Preseason College Football Top 25 Countdown - #13 Pittsburgh

The college football season is less than three weeks away and as I try to pass the time between watching baseball highlights and Brett Favre speculation, I can't wait for the gridiron action to get started. So, if we can't watch football, we're going to talk football. So let's continue the Preseason College Football Top 25 Countdown.

#13 Pittsburgh Panthers - Pitt got one of the biggest gifts in program history with the emergence of unheralded freshman running back Dion Lewis. The freshman back went from unknown recruit to All-Big East performer and 1,799-yard rusher overnight and almost helped land Pitt a Big East title. With only 12 players coming back from last season the Panthers are going to have areas of concern but with Lewis and top receiver Jon Baldwin (1,111 yards in '09) coming back. The primary position of concern offensively is QB where Pat Bostick, who has started nine career games, will have to step in for steady QB Bill Stull.

Defensively, Pitt flourished under former SMU head coach Phil Bennett (best known for almost punching Mike Leach after a game). Pitt returns six starters from a group that led the country in sacks but must replace Co Big East Defensive Player of the Year Mick Williams. The Panthers will rely on the player who shared the award with Williams, Greg Romeus and fellow end Jabal Sheard.

Pitt plays Utah, Miami and Notre Dame in non conference games but a 2-1 record in those games is well within reason. With a matchup against West Virginia coming at home this year the blue collar Panthers are clearly the favorite for Big East champ.