It can’t be helped. Week opponent from 1-AA or not, I’m ready for the start of the season.

Getting up before the sun rises, driving into the sunrise, meeting in the South Side with friends not seen since the season ended, loading and consolidating the food, drink, chairs, table into a few cars and heading over to the lot. Grilling, drinking, talking and just enjoying things. Then the game and feeling that yes, maybe, Pitt could do something special this year. Can’t wait.

Meanwhile in Youngstown, the goal is a little more modest. Score a TD against a 1-A oppenent.

It began in 2005 with a 41-0 loss at Pitt, followed by a 37-3 loss to Penn State in 2006, while the past two seasons the Penguins fell to Ohio State 38-6 in 2007 and 43-0 last year.

Many believe this year’s squad might just be the best of the teams that will take on the Panthers on Saturday. Although preseason predictions have placed the Penguins No. 6 in their own conference, the Missouri Valley Football Conference, and in the early preseason national Football Championship Subdivision polls the Penguins weren’t even ranked among the Top 25.

The 2009 Penguins are a very young team, but they are experienced.

Head coach Jon Heacock, now in his ninth season, has only 12 seniors, but most of them will man key positions both offensively and defensively.

So, now we know what Pitt’s defensive goal should be. No TDs. Keep the streak going.

The only news to wait for today is the first official depth chart of the season. Not that  many questions loom. Will it be Jacobson or Thomas starting at Left Guard? Is Byham sufficiently recovered from his concussion to start at TE? Who will be listed as kicker — Harper or Hutchins? Kick and punt returner?

Those are the only real questions to await this afternoon.