If you can dare to believe, it looks like RB Jawan Walker has managed to resolve his “academic issues.”

Erie native Jawan Walker has regained his academic eligibility at Pittsburgh, but his playing status for the season remains in limbo.

“Whatever academic work he needed to complete, he has done so,” Pitt sports information director E.J. Borghetti said Wednesday. “At this juncture, while he remains on scholarship, he is not an active member of the team.”
…
Walker still is not practicing with the Panthers but is expected to meet with Pitt coach Walt Harris within the next several days to determine his status for the season. Pitt opens Monday at South Florida.

No word on what kind of shape Walker is in. He was reportedly not training very seriously over the summer. As a RB, Walker showed some potential last year, but spent too much time dancing in the backfield rather than hitting the hole or following his blocker.

Well, of course there is attention being paid to Hurricane Frances, but they expect it to miss the area. For Pitt, the main problem could simply be being able to fly into Tampa on Sunday.

As I said about how important this game is to USF fans, and apparently the program: “Arguably the biggest home game in school history between future Big East rivals.”

Last year the Bulls stunk on offense. This year they believe themselves to be better, but until they actually play, who knows. They have a new starting QB with not a lot of experience with passing much — even in high school.

Meanwhile the Bulls have their press release about the game and game notes (PDF). Looking over their depth chart (page 7), I see that WR Johnny Peyton (who at the last minute signed with USF rather than Pitt) is #2 at one position behind a senior 7 inches shorter than him (Gipson). Gipson was a starting CB for them last year. He is also their punt returner. I expect that we will see Peyton in the game early. Next year USF will be playing Penn St.

Yes, I know the Hurricane is spelled differently, but it was still the first thing that came to my pop culture-addled head.

Well, Hurricane Frances may force the postponement of the season opener down in Tampa. The big problem would be scheduling a make-up date. Pitt and USF have an open date on October 30, but USF has a game on Wednesday, November 3. That might be a little too close in the schedule. Otherwise, the game will have to be made-up on Saturday, December 4. If the game still takes place on Monday, it is expected to be a messy field. So, Pitt started practicing “wet ball” drills.

Player puff piece focus on Fullback/Tailback Tim Murphy. Nice story.

Joe Starkey does a column to remind everyone that Coach Harris, despite his many faults as a head coach, is still as good as everyone said and still says he is with regards to developing quarterbacks. To which, I can only ask, “So what’s your point?”

No one I know really disputes that issue. As the article points out, he got Pete Gonzalez and Matt Lytle onto NFL rosters. I’m not sure, but I think this could be considered a groundwork column. As in laying the groundwork for future Starkey columns to explain why Walt may have to leave. It’s this second to last sentence.

In the end, Harris might be best-suited to be an NFL coordinator or quarterbacks coach.

He just lets it hang out there, without comment. He sets out Harris’ strength, but lets it float to allow the reader to start considering the weaknesses of Harris the head coach. Or maybe that’s just my reading of it.

The knives seem to be getting sharper for Harris each day.