University Of Pittsburgh Preview
By Chris Peak

Donny Iris played the Rib Fest and there wasn't as much excitement as one can find in the South Side these days.

Fresh off an 8-win season that culminated with an appearance (albeit a forgettable one) in the Fiesta Bowl, Pitt enters the first year of the Dave Wannstedt era. Not only does Wannstedt bring the much desired local connection as a Baldwin High graduate and a "Pitt Guy," he also has captivated the interest of fans with his stated intentions of run-based offense and pressure defense. If Wannstedt has become the face of the program, there is no doubt that the identity of the team is manifested in quarterback Tyler Palko. The redshirt junior had a rough beginning to his first season as a starter in 2004, completing just 6 of 19 passes for 49 yards in the opener against Ohio, and then tossing three painful picks in a close loss to Nebraska. He threw just three interceptions over the remaining 10 games, however.

Palko became a national name over the final five contests of the regular season, a span that saw him average 320 yards per game while completing 60% of his passes and connecting for 16 touchdowns. Palko's second-half surge and gritty determination will need to continue for Pitt to compete for another BCS bowl trip.

There is a question mark behind Palko, though, as backup Joe Flacco transferred over the summer. As a result, a true freshman - either Bill Stull or Shane Murray - will be number two on the depth chart at QB. Junior Greg Lee is a legitimate playmaker at receiver.

The Pitt defense, which was last seen being severely abused by Utah, should display a different approach under Wannstedt's philosophy. Preaching a mantra of "speed over size," the new coach began making changes in spring practice. Linebacker H.B. Blades moves from the Sam position to the middle, and lineman Thomas Smith moves from end to tackle in an attempt to create more pressure from a smaller but quicker rush end.

In the end, though, Wannstedt will be known for what the team accomplishes on the field. Big East newcomer Louisville is favored to win the conference and the Panthers play the Cardinals on the road. If Pitt makes it back to a BCS bowl, it will be difficult to argue that they "backed" into it, as was the claim in 2004.

Panthers Season Keys

Key Big East game:
at Louisville, Nov. 3
Writers and fans are already (prematurely?) calling this the "unofficial Big East championship game" entering the season. The Cards will be a tough, late-season road game for Pitt.

Key out-of-conference game:
Notre Dame, Sept. 3
With more story-lines than "All My Children," the season opener will be a statement game for one of these two teams Ð and one of the coaches.

Key Newcomer:
RB Rashad Jennings
A strong runner with never-ending feet, the Virginia native shed extra pounds, sculpted his frame and had an impressive spring that puts him in contention for the starting spot at running back.

Player on the hotseat:
DT Thomas Smith
Moved from end to tackle, Smith is the lone returning starter on the line. A strong rush up front will allow the back seven to make more plays.

Offensive gamebreaker:
QB Tyler Palko
His 2004 heroics are well-documented; if he can continue that success Palko should put the Panthers in position to win very often. Nothing less than a championship is his goal.

Defensive gamebreaker:
MLB H.B. Blades
Fourth in the Big East in tackles as a sophomore last season, Blades has all the makings of a big-time playmaker.