10 Things We Know About the 2008 Pitt Panthers — No. 5 Through No. 1

5. Offensive line will once again be a concern.

It would not be Pitt football season without worries about the offensive line. Once again in 2008, Wannstedt and new offensive line coach Tony Wise will be tasked with finding five trees that are capable of anchoring the trenches.

It will start with JUCO transfer Robb Houser, as his development into a D-I quality lineman will be a big part of the offense's success or failure. Outside of Houser, not too many starters are known right now, and summer drills will provide the missing pieces.

With blue-chip recruits like Chris Jacobsen recovering from injury and Luke Nix still a year off from challenging for a job, the patch-work line will have to hold at least one more season until this area will be on stable ground.

Look for Jason Pinkston, coming off of shoulder surgery, to be the man to replace Jeff Otah at the left tackle spot.

4. The Panther defensive line will be one of the best units in the nation.

Don’t let anyone tell you the 2007 Backyard “Maul” was won because of Pat White’s injury or some wack-o conspiracy that Rich-Rod threw the game so he could jet for Big Blue — it was won by the Pitt defensive line.

The six-man rotation dominated the line of scrimmage every play in that game and featured several young stars. Mick Williams and Rashadd Duncan anchored the middle, and the emergence of Greg Romeus on the outside made the Panthers' defensive line difficult to deal with.

They are quick off the ball and get into the backfield almost at will, forcing opposing offenses to play with hungry defenders on their side of the ball. If you need more evidence: Pitt finished the season in the top 10 in several defensive categories and Scott McKillop led the nation in tackles per game (12.5) because of the defensive line stopping linemen from getting to the second level.

The return of Gus Mustakus from an ACL injury should bolster the line even more, giving Pitt seven starter-quality linemen to rotate all game long, keeping players fresh and pressure constant.

3. “Shady” McCoy will be the focus of the Pitt offense.

Maybe the biggest no-brainer heading into 2008. McCoy was arguably the best freshman running back in the nation last season but failed to get the publicity and attention due to the lackluster season that Pitt endured last year.

That being said, even with the stellar numbers he put up in 2007 — breaking Tony Dorsett’s freshman records at Pitt with 1,328 yards and 14 TDs — this season could be the coming out party for “Shady.” He won’t sneak up on anyone this year, but with a stable QB and better talent across the board on offense, McCoy will be the focus but won’t have to carry the team on his back.

The best thing for McCoy is that he put up great numbers without too much physical demand. He averaged 23 touches a game last season and if they can keep him at that level again this season, McCoy will be fresh all season and avoid the fatigue and hits that usually slow down running backs.

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