2008 OUTLOOK: The truth of the matter is if Pitt has a trustworthy quarterback, be it Bill Stull, who is the frontrunner for the job -- or Pat Bostick or Greg Cross, a junior college star who showed spectacular moves in the spring game -- Pitt could prove to be the power of the Big East.

The one area of concern was -- and still has to be -- the offensive line, which has never reached the level needed under Coach Dave Wannstedt. If he has that problem fixed, and he believes he does, Pitt will be tough to beat.

Skill position players abound with LeSean McCoy back at running back and a number of solid backups and Derek Kinder expected back to lead a deep receiving corps after missing last year due to injury.

And the defense was dominating at times last year and has most everyone back including the nation's leading tackler in Scott McKillop. Add that to some of the nation's top kickers and you have the makings of a team to reckon with.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE
Pitt's offense could finally reach the heights that Wannstedt has been aiming for since returning to his alma mater. It is centered around McCoy, who rushed for 1,348 yards and 14 touchdowns as a freshman, but he will be as good as the offensive line. That has been the weak link under Wannstedt and this year it is young, but there is talent on hand. If they jell, so, too, should the running game. The spring did not provide a clear winner at the quarterback spot in some heated competition but Stull, who was going to be last year's starter until injured in the first game, was the frontrunner going into the spring game. Bostick earned his stripes as a freshman and Cross, one of the nation's top two juco quarterbacks last year, emerged as the most exciting player on the field in the spring game and could challenge if he can learn the offense. Pitt is deep in receivers with the return of injured fifth-year senior Derek Kinder to go with Oderick Turner and improving Maurice Williams, among others.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE
All you have to know about Pitt's defense is how they stopped West Virginia last year in the season's final game to know they could be special. The Panthers revolve around LB Scott McKillop, who led the nation in tackles last year. He was hobbled by an ankle in the spring but played some in the spring game. The defensive line could be dominant behind tackles Mick Williams and Greg Romeus while the secondary figures to be improved with sophomores Dom DeCicco and Elijah Fields at safety.

SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS
The punting and placekicker are in good feet. Dave Brytus is back to punt for a fourth year of punting, the last two at Pitt having transferred from Purdue. He has a career average of 39.7 yards a punt and has not had one of his 181 punts blocked. Conner Lee is considered one of the nation's top placekickers and has hit 83.3 percent of his field goals during his career while hitting 75 consecutive PATs. Adam Berry, who averaged 8.6 yards a return, is back to run back punts while the kickoff return job is up for grabs with RB LaRod Stephens-Howling among the candidates.

ROSTER REPORT

--TE Dorin Dickerson made a smooth transition to tight end, his third position change in three years. He was named the winner of the Ed Conway Award, given to the spring's most improved players, and capped it off with three catches for 35 yards in the spring game.

--John Malecki had lettered at nose tackle the past two seasons but Pitt, desperate for help on the offensive line, decided to experiment with him at offensive guard and he wound up coming out of spring with a starting position.

--Missing spring with injuries were TE Nate Byham, OT Jason Pinkston, FB Conredge Collins, OG C.J. Davis, WR Derek Kinder and DT Gus Mustakas. All are expected to be ready by the time camp opens. Mustakas took a medical redshirt last year after knee surgery.

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