I’ll be the first to admit that I usually over-react to Pitt athletics. No other sports team/program has done this to me, and I think it’s mostly because of writing for this blog. When we win I’m at the highest of highs and I think Pitt is the greatest in the world. When we lose, however, I tend to think the sky is falling.

The loss 13-point-destruction at the hands of Rutgers doesn’t do that to me though. I think Chas gave plenty of reasons to calm down a bit. Hey, it’s the Big East — even the teams near the bottom can surprise you. They’re definitely on a hot streak and we’re banged up pretty well. All we need to do is hold the fort down until Fields gets back and we’ll be in good shape. Plus, more and more news keeps coming out of Fields returning sooner than originally thought.

Unlike football where one loss can completely ruin a season, this is basketball. Everything will be alright — step off the ledge…

So, it’s a little more than a week to National Letter of Intent day. Also known as, make sure those servers are ready for the millions of hits and refreshes for Scout.com and Rivals.com.

Pitt headlined an East recruiting recap on USA Today. Stuff already covered numerous times.

Scouts, Inc./ESPN.com has Pitt #21 nationally in recruiting.

19 verbal commitments, four ESPN 150 prospects

Despite still not leading Pitt to a bowl game Dave Wannstedt remains a top recruiter, especially in Western Pennsylvania. Four ESPN 150 prospects include the big, talented wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin (Aliquippa, Pa.).

Pitt is far and away with the best recruiting class in the Big East.

Class highlights: Besides Baldwin, running back Chris Burns (New Wilmington, Pa./Wilmington Area) offers promise. The Panthers already have the exciting LeSean McCoy, but Burns could offer a wonderful second option. He combines workhorse qualities with scatback, change-of-direction skills.

The offensive line also receives a boost with the addition of the big, athletic offensive tackle Luke Nix (Jefferson Hills, Pa./Thomas Jefferson). Wannstedt has recruited well, but Nix offers his best land yet at the offensive tackle position.

Pitt also landed talented in-state quarterback Tino Sunseri, the one-time Louisville commit. A coach’s son and a gunslinger, this could prove to be a great pick-up a little down the road. Mike Cruz (Johnstown, Pa. / Bishop McCort) is a big tight end with deceptive athleticism who catches pretty much anything near him. The defense also recently got a good addition with the commitment of Shayne Hale (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway) a linebacker prospect who will likely develop into a defensive end. A pair of talented athlete prospects, A.J. Alexander (Altoona, Pa.) and Cameron Saddler (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway), have potential.

Could see the field in 2008: Wide receiver Baldwin, running back Burns, tight end Cruz, athletes Alexander and Saddler (in a variety of roles and special teams), Hale (likely as a back-up) and JUCO OC Rob Houser (Chico, Calif./Butte College).

Looks like A.J. Alexander is back with FSU. Of course, there is still a week left for him so don’t hold him to it.

There is a grayshirt addition and a preferred walk-on.

Central Catholic running back Andrew Taglianetti made a verbal commitment to Pitt on Sunday. His brother, South Fayette quarterback Jon Taglianetti, accepted an opportunity to be a preferred walk-on for the Panthers.

“My brother was one of the reasons,” Andrew said. “Pitt is one of the top educations you could probably get, the best one I was able to get. I love (Pitt defensive line coach Greg Gattuso), and all of my friends that I played with and against this year, they are going there.”

Andrew, who said he will likely play defensive back or safety, chose the Panthers over Louisville and Toledo. He made the decision after his official visit to Pitt last weekend.

Article on top questions for 2008 in college football.

18. What team will follow Wake Forest of 2006 and Illinois of 2007 as the “surprise” team of ’08?

Pittsburgh hasn’t posted a winning record since 2004, but that could change unless injuries take a devastating toll again. The Panthers could even challenge for the Big East championship. Why not? They beat Big East champion West Virginia in Morgantown this past season, and the Panthers return eight offensive starters and seven defensive starters. That includes tailback LeSean McCoy, who rushed for more than 1,300 yards. The defense ranked among the nation’s top 10, and leading tackler Scott McKillop returns. Also, the Panthers will play Big East rivals West Virginia, Louisville and Rutgers in Pittsburgh.

…

20. What player returning from injury will give his team the greatest boost?

Pittsburgh receiver Derek Kinder. McCoy was extremely productive as a freshman tailback, and that was without a solid passing game to ease some of the pressure. Pittsburgh averaged fewer than 180 passing yards and ranked 104th nationally in passing offense in 2007. At least part of the reason for that futility was the loss of Kinder, who suffered a knee injury in August and missed the entire season. Kinder led the team with 57 receptions for 847 yards and six touchdowns in 2006, but last year no Pittsburgh receiver had more than 37 catches. Kinder’s return will give the Panthers a legitimate receiving threat, which in turn should enhance the running game.

Last week, Smizik had a column that rehashed how much that one win over WVU turned everything on its head for Pitt and WVU. As did Gorman on the same day. I’m actually tired of these, and right after NLI day, you can bet we’ll see them again.

Then Ron Cook gave his support for Greg Gattuso to take over as DC. Now, I’m in favor of this as well. The cynical side of me, of course, has to observe that of course the local news media folk would want this promotion. They already know him, have a relationship and don’t have to try and build a new relationship to get info from a key coach.

O-Line Coach Paul Dunn had to go. Arguably the O-line was not particularly strong when he started and between injuries and depth there were lots of excuses. The problem was that players didn’t seem to develop much. There was talent, but not much was done with it.

Consider that the O-line will almost certainly have two players drafted in the 2008 draft. Mike McGlynn will get picked up by somebody on day 2 (Insider subs.).

Pitt’s Mike McGlynn runs from drill to drill like his hair is on fire. It is hard to miss a 309-pound offensive lineman running at full speed down the field to get to a drill. While hustle and “want to” are great traits, he needs to settle down a little bit. McGlynn is an intriguing prospect because he could potentially fill in at every line spot in the NFL with the exception of left tackle. At this point, he is a master of none, but does have some upside, particularly as a guard. McGlynn is also able to deep snap, which adds to his versatility. If he gets the opportunity to snap for punts — it is a safe bet that McGlynn will hustle down the field.

Right now the speculation is 3d to 4th round, but more likely would be sometime in round 5 or after once the combines, scouting and measurements really happen.

Jeff Otah is the other, and everyone is putting him in the first round.

Mel Kiper, Jr. puts him at #13 to the Carolina Panthers (Insider subs.).

Don Banks at SI.com has him at #15 and the Detroit Lions (poor guy).

Todd McShay at ESPN.com/Scouts, Inc. puts him all the way at #23 and the Steelers (Insider subs.).

The Steelers could use two of their first three picks on offensive linemen. They have bigger holes to fill inside at center and guard, but with his combination of size and skills Otah is far and away the best lineman available in this scenario. G Roy Schuening (Oregon State) and C John Sullivan (Notre Dame) could also become Steelers in later rounds.

Now Dunn did help develop Otah and McGlynn. Of course, by the same token, despite having two seniors who will be on NFL rosters next season, the O-line was still a joke and never got better.

So in that respect, it’s hard not to believe that new O-line coach Tony Wise has to be an improvement. Teaching and coaching wise, he better be. He’s been at the NFL for the last 18 years, and it’s hard to imagine he’s going to bring much initially to the recruiting side of things.