EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the 21st in a series of previews on West Virginia and Marshall football opponents.
AP Photo
Pitt defensive end Greg Romeus
Advertiser
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the 21st in a series of previews on West Virginia and Marshall football opponents.
Date with West Virginia: Friday, Nov. 26, TBA (ESPN/ABC)
Site: Heinz Field (65,050, grass), Pittsburgh
Coach: Dave Wannstedt (6th year, 35-26)
Checking them out
The Panthers certainly have issues, not the least of which is a reliable quarterback. Here's the thing, though: All in all, this is exactly the type of team Dave Wannstedt has been trying to build at Pitt during the past five years, and it is paying off.
Think about it. Wannstedt wanted to construct an offense that was based on the run and controlled the ball, and a defense that was physical and contained a good collection of playmakers. Well, he now has a sophomore running back, Dion Lewis, who rushed for 1,799 yards as a true freshman and in his final regular-season game carried 47 times for 197 yards as the Panthers doubled Cincinnati's time of possession and came within 33 seconds of upsetting the unbeaten Bearcats.
A defense that ranked 23rd in the country overall and 17th against the run has perhaps the best pass rusher in the country returning in end Greg Romeus, as well as quality almost everywhere else.
Is it any wonder Pitt is the clear choice as the Big East favorite?
True, there are holes. The middle of the offensive line is gone, as is reliable (although wholly unspectacular) QB Bill Stull. Stull's job goes to sophomore Tino Sunseri, who can't exactly ease into the job by handing the ball off to Lewis, because Pitt's schedule is too tough. It helps, though, that Sunseri can throw to 6-foot-5 Jonathan Baldwin (57 catches, 1,111 yards last year), as well as 6-5 Mike Shanahan.
On defense, Romeus passed up the NFL draft and combines with Jabaal Sheard (if Sheard returns from a suspension after being charged with assault earlier this month) to form the best combo of ends in the league (Pitt led the country in sacks last season). The middle of the line has to be rebuilt, but two of the three linebackers and both safeties return. The real question marks are at the corners.
All-conference candidates
Offense: RB Dion Lewis, T Jason Pinkston, WR Jonathan Baldwin
Defense: DE Greg Romeus, S Dom DeCicco
Special teams: K-P Dan Hutchins
Notes
Three of Pitt's first five games are challenges - at Utah and Notre Dame and home against Miami. But as is the case with most of the schedule, there are breathers in between until the final stretch of four games (at UConn, at South Florida, WVU, at Cincinnati). ... Lewis carried the ball 325 times last season and averaged 28 carries over the last seven games. But even if he wears down, fellow sophomore Ray Graham might be the best backup in the Big East.
Article Preview
This article is available only to our premium digital content subscribers.
WVU football opponents: Game 11, Pittsburgh
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the 21st in a series of previews on West Virginia and Marshall football opponents.
Date with West Virginia: Friday, Nov. 26, TBA (ESPN/ABC)
Site: Heinz Field (65,050, grass), Pittsburgh
Coach: Dave Wannstedt (6th year, 35-26)
Checking them out
The Panthers certainly have issues, not the least of which is a reliable quarterback. Here's the thing, though: All in all, this is exactly the type of team Dave Wannstedt has been trying to build at Pitt during the past five years, and it is paying off.
Think about it. Wannstedt wanted to construct an offense that was based on the run and controlled the ball, and a defense that was physical and contained a good collection of playmakers. Well, he now has a sophomore running back, Dion Lewis, who rushed for 1,799 yards as a true freshman and in his final regular-season game carried 47 times for 197 yards as the Panthers doubled Cincinnati's time of possession and came within 33 seconds of upsetting the unbeaten Bearcats.
A defense that ranked 23rd in the country overall and 17th against the run has perhaps the best pass rusher in the country returning in end Greg Romeus, as well as quality almost everywhere else.
Is it any wonder Pitt is the clear choice as the Big East favorite?
True, there are holes. The middle of the offensive line is gone, as is reliable (although wholly unspectacular) QB Bill Stull. Stull's job goes to sophomore Tino Sunseri, who can't exactly ease into the job by handing the ball off to Lewis, because Pitt's schedule is too tough. It helps, though, that Sunseri can throw to 6-foot-5 Jonathan Baldwin (57 catches, 1,111 yards last year), as well as 6-5 Mike Shanahan.
On defense, Romeus passed up the NFL draft and combines with Jabaal Sheard (if Sheard returns from a suspension after being charged with assault earlier this month) to form the best combo of ends in the league (Pitt led the country in sacks last season). The middle of the line has to be rebuilt, but two of the three linebackers and both safeties return. The real question marks are at the corners.
All-conference candidates
Offense: RB Dion Lewis, T Jason Pinkston, WR Jonathan Baldwin
Defense: DE Greg Romeus, S Dom DeCicco
Special teams: K-P Dan Hutchins
Notes
Three of Pitt's first five games are challenges - at Utah and Notre Dame and home against Miami. But as is the case with most of the schedule, there are breathers in between until the final stretch of four games (at UConn, at South Florida, WVU, at Cincinnati). ... Lewis carried the ball 325 times last season and averaged 28 carries over the last seven games. But even if he wears down, fellow sophomore Ray Graham might be the best backup in the Big East.
Click here to sign up for a one month subscription.
1 Month Online + Print Delivery
$31.99
Click here to sign up for our Premium subscription package.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the 21st in a series of previews on West Virginia and Marshall football opponents.
Date with West Virginia: Friday, Nov. 26, TBA (ESPN/ABC)
Site: Heinz Field (65,050, grass), Pittsburgh
Coach: Dave Wannstedt (6th year, 35-26)
Checking them out
The Panthers certainly have issues, not the least of which is a reliable quarterback. Here's the thing, though: All in all, this is exactly the type of team Dave Wannstedt has been trying to build at Pitt during the past five years, and it is paying off.
Think about it. Wannstedt wanted to construct an offense that was based on the run and controlled the ball, and a defense that was physical and contained a good collection of playmakers. Well, he now has a sophomore running back, Dion Lewis, who rushed for 1,799 yards as a true freshman and in his final regular-season game carried 47 times for 197 yards as the Panthers doubled Cincinnati's time of possession and came within 33 seconds of upsetting the unbeaten Bearcats.
A defense that ranked 23rd in the country overall and 17th against the run has perhaps the best pass rusher in the country returning in end Greg Romeus, as well as quality almost everywhere else.
Is it any wonder Pitt is the clear choice as the Big East favorite?
True, there are holes. The middle of the offensive line is gone, as is reliable (although wholly unspectacular) QB Bill Stull. Stull's job goes to sophomore Tino Sunseri, who can't exactly ease into the job by handing the ball off to Lewis, because Pitt's schedule is too tough. It helps, though, that Sunseri can throw to 6-foot-5 Jonathan Baldwin (57 catches, 1,111 yards last year), as well as 6-5 Mike Shanahan.
On defense, Romeus passed up the NFL draft and combines with Jabaal Sheard (if Sheard returns from a suspension after being charged with assault earlier this month) to form the best combo of ends in the league (Pitt led the country in sacks last season). The middle of the line has to be rebuilt, but two of the three linebackers and both safeties return. The real question marks are at the corners.
All-conference candidates
Offense: RB Dion Lewis, T Jason Pinkston, WR Jonathan Baldwin
Defense: DE Greg Romeus, S Dom DeCicco
Special teams: K-P Dan Hutchins
Notes
Three of Pitt's first five games are challenges - at Utah and Notre Dame and home against Miami. But as is the case with most of the schedule, there are breathers in between until the final stretch of four games (at UConn, at South Florida, WVU, at Cincinnati). ... Lewis carried the ball 325 times last season and averaged 28 carries over the last seven games. But even if he wears down, fellow sophomore Ray Graham might be the best backup in the Big East.
2010 Pittsburgh schedule
Date Opponent 2009
Sept. 2 at Utah (Thur.) DNP
Sept. 11 New Hampshire DNP
Sept. 23 Miami (Thur.) DNP
Oct. 2 Florida International DNP
Oct. 9 at Notre Dame W 27-22
Oct. 16 at Syracuse* W 37-10
Oct. 23 Rutgers* W 24-17
Oct. 30 Louisville* W 35-10
Nov. 11 at Connecticut* (Thur.) W 24-21
Nov. 20 at South Florida* W 41-14
Nov. 26 West Virginia* (Fri.) L 16-19
Dec. 4 at Cincinnati* L 44-45
* Big East Conference games
2009 record: 10-3 overall, 5-2 Big East (Won 19-17 over North Carolina in Meineke Car Care Bowl)
Dropped: Youngstown State (W 38-3), Buffalo (W 54-27), Navy (W 27-14), N.C. State (L 31-38)
Article Preview
This article is available only to our premium digital content subscribers.
WVU football opponents: Game 11, Pittsburgh
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the 21st in a series of previews on West Virginia and Marshall football opponents.
Date with West Virginia: Friday, Nov. 26, TBA (ESPN/ABC)
Site: Heinz Field (65,050, grass), Pittsburgh
Coach: Dave Wannstedt (6th year, 35-26)
Checking them out
The Panthers certainly have issues, not the least of which is a reliable quarterback. Here's the thing, though: All in all, this is exactly the type of team Dave Wannstedt has been trying to build at Pitt during the past five years, and it is paying off.
Think about it. Wannstedt wanted to construct an offense that was based on the run and controlled the ball, and a defense that was physical and contained a good collection of playmakers. Well, he now has a sophomore running back, Dion Lewis, who rushed for 1,799 yards as a true freshman and in his final regular-season game carried 47 times for 197 yards as the Panthers doubled Cincinnati's time of possession and came within 33 seconds of upsetting the unbeaten Bearcats.
A defense that ranked 23rd in the country overall and 17th against the run has perhaps the best pass rusher in the country returning in end Greg Romeus, as well as quality almost everywhere else.
Is it any wonder Pitt is the clear choice as the Big East favorite?
True, there are holes. The middle of the offensive line is gone, as is reliable (although wholly unspectacular) QB Bill Stull. Stull's job goes to sophomore Tino Sunseri, who can't exactly ease into the job by handing the ball off to Lewis, because Pitt's schedule is too tough. It helps, though, that Sunseri can throw to 6-foot-5 Jonathan Baldwin (57 catches, 1,111 yards last year), as well as 6-5 Mike Shanahan.
On defense, Romeus passed up the NFL draft and combines with Jabaal Sheard (if Sheard returns from a suspension after being charged with assault earlier this month) to form the best combo of ends in the league (Pitt led the country in sacks last season). The middle of the line has to be rebuilt, but two of the three linebackers and both safeties return. The real question marks are at the corners.
All-conference candidates
Offense: RB Dion Lewis, T Jason Pinkston, WR Jonathan Baldwin
Defense: DE Greg Romeus, S Dom DeCicco
Special teams: K-P Dan Hutchins
Notes
Three of Pitt's first five games are challenges - at Utah and Notre Dame and home against Miami. But as is the case with most of the schedule, there are breathers in between until the final stretch of four games (at UConn, at South Florida, WVU, at Cincinnati). ... Lewis carried the ball 325 times last season and averaged 28 carries over the last seven games. But even if he wears down, fellow sophomore Ray Graham might be the best backup in the Big East.
