Pitt Football: Everything You Need to Know About Week 1 Opponent Buffalo

It's now under one week until the Panthers usher in the Todd Graham era of Pitt football. While many expect the Panthers to roll over their week one foe Buffalo, many fans know the Bulls by name only.

But who exactly are these guys, and what are the Panthers really in for on Saturday?

Luckily, I have your guide to the Buffalo Bulls.

Vitals

Nickname: Bulls

Stadium: UB Stadium

Capacity: 31,000

Location: Amherst, NY

Conference/Division: MAC/East

All-Time Record: 360-478-28

Bowl Record: 0-1

Conference Titles: 1 (2008)

First Season: 1894

Colors: Blue and white

History

The Bulls began playing football in 1894—a stretch that lasted until 1970.

From 1915-1930, they were known as the Buffalo Bisons, before eventually becoming the Bulls in 1930. They had their greatest success during the 1946 and 1947 seasons, posting a combined 15-3 record, but weren't selected for a bowl game in either season.

The program lasted until 1970 when a student-body vote elected to stop funding the program.

After competing as a Division III and Division I-AA program for nearly three decades, Buffalo returned to the likes of Division I football in 1999 as a member of the MAC—an FBS conference.

Buffalo went 10-69 during their first seven season's in the MAC before hiring former Nebraska quarterback Turner Gil as head coach in 2005.

The program experienced their greatest success under Gill, including winning the MAC in 2008 and playing in the only bowl game in school history—a 38-20 loss to Connecticut in the International Bowl.

Gill eventually left after the 2009 season to take the head coaching job at Kansas.

Jeff Quinn

Quinn took over the program in 2010 after Gill left for Kansas. Quinn coached Cincinnati in the 2010 Sugar Bowl after then Bearcats head coach Brian Kelly left to become the head coach at Notre Dame.

In his first season on the job, Quinn finished 2-10.

Noteable Alumni

The following recent Buffalo Bulls have played in the NFL:

James Starks—RB Green Bay Packers, 2010-present

Trevor Scott—DE Oakland Raiders, 2008-present

Jamey Richard—OL Indianapolis Colts, 2008-present

Naaman Roosevelt—WR Buffalo Bills, 2010-present

Josh Thomas—CB Dallas Cowboys, 2011

Drew Haddad—WR Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts, 2002-04

Current Team

Alex Wood comes to Buffalo from Miami (OH) to take over as offensive coordinator. He takes over a team that averaged only 14.2 PPG a season ago. 2010 was the worst offensive production from a Buffalo team since 2005, as they were held under 10 points in five of their 12 games.

The strength of the Bulls offense is a trio of talented wide receivers. Marcus Rivers led the team a season ago with 50 receptions. He's joined by Terrell Jackson, who is a solid possession receiver, and Alex Nuetz, who averaged 15.9 yards per catch in his first season.

As talented as the receivers are, the quarterbacks are very inconsistent.

Jerry Davis began the season as the starter in 2010, but was very erratic. He completed less than 50 percent of his passes and threw more interceptions (16) than touchdowns (15). Alex Zordich got a look midway through the season, but he wasn't much better.

Brandon Oliver may be the Bulls' best option at running back, but he averaged only 2.9 yards per carry last season.

Defensively, the Bulls allowed 27.8 PPG in 2010, mostly due to a shaky defensive backfield.

Things could be worse in 2011, as the Bulls return only three starters on the defensive side of the ball from a season ago.

If there is a strength to the current Bulls team, it could be in the return game, where Jackson led the MAC a season ago, averaging 16.7 yards per punt return.

What to Expect

Betting line (as of 8-27-11): Pitt -29.5

For a new coach implementing two new schemes, Buffalo appears to be the perfect opponent for Graham's first game as Panthers head coach.

Pitt will likely have some bumps in the road on September 3rd, but they are the more talented team across the board.

Before you get excited about a Panthers blowout victory, remember Bowling Green in 2008. The Falcons were another opening MAC opponent that Pitt should have beaten, but didn't.

Having said that, this is much better for this team than opening the season in Utah.

This is a game Pitt should win big, but covering the big point spread isn't a lock

My prediction: Pitt 38, Buffalo 13