It's almost Fourth of July weekend, but I'm looking ahead to the week before Labor Day. Let's continue the sneak peeks of Big East Week 1 opponents, turning now to Pittsburgh.
Opponent: Utah
Coach: Kyle Whittingham (sixth year, 48-17)
2009 record: 10-3 (6-2 Mountain West Conference)
Returning starters: 12 (8 offense/ 4 defense)
About the Utes: Utah won 10 games last season, and it seemed like a down year because of the high standards the program has set in recent years. The future Pac-10 members have been arguably the top non-BCS program of the past decade, winning a pair of BCS bowls, including the 2004 Fiesta Bowl blowout of Pitt.
The Utes should be strong again in 2010, though they have some work to do in replacing several linebackers and safeties. Leading rusher Eddie Wide returns, along with oft-injured Matt Asiata. Three of the team's top four receivers are gone, including 1,000-yard man David Reed. Quarterback Jordan Wynn made his college debut eight games into the season and went on to become the Poinsettia Bowl MVP.
Utah also brings back four starters on the offensive line and boasts depth on the defensive front. Whittingham's team figures to make a lot of preseason Top 25 ballots.
Random factoid: Utah is 7-0 all-time against current members of the Big East.
My totally unscientific percentage chance that Pittsburgh wins this game: 40 percent. There's no doubt that Pitt has the toughest opener of any Big East team. The Utes are not only talented, but they rarely lose at home. And the Panthers will be breaking in a new starting quarterback. Pittsburgh has enough talent to beat anyone on its schedule, but this will be as difficult of a test as it faces all year.
Opponent: Utah
Coach: Kyle Whittingham (sixth year, 48-17)
2009 record: 10-3 (6-2 Mountain West Conference)
Returning starters: 12 (8 offense/ 4 defense)
About the Utes: Utah won 10 games last season, and it seemed like a down year because of the high standards the program has set in recent years. The future Pac-10 members have been arguably the top non-BCS program of the past decade, winning a pair of BCS bowls, including the 2004 Fiesta Bowl blowout of Pitt.
The Utes should be strong again in 2010, though they have some work to do in replacing several linebackers and safeties. Leading rusher Eddie Wide returns, along with oft-injured Matt Asiata. Three of the team's top four receivers are gone, including 1,000-yard man David Reed. Quarterback Jordan Wynn made his college debut eight games into the season and went on to become the Poinsettia Bowl MVP.
Utah also brings back four starters on the offensive line and boasts depth on the defensive front. Whittingham's team figures to make a lot of preseason Top 25 ballots.
Random factoid: Utah is 7-0 all-time against current members of the Big East.
My totally unscientific percentage chance that Pittsburgh wins this game: 40 percent. There's no doubt that Pitt has the toughest opener of any Big East team. The Utes are not only talented, but they rarely lose at home. And the Panthers will be breaking in a new starting quarterback. Pittsburgh has enough talent to beat anyone on its schedule, but this will be as difficult of a test as it faces all year.
Brian Bennett | email
College Football- ESPN.com Big Ten blogger
- Joined ESPN.com in 2008
- Wrote for The Courier-Journal
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Andrea Adelson
Adelson joined ESPN.com in 2010 after spending time as a college football columnist at The Orlando Sentinel. She has covered college football since her days as a University of Florida student, and lives in Orlando, Fla.
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