There is no arguing that Pitt's defense was stout Saturday night against Ohio University.

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The Panthers held the Bobcats to less than 100 yards rushing, forced turnovers, got sacks and nearly pitched a shutout while allowing only 3 points.

That outing has led some people to believe that perhaps the defense not only is better than it was last year, but also is back to the level it was in 2002, when it was one of the best in the country.

While that might be the case -- and there are some reasons to be optimistic about the Panthers' defense --their next opponent, Nebraska, will provide a much better gauge.

The Cornhuskers are a team in transition offensively.

Nevertheless, Nebraska's notoriously strong offensive line probably will provide a stiff test for the Panthers' defensive front seven.

Last season, the Panthers' front seven was pushed around by nearly every opponent, but with six of the seven starters returning, the coaches believe the unit is bigger, stronger and smarter.

Defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads said the Panthers did a lot of good things against Ohio, but he knows the opponent this week represents a step up in class.

He believes that dominating Ohio was only step one in a long process and, if the Panthers improve this week, they can take step two by having some success in stopping the reconstructed Cornhuskers.

"Everything still needs [to be] improved, especially going from week one to week two," Rhoads said.

"If we make that kind of improvement individually, collectively it should produce greater success. But [Nebraska has] an outstanding offensive line.

"The numbers they are putting up [offensively -- the Cornhuskers average 530 yards per game through two weeks], those are probably top ten numbers, you are not doing that with poor athletes and a poor offensive line."

The Panthers' defensive effort against Ohio may have been impressive, but, statistically, the numbers against a very similar opponent (Kent State) were better.

The Panthers last season held the Kent State to 73 yards rushing, 161 total yards, forced two turnovers and 10 punts.

And Pitt followed that effort with another strong defensive effort in a win against Ball State, another second-tier Mid-American Conference team.

But, when Pitt stepped up in class and was torched for 551 yards and 35 points by Toledo the trouble began.

After that, the Panthers gave up 544 yards and 26 points to Texas A&M, 352 rushing yards and 20 points to Notre Dame and 516 yards and 32 points to Rutgers.

Pitt was happy with its season-opening performance against Ohio, but understand the challenge they face against Nebraska.

"The defensive line got off the ball well, we played a lot more physical than we did last year but it is only one game," said defensive end Thomas Smith.

"We really need to bear down and focus for this week. You have to treat every game the same, but there are definitely some games that test you more.

"We respect Nebraska, they have a national name, and you know they have players, but, as a unit, our goal is to play great football every snap, every game, so, whether it is Ohio or Nebraska, we're going to go after it, and we're not going to back down."