Pittsburgh Panthers
2001 record: 7-5 (4-3)
Coach: Walt Harris (6th season, 27-31)
Starters returning: 8 offense, 8 defense, 1 kicker.

Outlook: It seems like only a matter of time before Pittsburgh becomes a top program again. Afterall, the Panthers have a state-of-the-art practice facility, a beautiful stadium and are regularly beating Penn State for top in-state high school talent.

Many foresaw 2001 as the year the Panthers broke out, but it didn't happen. Instead, Pittsburgh lost five of its first six games before rectifying the season by winning its final six in a row. That's the second-longest active win streak in the nation.

	Around The Big East
	Boston College Eagles
	Miami Hurricanes
	Pittsburgh Panthers
	Rutgers Scarlet Knights
	Syracuse Orangemen
	Temple Owls
	Virginia Tech Hokies
	West Virginia Mountaineers

The key to continuing that momentum is junior quarterback Rod Rutherford, who struggled as a backup to starter David Priestley last season. Sophomore Pat Hoderny and freshman Tyler Palko, Pennslyvania's No. 1-rated high school prospect, could push Rutherford for the starting job.

The running game is in good hands with sophomore Raymond Kirkley (645 yards) and the return of the entire starting offensive line, but replacements must be found at receiver for Antonio Bryant and R.J. English.

The defense has a chance to be good, although the secondary looms as a question mark. Middle linebacker Gerald Hayes is one of the conference's best defenders.

Key game: If the Panthers beat Texas A&M at home on Sept. 7, they coould get off to a 5-0 start. That will be important in light of the second-half schedule, which includes road games at Syracuse, Notre Dame, Virginia Tech and Miami.

Keep an eye on: Brandon Miree. The junior transfer was supposed to be the next Shaun Alexander when he signed with Alabama, but it didn't work out that way. After sitting out last season, Miree will be eligible in 2002 and will likely see considerable action behind Kirkley. Miree showed flashes of his potential as a freshman with the Crimson Tide, rushing 94 times for 426 yards.

It's a good year if...: Pittsburgh is the Big East runner-up. Second place may not seem like much to shoot for, but it's a position Pittsburgh has never held during the 11-year history of the conference. Last year's third-place finish was the Panthers' best since the Big East's inaugural season in 1991.

Jorge Milian covers the Big East for the Palm Beach Post.