Tabs piling. Week or longer. Time for a link-dump.

The Sports Illustrated Big East and top-25 preview was more than a week ago. They pick Pitt to win the conference, going 6-1 in the Big East and 4-1 in the non-con.

Here’s their co-branded preview with Athlon of Pitt at #16.

However, in order to reach that lofty goal, Wannstedt understands that Pittsburgh must first win the Big East Conference title, which has eluded him since his arrival in 2005. After corralling the top recruiting classes in the Big East in four of the past five seasons, this Pittsburgh squad is loaded with talent. A national title will be challenging due to a nonconference schedule featuring an opening trip to Utah, a home game against Miami and a visit to Notre Dame, but the Panthers should finally become the Beasts of the Big East.

Finishing the SI.com stuff, they have a good piece on Greg Romeus. It draws the parallel with his development to a potential 1st round pick with Pitt’s high expectations this year. Right now, I’d just be happy if I knew the true situation with Romeus and his “back spasms.”

Brian Grummell at FanHouse has a short primer on the Big East. Spoiler: he still thinks Pitt will win the conference.

The Big East football bloggers at SBN got together to discuss the Big East. Well worth reading if for no other reason, than to see how the Big East = Juggalos.

They’re two very different organizations and yet they face the same issues and questions.

“Wait, they still exist?”

“Oh how cute, they’re trying to be noticed.”

“Does anything they do really matter?”

“Yeah, they were relevant…in 1998.”

“Who is in charge of this mess?”

If I asked you whether those statements and questions were about the Juggalos or Big East Football, could you tell?  Wouldn’t you agree they apply to both?

About as deeply analytical as you would expect.

In case anyone has forgotten that Pitt will be going to start the season with a tough opener with a new QB starting, well there is a little company. A bit on 4 teams/QBs with tough opener. Tino Sunseri is the headliner.

As a present for outplaying Pat Bostick for the starting role, Sunseri lands a prime time, Thursday night start at Utah. Welcome to the party, Tino. Now, Rice-Eccles Stadium is an intimidating place to play, though not the most unpleasant venue in college football. Nevertheless, with Utah’s tough defense — led by a physical, stout front four — Sunseri’s starting career opens in a most unwelcome fashion. One advantage Sunseri does have over Bostick, however, is in his athleticism. With Utah’s ability to get to the quarterback, Sunseri is a better option to start the season opener.

The other teams with similar issues include Illinois, BYU and Oregon State.

I suppose it seems like there are a few more injured freshmen after training camp than before, but aside from Bryan Murphy, most were already hurt and likely to redshirt. Didn’t seem like that many, but I could be wrong.

Just like the “stunning” revelation that there is only one true freshmen on the 2-deep.

“I would expect we will have two, maybe three freshmen play this year,” Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said.

The biggest reason is that 20 of the Panthers’ 22 projected starters are in at least their third season at Pitt, and one of the two who is not — sophomore tailback Dion Lewis — is a Heisman Trophy candidate who rushed for nearly 1,800 yards last season.

The Panthers also have plenty of depth at many positions, which means there is little opportunity for a true freshman to get playing time.

If the number is two — and, as of now, only cornerback K’Wuan Williams seems like a definite contributor — it would be the fewest for a Wannstedt-coached Pitt team. Generally speaking, about four freshmen have played each season for Wannstedt.

This is the opening week two-deep. There aren’t many injuries to the veteran players. Coach Wannstedt really, really hates playing true freshmen early. Especially in the first couple games. Just because there is only one on the 2-deep now, doesn’t mean others won’t get a chance.

Other freshman candidates for playing time include defensive tackle Aaron Donald of Penn Hills and defensive end T.J. Clemmings of Paterson (N.J.) Catholic, who have made enough plays during training camp that the Pitt coaches might have a hard time keeping them off the field.

Donald is working with the second unit, while Clemmings, the prized recruit in Pitt’s Class of 2010, is running as a third-team defensive end. Because of Pitt’s depth at defensive end, Clemmings would seem far more likely to redshirt between the two freshmen linemen.

“That decision has not been made yet,” Wannstedt said of Clemmings. “He’s getting reps. He’s getting prepared to play. We will see how things unfold.”

And if Murphy hadn’t been hurt, well then ultimately Coach Wannstedt may end up with about 4 true freshmen seeing time on the 2-deep before the season was started. In other words, about what has been typical.