Pittsburgh Panthers

The Pitt Panthers football team is now in the Todd Graham era with head coach Dave Wannstedt moving on. Pitt returns to the gridiron in 2011 having lost five NFL draft picks and significant pieces on both sides of the ball including first-round wide receiver Jon Baldwin, running back Dion Lewis, offensive lineman Jason Pinkston, and defensive ends Jabaal Sheard and Greg Romeus. Still, there's enough talent to go around and the Panthers should again be in the hunt to win the weak Big East conference. The conference is not a strong one, but Pitt will play one of the most challenging non-conference schedules in the country facing Notre Dame, Utah, and Iowa.

Tino Sunseri will be under center for Pittsburgh in Graham's high-octane offense. After taking over the reins for the team in 2010, Sunseri is learning a new offense and will look to improve that unit this season. He should get plenty of help from running back Ray Graham, who will be a 1,000-yard candidate and potential All-Big East performer. Sunseri will also have wide receivers Mike Shanahan and deep threat Devin Street to help with the Panthers' passing attack.

On defense, Brandon Lindsey returns and could be a candidate for Big East Defensive Player of the Year after totaling 51 tackles and ten sacks in 2010. The secondary will again be tested as they were last season and are without last season's leader, safety Dom DeCicco, now in the NFL.

Pitt's special teams could also be in for a transition. Kicker/punter Dan Hutchins is no longer around and the Panthers will rely on the leg of Kevin Harper for kicking duties. Heading into fall camp, the punter has not yet been decided and return duties should be handled by cornerback Buddy Jackson and wide receiver Cam Saddler.

Todd Graham's goal this season has to start with a Big East championship. Pittsburgh dismissed Wannstedt because his teams, while steady, were unspectacular. Despite playing in the Big East, Wannstedt failed to lead the Panthers to a BCS game and Graham is expected to do just that - if not more.