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.
2. Bill Stull will enter 2008 as the starting quarterback.
And by all accounts, it’s the right call. Stull was far and away the most talented out of the bunch in last summer’s quarterback battle. Unfortunately for Pitt, the 2007 season became a game of “Who’s Start is It Anyway?” as Stull went down with a season-ending thumb injury against Eastern Michigan.
Kevin Smith and Pat Bostick each suffered as freshmen behind center and neither should start this season pending another injury. Stull was named the starter for 2008 by Wannstedt during spring drills, and it should give the team time to build continuity with their QB once more. Here’s hoping this season doesn’t become Groundhog’s Day.
1. Just or unjust, the 2008 season will make or break the Dave Wannstedt era of Pitt football.
Not many coaches would have the opportunity that Wannstedt has right now at Pitt. In most cases, after taking over a rising program and running it back into the ground with three straight losing and generally non-competitive seasons, he would have been on the chopping block after last year and looking for a job.
Instead, he was granted a contract extension before the WVU game last season and now has a second chance to rectify his Alma mater. What could save Wannstedt is his tireless recruiting — players gravitate to him because of his personality and belief in what he tells recruits.
So far, it’s paying off. Pitt has landed more blue-chip recruits and top-25 classes than they totaled in a decade before Wanny arrived.
But, now, it’s time to put up or shut up. The talent is there, the plan is there, it just has to be put into effective practice. Fans and the administration alike have been waiting a long time for Pitt to rise from the ashes and become a power again, and that goal is well within reach. It’s time for Wannstedt to prove his mettle and take Pitt back to a bowl (at the very least) and move forward to better things.
When he came to the school, Wannstedt preached that 2008 was the target season for the true arrival of the program and his plan — he now has less than two months to show what progress has been made.
Checkout 10-6 if you haven't already.
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3 months ago
One thing is for certain: if McCoy is going to have a "coming out party," Pitts going to have to learn how to throw the football better than last year.
from 3 months ago
I totally agree, but he did it last year with no help from the passing game.
With a healthy Stull, and some weapons on the edges I think they can at least create some balance to keep getting McCoy out in space to let him create.
3 months ago
I'm a WVU fan and alumnus and have enjoyed many brawls over the years. I have met a lot of cool Pitt fans over the years in Morgantown and Pittsburgh and have to say that I think a strong Pitt program is good for the BE and WVU. The loss last year was gut wrenching and I have to give Pitt credit for a great win--I already had a flight and hotel room in New Orleans--though I was very worried about an upset in the 100th brawl with Pitt having everything to gain and nothing to lose in that game and with WVU having everything to lose and being expected to win. The line on the game was a joke and an insult to Pitt and helped make a nervous WVU coach and team overconfident. Pitt played like maniacs and the mountaineers were tight as Hell with awful offensive play calling. Pitt had a great game plan on defense and has certainly come a long way speed-wise and talent-wise over the last 3 years when Wanny said his team needed to run faster at halftime of the WVU game in Morgantown.
I should disclose that I am also a diehard Miami Dolphins fan and have not been a huge fan of Wanny's since he found a way to coach the Fins into consistent mediocrity a few years back. Not that he should get all the credit, I don't think my Fins have had a truly great team since Wayne Hizenga (sp) bought them. That being said, two questions: 1. Why hasn't Pitt been better with all the talent that is seemingly coming in? and 2. Why don't the Pitt fans get behind the team more? Seems like your coach may not be a great coach, but a very good recruiter? Not sure. Is it a team chemistry problem or x's and o's or what? I presume the Pitt fan base has a lot of sports options given the Steelers and Penguins and so the college team suffers. Would be curious to get your thoughts. Nice piece, parts one and two.
Jay
3 months ago
McCoy's the real deal. I'm a Penn State fan from the Harrisburg area and I saw a couple of his high school playoff games. The man (which is truly what he is) can literally run through you or around you, whichever he pleases. I remember the one playoff game and probably always will.... he had somewhere around 550 yards rushing and 6 or 7 TD's. It was like watching a video game out there. Gotta tip my hat that Pitt got him instead of my Nits.
On a slightly unrelated note to the above and to your article, do you think we're ever gonna see the Pitt/PSU rivalry back in action? If you don't wanna answer here I understand but I was just curious for a Pitt fan's perspective. I don't think either team really needs the other but it still should be one of those games that's played every year without question.
Thanks for the read, looking foward to your thoughts.
from 3 months ago
Pitt doesn't need Penn State and Penn State doesn't need Pitt. But college football and the fans of both schools certainly deserve this rivalry. The "Pennsylvania Classic" is dearly missed by this fan.
3 months ago
I tend to disagree. I think both schools would benefit greatly from playing each other again.
Penn St. and Pitt are playing teams in the non-conference that aren't really of a great quality (with a few exceptions) so it would help both to play a big game like that, plus it would help recruiting. States with big in-state rivalries fight over recruits anyway, so guys that played against each other in HS getting another wack at it in college would make the rivalry that much more intense.
Students at Pitt still chant "Penn St. sucks" where it was removed from the fight song, and I'm sure PSU students always have some choice words about Pitt.
2 months ago
If you are a fan of either Pitt or PSU, and don't want this matchup resumed, it has to be for all the wrong reasons. University politics or league considerations should be way down the list, behind the number one consideration - do the fans (vast majority) miss this rivalry? Big time! Paterno or Pitt people, or whomever is behind this great game being shelved should literally be ashamed of themselves. They should NEVER put themselves, or their teams/schools financial picture, or their leagues wishes ahead of their fans (and players!) desires. Without the fans interest - and it is/was rabid for these two teams - you ain't got squat! The second you begin to ignore your fan base, you tread on thin ice. Especially after such a long period. Most people cant even remember the mind set that caused the rivalry being ignored, let alone whether it had any validity! It has nothing to do with whom "needs" who. They need each other - because the student/fans say so! Through ups and downs by both schools, this rivalry had a life its own. I personally got more fired up for the Penn State game than the Brawl (WVU) matchup. Especially because WVU had such bad teams back then, where PSU was usually much higher rated and therefore presented a more attractive game with consequences and/or rewards for both teams which really cranked up the intensity. Plain and simple, if you miss it at all, it should be renewed.
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