>Pre-Season Preview: Pittsburgh Panthers

It’s no secret that Dave Wannstedt wants to run the ball.  It was true when he was in the NFL and it’s true now that he’s in the college ranks.  After LeSean McCoy broke many of Tony Dorsett’s records during his two years in Pittsburgh, the thought was that Pitt fans may have to wait 30 years to see another RB with his kind of talent wearing blue and gold.  Enter Dion Lewis.  As a freshman, Lewis accounted for 1,988 yards and 18 touchdowns, averaging 5.5 ypc.  I would look for more of the same, as Wannstedt has also shown his desire to have a “workhorse” running back rather than a committee, despite having another talented running back in Ray Graham available.

Pitt’s biggest weakness is tough to call.  Not because Pitt is even remotely close to perfect, but because they have so many areas that could be very good but could also blow up in their faces.  The secondary is probably Pitt’s biggest concern, as it consists entirely of new starters and players coming off of injury.  As is the case every summer in Pittsburgh, the offensive line is always a topic of concern.  While both tackles are solid returning starters,  the interior offensive line is replacing all three starters and struggled all spring against Pitt’s talented defensive line.  The guard spots have talent and should be able to grow into the job, but the center position could be a source of consternation all season long with a walk-on and a newly converted DT fighting for the starting job.


Looking at the schedule who will be the first major test?

Opening the season on the road against a sure-to-be top 25 team would be tough under any circumstances, but opening the season on the road against a sure-to-be top 25 team with a new quarterback has to be the worst (CFBZ note: As a Georgia fan I felt that last year against Oklahoma State, not a good feeling).  Coming out of spring, it looks like true sophomore Tino Sunseri will be at 4226 feet above sea-level for his first collegiate start.  Add in the fact that Dave Wannstedt teams have often struggled early (3-2 on opening day in his tenure) and September 2 at Utah is enough to give me nightmares.

Fullback Henry Hynoski is maybe the best at his position in the nation.  More often than not, it’s his block on a linebacker that springs Dion Lewis to make a long run.  He’s not really a guy who gets the ball a lot, but his blocks make him an essential part of what Pitt wants to do on offense.

Who is the best offensive player on the team?

I’ve already went on and on about Lewis, so I’ll go with junior wide receiver Jon Baldwin.  Baldwin might be the best pure pro prospect on the team with a solid 6’5″ frame, top-end speed and great hands (go to YouTube and watch his ND highlights right now.  Dude catches everything.).  This is unquestionably his final season as a Panther and I expect him to be the undisputed number one target, especially with the loss of Dorin Dickerson at tight end.

Who is the most impactful defensive player on the team?

Fifth year senior defensive end Greg Romeus is almost certain to be in contention all season for the Lott Trophy and should benefit from playing in a conference without many elite offensive tackles (the Big East’s best, Rutgers’ Anthony Davis, will be suiting up for the 49ers next season).  Romeus has NFL-caliber size and quickness and hopefully can top a productive 2009, which resulted in 8 sacks and 3 turnovers.  Romeus’ impact will be dependent on Pitt’s new defensive tackles commanding blockers down the middle.  Last season, Romeus shared Big East Defensive Player of the Year with the man lining up next to him, defensive tackle Mick Williams.  If Williams’ replacement can command the same type of respect from offensive lineman, Romeus could see lots of 1-on-1 match-ups.

What player(s) needs to step up this year in order for the team to reach it’s full capability?

It goes without saying that Pitt will need Sunseri to play well in order to post double-digit wins this season.  While Lewis is great, no one will be able to run with 8 or 9 in the box.  Sunseri is a much better athlete than Bill Stull, who played somewhere between good and very good in 2009.  Sunseri also has a pretty strong arm and seems to just have “it” in terms of being able to make plays.  With mediocre quarterback play, this team could probably win 7 games or so – but that’s not the goal anymore.  In order for Pitt to win the Big East, Sunseri will have to play at least as well as Stull did in 2009.

All of the beat writers seemed pretty high on freshman wide receiver Devin Street after the spring.   With Baldwin as the undisputed first option, and junior Mike Shanahan seeming to be the second, Street could compete for the third wide out spot with senior Greg Cross, junior Cam Saddler and incoming freshman Todd Thomas.

Who is the top defensive newcomer that can make an impact this year?

While not technically a “newcomer,” rising sophomore MLB Dan Mason showed flashes filling in at times for Adam Gunn, who has moved on after his sixth year with the team.  Mason made his first start last season against Navy, recording 11 tackles and 2 sacks, while helping Pitt hold Navy’s ground game to 129 yards (Navy averaged 281 per game rushing), and won the Big East Player of the Week Award.  Mason got exposed during the next game, however, when he faced a much more diverse NC State offense and played only on clean-up duty until the Car Care Bowl, where he started at the MIKE and grabbed a crucial red-zone interception.

If I need to pick a TRUE newcomer, I would go with JUCO cornerback Saheed Imoru, who had a good spring.  Both of last season’s starting corners graduated, so Imoru should be, at worst, Pitt’s nickle corner.