Pittsburgh 2009 College Football Predictions
Written June 28, 2009 by InfoPlays
Pitt will rely on its defense to compete for the Big East championship, but the Panthers will need to develop a consistent passing game in order to win it and get a BCS berth for the first time in the Wannstedt era. At some point, the offense is going to have to carry its share of the load as the season progresses. According to the NCAA football lines, the Panthers are listed at +250 to win the 2009 Big East Championship as one of the favorites.
Offense: Senior Bill Stull was the starting quarterback last season and junior Pat Bostick was the starter in 2007, so at least the Pittsburgh Panthers have two experienced starting quarterbaacks. The problem is that neither distinguished himself during his time as the starter. More often than not, their biggest contribution to the team was just not making mistakes. Now, with NFL draftee LeSean McCoy gone, whoever is under center will have to start making more plays. There are plenty of important pieces surrounding the QB position. Senior tight ends Dorin Dickerson and Nate Byhma are big-play guys, and wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin is back after averaging a jaw-dropping 22.4 yards/catch with three touchdowns last season.
No running back will be able to replace McCoy’s talents, but freshman Dion Lewis and redshirt freshman Chris Barnes are capable of giving the Panthers a strong running game. The offensive line returns three of five starters, and they have more natural talent across the board than in recent years. It should be the best unit in the Wannstedt era. Left tackle Jason Pinkston and right guard John Malecki are among the best linemen in the conference. The two newcomers, sophomore right tackle Lucas Nix and redshirt sophomore Chris Jacobsen, were two of the highest rated linemen ever signed by Pitt.
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Defense: The defense could be special, led by a defensive line that is one of the best and deepest in the country. The line is anchored by senior Mick Williams, a dominant force in the middle who might be the Panther’ best defensive player. Pitt will put two of the best ends in the Big East on the field in juniors Greg Romeus and Jabaal Sheard. The tandem combined for 13 sacks last season. The linebacking corps took a big hit with the graduation of middle linebacker Scott McKillop. But his loss was eased when Adam Gunn was granted a sixth year of eligibility, and he should be nearly the same caliber of player McKillop was.
Outside linebacker Greg Williams is a rising star after being thrust into a starting job last year when Gunn was injured. The secondary should be improved with three starters returning. Then there’s strong safety Elijah Fields, who will finally have an opportunity to live up to his enormous potential as a full-time starter. Fields is fast enough to play defensive back, and physical enough to play linebacker.
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