Pittsburgh Panthers Football: 10 Men Who Will Determine Pitt's BCS Aspirations

For the Pittsburgh Panthers, things have been good from the day Todd Graham was introduced as head coach. While he's said all the right things and generated real excitement about the Pitt program, the reality of the situation is that it's Big East title or bust for the Panthers.

That's actually a good thing. Pitt should be a program that is winning the conference or at least in contention to do so almost every season.

For that to happen, several guys have to step up and perform. The Panthers lost a lot of talent last season, and several contributors need to be replaced.

Here are 10 guys that need to step it up for Pitt to head to a BCS game.

10. Kevin Harper, K

The kicking game is as important for the Panthers as it is for any team. Like him or not, Dan Hutchins was a pretty solid kicker, and replacing him won't be easy.

Harper has improved so far during camp and needs to be consistent in 2011, not just with field goals but kickoffs, as well.

A team like Pitt can't consistently leave points out on the field.

9. Hubie Graham, H-Back

In essence, Graham will be replacing the popular Henry Hynoski, which won't be easy. While Todd Graham's system uses an H-back primarily instead of a traditional fullback, Graham will be performing many duties a fullback would.

Hynoski did a lot for Pitt when it came to blocking and catching the ball out of the backfield. Graham needs to become just as productive.

If he does, the Pitt ground game could have a good year, and Graham could be a weapon catching the ball on third down.

8. Jarred Holley, Safety

Holley has progressed into a pretty nice guy to have in the defensive backfield, finishing as an All-Big East third-team member in 2010.

He starts the 2011 season as a preseason All-Big East first-team member and needs to perform like one.

Pitt needs a leader in the secondary, and Holley could be that guy. He's gotten better each of the last two season's.

If that trend continues, he should put together a solid season.

7. K'Waun Williams, CB

Speaking of the secondary, the cornerbacks will have a ton of pressure on them. Graham's defensive scheme calls for aggressiveness, especially from the corners.

With the Pitt secondary a big question mark, someone needs to step up and become a shutdown corner.

That guy is likely Williams. Graham has praised the work Williams has done so far in camp, and if that transitions to the field on game days, it will be a huge plus for the Panthers.

6. Cameron Sadler, WR

Todd Graham's system should be one in which playmakers thrive. The challenge is finding out exactly who those playmakers are going to be.

Someone needs to replace first-round pick Jon Baldwin on the outside, and that guy could likely be Sadler.

Sadler's stock is rising after being less than an afterthought in the Pitt passing game the past two season's. He should improved upon his 10 career receptions a ton this season.

The Pitt system focuses on speed, something Sadler brings to the table. He's one guy that can have a huge 2011 season.

5. Myles Caragein, DT

The Panthers have lost a ton of talent on the defensive line as both Greg Romeus and Jabaal Sheard were selected in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Replacing a pair of former Big East defensive players of the year won't be easy. Neither will switching to a 3-4 scheme on defense.

The senior Caragein may be most affected by the switch in schemes as he will consistently be double-teamed, but the Panthers need a leader on defense, and Caragein has assumed the role.

Pitt will be looking for another solid season from their defensive line and Caragein in particular.

4. Mike Shanahan, WR

Be careful to assume that Todd Graham's offense is a spread; it's not. Graham will run the ball 65-70 percent of the time.

Having said that, when the Panthers throw the ball, a go-to guy needs to emerge. The likely candidate is Shanahan, who enters his junior season as the most experienced pass catcher on the Panthers roster.

Shanahan keeps getting better year-to-year, and this should be a big season for him.

Quarterback Tino Sunseri seems have a good feel for Shanahan on the field. It will be big for the Panthers if Shanahan becomes a legitimate No. 1 receiver.

3. Ray Graham, RB

Everyone, including me, expects Graham to have a big season, and he will be given every opportunity to do so.

Graham is a member of the preseason All-Big East first team and had great success in two seasons as the backup to Dion Lewis.

Now that he's stepped out of the shadow, he needs to meet or even exceed expectations.

If he doesn't and the Panthers struggle on the ground, it could be a very long season.

2. Brandon Lindsey, LB

Lindsey, another preseason first-team All-Big East member, emerged last season after the injury to Romeus and had an outstanding season.

That type of production will be needed again from the senior.

In Graham's defense Lindsey switches to a hybrid position which basically allows him to do different things.

One thing is for sure, and that's his job will be to get after the opposing quarterback in pass-rushing situations.

Another double-digit sack season from Lindsey is almost a necessity.

1. Tino Sunseri, QB

If the pressure to up his game is on one man the most, it's on Sunseri. The Panthers quarterback didn't have a bad year in his first go-around as a starter, but it could have been better.

Much of the blame that was thrown his way wasn't all together his fault.

There were many issues to Pitt offense a season ago. The offensive line didn't have a very good year. They couldn't run the ball effectively.

None of that should be on Sunseri's shoulders, but he's the quarterback, so that comes with the territory.

Playing in two entirely different systems in two years isn't an easy chore, but Sunseri needs to be up for the challenge.

Sunseri needs to know all the ins and outs of Graham's system and become the undoubted leader of the Panthers offense.

He needs to become the guy that wants the ball in his hands with the game on the line, and he needs to make plays in those situations.

It's asking a lot, but if Pitt is going to win the Big East and play in a BCS game, Sunseri must take a big step forward.