Many assuming Pitt QB Browne will pick up where QB Peterman left off. Still New OC, TE, and some OL, but Pitt has the Weapons to do it in Weah, Ashton, Henderson, Ollison, Ffrench. Moss, Mathews, and perhaps Davis, Ford, and Smith. On Defense, still unknown but if the same Reed Kohberger points out, DC Conklin might have to go. I like UTenn Bob Shoops as an replacement since he knows Coach Franklin better than anyone. If UTenn Jones is gone after this year. My big concern is Pitt should be improved in 2017 in Coach Pat & Staff 3rd year. However, one must consider so will be Penn State, Oklahoma State, Duke, Georgia Tech, Syracuse, Virginia, and NCS. All with their QBs back. While UNC, VT, and Miami will be better by the 10th, 11th, and 122th games too with new QBs too just like Pitt. Some feel Coach Pat & Staff have over achieved in 2015-16 and other feels Coach Pat Staff are just making better the Pitt Teams. This is the biggest test since the surprises of 2015 turned into bigger surprises in 2016 and we shall see once and for all if there is more surprises to come in 2017? The Illinois New Gazette Projects it. I see Toss-Ups in every Game but Rice right now! Hope Chris Peak, Reed and the Premium Posters and informed Free Board Posters report on the Watson-Browne progress and expectations has seen in the Big Browne-Watson Guns of Summer Camp in August!
Excerpt:
Why No. 26: It starts with the schedule. Yes, the Panthers will be underdogs when they travel to Penn State the second week of the season. And the Nittany Lions will be looking for revenge after last year's loss to their rival. But Pitt gets a huge break in the ACC. National title contenders Florida State and Clemson aren't on the schedule. The Panthers have road games against Georgia Tech, Syracuse and Virginia Tech. They host NC State, North Carolina and Miami. Pitt opens against Youngstown State, last year's FCS runner-up. It also hosts Oklahoma State and Rice. The Cowboys figure to be the toughest test. Pitt has done well in recent years with transfer quarterbacks. Nathan Peterman was solid after moving from Tennessee. This year, Southern Cal transfer Max Browne, who lost the Trojans job to Sam Darnold, takes over Narduzzi's offense. Running back James Conner moved on to the NFL, but Qadree Ollison ran for 1,100 yards in 2015 and is a capable replacement. Jester Weah is the top returning receiver. Browne will work behind an offensive line with three starters back. Narduzzi built his reputation running Michigan State's defense. He must replace seven starters. He will count on safety Jordan Whitehead, the former ACC rookie of the year, who missed time in 2016 because of injuries.
Last year's ranking: No. 35
LINK:
http://www.news-gazette.com/sports/...07-05/top-50-teams-2017-no-26-pittsburgh.html
Excerpt:
Why No. 26: It starts with the schedule. Yes, the Panthers will be underdogs when they travel to Penn State the second week of the season. And the Nittany Lions will be looking for revenge after last year's loss to their rival. But Pitt gets a huge break in the ACC. National title contenders Florida State and Clemson aren't on the schedule. The Panthers have road games against Georgia Tech, Syracuse and Virginia Tech. They host NC State, North Carolina and Miami. Pitt opens against Youngstown State, last year's FCS runner-up. It also hosts Oklahoma State and Rice. The Cowboys figure to be the toughest test. Pitt has done well in recent years with transfer quarterbacks. Nathan Peterman was solid after moving from Tennessee. This year, Southern Cal transfer Max Browne, who lost the Trojans job to Sam Darnold, takes over Narduzzi's offense. Running back James Conner moved on to the NFL, but Qadree Ollison ran for 1,100 yards in 2015 and is a capable replacement. Jester Weah is the top returning receiver. Browne will work behind an offensive line with three starters back. Narduzzi built his reputation running Michigan State's defense. He must replace seven starters. He will count on safety Jordan Whitehead, the former ACC rookie of the year, who missed time in 2016 because of injuries.
Last year's ranking: No. 35
LINK:
http://www.news-gazette.com/sports/...07-05/top-50-teams-2017-no-26-pittsburgh.html
