Pittsburgh Panthers
Overall Rank: #42
#2 Big East
Pittsburgh Team Page
2010 Record: (8-5, 5-2)
2010 Bowl: BBVA Compass Bowl vs. Kentucky (W 27-10)
Coach: Todd Graham (First year at Pittsburgh, 43-23 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Calvin Magee
Defensive Coordinator: Keith Patterson
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: Ray Graham, RB, 922 yards
Passing: Tino Sunseri, QB, 2,572 yards
Receiving: Mike Shanahan, WR, 589 yards
Tackles: Max Gruder, LB, 84
Sacks: Brandon Lindsey, DE, 10.0
Interceptions: Jarred Holley, S, 5
Other Key Returnees: DT Chas Alecxih, DT Myles Caragein, OT Jordan Gibbs, G Chris Jacobson, G Lucas Nix, CB Antwuan Reed, LB Tristan Roberts, WR Devin Street, LB Greg Williams
Key Losses: WR Jon Baldwin, S Dom DeCicco, CB Ricky Gary, K/P Dan Hutchins, C Alex Karabin, RB Dion Lewis, OT Jason Pinkston, DE Jabaal Sheard
If the goal was to move as far away from former Coach Dave Wannstedt’s football philosophy, Pittsburgh has achieved that goal. Gone are power backs, running through the tackles and pretty much anybody who even resembled a fullback. Coach Todd Graham successfully implemented his quick no-huddle offense at Tulsa and now is moving that style to the Big East.
Strengths:
The offense has some adjusting to do, as does the defense, but it should be the defense that leads the Panthers back to contention for a Big East title. Dom DeCicco, the team’s leading tackler a year ago, and superb pass rusher Jabaal Sheard are gone, but just about everybody else returns from a unit that ranked eighth in the nation in total defense in 2010. Even without Sheard, the line will get plenty of pressure in the backfield with Brandon Lindsey and Chas Alecxih leading the way. Linebackers Greg Williams, Max Gruder and Tristan Roberts are all experienced seniors. Gruder and Williams are superb run stuffers and will help make this one of the best front sevens in all of college football, not just the Big East. The secondary is a little more inexperienced, but Jarred Holley and Antwuan Reed are a nice duo to build around.
Weaknesses:
The offense does lose some big names. Jon Baldwin would have been a great receiver in a different offense. As it was, he still made things much easier for the Pitt passing game. Running back Dion Lewis is also gone. The absence of tackle Jason Pinkston is an issue as well. Quarterback Tino Sunseri may miss some of his weapons, but he will thrive in the new offense. He was quite efficient last season and now will be given the opportunity to really open up his game. With Mike Shanahan and Devin Street running wild down the sidelines, Sunseri should be in for a big year. Tight end Hubie Graham, a transfer from Illinois, should be utilized nicely in this new offense as well. Ray Graham will take over the running back duties after backing up Lewis last season. Graham is a quality back who rushed for 922 yards and eight touchdowns in 2010. Wisconsin transfer Zach Brown is more of a bruising back and he will get some touches, especially around the end zone.
The Bottom Line:
There is plenty of potential in the offense, but this is a drastic change under Coach Graham. It will not be consistently successful overnight. It may not even be consistently successful in the next two years. However, Coach Graham has some nice pieces in place. Sunseri fits into the system and Street is an explosive athlete who could be in for a huge year. Add a couple fine running backs to the mix and there is little reason to believe the offense will not at least have its moments.
Projected Bowl: Belk Bowl
2010 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 165.69 (45th in nation, 3rd in conference)
Passing Offense: 201.23 (73, 3)
Total Offense: 366.92 (72, 4)
Scoring Offense: 26.31 (67, 4)
Rushing Defense: 120.00 (17, 2)
Pass Defense: 185.08 (19, 4)
Total Defense: 305.08 (8, 3)
Scoring Defense: 19.00 (19, 2)
Turnover Margin: .00 (55, 4)
Sacks: 2.62 (17, 3)
Sacks Allowed: 1.77 (52, 3)
