In Pitt's defense, The teams from the early 70's thru the early 80's were outstanding and the program was as strong as any in the country. They were #1 a few times in that span, and the 1980 team with Hugh Greene, Marino and the OL was stupid good. That team lost a freaky game early in the season to Florida State (before it was FLORIDA STATE, and actually Bowden always said this was the win that put FSU on the map) and they mauled everyone the rest of the year. Instead of getting the obvious choice to the Sugar Bowl against Georgia, since they were #2 in the nation, The Sugar selected a pedestrian ND team. Pitt went to the Gator Bowl and finshed #2. Had Pitt won the MNC that season, they'd arguably be talked about as one of the best teams of all time, I believe that.
That 1980 Pitt team was indeed very very good and UGA was probably lucky to have missed them. Notre Dame was pretty good that year, but UGA needed a couple of breaks, and a defensive stand late, to win.
The 1981 UGA team was better than the 1980 team IMHO and had Pitt beat until a late Marino fourth down pass upset the Dawgs.
The 1980-1982 UGA team of course is highlighted by a certain running back, but they were 10-1-1 in 1984 after he left and beat Texas in the Cotton Bowl denying Texas a clear NC they should have won. Texas had a nasty nasty defense that year. The Horns dropped a punt with about 3 minutes left and UGA somehow scored a TD with a QB who was not very good but managed one run in his career and that was it.
Anyway, Pitt merits consideration in all of this, IF we were talking about how good the program has been over time. However, we aren't.
