Next up on the Triple Option Attack is #15 Pittsburgh
Music to listen to: Every Rose Has A Thorn by Poison
When I did a preview of the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this week on the Blog, I had something from Christina Aguilera. This time I have to show love to Bret Michaels, who I actually like and think is a talented musician but I will never show love to Poison.
The Story: When Dave Wannstedt took over the Pitt program five years ago, his goal was to not only bring the Panthers back to respectability but to gain a national presence that was acknowledged in from the mid 1970’s to the early 1980’s when legendary players like Tony Dorsett, Hugh Green, Mark May, Dan Marino, Russ Grimm and many others were leading some of the best teams arguably in the history of college football.
Shoot, the program has won nine national titles and is in the top-10 in all-time wins in college football history.
However, the program had some downturns and actually was on a slight up-tick in 2005 when Wanny took over. While the talent may not be at the level of the guys mentioned earlier, there is optimism among the Pitt faithful that the Panthers can reclaim the Big East title that Cincinnati and West Virginia has had in their possessions the past few years.
Last Season: Finished with a record of 10-3, the first time that the school has had a ten-win season since 1981. While that was very good, the team lost its last two regular season games by a combined four points, including a one-point loss at home to Cincinnati, costing the Panthers the Big East title. The other loss was by three points to arch-rival West Virginia.
Offense: The last three Heisman Trophy winners Tim Tebow, Sam Bradford and Mark Ingram were sophomores when they picked up the honor. It may be a fourth consecutive year a sophomore picks up the honor and this time it can be Pitt’s running back Dion Lewis. He rushed for almost 1,800 yards last season and is the reigning Big East offensive player of the year.
The bad news is that Pitt is breaking in a new quarterback because Bill Stull graduated. His replacement right now is Tino Sunseri but the word this fall is that Pat Bostick may be available as well. The QB doesn’t have to do much on this offense, just keep it honest so that Lewis can have some running lanes.
Defense: The defense is anchored by maybe the top duo of defensive ends in reigning Big East player of the year Greg Romeus and Jabaal Sheard. Those guys had 13 sacks between them and helped Pitt lead the nation in that category. The Panthers also return the leading tackler from last season, linebacker Max Gruder and sophomore Dan Mason will also help the linebackers as well.
The Schedule
9-2-10 at Utah (Thur.)
9-11-10 NEW HAMPSHIRE
9-23-10 MIAMI FL (Thur.)
10-2-10 FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL
10-9-10 at Notre Dame
10-16-10 at Syracuse
10-23-10 RUTGERS
10-30-10 LOUISVILLE
11-11-10 at Connecticut (Thur.)
11-20-10 at South Florida
11-26-10 WEST VIRGINIA (Fri.)
12-4-10 at Cincinnati
The Panthers have an unusual schedule in the fact that their first five games are non-conference contests before the Big East slate begins. Pitt has some tricky early games, especially the season opener at Utah. Anytime you head out to the western part of the country against a quality team like the Utes, that has to be acknowledged. The third game, hosting Miami on a Thursday night, can help increase the national profile of the Panthers as well. Pitt does have to go to Connecticut and Cincinnati, two of its main competitors for the Big East title.
Most Famous Sports Alum: You have to look at the football side for this honor. The list includes Pop Warner, Mike Ditka, Curtis Martin, Larry Fitzgerald, Darrelle Revis and the players mentioned earlier in this post.
However, when you win a Heisman Trophy, a national title, a Super Bowl title and become an NFL Hall of Famer, that’s pretty stout. Tony Dorsett, congrats on the honor.
Celebrity Alum “Crush:” A surprisingly decent list to pull from including some Miss Pennsylvania winners and even a Miss America. However, I’ve always had a thing for this person plus she was in TNA Wrestling so you know that she likes athletics.
Survivor TV show contestant winner Jenna Morasca, congrats on this win.
Prediction: 9-3
There are some swing games on the schedule, meaning that the Panthers can win or lose based on how they are coming into the contest. I think the losses are at Utah, Miami and either Connecticut or Cincinnati. Despite all of that, Pitt can still make a run at the Big East and that would be a nice season for the program.
Sports Inquirer Top-25 Preseason College Football Poll:
The Sports Inquirer 
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