Pitt has put out its game notes for the UVa-Pitt game (PDF). This is likely the Cavaliers toughest non-con game. Their other non-con foes are Western Michigan, Wyoming and at East Carolina.

The depth chart for Pitt is listed. Oderick Turner gets the starting WR spot over Marcel Pestano. Jeff Otah is not the outright starter at Left OT, instead listed with an “OR” with John Bachman. Jovani Chappel and Aaron Berry are both listed to be behind Darrelle Revis at CB. These aren’t even surprises, but might reach mild interest.

In Coach Wannstedt’s press conference, the discussion was mostly about his own team, not Virginia. Lots of stuff to point out. Best if you read it all.

On how many carries LaRod Stephens-Howling will get during a game:

To his credit and our strength program, he is about 10 pounds heavier than he was a year ago. I believe he’s stronger. He’s plenty tough enough, we know that. I’m optimistic that he’s going to be more durable. Will we spell him? Yes. Shane Brooks is going to play some, Kevin Collier is going to play some. There is no question that it’s going to be running back by committee.

On the importance of winning the season opener:

There’s two ways of looking at an opener when you have a very good opponent like Virginia. It’s easier from the standpoint of when you’re going through your summer drills, you’re running, you’re conditioning, your training camp. You kind of got Virginia in your sights. They’re an easy team to talk about, they’re a very good team. We’re playing at home. Obviously the 30-year reunion (of the 1976 national championship team), the ’76 team is coming in. There’s excitement in the air. We expect to go out and play well.

[Emphasis added.]

Of course it was expected Pitt would go out and play well in last year’s season opener…

Running back by committee is not at all surprising, but it’s the first time he’s openly admitted that will be the way it is.

He also addressed the T.J. Porter situation that was reported earlier this morning.

On the status of T.J. Porter:

He is part of the team. He will practice today. We’re just working through some growing pains. It really doesn’t have anything to do with football. I mentioned before, with these young kids it’s more transition adjustment. I really feel an obligation to the player and just as importantly, his parents and our university to try to do everything we can to help these young kids with the transition, if there’s problems, as long as it doesn’t compromise anything we’re trying to do as a football team. You have to be able to separate the two. It has not been determined yet (whether or not he will dress on Saturday vs. Virginia). I expect him to come out and practice today, have a good practice and we’ll go from there.

I think Coach Wannstedt is handling this exactly right. Consider that part of the pitch any coach, but especially Coach Wannstedt makes to the kid and the family during recruiting. That he will be part of a family. That he will be looked after and people will be there for him. Porter is apparently having a harder time than most. This is something Coach Wannstedt can point to as tangible evidence on the recruiting trail that he keeps his word. Also, consider that while Porter is having issues and maturity issues, he is not behaving like a thug or punk. He just seems like a scared, overwhelmed kid.

Other stuff: Conor Lee still looks like the favorite to kick as long as his groin is fine; the D-line is not written in stone, other players can and will work their way in to playing time including Jason Pinkston and McKenzie Mathews; yes, the receiver position is a bit thin;