#19 Pittsburgh Panthers

The team that many people think should win the Big East has the 2nd toughest Non-Conference Schedule in America and finishes the season with 4 straight games against teams that will likely be ranked (3 of those 4 are road games). That being said, this Panthers team could be anywhere from BCS Title contender to a mediocre 6-6 ballclub.

Let’s start with the positive. The consensus Big East Offensive Freshman of the Year, RB Dion Lewis, returns for his encore performance and Panther fans are hoping that he doesn’t skip a beat in his development. Lewis ran for 1,799 yards and 17 TDs while breaking virtually EVERY record set by Pittsburgh’s greatest RB in history, Tony Dorsett. Even Dorsett himself offered high praise for Lewis’s ability and determination. There is no question regarding Lewis’s talent. The only question is how he will play with a target on his back? As a freshman he was able to surprise lots of teams expecting Pitt to throw the ball more, but this year with the Panthers having a first-time starter at QB, expect more teams to stack 8 and even 9 defenders in the box with aspirations set on shutting Lewis down. He opens the season as the favorite to win Big East player of the year, but there’s literally A LOT of football to be played before that becomes reality.

As I alluded to previously, the Panthers will be putting a youngin’ under center. Sophomore Tino Sunseri, who is the son of former All-American Pitt LB Sal Sunseri, is the guy that will get the nod for the Panthers. He has beaten out former starter Pat Bostic and has shown in spring that he has all the tools necessary to be a successful trigger man. But now he’ll have to prove that against top-caliber athletes in a BCS conference. Most people would think that since he has Pre-Season All-American RB Dion Lewis, that the pressure would be off of him, but it’s actually quite the opposite. With the amount of attention that will be given to the Pitt running game, Sunseri is the true key to success for this football team. Sunseri is a dual-threat guy with quick feet so look for Dave Wannstedt’s staff to give him a few QB draws especially early in the season to give defenses another element to have to plan for.

Panther faithful, however, can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that Sunseri will have one of the more talented groups of WRs in the nation to throw to. Highlighting said group is Jonathan Baldwin. Baldwin is ranked in the Top3 of most NFL scouts 2011 early draft list. His lanky frame, great hands, leaping ability, and silky smooth running motion are sure to make him a prized possession at the next level. But we’re talking about 2010 and for the Panthers to have success, he has got to make Sunseri look good. Joining Baldwin in this solid group will be sophomores Mike Shannahan and Cameron Saddler.

Last year the Pitt defense disappeared against Cincy while giving up 45 points in the final regular season game. But this year’s defense looks to be much more seasoned and experienced. DE Greg Romeus is an early candidate for the Chuck Bednarik award and some Pitt alumni are comparing him to the great Hugh Greene. Both starting safties return to anchor a secondary that will start all juniors and seniors, so experience is abundant.

Just looking at this team arbitrarily, you’d expect them to be in the national title hunt, but their schedule is arguably one of the toughest in the country. 3 of their non-conference games will be against Miami, Utah, and Notre Dame and they finish the season against the 4 other best teams in the Big East (Cincinnati, WVU, UConn, and USF). So while this team has the talent to win 11 games… I cant see them getting more than 9. Their game against West Virginia on November 26th should decide the Big East Champion.

Key Returning Players:
RB Dion Lewis
WR Jonathan Baldwin
DE Greg Romeus

Key Games:
Sept 2 - @ Utah
Sept 23 - Miami
Oct 9 - @ Notre Dame
Oct 23 - Rutgers
Nov 11 - @ UConn
Nov 20 - @ USF
Nov 26 - West Virginia
Dec 4 - @ Cincinnati