For the second season in a row, the Pittsburgh Panthers will prevent the media from being able to discuss the next game with Panthers players. That next game just so happens to be against Penn State. Head coach Pat Narduzzi will be the sole voice heard from the program this week as the Panthers prepare for a road game at Penn State.

Cowardice? A cagey tactic by a veteran football genius in Narduzzi? Does any of it actually matter?

No. No. No.

It is something to take note of, though. The media as a whole is in a weird place in regards to its relationship with both consumers and the people it covers. The latter of the two, if prompted, lashes out to new levels of insanity whenever they feel as though they've been treated poorly by journalists and bloggers.

By refusing access to players, even though it isn't a huge deal to regular humans, is a big deal for local journalists in the Pittsburgh and Happy Valley areas. Gone are chances to write human interest stories, fun features, or just safe fluff pieces — at least for this lone week.

If the Panthers end up being awful, don't expect the local yocals to take it easy on Narduzzi after this. Hell has no scorn like a beat writer not able to properly cover his or her beat because of some guy who dons a headset on weekends.

For what it is worth, Pittsburgh versus Penn State is a pretty big deal in the state of Pennsylvania. Outside of that bubble, however, those are two programs most college football fans hope do not awaken from their slumber.