Pitt Football: 10 off the Wall Predictions for the Panthers in 2011

Pitt finished the 2010 campaign 8-5 (5-2 Big East). In most BCS Conferences, 8-5 wouldn't be a good enough record to contend let alone be a game out of first. But the Big East is a little different than other conferences.

The Big East is one of the main reasons why Pitt has a chance this season.

These are my 10 off the wall predictions for the Panthers in 2011.

No 10: Offense Will Score 50 Touchdowns

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LOUISVILLE, KY - OCTOBER 02: Ray Graham #34 of the Pittsburgh Panthers runs for a touchdown during the Big East Conference game against the Louisville Cardinals at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on October 2, 2009 in Louisville, Kentucky. Pittsburgh won

Tulsa scored 64 offensive touchdowns last season. They received 32 rushing and 32 passing touchdowns.

Pittsburgh scored 16 passing and 24 rushing touchdowns last season.

Their touchdown ratio should jump up a significant amount with the new offense.

No 9: Pitt Will Win the Backyard Brawl

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12 Sep 1992: Running back Curtis Martin of the Pittsburgh Panthers runs down the field during a game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Pitt Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. West Virginia won the game 44-6.

West Virginia defeated Pitt last season in the Backyard Brawl at Heinz Field. The Mountaineers host the Panthers on November 25th.

Both of these teams have ruined their rival's season in the past few years. The Panthers destroyed national championship hopes for the Mountaineers, and West Virginia destroyed the Panthers hopes for a BCS Bowl.

The Panthers will be fighting for the Big East Championship and will pull through.

No 8: Todd Graham Impresses

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SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 30: Head coach Todd Graham of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane watches as his team takes on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on October 30, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Tulsa defeated Notre Dame 28-27. (Photo by Jonat

He has promised that the offense will use speed. He talks a good game, but can he walk the walk?

This offense will be a breath of fresh air compared to last season. He will come through with his words, and this offense will put on a show.

He was 36-17 as Tulsa Head Coach. His Golden Hurricane won three Conference USA titles in his four seasons on the job.

He has earned this opportunity at a bigger program. He will impress fans, players and maybe most importantly, future players. Kids will want to play for Pitt because their numbers will be inflated with the offense in place.

No 7: Pitt Will Defeat Notre Dame

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SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 13: Kicker Josh Cummings #22 of Pittsburgh celebrates a win over Notre Dame after a game on November 13, 2004 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Cummings kicked the game-winning field goal as Pittsburgh defeated Notre

Pitt hosts the Fighting Irish on September 24th.

Last season, Pitt dropped a tough one at South Bend 23-17.

This will be the first showcase of Todd Graham's offense in a big game in front of the home folks. He will want to put on a show, and I think they will.

No 6: Tino Sunseri Throws 25 Touchdown Passes

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PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 23: Tino Sunseri #12 of the Pittsburgh Panthers drops back to pass against the Miami Hurricanes on September 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Sunseri threw for 2572 yards and 16 touchdowns in his freshman season.

Nine more touchdown passes is what he will need to get to 25. I believe that this number is achievable, depending on his progression.

Confidence will be the key word for Sunseri this season.

Will he have the confidence in the new system? Will he be confident after already going through his ups and downs in his freshman year?

Confidence is the most important thing in life. Whether it is at the office, sports or even looking for the opposite sex, confidence can take you to another level.

No 5: Ray Graham Rushes for 1500 Yards

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PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 23: Ray Graham #1 of the Pittsburgh Panthers evades a tackle by Ramon Buchanan #45 of the Miami Hurricanes on September 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Graham should be able to eclipse his career high in rushing yards this season.

Dion Lewis is now playing for the Philadelphia Eagles, so that leaves the door wide open for Graham.

After LeSean McCoy was selected by the Eagles a couple years ago, Lewis ran for 1799 yards.

He ran for 922 yards on 148 carries in 2010. Graham will get more touches, and it will result in a large increase in his numbers.

No 4: Pitt Scores 30 Points Per Game

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ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 20: Coach Todd Graham of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane watches playagainst the University of Central Florida Knights at Bright House Stadium on October 20, 2007 in Orlando, Florida. UCF won 44 - 23. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Ima

Last year, Pitt averaged around 26 points per game. Todd Graham and his Tulsa squad averaged 41 points per game.

His high paced offense should be interesting to watch all season long.

Hopefully he can implement his system to perfection, and we will see instant results.

Tino Sunseri will be a better, more mature quarterback that will benefit from his freshman campaign.

Ray Graham should be able to rush for a career high this season with the new look offense.

No 3: Pitt Has Undefeated Home Record

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PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 8: Lousaka Polite #32 of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers celebrates with his teammates after he scored the game winning touchdown in the final minute as the Panthers defeated the Virginia Tech Hokies 31-28 during NCAA football

Miami and West Virginia were the only teams to beat Pitt at home last season.

Their home schedule has a few tough ones, but most should be considered winnable.

Home Games

September 3rd - Buffalo

September 10th - Maine

September 24th - Notre Dame

September 29th - South Florida

October 15th - Utah

October 26th - Connecticut

November 5th - Cincinnati

December 3rd - Syracuse

No 2: Pitt Has 10 Win Season

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University of Central Florida offensive linemen set to block against Pitt Oct. 13, 2006 in Orlando. Pitt led at half time 38 - 0. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***

Pitt has 12 games on the season, and only four are on the road. If they can take care of their home field and split their road games, a 10 win season isn't out of the question.

Their offense should be much improved with Todd Graham in the fold. Their defense will tell the story, and we should find out how good they are on September 17th at Iowa.

If they can defeat Iowa and Notre Dame the following week, Pitt will be extremely confident about the rest of their schedule.

No 1: Pitt Wins Big East Conference

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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 04: Tino Sunseri #12 of the Pittsburgh Panthers throws the ball during the Big East Conference game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Nippert Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Pittsburgh won 28-10. (Photo by An

The Big East Conference is one of the worst, if not the worst in all of the BCS conferences.

West Virginia won the conference in 2010 with a 9-4 (5-2 Big East) record.

Some teams are stronger and others are weaker. Pitt has as good of a chance as anybody to win the conference this season.

Pitt only has four road games all season long. Their two toughest road games will be against Iowa and West Virginia.

The offense can only take you so far, their defense must be improved as well if they plan on winning the conference.