Coach Wannstedt is saying the right thing about the attendance issue.

When Pitt played host to Michigan State on Saturday, the game drew a disappointing crowd of 47,956 at Heinz Field. Despite being a Big Ten Conference opponent for the Panthers, the early noon start likely was a factor in the smaller-than-expected turnout. But Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt speculated that hearty fan-support boils down to winning.

“You always want as many fans as you can get,” he said, “but we understand the circumstances. We don’t have 50,000 students, but we have a good group of loyal fans. … It’s a process. We’ve got to keep working, we’ve got keep recruiting and we’ve got to keep winning.”

The early start definitely had an effect on turnout. It always does. The bigger concern is the rest of the season. By not even looking competitive for most of the game, Pitt gave fans the excuse not to bother showing up to the next two games. Games against 1-AA and MAC opponents. Not exactly a tempting game to start. The rest of the games should get good attendance.

After that, there are only 3 home games left: Homecoming against Rutgers (Oct 21), the Backyard Brawl on Thursday night (Nov. 16) and Louisville (Nov. 25). All three should be well attended games. Especially if Pitt actually performs well in all the upcoming road games.

HS Junior Averin Collier (Pitt Freshman Kevin Collier’s younger brother) already had a standing offer from Pitt while they were recruiting Kevin. Averin is believed to be more talented and athletic, and has already received plenty of offers.

The Collier brothers talk every day, and Kevin makes sure he checks on his younger brother’s progress. Kevin also made sure to share the experience of being a Division I recruit with Averin. Pitt offered a scholarship to Averin after landing Kevin.

“He’s not saying ‘Oh, you should come to Pitt,'” Collier said. “He’s helping me through the process, telling me what I should look for in a college.

“Different letters come in and it’s not as exciting because I’ve been through the process with Kevin, meeting with coaches and everything.”

Syracuse, Louisville, Boston College, Virginia, Temple and Buffalo also have offered Collier scholarships.

More offers are sure to come, so Collier says he’s not close to making a decision.

“From what I understand, he’s definitely going to be one of the top 10 recruits in the region,” said Jamie DeMoney, publisher of PrepNation.com, one of many college football recruiting Web sites.

“He’s probably going to be one of the top 50 juniors in the nation.”

He plays QB, WR and Tailback.  Very much the versatile athlete/playmaker who teams just look for ways to get the ball in his hands.