Panthers are likely Big East favorite heading into 2010

The 103rd edition of the Backyard Brawl could yet again be a historic chapter in the storied past between Pittsburgh and West Virginia.

Both come into the 2010 season with eyes set on a Big East Conference title and an automatic bid to a coveted BCS bowl game. It's something the Mountaineers haven't had since 2007-08. The last time the Panthers won the Big East and played in a BCS bowl was 2004-05.

This year, Pitt will have redemption on its mind, too. WVU came out on top last year in dramatic fashion as then-freshman kicker Tyler Bitancurt nailed a 43-yard field goal as time expired for the 19-16 victory.

It was Bitancurt's fourth field goal of the game.

WVU then-junior running back Noel Devine ran for 134 yards – 88 of which came on a third quarter touchdown scamper.

Not to be outshined, then-sophomore safety Robert Sands tallied seven tackles, an interception and a game-high three pass breakups.

As for Pitt, both freshman running back Dion Lewis and sophomore receiver Jonathan Baldwin turned in shining performances, but neither were enough to beat the Mountaineers in Morgantown.

Lewis finished the game with 155 yards on the ground, and Baldwin had 127 yards receiving.

Back-to-back losses to WVU and Cincinnati to end the regular season dropped Pitt out of Big East title contention and into the Meineke Car Care Bowl against North Carolina.

The Panthers won 19-17, but the finish was largely considered a disappointment after Pitt's success in its first 10 games of the season.

This year's Backyard Brawl promises to showcase many of the same stars as last year's game, but also some newcomers who will be front and center in deciding who walks away with this year's victory.

For Pitt, they will be welcoming a new quarterback, redshirt sophomore Tino Sunseri, into the starting lineup. He takes over for departed signal caller Bill Stull.

Sunseri was 10-for-17 passing for 114 yards and two touchdowns in five games as the backup last season.

Lewis, the reigning Big East Offensive Player of the Year, will be looked at to repeat his 1,799 rushing yard season.

Also, Baldwin returns after debating on leaving for the NFL.

He will be Sunseri's go-to target through the air.

On defense, the Panthers return stalwart defensive end Greg Romeus and safety Dom DeCicco.

Just two weeks ago though, Pitt's defensive line took a blow, as senior starting defensive end Jabaal Sheard was suspended indefinitely for his involvement in an altercation. Sheard had 42 tackles and five sacks last season.

Even without Sheard, though, the line should be one of the Big East's best.

The Panthers have a tough schedule. In out-of-conference play, WVU faces a road test against Utah and a home game versus a revived Miami team.

Pitt's remaining games include home games against Florida International, Louisville, Rutgers and WVU. Big East road games on the Panthers' schedule include Connecticut, South Florida, Syracuse and Cincinnati.