This could be a make-or-break year for coach Dave Wannstedt.

After ending a 5-7 season with a stunning upset of West Virginia and turning that into one of the top recruiting classes in the Big East to go with a host of returning talent, expectations are high on the Pitt campus.

While a number of players sat out spring practice, much was done to solidify the thoughts that this is a contender in the Big East.

For example, quarterback Bill Stull established his throwing thumb was recovered from an injury that forced him to sit out last year as he claimed the frontrunner role, but sophomore Pat Bostick could threaten and junior college recruit Greg Cross showed himself to be an electrifying presence on the field.

The offensive line, a weak point over the last few years, showed improvement, helped by the move of John Malecki from nose tackle to offensive guard.

"The key for us now is to work hard. We're all committed to that," Malecki said after the spring game.

The defense was a force last year and should be better this season. It dominated spring workouts until the spring game, when it was handicapped by rules that eliminated blitzing and stopping receivers at the line of scrimmage.

With star running back LeSean McCoy back to build on his spectacular freshman season that included 1,370 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns, and with the nation's leading tackler Scott McKillop back at linebacker, Pitt expects this to be a huge season.

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