We actually have to wait another week before Pitt plays its season opener. For just about everyone else, the college football season opens this weekend (or last night). This means a veritable cornucopia of articles for “previewing” the upcoming season of football in Pittsburgh. Quick summary of the articles today:

A couple articles out there on Big East transitions (again?) with Miami and VT leaving, and how that can be good for the other teams starting next year — provided they get to stay in the BCS after 2005. The PG article also predicts the Big East this year: Miami, Pitt, VT, WV.

A coaching puff piece on rising coaching star, Defensive Coach Paul Rhoads (who also turned down the same position at Nebraska during the offseason).

A couple stories about how Pitt has been rising — it’s the talent, stupid — and that the national media is noticing — along with a companion column, that may as well be titled, “Don’t Get Cocky, Kid.”

Pitt Sports Blather: We summarize, so you can read less.

First off, I’m going to send the Fab Five from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy over to Dan Shanoff’s place. Anybody who thinks that Oregon’s “lightning” uniforms are hot has got to be either a moving fashion violation or blind. Remember, wearing something different (e.g., wearing nothing while streaking down Craig Street) is not always a good thing.

Second, if you look quickly at ESPN Motion, you should be able to catch their list of the Top 10 games of 2003. Ohio State at Michigan is number two. Who could beat that? Number one, Miami at Pitt. If Pitt makes it that far either undefeated or still in contention for the Big East title, I’ll have a hard time not calling the season a success already. But if they beat Miami, I might even stay out past 10:00 PM.

But the biggest reason for this post is a question. Can somebody with better access to the Pittsburgh media explain this to me?

Huge running back Rashad Jennings of Lynchburg-Christian Academy, Va., committed to the Pittsburgh Panthers over Virginia Tech. The Panthers withdrew an offer to defensive lineman/linebacker Chenry Lewis of Paterson-Catholic, NJ., who recently indicated a verbal commitment.

I mean, beating out Virginia Tech for the services of a Virginian is pretty awesome. It impresses me a lot more than just beating out Rutgers or Boston College. But what’s with that second part? Why did we withdrawal an offer to somebody who had already verballed. I’ve never heard of a school doing that before.

Hail to Players Picking Pitt over Penn State and Virginia Tech.