Offseason means lists. They are easy, they fill column space quickly, but without much actual content. So let’s just see what there is.

How about a list of the top-25 expected stars of college football 2005:

17. Tyler Palko, QB & Greg Lee WR Pittsburgh
The fiery Panther star quarterback will bomb away with sure-thing Biletnikoff finalist Lee for one of the Big East’s most dangerous tandems.

I said it before, there will be pressure on Wannstedt and new offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh, not to screw this part up.

An almost interesting list, gauging the difficulty of football players qualifying academically at Division I-A schools. The devil is in the details, or in this case, the methodology:

Here is our gauge on how the 119 Division I-A universities rate — on a four-level scale — at getting football players into school. Ratings were determined through interviews with about two dozen coaches, conference officials, recruiting coordinators and academic coordinators. Important to note: Schools are measured only against schools in their conference. In other words, don’t compare a Big Ten school with a Pac-10 school.
…
Big East — 8 schools

Buckle down: None

Semi-tough: Syracuse

Semi-easy: Connecticut, Pittsburgh, USF

All in: Cincinnati, Louisville, Rutgers, West Virginia

The disclaimer should read, highly inaccurate and speculative, but kind of fun if you don’t take it seriously.

Then a ratings list on the coaching hirings around college football. Pitt falls in the middle of the pack, as does Stanford.

13. Dave Wannstedt, Pittsburgh

This hire impresses who? Wannstedt is almost at the retread stage having made his bones long ago as a University of Miami and Dallas defensive assistant. The one good thing, supposedly, is that Wanny is a Pittsburgh grad and knows the landscape.

Came from: The unemployment line after resigning following a 1-8 start with the Dolphins in 2004.

Best-case scenario: Pittsburgh takes control of the Big East, something Walt Harris was never able to do.

Worst-case scenario: The closest the Panthers get to Steelers excellence is the practice facility the two teams share.

14. Walt Harris, Stanford

Sorry, but Harris never struck anyone as the patient, academic type who welcomes the administration building telling him who he can recruit.

Came from: Pittsburgh.

Best-case scenario: Harris restores his, and Stanford’s, quarterback legacy.

Worst-case scenario: Stanford keeps losing fans and games at a rapid pace. The Buddy Teevens hire was a mistake. AD Ted Leland can’t afford to whiff again.

I expect more lists in the coming weeks.