Halfway through the college football season or so. That means “season so far” pieces:

Biggest Disappointment
Pitt came into the season ranked No. 23 and picked to finish second. Then it went a month without beating a Division I-A team.

Today, the Panthers are 2-4 overall, 1-1 in the Big East and with victories only against Division I-AA Youngstown State and freshman-laden Cincinnati. Two of those four losses were to Ohio and Rutgers, teams Pitt had traditionally beaten like piñatas.

New coach Dave Wannstedt’s biggest dilemma is lack of experience and talent on his offensive and defensive lines. Most players on both lines are in new positions, which has caused Pitt to be manhandled at times by opposing offenses and unable to protect quarterback Tyler Palko.

Wannstedt has taken to playing several true freshmen, a wise move, and this team still has some star power. In this conference, it would be no surprise to see Pitt turn things around. The first step would be a victory over a decent opponent.

Stewart Mandel at SI.com reviews some of his predictions so far.

“[Dave] Wannstedt could wind up being one of the best hires of any school this offseason.” (7/12/05)

I can’t even bring myself to talk about this one. Next …

What? Anyone expecting glowing reviews for Coach Wannstedt and Pitt to this point?

Still, the news isn’t all doom and gloom, on the subject of the future.

One visit to Heinz Field and Davie (Fla.) Western defensive tackle Jared Martin remains clear about favoring the Pittsburgh Panthers.

Though the 6-foot-2, 285-pound defender was scheduled to visit Minnesota weeks after his Panther official, a scheduling conflict has pushed that back. Both the Gophers and Arizona State are possible for his next trips, but he is still high on the Big East team.

“The Panthers are still my leader and I’m still very high on Pittsubrgh,” Martin said. “I just want to compare Pittsburgh to another school. I see big opportunity at Pitt. They are rebuilding on both sides of the line and I could get some early playing time there.”

Though a 2-4 season is not the start that coach Dave Wannstedt was looking for, it appears that uncommitted and committed prospects alike are both chomping at the bit to come in and make an early impact.

Both Rivals.com and Scout.com have him listed as a 3-start. So far, Pitt is the only school where he has taken an official visit.

Another player Pitt is recruiting broke Pennsylvania High School single game rushing record with 488 yards. The record had been set in 2000 by Marcus Furman with 455 yards. Of course, Pitt is recruiting Stephen Blose as a kicker.

This is just strange. Homecoming is next weekend. The theme or whatever you want to call it is “Remembering Pitt.”

Huh? What does that mean? Isn’t that the point of homecoming for alumni every year? Remembering their days at Pitt. It almost sounds like they are marking the anniversery of a death or something.

Perhaps they are planning a lot of estate planning seminars to help people put gifts to Pitt in their wills?

As has been the “tradition” for a while there will be the laser stuff and fireworks around the William Pitt Union on Friday evening. But wait, it gets even better this year.

The outdoor show is followed by Pitt’s free annual Homecoming Extravaganza in the WPU at 10 p.m. There will be video games, the dance machine “Dance Dance Revolution,” individual performers, and more.

I’m old. I know this. I’m not particularly hip to what the young’ins are into, but really. A dance machine? The same thing that they have in the game rooms at miniature golf courses? That Ronald McDonald is all over in some commercials? That South Park mocked?
This is what college kids want? Now, I’m worried about the future.