3rd_Parallel: If you had to predict today, how will the Big East fill its bowl lineup this season? I realize league play is just getting under way and it's all speculative, but we know more than we did a month ago. Thanks

Paul Zeise: Best guess -- South Florida BCS, Conn. Gator/sun -- the next three bowl teams in order WVU, Pitt and Cincy -- I don't think Rutgers, Louisville or Syracuse makes it.

frustratedfan: Type here Is Joe Thomas being viewed more favorably? I don't read as many negative comments about his play as I did earlier in the year. Thanks

Paul Zeise: Well he is playing much better than he did in training camp and that is what the deal is --- he didn't play very well during spring and training camp and there were a lot of nervous people down on the South Side because there just isn't many alternatives to this guy.

frustratedfan: How many seniors(starting 22) are on this team?

Paul Zeise: CJ Davis, Conredge Collins, Derek Kinder, Rashaad Duncan, Scott McKillop, Eric Thatcher, Dave Brytus, Conor Lee.

LAs_Vegas_Panther: Paul what are the odds that we see Cross tonight regardless of how Stull plays. Also what would it take for them to Pull Stull?

Paul Zeise: I have no idea -- I'm done predicting packages!!!! Seriously, I think we might see him but this is a bad defense to use him against because they are so fast. This is a defense you need to be physical and pound them -- just keep pounding them between the tackles. You aren't running away from them, you just aren't. I think Stull wouldn't get pulled in a game unless he was awful and killing the team. The coaching staff is committed to him.

P.I.T.T.: Is Shane Murray back at 100% yet? I think his absence has hurt this defense a lot more than people think.

Paul Zeise: I don't think he'll ever be 100 percent given the nature of his injury but he'll be closer and I think he will play more than 15 plays tonight. Yes, the defense has suffered without him, though Austin Ransom has made some plays for the defense. Murray, though, is a very smart player and always seems to be where he's supposed to be and you can't substitute that.

P.I.T.T.: Paul, how about a pre-game Good/Bad/Ugly prediction?

Paul Zeise: Wow -- that's an interesting concept. OK, I'll give it a shot -- Good -- LeSean McCoy has a big night. The offensive line is able to win a lot of battles up front for the run game. Bad -- the defense has a lot of trouble containing Matt Grothe. The Bulls spread offense took advantage of the inexperience of Pitt's linebackers Ugly -- The special teams allows another touchdown and two fake punts work against the Panthers.

P.I.T.T.: Where has Gus Mustakis been? It seems like any time he gets in the game, he comes up with a big play. Some guys are just playmakers, plain and simple. Are we going to see more of him on the field?

Paul Zeise: He's played but he has been a back-up and he also is still trying to regain his explosiveness from a year ago. He's made some tackles, but he sat out basically a whole year -- that injury just takes some time to come all the way back from. But he has made a few tackles --- and frankly if you are trying to get playmakers, you keep Mick Williams out there as well as Tommiee Duhart.

Shady4WorldPeace: Paul, in regards to the game this evening, do you thing that PITT will throw everything at South Florida knowing that this is a must win if they want any chance at a BSC berth

Paul Zeise: No, I don't think so -- I think, like I said, if you are talking about trick plays and trying to run crazy stuff -- it won't work against this defense, it is just too fast and disciplined. The only way I can see Pitt winning is if the Panthers do it straight up -- line up and pound them into submission.

Shady4WorldPeace: Paul, with the conservative approach that PITT has taken over there first 4 games, is there any possibility that they may bring all the tricks of the bag for this game (wild-cat, Greg cross)?

Paul Zeise: I think I just answered a similar version of this question -- I think Pitt will have a play or two that is new or surprising but I think this is a game where conservative is probably better. Think about last year's game -- it was close until Pat Bostick started throwing balls around the yard and South Florida picked them off and ran them for touchdowns. This defense will capitalize on every mistake you made.

MousetraptheBulls: Is this a trap game for USF, considering they have national title aspirations?

Paul Zeise: I didn't hear anything about Jim Leavitt hanging mouse traps around the Bulls facilities -- but I don't think that the Bulls will be overlooking Pitt, particularly in a prime time game at home. They'll be ready to go when the lights go on.

PittDC: We've heard all week that Shane Murray and Joe Thomas are healthy and ready to go full tilt. From watching practice, how true does that seem and do you think Murray will be able to help Greg Williams adjust better on the field?

Paul Zeise: I think they both will be fine -- Joe Thomas really was running well and appears to have not many lingering pains in his ankle. Greg Williams will actually be an asset in this game because of his speed -- Pitt will need to take advantage of his speed to try and contain Grothe. Now, if Shane is out there with Greg Williams -- yes, that will help solve some of the issues because when Greg and Austin Ransom are out there together, they have a tendency to get lost.

Brian: Will Selvie play tonight?

Paul Zeise: Not sure, but signs seem to indicate he will not and if he does he will be limited. From reading the papers down here he hasn't practiced much all week

Pitt_Script: where is the Z-Man?

Paul Zeise: Sorry for the delay by the way -- it has been a while since I've had to do this on the road and I forgot about some of the technical challenges I face signing in -- but I got it solved!

Brian: Is it me or does Wannstedt offer up high praise to just about everyone on the team? I am all for pumping people up, but he just throws the praise around to anyone and then they get manhandled by MAC players.

Paul Zeise: There is probably some truth to that but that just makes him a coach. I will say this - he WON'T say something good about a person he doesn't think is getting it done -- but he just won't comment at all. That's his style -- he just won't heap praise or criticism on gusy who aren't getting it done.

MousetraptheBulls: What is Oderick Turner's attitude and mindset knowing his playing time may be limited?

Paul Zeise: We haven't spoken with him this week but I will say this- - last year when they benched Oderick, or limited his playing time of whatever, he responded with some big games so maybe he is just a kid that needs extra motivation to get ready for a game.

Pitt_Script: Why isnt Lucas Nix getting more playing time at tackle? It seems to me they are wasting his redshirt. Is he the next Dorin Dickerson?

Paul Zeise: Well for one thing because Joe Thomas is playing fairly well. I mean the whole idea behind playing Lucas Nix was that Thomas wasn't getting it done. But he's played well now and thus he deserves to continue to play. I don't think it is a bad thing that Nix is playing some though because he is the third tackle and if someone gets hurt he is going to be going in the game.

Shady4WorldPeace: Paul, considering the magnitude of this game, do you get any sense that PITT will pull out all the tricks in the bag to come away with a victory this evening (Wild Cat package, Greg Cross, Split backfield with Shady and LSH)

Paul Zeise: No -- I don't see a whole bag of tricks being pulled out because like I said, I don't think this defense is one that you can trick given its speed.

MousetraptheBulls: Do you think the O-line can hold up against USF's tough D-Line?

Paul Zeise: I don't think you want Bill Stull dropping back 50 times -- under those circumstances the Bulls will get a lot of sacks and pressures and force mistakes. But like I've said several times, I think this is a game where the offensive line can drive block, run block, power block whatever you want to call it -- go straight ahead because this defensive front is undersized and has been, in the past, vulnerable to power run games.

P.I.T.T.: Paul, tell us the truth- were you out enjoying the Tampa nightlife a little too much last night?

Paul Zeise: No, never that. I don't even know what nightlife means ...

Brian: Tonight we will likely see a very rabid fan base in Tampa. Why is it so difficult for Pitt fans to get in their seats prior to kick-off?

Paul Zeise: Well because Pitt fans like to tailgate, have some fun in the parking lot -- get wild and crazy then make a grand entrance. I have to be honest, I have been down here twice for games and this atmosphere both times was very similar to going to a game at, well, Temple only with sun and better looking, um, well, "students ... " OK that's all the time I have, we'll break this down I am sure over the next few days in my Q&A. My prediction for tonight is - Bulls eek out a win ...