch was supposed to be on the same card as Lesnar-Carwin, but due to Lesnar’s illness this fight was moved to the main event. The first fight between the two was a classic with Ortiz dealing Griffin his first UFC loss. Griffin looks to get back in the title picture by ruining The Huntington Beach Bad Boy’s return to the octagon.

Sunday:
Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs, 1:00 PM CBS – The Steelers look to rebound after the loss to the Bengals against the Chiefs. The Chiefs have a new running back in Jamaal Charles and is coached by Todd Haley, Arizona’s Offensive Coordinator last year.

New York Jets at New England Patriots, 4:15 PM CBS – Can the Jets complete the sweep of the Patriots or will Bill Belicheat find his way to gamble and win unlike last week against the Colts? Pitt alum Darrelle Revis covers Randy Moss.

WWE Survivor Series, 8:00 PM PPV – One of the original WWE PPVs, a classic amongst fans will be the team elimination matches.

Dan_P:

Friday:
#24 Syracuse at #4 North Carolina in the Coaches vs. Cancer Championship game, 7:00 PM ESPN2. – See above.

Nash Bridges (DVD) – Yeah you read that correctly. You don’t like Don Johnson and Cheech Marin? What’s wrong with you? I know it’s been off the air since 2001. I’ve just made it my personal mission to eventually watch the entire series from start to finish. Seeing as I have bronchitis and won’t be out this weekend, it’s a perfect chance to make up on some lost episodes.

Modern Warfare 2 (Xbox 360) – Ok so I’ll be playing it rather than “watching” it, but it still counts. I’ll be on Xbox Live for anyone that wants a lesson in the art of Modern Warfare. Gamertag: PpAzZ

Saturday:
Louisville at USF, 12:00 PM ESPN360.com – As weak as it may be, I can’t resist a Big East game. It’s just too bad that I’ll have to watch it on a computer screen, which means the Ohio State-Michigan game will be on the big TV in the background.

UConn at Notre Dame, 2:30 PM NBC – See above. Go Huskies!

Pittsburgh Penguins at Atlanta Thrashers, 7:00 PM FSN Pittsburgh – See above.

Assasin’s Creed 2 and Modern Warfare 2 (Xbox 360) – I’ll be catching up on some gaming throughout the day. See above for my gamertag.

Sunday:
Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs, 1:00 PM CBS – Here we go Steelers, here we go!

New York Jets at New England Patriots, 4:15 PM CBS – See above.

Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears, 8:20 PM ABC – While it’s not a particularly interesting game as far as I’m concerned, it’s football. Plus, it’s always nice to see former Panthers in the NFL. We get to see LeSean McCoy doing his thing for the Eagles. I’ll take it.

There you have it Panther fans. Feel free to let us know what you’re doing with the bye week.

Of course, we’re still getting hyped up for next week’s game in Morgantown. We’re just seven days away from the Backyard Brawl with WVU. Tickets are still available! Get a move on it!