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We are just a little over 54 hours away from Thursday night's No. 15 Pittsburgh vs. No. 24 Utah match-up in Rice-Eccles Stadium. College football is back.
How will the Utes stack up against Pitt? Let's take a closer look as we scout the opposition.
Offense
With Pittsburgh breaking in a new quarterback, expect them to utilize tailback Dion Lewis in every way imaginable. The sophomore running back, who some are saying is a Heisman Trophy candidate, rushed for 1,799 yards last season, averaging 5.5 yards per carry. He broke numerous school and Big East freshman rushing records, setting the stage for what could be another monstrous season.
Rice-Eccles Stadium (45,017/FieldTurf)
Salt Lake City
Television: VERSUS
Radio: ESPN700, Westwood One
Internet: www.espn700sports.com
The Panthers use a pro-style offense, one that the Utes don't see very often in the Mountain West Conference. Expect Pitt to line up, nose-to-nose, and play smash-mouth football.
Quarterback Tino Sunseri will be making his first career start Thursday night. Last season, Sunseri played in five games as the chief backup at quarterback, completing 10 of 17 for 114 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
Another question mark for the Panthers is how well three new starters on the offensive line will do. Can they provide protection for Sunseri and running lanes for Lewis?
Defense
Defensively, Pitt is lead by Defensive ends ends Jabaal Sheard and Greg Romeus. Romeus, the 2009 Big East Co-Defensive Player of the Year, had 43 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks. He also had an interception, a fumble recovery, three forced fumbles and a blocked PAT.
All-conference strong safety Dom DeCicco was second on the team with 88 tackles last season, adding three interceptions. If Romeus and Sheard are able to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks, DeCicco could have another big year.
Odds and Ends
- This will be the first time Pitt has started the season on the road since 1993
- Pitt is 20-7 over its last 27 games, the Panthers' winningest stretch since the 2001-03 seasons when they went 21-6
- The Panthers have played in the state of Utah once before, and that game also was a season opener...Pitt opened the '87 season at BYU and won, 27-17, over the host Cougars on Sept. 2, 1987.
