Pitt offense: better, worse or about the same? Why?

The Pitt offense is expected to be better than the 2014 version. Other than senior offensive linemen T.J. Clemmings and Matt Rotheram, Pitt returns virtually all of its talented unit. The offense is led by star running back James Conner, who racked up 1,765 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns, and wide receiver Tyler Boyd (1,261 yards and eight scores). Gone is Manasseh Garner, a converted tight end that started alongside Boyd, but his production was minimal.

The loss of Clemmings and Rotheram is a blow to the line, but that is the area former head coach Paul Chryst built up the most during his tenure at Pitt. The line is a position of depth and Pitt has several candidates to come in and help fill their shoes, including four-star recruit Alex Bookser, who sat last year as a freshman. The Panthers also return a starting lineman, Artie Rowell, who missed the bulk of last season due to an ACL tear.

Perhaps most importantly, starting quarterback Chad Voytik now has a year of experience under his belt. The redshirt junior got his first full season of playing time last year and should be markedly better. All signs point to the offense having a strong year.

Pitt defense: better worse or about the same? Why?

The defense is a question mark of sorts, but I’d look for improvement here, too. Linebackers Todd Thomas and Anthony Gonzalez, and safety Ray Vinopal, were three of the best players on the unit and they’ve all graduated. But the Panthers return most of the unit and the defense improving isn’t a far-fetched notion. Everyone else gets a year older and several young players, like cornerback Avonte Maddox, who started last season as a true freshman, could really break out. Pitt also adds cornerback Jordan Whitehead, the team’s biggest recruit from the Class of 2015 – a four-star playmaker and Rivals’ top rated player in all of Pennsylvania.

Another factor, of course, is new head coach Pat Narduzzi, a long-time defensive coordinator. Several players on defense mentioned him spending more time on that side of the ball in spring practices and you’d like to think that they will reap some benefits from the instruction of a defensive-minded head coach and a defensive staff with a few guys boasting impressive resumes.

Lastly, things really can’t get much worse than they were last season. Statistically, the Panthers didn’t fare all that poorly in some categories largely in part to a weak schedule early in the year. But their pass rush was near the bottom of the NCAA and many issues were exposed once Pitt faced some better teams – they gave up 147 points in a three-game losing streak against Georgia Tech, Duke, and North Carolina. Overall, it’s hard to envision things being as bad as they were last year and my guess is that there’s some improvement on defense as well.

You buying or selling this team in 2015? (How many games they winning this year?)

It all depends on what we’re talking here. This team will be better than the 2014 version, but how many extra wins that will translate to is anybody’s guess because the schedule is more difficult.

In the non-conference portion, Pitt essentially swaps out FIU from their 2014 season for Notre Dame this year. They also have to play Iowa on the road as opposed to getting them at home last season. In conference, the big change is playing Louisville instead of the Boston College squad they faced last year. Pitt doesn’t have the most difficult schedule in the world, but it certainly is a step up from last season. 

So while the team is a better one in terms of talent, I’m not sure how much of a step forward we’ll see them take in terms of actual wins and losses. I do think the Panthers have a chance to break their string of four straight 6-6 regular seasons and get to seven or eight wins. But the schedule, coupled with a first-year head coach and some questions on defense, means that could be their ceiling.

Anson Whaley, the manager/editor of Cardiac Hill provided the information for our Pittsburgh football 2015 spring recap.  For more Pitt football information, commentary and analysis, you can follow Anson on Twitter @PittPantherBlog and on Facebook.