Pitt Panthers Football 2011 Schedule: Game-By-Game Breakdown
With an offseason that featured not one, but two new head coaches, the Pitt Panthers will enter 2011 a different looking team.
The philosophy on offense will be different. Pitt promises not to be a boring team any longer as new head coach Todd Graham promises to play fast.
Graham got a late start to recruiting, but in a matter of weeks, added a decent class, and a lot of speed.
Now let's take a look at what the new look Panthers will be up against in 2011.
Buffalo Bulls (Mid-American)
1 of 12
When: September 3.
Where: Heinz Field (Pittsburgh, PA.)
Opponent's 2010 Record: 2-10
Noteworthy: Last season, with a new quarterback and high expectations, Dave Wannstedt's Panthers traveled to Utah to open up the season. The tough loss to the Utes practically set the tone for a disappointing 2010 season. That won't happen this season as fans will get a look at Graham's new offense in a winable out of conference game.
Maine Black Bears (Colonial)
2 of 12
When: September 10.
Where: Heinz Field
Opponent's 2010 Record: 4-7
Noteworthy: Pitt opens up with back to back home games and should start the season 2-0, possibly building some confidence as they head to the tougher part of their schedule.
Iowa Hawkeyes (Big Ten)
3 of 12
When: September 17.
Where: Iowa City, IA.
Opponent's 2010 Record: 8-5; including 27-24 win over Missouri in the Insight Bowl.
Noteworthy: The teams meet for the fifth time in history, with Pitt winning three of the previous four meetings; including a 21-20 victory in 2008. This will mark the first time though the Panthers have played in Iowa since 1951.
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Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Independent)
4 of 12
When: September 24.
Where: Heinz Field.
Opponent's 2010 Record: 8-5; including 33-17 victory over Miami, FL. in the Sun Bowl.
Noteworthy: Pitt's loss to the Irish last season gives Notre Dame a 46-20-1 edge in the all-time series. This season the game is played in Pittsburgh where Pitt defeated the Irish 27-22 in 2009.
Utah Utes (Pac 10)
5 of 12
When: October 15.
Where: Heinz Field
Opponent's 2010 Record: 10-3; including a 26-3 loss to Boise St. in the MAACO Bowl
Noteworthy: Utah makes the switch to the Pac 10 this season. The Panthers will look to try and keep up with the speed of the Utes, as they failed to do so in the previous two meetings between the teams, a 35-7 loss in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl and last seasons opening 27-24 loss at Rice-Eccels Stadium.
Syracuse Orange (Big East)
6 of 12
When: TBA
Where: Heinz Field
Opponent's 2010 Record: 8-5; including a 36-34 victory over Kansas St. in the Pinstripes Bowl
Noteworthy: Pitt has won the last six meetings against the Orange and eight of the last nine overall. Doug Marrone's Syracuse team is much improved though and could become a threat to win the Big East.
South Florida Bulls (Big East)
7 of 12
When: TBA
Where: Heinz Field
Opponent's 2010 Record: 8-5; including 31-26 victory over Clemson in the Mieneke Bowl.
Noteworthy: Pitt has won five of the eight all-time meetings against South Florida; including the past three matchups. The first season under new coach Skip Holtz was an overall success for the Bulls and could make a huge leap forward in 2011.
Connecticut Huskies (Big East)
8 of 12
When: TBA
Where: Heinz Field
Opponent's 2010 Record: 8-5 (Big East season champion); including a 48-20 loss to Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl.
Noteworthy: The Huskies hold a slim 4-3 advantage in the all-time series, including a 38-20 victory last season that helped cost the panthers a BCS bid.
Louisville Cardinals (Big East)
9 of 12
When: TBA
Where: Louisville, KY.
Opponent's 2010 Record: 7-6; including 31-28 victory over Southern Miss. in the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl.
Noteworthy: Pitt has won eight of the 15 all-time matchups in the series, including the past three meetings between the team, but before that, the Cardinals had won seven straight. Charlie Strong had a very solid recruiting class in his second season on the job, so look for Louisville to get close to the top of the Big East standings sooner rather than later.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights (Big East)
10 of 12
When: TBA
Where: Piscataway, NJ.
Opponent's 2010 Record: 4-8
Noteworthy: After dropping four straight games to the Scarlet Knights, Pitt has found a way to tame the annual thorn in their side by winning the past two games. Rutgers was a huge disappointment a season ago and likely won't be as bad in 2011.
Cincinnati Bearcats (Big East)
11 of 12
When: TBA
Where: Heinz Field
Opponent's 2010 Record: 4-8
Noteworthy: Pitt holds an 8-2 all-time record against the Bearcats, including a 28-10 victory last season that broke a two-game slide against Cincinnati. The first season on the job for Butch Jones was a huge disappointment, but the Bearcats could once again become a tough opponent for the Panthers in 2011.
West Virginia Mountaineers (Big East)
12 of 12
When: TBA
Where: Morgantown, WV.
Opponent's 2010 Record: 9-4; including a 23-7 loss to North Carolina St. in the Champs Sports Bowl
Noteworthy: West Virginia came to Pittsburgh last season and smacked the Panthers around, which was the icing on the cake for a disappointing 2010 season for Pitt. The Mountaineers have won two straight "Backyard Brawls," after Pitt took two before that. It could be worth paying attention to see how the Mountaineers play for Bill Stewart, as he is a lame duck coach in his final 12 games. That formula often doesn't work.
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