Pittsburgh vs. Utah: 10 Keys To a Panthers Victory

As we head towards the Thursday night opener of the NCAA season, Pitt heads to Utah in one of the marquee games on the Week 1 schedule.

This definitely won't be a cakewalk for the Panthers, but at the same time, it's a game they need to win for anyone in the nation to begin to take them seriously.

Utah hasn't lost at home in close to three seasons and is 7-0 lifetime against current Big East teams.

Utah has a lot of talent coming from a team that won 10 games a season ago.

For the Panthers to get off to a hot start and start the season 1-0, 10 things need to go their way on Thursday.

10. Come Out Aggressive

This one is all on Dave Wannstedt.  Knowing Wannstedt, it will be the same ultra-conservative game plan.  Especially with a quarterback making his first NCAA start, the book says to be conservative.

Throw the book out the window. Get some confidence under Tino Sunseri right off the bat. 

Don't abandon the run, but keep Sunseri involved.  Use some play action. Give him some safe completions to get his feet under him.

A typical Wannstedt-coached game would be to run Lewis and only let Sunseri throw on third and long. That game plan will get you beat.

The Utes will be crowding the line, daring Sunseri to beat them.  By opening it up early, Lewis becomes an even bigger weapon late in the game.

Let's see Wannstedt win a big game for a change instead of costing the Panthers a win.

9. Get an Early Lead

Rice-Eccles Stadium will be rocking and it's a very tough place to play.  Getting an early lead and staying ahead will do wonders for Sunseri.

Quiet that crowd.  If the Utes jump out to an early lead, the crowd becomes a bigger factor and those are just added things that you don't want Sunseri having to deal with his first time out of the box.

Stay aggressive and jump out early  Get into the end zone on the first couple of drives and the crowd becomes a non-factor.

8. Secondary Performs Well

The Utes have a ton of speed.  They will likely come out in the spread and look to  move the ball downfield.  The also have the speed to stretch the field so the Pitt secondary must be on its toes.

One plus is that three of Utah's top four receivers from a season ago are now gone, including 1,000-yard man David Reed.

In a game that likely will be close on the scoreboard, the last thing the panthers need are defensive breakdowns in the secondary. We've seen too many before.

Cornerbacks Antwaun Reed and Ricky Gary (pictured) as well as safeties Dom DeCicco and Jarred Holley will have their hands full and must be up for the challenge.

Eliminate the big play.

7. Stop the Run

Pitt wants to run the ball successfully, but just importantly they need to take away the run. 

Utah will likely try and test the Panthers right up the middle where Pitt has a pair of new starting tackles in Myles Caragein and Chas Alecxih.

They will be tested.  They aren't rookies though as both played a lot last season.  They should be up for the challenge.

Just as important is middle linebacker Dan Mason (pictured). Mason needs to be all over the place making plays.  He has the potential to have a huge season and needs to get off to a big start.

If Utah is able to run the ball right at the Panthers with success, it could be a long night for the Pitt defense.

6. Offensive Line

The offensive line faces a huge challenge.  Pitt wants to run the ball and they need to do a bang-up job of protecting Sunseri.

It's going to be a challenge though.  Utah had depth and is very quick up front , and Pitt will be opening 2010 with three new starters on the line.

Lucas Nix (pictured) and Jason Pinkston return as the tackles, but the three in the middle are new to the starting lineup.

Left guard Chris Jacobson has experience and did start the Bowl game last year. Right guard Greg Gaskins and center Alex Karabin have very little experience and struggled through camp.

It's vital to the Panthers' success that the line plays well together.  They can't afford many breakdowns or costly penalties.

5. Attack Utah's Left Tackle

The Utes have a pretty solid offensive line returning, with four starters coming back.

Pitt's led the nation in sacks a season ago and could do so again with returning defensive ends Jabaal Sheard and the 2009 Big East Defensive Player of the Year Greg Romeus (pictured).

The game plan should be to throw everything at new left tackle John Cullen.  Rattle him early and get to quarterback Jordan Wynn, who is a very good one.

For Pitt to have success, Sheard and Romeus will be living in the Utes backfield.

4. Supplemental Players Need to Make Plays

Jon Baldwin and Dion Lewis will see game plans thrown their way to attempt to take them out of games.  In order for the Pitt superstars to succeed, other players have to take the load off of them.

Receivers Mike Shanahan (pictured), Devin Street, and Cameron Saddler have to make plays when their number is called. The more plays they prove they can make, the more space Baldwin and Lewis will see.

Pitt will also be missing the production that Dorin Dickerson and Nate Byham provided from the tight end position.  Mike Cruz is going to get the first opportunity as the tight end.

He's got big shoes to fill, but has to become a real threat catching the football.

3. Get the Ball to Your Playmakers

It's a simple plan.  Get the ball to your playmakers and let them make plays. Lewis is going to get his touches, but the Panthers need to also get Baldwin (pictured)  as many touches as possible.

Baldwin is one of the best playmakers in the country and should see the ball often.  Sunseri has to be careful not to force things his way though.

Utah will be playing with several new linebackers and safeties, so the opportunity to get your best players the ball could likely be there.

If Baldwin has a big game, Pitt likely wins.

2. Ride Your Horse

Dion Lewis is among the top handful of backs in the country and the Panthers should ride him. 

No need to get too cute with the game plan.  Sure, Sunseri needs to be involved, but Lewis still gets close to 30 touches.

Utah has speed on defense, but Lewis should still be successful.  If Pitt can get a double-digit second-half lead, Lewis could likely put up huge numbers.

That should be the game plan all season. Get the lead and then ride Lewis to victory.

Lewis should be among the early contenders for the Heisman Trophy.  He could help that cause with a huge game Thursday night.

1. Don't Put Sunseri in a Spot to Have to Win the Game

The worst possible scenario for the Panthers would be for them to be trailing by a couple of touchdowns come the second half. 

They have to avoid putting Tino Sunseri in an uncomfortable spot in an unfriendly environment.

If everything goes right, all they will need Sunseri to do is manage the game. Hand the ball off and take what the defense gives him. Make the simple throws and don't force things.

All they need Sunseri to do is stay away from the mistakes.  The definitely don't want to have to ask him to win the game with his arm.  That's would be to big of a burden to put on him right away.

If that happens, Pitt won't win the game.

However, if most of these things can happen Thursday night, it will look something like this: Pitt 27, Utah 17.