I’ll do this very quick, because I have to hit the road very soon.

Big game, lots of excitement, plenty of build-up , going to be a tough one. Also Coach Wannstedt issued the following statement regarding Eric Gill.

“We were aware that Erik Gill was involved in a single-car accident on July 24. It was not until Aug. 31 that charges were brought. Erik denies the charges and is preparing to contest them. As we allow the judicial process to run its course, Erik will remain an active member of our team, and we expect him to play [tonight].”

There it is.

Factoids about Wannstedt-Weis and Pitt coaches debuting against ND.

Short article about Palko and the offense facing a new ND secondary and the secondary coach Bill Lewis.

Article focusing on Rashad Jennings as the starting tailback.

Yet another Wannstedt puff piece.

Basically, both teams big weaknesses are expected to be better since they couldn’t get much worse.

Essentially, it would seem if Pitt can run, its chances of winning increase exponentially. The Panthers averaged only 98 yards per game last year — 105th out of 117 Division I teams. But when they rushed for more than 98, they were 6-1.

Some Palko success against a green Irish secondary — 116th in passing yards yielded last season — seems likely. But Weis has said his Patriots offense had the most trouble passing vs. Wannstedt’s Miami defense, which is why he hired Dolphins nickel-package coach Bill Lewis as his assistant head coach-defense at ND.

Gene Collier says the offensive line needs a good game for Pitt to win.

Starkey says the honeymoon is about to be over. Actually, no. Oh, there will be critics and knee-jerk reactions from both sides if their team loses, but they have a year.

Not really part of the game stuff, but something that interests me. USC’s football media guide is in hardcover — the only school in the country that went that direction after the page restrictions.

A Uniontown sports writer picks ND to blow-out Pitt.