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8/7/2007 3:30 AM

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By Mike Kovak, Staff writer

mkovak@observer-reporter.com

Pitt begins its third training camp under head coach Dave Wannstedt today. The first two years yielded an 11-12 record and no bowl games. To reverse the trend, Wannstedt must find answers to the following:

1. Who will throw the football?

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Junior Bill Stull enters camp as the starter and the job is his to lose. Stull's 20 career attempts are 20 more than redshirt freshman Kevan Smith and incoming freshman Pat Bostick have combined. Offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh said the offense will be simplified some in order to make it more "quarterback friendly." The competition is wide open.

2. Who starts at outside linebacker?

Pitt lost all three starters at linebacker, including All-American H.B. Blades. Junior Scott McKillop is poised to replace Blades but no clear-cut candidates have emerged on the outside. Redshirt freshman Nate Nix could start on the strong side. Meanwhile, converted offensive players Shane Murray and Dorin Dickerson are pegged as possible weak-side backers. Given Pitt's struggles in stopping the run, solidfying the positions is essential.

3. Can anyone block?

Quarterback Tyler Palko was sacked 22 times last year, 18 of those in Pitt's final five games. The offensive line struggled with injuries and run blocking but four starters return, including intriguing prospect Jeff Otah, a 6-6, 340-pound left tackle playing just his fifth year of organized footballl. Mike McGlynn, a three-year starter, returns from injury and will start somewhere. The Panthers must find ways to become more physical up front.

4. Are there enough able bodies in the secondary?

The good news is junior free safety Eric Thatcher is back. Pitt's defense declined drastically without Thatcher in the lineup. The bad news is Elijah Fields, a potential starter at strong safety, has been suspended for the year. There is little depth at safety and the same can be said for the cornerbacks. Injuries could prove costly.

5. Will this team be faster?

When Pitt plays Big East Conference heavyweights West Virginia and Louisville, the Panthers' lack of speed is apparent. Wannstedt continues to recruit faster athletes than previous head coach Walt Harris did. Judging from what the rest of the Big East Conference thinks - Pitt was picked to finish sixth out of eight teams - Wannstedt needs a few more recruiting classes like the one he secured for this year to catch up.

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