CNNSI.com - 2000 College Football Preview - CNNSI.com's Pittsburgh preview

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Pittsburgh Panthers

Anyone got an arm?

College Football: The New Century

'99: 5-6, 2-5 Big East

Coach

Walt Harris (fourth season, 13-21; 24-45 overall)

Key offensive players

Latef Grim, WR, Sr.
A two-time first-team Big East receiver, Grim just needs a quarterback -- either John Turman or David Priestley -- to get the ball near him.

Kevan Barlow, RB, Sr.
Barlow was a second team all-league selection, but the Panthers only rushed for 119.6 yards per game in 1999.

Jeff McCurley, C, Sr.
McCurley, who has played in every game of his college career, must help some of the younger guys along the offensive line.

Key defensive players

Ramon Walker, FS, So.
Walker, a fierce hitter, proved to be Pitt's most decorated freshman since Keith Hamilton, now of the New York Giants.

Ivan Maisel's Player of the Century: Hugh Green, DE, 1977-80
"Second in '80 Heisman, highest finish by a defensive lineman."
Brightest moment: Coach Johnny Majors turned around a 10-loss 1972 team by putting Tony Dorsett, Matt Cavanaugh, Al Romano and Randy Holloway on the field, capped by a 1976 national title.
Lowest Moment: The aforementioned 1-10 team of '72 was the program's ninth consecutive losing squad. The call was then put in to Majors, who was coaching in Ames, Iowa.

Gerald Hayes, LB, So.
Because of a shaky defensive line, Hayes, who was thrown into the proverbial fire last season, must mature.

Key newcomer

Dustin Picciotti, FB, Fr.
Harris loves his top recruit, tagged by the coach as a starter before pads were given out.

Throwback player

Looking for your father's football player? Check out Mark Ponko, a junior strong safety and former walk-on who is all red meat and whole milk.

21st century Player

Tony Dorsett was never 235 pounds, like the fleet and powerful Kevan Barlow.

Fast fact

Since Pitt Stadium has been razed, the Panthers will play at Three Rivers in 2000 before moving to the city's yet-to-be-completed North Shore stadium.

Outlook

Harris has always been committed to the pass (see top of Big East passing stats two of the last three seasons), but he can't seem to land the blue-chip QB. As fall drills open, the coach still is unsure whether he'll go with Priestley, who missed spring practice because of shoulder surgery, or Turman, who started seven games. The ground attack needs work, despite the presence of standout tailback Barlow. Defensively, the linebackers will have to cover for a shaky front, and Walker will have to carry the secondary.

-- Mitch Vingle