But the offensive line has to look better than it is. Who knows if the defense will be better against the run this year (I know, statistically and ranking-wise it will hard to be worse). It will be fine at this rate if other teams have an O-line like Pitt’s.

The starting defense held a decisive edge in Pitt’s first scrimmage of training camp Tuesday, keeping the first-team offense out of the end zone in the first four series.

“Offensively, we’ve got a ways to go,” Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said. “I would expect that. I was disappointed with the first three or four series offensively. We really didn’t get much going. On the other side, when you’re scrimmaging against yourself, you’re happy for the defense.”

The first drive ended in three plays, the second by an interception by middle linebacker Scott McKillop, the third with defensive tackle Gus Mustakas whipping fullback Conredge Collins down after a screen and the fourth with safety Eric Thatcher stopping Collins on third-and-goal at the 5.

…

LaRod Stephens-Howling led all rushers with 32 yards on seven carries, as the offense rushed for 81 yards on 38 carries, an average of 2.1 yards per carry.

“We stopped the run,” McKillop said. “That’s one of the big things of emphasis this year.”

Scrimmage stats are admittedly useless, but observations aren’t.

The defensive line dominated the offensive line most of the day and, not coincidentally, the defense dominated the offense as well. The offense had only one sustained touchdown drive, although the touchdown came when a defensive back fell down.

Kevin Gorman was more diplomatic in his blog, by interspersing Coach Wannstedt quotes that downplayed things or praised individuals or anything.

Although the offensive line struggled mightily, Wannstedt isn’t completely discouraged.

“I like the individual ability levels of the guys, but that’s usually the last group, unit-wise, to come together,” Wannstedt said. “It’s going to take some time. We’re not there yet. We’re going to need all of training camp before we get that group in sync and playing at the level they need to play at.”

The excuse that Mike McGlynn not being there on the line doesn’t make me feel better. That just scares me that the rest of the line is not close. If that’s the drop-off from McGlynn is that steep then it won’t matter how good LeSean McCoy is or how determined LaRod Stephens-Howling is. There won’t be anywhere for them to run.

The passing game will face a similar fate. No matter who the QB is, he will be new and any vaguely competent DC knows you blitz a new QB to get him to make a mistake. Especially when the receivers and tight ends are good enough to deal with coverage. It does no good if there is no time to get them the ball.