http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pitt/questions/qaform.asp

Q: Paul, what was a bigger upset -- USC losing to Oregon State last night or West Virginia losing to Pitt last season?

Harold James, Uniontown

Zeise: I think that is an easy one -- Pitt beating WVU was a bigger upset for this reason -- it was on the road. Oregon State has proven to be a very difficult place for other teams to play for whatever reason. There is no question that game last night was an upset -- I mean, the Beavers lost to Stanford, for goodness sake - but I don't think it was as shocking as the Pitt upset of West Virginia. For one thing, USC had lost in two of its last three trips up to Oregon State and for another, USC, though the No. 1 team weren't playing for a trip to the national title game on the line like WVU was. But the more I watch college football, the more this is becoming a reality: Is it really that much of an upset any more when a highly-ranked team loses on the road in a conference game? It seems to happen so much more often than it used to and I think it is because there is more parity in college football than there ever has been. All of it which makes an even stronger argument for a playoff.

Q: I am real concerned with McCoy's ball handling and feel that he needs to be sent a statement. I watched Shariff Harris run in the spring game and feel his size, strength,, speed and power are all good. I feel he should be getting on the field, he may be the best way to counter 8 man fronts. Any thoughts?

Blaise Novotny Ebensburg

Zeise:I agree that McCoy has been shaky in his ball security but this is not the time to give up on him and frankly, he is the best running back on this roster so he needs to continue to get an opportunity to get it right (within reason obviously). As for Harris, yes he is a nice player but I'm not convinced he'd be the next guy into the game -- or at least that he is the best option on the bench -- as Chris Burns had an incredible camp as well. Whatever happens this year, with those two battling it out, the tailback position should be in good shape for the foreseeable future.

Q: I am a little confused about Collins. He is not used in short yardage situations. He is not used to change pace or mix the play calling up and so far he hasn't been the greatest blocker. What myth does the staff work under regarding the necessity of a full back except for their 1982 Pro style offense?

Eric Wirtner, Las Vegas

Zeise: I could not agree more. I have been saying this one for the past three years -- why did this guy get recruited to come here if he is not going to be used in a role that takes advantage of what he does well? He seems to be a good player, coaches seem to think he is a good player, but he is just not a part of the game plan at all. I understand that fullbacks are becoming sort of like the dinosaurs --- extinct -- but when you have a player with this guy's skills, at least when he has the ball in his hands, to not use him seems to me like you are leaving some things on the table. I don't think the guys is a big-time playmaker who deserves 20 touches a game, but between receptions and rushes, is five or six per game too many to ask for?

Q: Paul, while I certainly understand why people ask questions such as "Why doesn't player x get the ball more? He is a playmaker!" How exactly do we get the ball more to each of these players? There are so many offensive plays!

Larry Shuttlesworth, Norristown, Pa.

Zeise: I disagree from this standpoint -- there aren't that many playmakers on this team. There are a lot of good players with similar skill sets, particularly at receiver -- Derek Kinder, T.J. Porter, Cedric McGee --- but the bottom line is, playmakers are, at least in my book, difference makers, guys who can change a game or make a play even when the other team knows it is coming. And on this offense Jonathan Baldwin, LeSean McCoy, LaRod Stephens-Howling and Greg Cross are the only four who are genuine playmakers and these four need to be in the game and have as many chances as possible to make plays. Oderick Turner seems to have the potential to be that but he's been somewhat of an enigma and his inconsistency has made it tough to put him in that category. The two pass-catching tight ends are good and need to be involved in the game plans but neither is really a threat to go the distance every time they touch it like the other four players I mentioned. So I guess what I am saying is -- yes, there are only so many offensive plays, but there is also a liberal use of the word playmaker (and I'm probably guilty of it as anyone) because there just aren't that many on any team.

Q: How come Henry Hynoski is not getting any playing time? Is he not projected to be next year's fullback? I mean, with all the three and outs how much is it going to hurt the offense by getting him some experience?

Pete Buccierri,Aspinwall

Zeise: Oh dear Lord -- first it was Bill Stull, now it is the back-up fullback that needs work. Look, with all due respect, this team cannot afford to look ahead one week, much less worry about next year. There is no reason to put Hynoski in the game when they don't use the starting fullback that often anyway. I mean, as I stated earlier, there seems to be less and less plays with Conredge Collins on the field lined up as a fullback so why would you cut into those plays in order to get his back-up some work? I assure you, Conredge is not the reason for the three-and-outs. Next year is a long way off and there is a long way to go this season -- there is no way the staff needs to be concerned about trying to get guys work for next year.

Q: Pitt's coaches seem to get conservative once they get a lead and always explain that they were afraid to make mistakes or turn the ball over. Do you think the coaches will ever show the players they have consistent confidence in them and their ability to win a game?

Roger Rathburn, Plum

Zeise: I don't know if it is a lack of confidence in players as it is a philosophy that begins and ends with "err on the side of caution." But it is very troublesome the lack of blowouts over the past few years and a lot of that has to do with the fact that the coaching staff does pull in the reins once they get a little bit of a lead instead of going for the jugular and the knock-out blow. I mean, against Iowa, Pitt had the Hawkeyes on their heels after scoring two consecutive touchdowns, then went into conservative mode for two quarters. It will be very interesting to see if Pitt gets a chance to put Syracuse out of its misery early and whether the Panthers do it, or allow the Orange to hang around.