Pittsburgh Panthers vs NC State Wolfpack Preview

Without a doubt, the defense of the Pittsburgh Panthers is in for its toughest test of the year to date.

In week four of their 2009 campaign, the sons of the Steel City run up against one of the most dynamic underclassmen in the United States, Russell Wilson of North Carolina State. Wilson, a sophomore quarterback who was tabbed the ACC's Freshman of the Year in 2008, endured a horrible season opener--a 7-3 loss to South Carolina--but has bounced back since then to bring the Wolfpack a pair of wins.

When kickoff time comes calling this Saturday in Raleigh, Wilson's attempt to shoot down Pittsburgh is a challenge that can be met by Pittsburgh's defensive dynamos. We're referring specifically to Panther middle linebacker Dan Mason, a freshman who--in his first-ever collegiate start last week against Navy--merely registered 11 tackles and two sacks as a fill-in for Adam Gunn. Mason and Co. will not only need to generate a consistent pass rush on Wilson, however; the Panthers' front seven will need to avoid getting caught pushing too far upfield on the edges. Indeed, part of Wilson's dynamism lies in an ability to be a devastating scrambler, so Pitt's defense must clog running lanes and confine Wilson to the pocket. If Pitt can pull off this double deed of pressuring the sophomore stud while also boxing him between the tackles, the visitors should be able to dictate the tone and tempo of this tilt in Carter-Finley Stadium.

It will be fascinating to see these two programs collide on the gridiron, because they parallel each other in one fundamental respect. The Panthers and Wolfpack have both displayed much promise and potential over the years, only to fall short of expectations and, more importantly, the spotlight of January bowl games. Pittsburgh did reach the 2005 Fiesta Bowl, thanks to the leadership of Tyler Palko and other scrappy blue-collar ballplayers, but that Walt Harris-coached club hardly laid the Big East at its feet. Pitt posted a thoroughly modest 8-3 record that season in a diluted conference--the year before West Virginia jumped Georgia in the Sugar Bowl to re-invigorate the Big East--and then got smacked by Utah, 35-7, in Tempe, Ariz.

North Carolina State has never reached a BCS bowl this decade, despite the presence of talented quarterbacks such as Philip Rivers. The best the San Diego Chargers' megabucks man could do was to lead the Wolfpack--then coached by Chuck Amato--to a win in the 2003 Gator Bowl over a Notre Dame club coached by Tyrone Willingham. Yes, it's clear that moments of glory have been fleeting for Pitt and N.C. State. Talk of conference titles (and for the Wolfpack, at least an ACC Atlantic Division crown) filled these two campuses over the summer, so how fitting it is that they'll duel between the painted white lines before venturing into conference play.

Which program will show signs of shedding its underachiever label? Which team will soar on this significant September Saturday? In a put-up-or-shut-up showdown, the level of performance is the only meaningful statement the Panthers and Wolfpack can make.

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By Matt Zemek
DFN Sports Senior Staff Writer