University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Phil Steele Picks Pitt to Win Big East
6/23/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
June 23, 2011
PITTSBURGH--College football expert Phil Steele likes the Pitt Panthers to capture this year's Big East championship and advance to a BCS bowl in Coach Todd Graham's inaugural season.
In his annual preview magazine Steele writes, "Pitt has my No. 1 rated defense in the league and Graham will get the most out of an offense that has talent."
Steele actually predicts a tie atop the Big East standings between the Panthers and USF Bulls. He says, however, the Panthers will win the league's tiebreaker and advance to the Orange Bowl.
Pitt and USF will square off in a huge ESPN Thursday night encounter on Sept. 29 at Heinz Field. The Panthers have won the last three meetings against the Bulls.
Steele also named two Panthers to his All-America Team. Senior offensive lineman Chris Jacobson (Pittsburgh, Pa./Keystone Oaks) is a third-team selection, while senior defensive end Brandon Lindsey (Aliquippa, Pa./Aliquippa) was named to the fourth team.
Steele is very high on the Panthers' new head coach. "(Pitt's) offense will be much more potent in Graham's system," he said.
In 2010, Steele predicted Tulsa would be the most improved team in the country under Graham. The Golden Hurricane responded by going 10-3, including a victory at Notre Dame and bowl win over nationally ranked Hawaii, to finish No. 24 in the final Associated Press poll.
--PITT--
