Q: In light of recent events with regards to our local teams -- who is on a hotter seat -- Bill Stewart at WVU or Dave Wannstedt at Pitt? Thanks.

Shawn Rocksill, Export

ZEISE: Great question. I'd say Wannstedt, but the two are in much different situations so it is hard to compare. Stewart, from what I understand, is just keeping the seat warm for John "Doc" Holliday and the overwhelming sentiment among those who cover the team seems to be that this is a short-term assignment for him. He apparently was handed the keys to this team because it was believed that this team was capable of winning a national title, so continuity was a consideration (not too mention the fact that he was hired in the emotional aftermath of a BCS bowl victory). I did find the hire strange initially -- as a good friend of mine and ardent Mountaineer fan pointed out -- being able to say "I am from West By God Virginia" does not make you qualified to be head coach of the Mountaineers and saying "we just have to play Mountaineer football" is not a game-plan -- but by the same token, given the context that this team was ready to win this year, it makes some sense. So I don't think Stewart is on the hot seat, per se, I just think that if he doesn't win big this year, the transition to Holliday will take place quicker than it is scheduled, too. So I wouldn't say Stewart's seat is necessarily hot, it is just his window for winning is very small. Wannstedt, on the other hand, it is simple for him -- find a way to get to a bowl game this year or begin working on a post-coaching career as a television analyst as well as on a golf swing. That to me is the text book definition of being on the hot seat. Either way, I think it is pretty clear both guys will be taken care of by their respective universities regardless of what happens as they have both been good and loyal ambassadors.

Q: Are these two outside linebackers (Ransom and Williams) the best Pitt can put on the field? I think having Tristan Roberts and Nate Nix start, two linebackers as opposed to a running back and a safety, would be more consistent and aggressive, physically and mentally.

Ryan Kennedy, Savannah, Ga.

ZEISE: Greg Williams to me was the best of the redshirt freshman linebackers in spring practice. He showed speed, aggressiveness and a lot of energy. I think there is no question he should be given first crack at the job - and he's done reasonably well thus far. Brandon Lindsay may have been a little more consistent, but he doesn't have the physical skills of Williams. As for the other side, the weak side, Austin Ransom played reasonably well the first game but was exposed a little bit more in this second game. The best case scenario there is for Shane Murray to return from that knee injury and Ransom can resume his role as sort of a "nickel" linebacker and come on the field in some passing situations and whatnot. One of the biggest disappointment to me of training camp was Tristan Roberts, who was much better in the spring than he was in training camp. He hasn't earned his way back on to the field. I think if you refer to what I wrote the day that camp broke that linebacker depth was a major question and this is what we are seeing. You'd hope that these younger guys get better to the point where they aren't such a liability.

Q: Do you think the reason why Pitt doesn't throw the ball downfield more, is because Stull is not an accurate downfield passer? The deep balls that he did throw weren't even close.

Jeff Wazenegger, Robbinsdale, Maine

ZEISE: No, they didn't throw down the field that much before Stull was the quarterback, either. Certainly it is not his strength and I agree that the deep balls have been atrocious, but a lot of that had to do with timing and that is something that can be corrected. Stull just threw them up for grabs, didn't set his feet, didn't wait for his receivers to get into stride, just chucked them. This is something they need to work on obviously but they have two weeks to get the timing of these things down. But he threw one to Jonathan Baldwin last Saturday that showed he can do it (even though it was a half-yard out of bounce). He just needs to work on it.