Gene Collier wonders how Pitt got picked to be first in the Big East. Didn’t we cover this last week? It’s because every contender has huge, gaping flaws.

This has the feel of a forced column to tie-in to the start of practices. That or it was held from last week, when it might have been a touch more timely.

It does, however, allow a little recap of some other things. I avoided making an actual pick in my brief Big East preview for FanHouse. Instead, just looking at the pros/cons/scheduling of the top five teams.

Paul Zeise did something similar (except the schedule factor), as he looked at why teams would or wouldn’t win the conference. He also admits that he did not pick Pitt in the media poll, because of Pitt’s flaws.

Kevin Gorman did pick Pitt to win the conference, as he thinks Pitt can fill in most of the losses of players well and not have much of a drop-off. I don’t know. He rattles off so many questions and battles for spots that it just seems that he is presuming too many things work themselves out in a good way.

It’s the questions that make it tough for me to confidentally pick Pitt to win the Big East. Whether it is QB, the offensive line (especially center), kicking and punting, running back, and coaching.

Honestly, if I wasn’t taking into account the teams and their history I would go with either USF or Rutgers to win the Big East.

USF has the talent, but they have some cold-weather games (at Rutgers and at UConn) to contend and of course have faded in the second half perpetually.

As for Rutgers, have you seen their schedule? It’s not just the paper thin non-con. They get all of the other contending teams at home this year — Cinci, Pitt, USF and WVU. It is set up for them to win this year if they can find a QB and receivers.

Not good. Not good. Not good. Too many browser tabs, and practices are barely underway. I already know this day will be a lost one, as the wife will be bringing me a growler of Doubting Thomas Double IPA as a birthday present, so there will be nothing accomplished after that arrives.

Well, time to clear out more Pitt media day related articles.

Player stuff:

Jonathan Baldwin wants to have a big year and be a big part of the offense.

Greg Romeus expects a big year for himself.

Elijah Fields is motivated to start meeting the potential.

“I think everything’s fallen into place this year,” he said. “It probably took me a little bit more time than everybody else coming out of high school, but I think this will be a big breakout year for me.”

Nate Byham still wants to win the Big East and more.

Joe Starkey demands a big year from Elijah Fields and Dorin Dickerson.

New Nike unis. Come in 3 flavors for the jersey and pants. What? No alternate helmets? Oddest statement on the new unis:

“Except for the color, I think it’s as close to what we wore in the old guard,” Wannstedt said.

Yeah, except for the colors and the logo. Other than that, they are the same.

Ticket sales are up about 7% over last year. Holding the line on prices and a good season helped. Changing the OC probably didn’t hurt, either.

WR Todd Thomas was the only 2009 recruit not to qualify. He’s headed to Milford Academy for a year.

Still plenty of people wondering about Stull. Latest revisionism seems to be to play up how beat-up and injured he really was last year.

From Media Day, Coach Wannstedt’s press conference in transcript form. Wannstedt endeared himself to everyone by jumping out in front on the first question.

“Ok give me the quarterback questions, come on. (laughs)

“But let me say this because the quarterback position is one that everyone loves to talk about. I think we’re very fortunate here at Pitt. I think you have to look at everything in terms of who you’re competing against. I think when you look at our quarterback position we have two quarterbacks with experience; we have Billy (Bill Stull) who started 13 games and Pat (Pat Bostick) who started nine games, we have a young quarterback with a lot of talent who’s going to be a heck of a player for us, Tino Sunseri. So we do have some experience, we have some youth, we have ability and these kids have worked very hard.

He also reiterated that Stull is the starter. Something, no one could miss.

The AP story from media day, focuses on the players gone and who will replace them.