The Pitt football team broke camp Wednesday and had its annual FanFest last night at Heinz Field. The Panthers are expected to have a big season, and some -- including ESPN analyst Mark May -- expect them to compete for the Big East title.

Here is an analysis of the Panthers as they head into their opener Aug. 30 at Heinz Field against Bowling Green:

Strengths

Defensive line, middle linebacker, tight end, running back.

The Panthers are expected to have one of the best defensive lines in the country and they certainly lived up to the billing during training camp, particularly tackle Mick Williams and ends Greg Romeus and Jabaal Sheard. The unit should give every offensive line everything it can handle.

The team also has tailback LeSean McCoy and middle linebacker Scott McKillop, subjects of much national attention. Both appear to be in midseason form coming out of camp. Expect them to have big seasons.

Pitt might have the best trio of tight ends in the country in Nate Byham, Dorin Dickerson and John Pelusi. Byham and Dickerson are capable of big plays and Pelusi is a tremendous blocker.

Still needs improvement

Right tackle, cornerback, linebacker depth.

Junior Joe Thomas has been the starting right tackle since spring and likely will begin the season in that role. But he has been very inconsistent, prompting coach Dave Wannstedt to say Thomas will have a short leash. The problem is the best alternative is a true freshman, Lucas Nix.

At cornerback, Aaron Berry could become an all-conference performer, but the other spot, currently filled by Jovani Chappel, has been inconsistent and, like right tackle, almost every alternative is a freshman.

Depth at linebacker was a concern before starting outside linebacker Shane Murray went down with a knee injury. If it is serious, the Panthers have no experienced alternatives to plug into the starting lineup, relying instead on redshirt freshmen or a recently converted receiver.

Questions

Game-day coaching, quarterback, overall depth.

Wannstedt, in his fourth year, has posted an underwhelming 13-19 record against I-A competition (16-19 overall) and has yet to take Pitt to a bowl game (The Panthers had been to five bowl games in a row before his arrival). He has recruited well and has been a great ambassador for the program. He now has most of his talent in place and that means finding a way to consistently win games.

Redshirt junior Bill Stull was clearly the Panthers' best talent at quarterback and should have a fine season if he stays healthy. He is smart, tough, has good instincts and throws with great accuracy. But he has started only once in his career -- last year against Eastern Michigan -- and was knocked out for the season with a thumb injury, so he is essentially a first-year starter.

The Panthers are set with their 22 starting positions. However, there are some key areas -- several offensive line spots, defensive end and linebacker -- where the drop-off from the starter to the backup is fairly dramatic, so health is going to be a key.

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NOTES: The Panthers had a practice at Heinz Field last night as part of FanFest. ... Fifth-year senior Austin Ransom took all of the first-team reps at Shane Murray's weakside linebacker spot. Wannstedt said Ransom, who was converted from receiver earlier this week, has a real chance to be the starter next Saturday in the opener if Murray (knee) isn't ready to play. "We're trying to force-feed Austin and see where he is at mentally," Wannstedt said. "It will be him and Tristan [Roberts] battling." ... Wannstedt was asked about the results of Murray's MRI and he said simply "he's day to day."