Pittsburgh Panthers
2010 Record: 8-5
2010 Bowl Result: won BBVA Compass Bowl against Kentucky 27-10
2010 Against the Spread: 7-4-2
2010 over/under: 7-6
Returning Starters: 14 (6 offense, 8 defense)

Throughout August we are releasing pre-season previews for all the major college teams.  Our College Football Handicappers are doing plenty of research to make sure we release  winners every week during the upcoming season.

Last season, despite an 8 win season coach Dave Wannstedt was fired. The administration felt the program couldn’t advance any more under Wannstedt. They hired Mike Haywood from Miami-OH. However, he was arrested for domestic violence after being hired and the university had to let him go. They then hired Todd Graham from Tulsa. Graham had success at Tulsa with three 10 win seasons, and a 28-27 upset at Notre Dame  last season.

Here is a look at Pitt’s offense, defense, special teams, and schedule.

Offense

The offense struggled last season averaging only 367.1 yards a game, including 200.1 passing yards and 167 rushing yards a game. They scored 26.3 points a game. The Panthers ranked no higher than 46th in any of those categories. Graham will install a new up-tempo, no huddle offense but it will take some time to get the right personnel, and for the current players to adapt.  Graham refuses to call his offense the spread, and Graham loves balance between rushing and passing.

Junior Tino Sunseri returns but he was recruited to run a pro style offense not Graham’s offense. Sunseri will have to adjust quickly by being accurate and mobile. Last season Sunseri showed some growing pains in his debut completing 64.5 percent of his passes, 2,572 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. Sunseri had 53 carries for 108 yards and 2 touchdowns last year. If Sunseri can’t learn the new system fast enough, redshirt freshmen Anthony Gonzalez and/or Mark Myers could step in and give it a try.

The backfield loses tailback Dion Lewis and fullback Henry Hynoski who both left early for the NFL draft. Graham’s offense doesn’t use a fullback, so Hynoski probably wouldn’t have been used much anyway. Lewis was the leading rusher last year. Junior Ray Graham will be the primary back-up last year but he had 148 carries, 922 yards, and 8 touchdowns. He also had 24 catches and 2 touchdowns last year. Junior Desmond Brown is a former walk-on but he will get a lot of carries as the second running back. The Panthers are pretty thin at running backs  People think that because Graham runs a wide open offense that his teams don’t run the ball. That is not really true as Tulsa finished 15th in rushing in the country last year.

The Panthers will employ a 3 wide receiver set this season. They will be without leading receiver Jonathan Baldwin who left early for the NFL and is now with the Chiefs. Sophomore Devin Street will be the main receiver after he had 25 carries, 318 yards, and 2 touchdowns last season. Mike Shanahan will be the possession receiver and is almost like a tight end. He had 43 catches, 489 yards, and one touchdown last year. Junior Cameron Saddler and redshirt freshman Salath Williams will compete for the third wide receiver position. Sophomore Brock DiCicco will be the tight end after Mike Cruz left the team after being suspended. Junior Hubie Graham transferred to Pitt from Illinois and will be the H-Back.

The offensive line loses two starters including left tackle Jason Pinkston, now with the Browns, and center Alex Karabin. The big issue will be conditioning. With the new no-huddle offense, they might have double the amount of snaps they are used to under the old system. Ne left tackle Jordan Gibbs is already attracting the attention of pro scouts. Senior Chris Jacobsen moves from left guard to center to replace Karabin.

Defense

The defense returns 8 starters from a unit that finished in the top ten in yards allowed and in the top 15 in points allowed. Pitt gave up only 305.5 yards a game last season, including 185.1 passing yards and 120.4 rushing yards. The Panthers allowed on 19 points a game.

Pittsburgh’s 3 man front will look to attack, force turnovers and put pressure on the quarterback on almost every play. Senior DE Brandon Lindsay will be the best player on the line and has pro scouts drooling. The linebackers are led by senior Max Gruder. The secondary must replace two starters but will be led by junior FS Jarred Holley.

Special Teams

Dan Hutchins graduated after handling both kicking and punting duties last year. Junior Kevin Harper handled kickoffs last year for the Panthers but he becomes the full time kicker this year. Leg strength isn’t an issue but he does need to be more accurate and consistent.

Sophomore Matt Yoklic and redshirt freshman Drake Greer are competing for the punting job. Reports say Yoklic has the edge right now.

Buddy Jackson will handle kick returns and Cameron Saddler will return punts after averaging more than 10 yards a return last year.

Schedule

The good news is the schedule allows Pitt a couple of games to get their feet wet and adjust to the new system with home games against Buffalo and Maine. The schedule then gets tough with a trip to Iowa before  home games versus Notre Dame and South Florida. The Panthers then travel to Rutgers before a three game home stand versus Utah, Connecticut and Cincinnati. Pitt then travels to  Louisville and West Virginia before closing the season at home versus Syracuse. The Big East is wide open this year but with Pitt adjusting to the new offense, I don’t see them winning more than 8 games.

Betting Trends

Pitt was 7-4-2 against the spread last season including 4-3 at home and 3-1-2 on the road. The over/under was 7-6 including 4-3 at home and 3-3 on the road.

Game to Play Pittsburgh

October 15, Pitt hosts Utah. Last season in Salt Lake City, Utah won in overtime 27-24. This year the Utes must travel across the country for the rematch. I like Pitt to come out on top in that contest.

Game to bet against Pittsburgh

September 17, Pitt travels to Iowa of the Big Ten. It will be the first real test for Pitt after lay-ups against Buffalo and Maine. I think Iowa wins a close game at home.

Check out our college football odds for the best lines on every game.