At some point I will have to do a post on Big XII expansion, simply because it has not failed to amuse me this entire spring and summer. It is just so perfect, though, that a conference named for 12 with only 10 members would announce “6 to 8 finalists.” Yet, the list actually goes to 10, 12 or even 13.

Anyways…

The year was 1998. My first year as a season ticket holder. I wasn’t unrealistic. I knew it was going to be a struggle that year. 1997 was loaded with seniors and 1998. Well, 1998 was bad. We got an idea in that first game as Pitt struggled to beat Villanova 48-41. One of two wins that year and 0-7 in the Big East.

Eighteen years later, Pitt is not that team.

Villanova comes into its game against Pitt ranked No. 22 in the same preseason FCS coaches’ poll that lists Duquesne under others receiving votes.

Talley called Pitt “the toughest FBS team we have ever played.” Villanova usually plays an FBS school every year, including the 2008 West Virginia team that beat the Wildcats, 48-21, and finished 9-4.

“But I think Pitt from what I can tell (is better),” Talley said. “If they can stay healthy at the quarterback position, I think they have a real good chance to be a legitimate Top 20 team.”

Nova has put scares into BC and Syracuse in recent years as well (talk about damning with faint praise). But they are good and well coached. Just not deep.

Of course, Pitt has to talk up Villanova as a threat. I mean, yes, there is reason to worry as Pitt has struggled in recent times with FCS teams in the opener.

“I told our kids last night this is not going to be easy,” Narduzzi said. “The FCS is good football. They will come in here ready to go. We must be ready to go.”

In the past five seasons, a span that includes three head coaches, the Panthers’ resume against non-power five conference opponents features:

• A 45-37 victory in the season opener a year ago against Youngstown State in which the Penguins racked up 407 yards of total offense.

• A 21-10 home loss in 2014 against an Akron team that finished 5-7 that season and went 3-5 in the Mid-American Conference.

• A 35-24 victory against Old Dominion in 2013, a game in which Pitt led by only four entering the fourth quarter.

• A 31-17 season-opening loss to Youngstown State in 2012 at Heinz Field.

• A narrow, 35-29 victory against Maine in 2011 under then-coach Todd Graham.

Villanova is a rather good FCS team. We all know they had the chance to move up to FBS with UConn back in 2004. They also hemmed and hawed over the possibility nearly a decade later until Pitt and Syracuse got the lifeline to the ACC. It probably worked out for the best, though, that they didn’t get their football program stuck in the purgatory like UConn and UMass.

One of the givens in this game is that when Pitt goes on its first offensive series, James Conner will get that first touch. Justin has floated the idea of taking everyone by surprise with a deep pass, but that just won’t happen. Even with Villanova stacking the box and knowing the run is coming. It has to be to Conner.

And James Conner has plans in the game. Not for the first carry, though.

The touchdown celebration to end all touchdown celebrations will happen in Pittsburgh on Saturday, the first time James Conner crosses the goal line.

It will not last long, nor will it show up his opponent, because that is not his style. But Conner already has something in mind, because the moment has been nine months in the making, and, well, its magnitude demands to be celebrated. Maybe flexing to show off his new tattoos: “Conner” on one arm, “Strong” on the other, a tribute to the hashtag that kept him going day after day. Then …

“I want to spike the ball,” he said recently with a laugh. “I might get a penalty. If I break a lot of tackles and run somebody over in the end zone, then I’m spiking it and I’m going to take the 15-yard penalty, which Coach will understand. If I break a long run, I don’t know. Whatever I do, it will be real quick and then I’m going to celebrate with my teammates.”

And I promise, there will be celebrations not just in the stands. But up in the press box as well.