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The last time the Pittsburgh Panthers graced the playing surface at Heinz Field, they were polishing off a hard fought 21-20 victory over Iowa.  The game was crucial to getting Pitt's season back on track, but many questions still remained in the aftermath.  This Saturday, the Panthers return home having answered many of those following a undefeated three game road trip, the last two coming in impressive fashion over quality opponents.

However, questions still remain surrounding the 2008 Panthers, namely can they finish this season strong and avoid a second half meltdown like 2006, which saw the Panthers start 6-1 only to lose their final five games. Pitt will begin to answer that question this Saturday as they host the struggling Scarlet Knights of Rutgers Universtiy.

Rutgers, the media darlings of the Big East in 2006 following a 9-0 start, have fallen on hard times going 2-5 this season and just 11-12 since that 9-0 start.

Pitt will face a tough challenge in Rutgers, despite their poor record.  The Panthers have lost three straight to the Scarlet Knights, who are well coached by Greg Schiano.

Pitt Offense vs. Rutgers Defense

Pitt has put together their two best offensive games in the last two contests, but face probably their toughest defensive foe this week.  Running back LeSean McCoy has had three spectacular games in a row, the most recent coming last week at Navy, where he put up 156 yards on 18 carries and scored three touchdowns.  He accomplished all of that all the while playing with a nasty head cold, which limited his carries.  "I couldn't breath out there," McCoy said moments after Pitt's victory over the Midshipmen at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. 

Quarterback Bill Stull has been a little shaky of late, however.  In the second quarter last week, he threw an interception that was returned 91 yards to the Pitt eight yard line.  Navy scored on the next play.  The pick, which could have swung momentum in Navy's favor, was the result of a poor read and throw by Stull.

Stull will have to be on top of his game this week, as he will lead the Pitt offense against a solid Rutgers defense.

Rutgers defense has kept them in some games despite poor offensive performance and is especially good against the run, led by defensive tackle Pete Tverdov and middle linebacker Ryan D'Imperio.  These two individuals are the leaders of what has been a very stout run defense.  However, they are undersized and are prone to being run down in the fourth quarter of games when trailing.  The front four weigh an average of only 260 pounds, and the Rutgers defense has struggled at the end of games this season.

The Rutgers secondary is led by All-America candidate Courtney Greene.  Greene, a three year starter, is an excellent playmaker and is especially effective in run defense.  However,he has struggled in coverage at times this season, as has the entire Rutgers secondary.  Cornerback Jason McCourty has been a disappointment this season, and his struggles have forced Greene to sit back in coverage more often instead of challenging the run.

All things considered, Rutgers still has a very good defense, but not as good as the units they have had the last two years.  Pitt will have their work cut out for them offensively.

Rutgers Offense vs. Pitt Defense

Following the loss of the Big East's leading rusher, Ray Rice, to the NFL, the Scarlet Knights put the offense into the hands of senior quarterback Mike Teel.  Teel, a three year starter, is arguably the most highly recruited player to suit up for the Scarlet Knights.  He has not stepped up to lead this offense though, which has put up just twenty points combined between their last two games.  Tell is completing only 55 percent of his passes and has thrown seven interceptions compared to just three touchdowns.

Teel's struggles are not due to a lack of receiving talent.  Kenny Britt and Tiquan Underwood are two excellent playmakers at wide receiver.  Britt has had an excellent season, but Underwood has surprisingly struggled, catching just 18 passes.  Some have attributed this to a lack of focus, but Underwood is a dangerous player when he wants to be. 

Replacing Rice in the backfield has been a struggle.  Kordell Young was labled the heir apparent before last season, but tore his ACL and missed the entire season.  He returned this season as the featured back only to get injured early in the season and miss three games.  He is back, but is averaging less than 3.5 yards a carry, an unacceptable number for a collegiate running back.

Young's struggles are not the only reason Rutgers has struggled to run the football effectively.  The offensive line has been in flux, replacing several starters and shuffling players around.  They have struggled both in run blocking and pass protection, major reason's for the team's awful play on offense.  Rutgers ranks 97th in total offense and 116th in scoring offense, at just 16 points a game, out of 120 FBS schools.  21 points is the most Rutgers has scored versus FBS opponents, and that came in a loss to Navy, a team Pitt just dropped 42 on while racking up 499 yards of offense.

The Pitt defense meanwhile is clicking on all cylinders, with dominating performances against very good, unconventional offenses.  Middle linebacker Scott McKillop is still a weekly fixture in the weekly Big East awards, but he will not take Rutgers lightly.  McKillops senior class has failed to beat the Scarlet Knights in their career, losing the previous three meetings.  They are trying to avoid becoming the first class at Pitt to go four years without beating Rutgers. 

Special Teams

Rutgers punter Teddy Dellaganna might be the Scarlet Knights MVP seven games in, averaging 42 yards a punt.  If that isn't an indictment on this team, I don't know what is.  He has singlehandedly kept his team in games by pinning opponents deep in their own territory.

Meanwhile, kicker San San Te has struggled to replace the automatic Jeremy Ito.  Te has connected on just six of thirteen attempts on the season.

Pitt has two of the best in Punter Dave Brytus and Kicker Connor Lee.  Both are also fixtures on the weekly Big East awards.

Here are some of the key questions that will determine Saturday's outcome:

Can Pitt run the ball effectively against a tough Rutgers run defense?

Can Bill Stull limit his mistakes and turnovers?

Can Mike Teel make a positive impact for his offense?

Will Pitt's defense continue to dominate?

Can Kordell Young rush for over 100 yards?

Will Pitt jump out to a lead and force Rutgers to play from behind?

Can the Rutgers defense score?

Rutgers is not a good football team this season.  They have serious flaws in many places, especially on offense.  But they are a veteran team that knows how to win and are very well coached.

Pitt, on the other hand, is young and have not experienced winning.  They have no major flaws.  But can they silence all of the doubters?

This is once more a statement game for the Panthers for them to prove they are for real.  Good teams take care of buisness at home against teams they should beat.  If Pitt fancies themselves a good team, they must beat Rutgers this weekend.  It doesn't have to be pretty, but it is a must win. 

Pitt 28, Rutgers 10