That’s the theme facing Pitt on Homecoming weekend.

Utah has an exceptional attacking defense that will pressure Pitt’s offensive line, but the Utes have had quarterback issues and their offense is a work in progress.

Sound like a team Pitt knows?

It sounds a lot like Rutgers, which defeated the Panthers, 34-10, Saturday.

Let’s face it, for any opposing defense, Rutgers laid out the best approach to stopping Pitt. The O-line is shaky. So is the QB. Attacking makes the most sense. Coach Todd Graham acknowledged as much.

Todd Graham said Utah (2-3) doesn’t blitz nearly as much as Rutgers, but he expects the Utes will change their defensive strategy against the Panthers.

“I look for them to (blitz) early and often,” he said. “They are going to game-plan and I think that is what you’ll see.”

The O-line will see some changes as Mark Rotheram is going to see action over Juantez Hollins.

Quick link hits after the jump.

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The Russel Shell commit is obviously welcome news. The 4- to 5-star Army All-American Running Back is staying home to play college ball.

Depending on the recruiting service you prefer, Pitt how has three or four, 4-star or higher recruits in this class — Shell, Chad Voytik, Demitrious Davis, Corey Jones and Adam Bisnowaty have all been tagged in at least one recruiting site (ESPN, Rivals.com, Scout.com).

With the commit of Shell, Pitt’s recruiting class is rising in the national rankings (Insider subs).

“Aside from a strong power-base and ability to break first contact, Shell has good lateral agility the shiftiness to avoid through the hole which has helped him avoid a lot of punishment throughout his career. He can get outside with above average speed, make yards on his own between the tackles and is just a well-rounded back who the Panthers could lean on to help turn the program back into a Big East contender.”

Pittsburgh now has 18 Class of 2012 commitments and could push for a spot in ESPNU’s top 25 class rankings.

Realistically, though, as important as the big gets are — and they really, really are important — it will be the development of 3-star type recruits and the hidden gems — that will make the difference between mediocrity and contending for conference championships and BCS games. It will be getting those players that fit the system best and operate within it.

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Good news for modern man, our prime target picked PITT just after 0800 this morning .

For you non-military types that is 8:00.

Todd Graham really needs to step up if he wants to shake the ‘can’t recruit’ label.  This kid is going to make a great linebacker.

Daddy, why am I late for school?

Because school drop-off is at 8 am. As much as your education matters, it falls short of daddy’s unhealthy obsession with the decisions made by teenage boys.

….Oh.

Yeah, Russel Shell makes his decision early today.

The WPIAL’s all-time leading rusher said he will announce where he’ll play his collegiate career during an 8 a.m. press conference at Hopewell High School.

…

Several reports have the hometown Pitt Panthers as the favorite to land Shell’s services.

Alabama is also rumored to be a contender.

When asked about Alabama on Thursday afternoon, Shell told Meyer that he “didn’t get the chance to go down there” for a visit.

When asked if that meant he was leaning towards Pitt, Shell cautioned, “Just because I haven’t been there doesn’t mean I don’t think it would be a good fit for myself.”

I get why he is doing it now rather than right before or after his school’s nationally televised game on ESPNU. Avoid the crap all day long of being asked and bothered. Just get it out of the way. But dammit, this is just inconvenient.

All signs point to Shell verballing to Pitt. Signing day is still almost 4 months away.

Great related read from Chris Harlan at the Trib on the thoughts of all of this by Andrew Johnson. The first time I’ve ever read a story on Johnson where he expresses anything close to regrets over changing his commitment from Pitt to Miami.

Here’s an interview with Shell from earlier in the week with ESPN-HS.

Guys, let me apologize for not weighting in earlier.  I started a new full time job on Monday and that, combined with my disgust of the RU game, had me staying away from the computer this week.

Chas was on the mark with his last post.  We have real problems at QB.  Neither QB has played well this season save for one game by Sunseri.

As to the team ‘turning’ on him I don’t know the dynamics of the locker room but this isn’t the first time the offensive players have turned their backs on Sunseri when he was on the ground after a sack.  It happened more than once last season also.  The player’s vote of confidence aside, he had real problems with his teammates last year and it looks to be continuing.

It’s nice to see nothing has changed with the ‘play Myers’ crowd over the last week though.

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