Week 1: Bowling Green at Pittsburgh

The year of great expectations for the Pittsburgh Panthers begins against a strong Mid-American Conference team in Bowling Green. Pitt shocked the college football world at the end of last season by traveling to Morgantown and, as 28-point underdogs, stunning West Virginia, which simply needed a win to play in the national championship. The star of the game, as well as Pitt’s season, was LeSean McCoy, the unanimous 2007 Big East Rookie of the Year. The Panthers, though, didn’t have enough wins to go to a bowl – partly because their play at quarterback and offensive line. This year, Pitt’s coaches feel that’s improved with a healthy Bill Stull at QB and a slimmed down offensive line, which now averages 294 pounds. Tackle machine Scott McKillop is back at linebacker. Bowling Green, meanwhile, is coming off a season in which it finished in a three-way tie atop the MAC East division. The Falcons return 19 starters and are the preseason favorites in the East. Still, Bowling Green, led by QB Tyler Sheehan, who threw for 3,264 yards last season, is looking to redeem itself after a stunning 63-7 loss to Tulsa in the GMAC Bowl.

Notes:

Pittsburgh’s defense, which stuffed West Virginia’s spread to end the season, will be interesting to watch. Defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads left to join the Auburn staff and Phil Bennett, formerly the head coach at SMU, took over.

Bowling Green tailback Willie Geter moved ahead of Anthony Turner over the off-season. Turner had nine rushing touchdowns and led BG with 519 yards on the ground.

Last year at this time, Pitt had no QBs who had started a college game. This season the Panthers have four: Stull, Pat Bostick, Kevan Smith and junior college transfer Greg Cross.

Bowling Green’s defense will have to improve in a hurry to stop McCoy. Last season, the Falcons were 11th in the MAC in run defense.

Key Player (Falcons) – Diryral Briggs, DE

Briggs has been the off-season standout for Bowling Green. And the Falcons will need all the help they can get after last season’s poor defensive rush effort — especially against McCoy.

Key Player (Panthers) – Bill Stull, QB

Stull won his job back after suffering from a thumb injury. Pitt will need him not only in this game, but throughout the season to take some pressure off McCoy.

Pittsburgh by 27