And boy there were a bunch today. How about with a national perspective before we get more specific and downright unnerving about the season. I’ll start with this warm fuzzy.
The season’s right around the corner, and as always, it’s gonna be a fun one. A ton of seniors to root on, newcomers to watch, programs on the rise, and a bunch of good stuff to watch out for. So, let’s see who made my lists.
Here are some schools that I wouldn’t want to play over the next four or five seasons …
…
2. Pitt
Dave Wannstedt is bringing in a ton of talent, and Pitt football is gonna get special again real soon. Wannstedt didn’t inherit enough players to pull of a Charlie Weis in his first season, but he still looks like the “next Pete Carroll” to me. Sure, Pitt was only 5-6 last year, but remember, Carroll was only 6-6 in his first season at USC. The second year, USC made a big jump, thanks to a talented senior quarterback who finally developed into the talent we all thought he would. And, playing the role of Carson Palmer this season will be Tyler Palko.
That may be a little too optimistic. Not to mention, making me think he just purposefully jinxed Pitt.
Both the P-G and the Trib were doing more season preview stuff today. That required lists. While Zeise specifically singled out Palko as needing a big year for Pitt to do well. The Trib listed 5 players who Pitt needed to have good years, along with the reason why. I’m just going to list them.
- Tyler Palko
- Darrelle Revis
- Mike McGlynn
- LaRod Stephen-Howling
- Clint Session
The UVa game tomorrow headed the list of key games for Pitt this year. Followed somewhat surprisingly by Cinci and Rutgers. There is some logic.
The piece closed with 5 big questions.
1. With four starters returning, can the offensive line open holes for the rushing game and protect the quarterback?
2. After having someone lead the Big East in receiving yardage eight times in the past nine years, can the Panthers find a playmaker to spark their passing game?
3. Has the defensive line matured enough to improve a run defense that ranked seventh out of eight teams in the Big East?
4. How will Pitt’s place kicker, who has never played in a college football game, handle pressure situations?
5. With so many newcomers on the two-deep, can the Panthers withstand injuries to any starters?
The P-G lists and explains the 5 keys for Pitt. Guess what they are.
1. The offensive line can’t be offensive
2. The defensive line must show up
3. Adventures in kicking
4. Somebody had better make some plays
5. Many of the Panthers’ problems last year were intangible
There aren’t any surprises really as to the questions about Pitt. We’re all just waiting to learn the answers.
