1. The Steelers will win the AFC Championship this Sunday.

Matt: Fact. This Steeler… 1. The Steelers will win the AFC Championship this Sunday.

Matt: Fact. This Steeler team doesn’t know how to lose no matter what happens to them, and they have proved that week in and week out. They have won with a backup, rookie quarterback. They have won with a backup running back. They have overcome bad games by Roethlisberger, and Saturday they overcame a bad game by their coaching staff. Their defense is unbelievable and will keep them in every game no matter what the offense is doing. Corey Dillon is not enough of a factor to win the game for the Patriots, and if Roethlisberger plays better, the Steelers are headed to Jacksonville.

Dave: Fact. Although Sortino and I might be slightly biased, I’m going to have to agree with him. The Steelers will win this week in a very close game. I know they haven’t played good ball lately, and they squeaked out some close wins. But the fact that they were able to win games when it looked like they wouldn’t affirms the fact that their defense is the best in the league and that they are a team of destiny. Sortino is right; book your flight to Jacksonville.

2. The Eagles will win the NFC Championship.

Matt: Fact. The Eagles will win this time around because, for lack of a better reason, they just have to. Can a team really lose this game four years in a row, three of which have been at home? I would think not, and the good fans of Philadelphia, who are so passionate about their teams, can not survive another choke effort by the Eagles. I think the Falcons may have the better team with Michael Vick, T.J. Duckett and Warrick Dunn, but the Eagles defense has stepped it up, and Freddie Mitchell could be the new star of the NFL in absence of Terrell Owens.

Dave: Fiction. Come on, someone has to pick against the Eagles. It might as well be me. All year long they have been the most dominate team in the NFC, and the die-hards from Philly have had their sights on Jacksonville all year. You’d think they’d learn, but I think Michael Vick and the tough Falcons defense will teach them the same lesson, one more time.

3. The Pitt football program made all the right moves this off-season.

Matt: Fact. The Panthers got all three of their top candidates, and, more importantly, they got someone that brings a big name to the program. Dave Wannstedt is more than just a coach, because young kids know who he is and they want to play for him. I believe he will be able to recruit very solidly in Western Pennsylvania, which is something that Walt Harris could not do. Matt Cavanaugh will be a great fit because he played quarterback here and he’s a players’ coach. Tyler Palko and coach Cavanaugh will put their minds to work and will develop a solid scheme that will make Palko a Heisman candidate.

Dave: I agree with Matt; this is definitely a fact. Wannstedt brings instant credibility to Pitt and will be great for recruiting. If a guy with a Super Bowl ring comes into your home to recruit you as a high-schooler and says he thinks you can play on Sundays, you’re going to believe him, and you’re going to want him to coach you to that level. Say what you want, but that’s why kids play D-I athletics, for a chance to go pro. More NFL-type players in a Panther uniform will only take the program to that “next level” Pitt fans have all heard about.

4. The off-the-court issues of Yuri Demetris will be a distraction on the hardwood for the Panther hoops team.

Matt: Fiction. Although the Panthers did not play well against St. John’s, it was not because of the situation with Yuri Demetris. The Panthers have many problems, and the most important ones are on the court. Carl Krauser is not taking care of the ball, Chris Taft is not imposing his will, and the Panthers’ bench has not been providing solid depth. The Panthers have two very tough games coming up in the next 10 days and they will tell us exactly how good this team can be.

Dave: I couldn’t agree more. Fiction. The Panthers success doesn’t depend on Yuri. Sortino is right; Pitt has all kinds of issues on the court. I think this unfortunate situation does expose the importance of senior leadership. The Panthers are undoubtedly missing the threesome of Julius Page, Jaron Brown and Toree Morris way more than they thought. With Yuri gone and Mark McCarroll seeing limited minutes, this burden of floor leadership has been solely placed upon Chevon Troutman. Although he has been the best player on the floor most of the time, they can only rely on him so long, especially with the likes of Ryan Gomes, Josh Boone and Hakim Warrick lurking on the Panthers remaining schedule.