Despite all of the ups and downs that this season has brought, this much is certain about the Pitt Panthers: They are a resilient bunch that has found a way to get it done just about every time their backs were against the wall.

Their season boils down to this: If they win their last four games, they win the Big East and go to a BCS bowl.

It is that simple for Pitt (6-2, 2-1 Big East) as the Panthers have played well enough to be able to say they control their own postseason destiny down the stretch. They don't need help from any other team, they don't need anyone else to lose and they don't need to rely on any tiebreaker procedures.

That's because Pitt is in a tie with Cincinnati (6-2, 2-1) in second place in the Big East, one game behind West Virginia (6-2, 3-0); the Panthers play both the Bearcats and the Mountaineers later this month. If the Panthers win both games as well as those against Louisville (5-3, 1-2) and Connecticut (6-3, 2-2), they'd finish in no worse than a first-place tie with the Mountaineers. They would own the tiebreaker.

Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt acknowledged yesterday that this has boiled down to a four-game season in the Big East.

"I would hope that [the players] believe that," Wannstedt said yesterday during his weekly news conference. "I don't know what more can be said. We're eight games in and we have four games left. We're sitting right there and I think it's pretty clear to everybody that the whole conference is up for grabs. However we play in this last month will obviously be a determining factor. The games don't get any easier for anyone from here on out."

Although the big picture is easy to see, the smaller picture for the Panthers must come into focus this week. The most important number right now is seven, as in, finding a seventh win. Pitt is technically bowl-eligible with six wins, but the team likely needs to secure a seventh in order to lock up a bowl bid for the first time since the 2004 season.

Pitt finished 6-6 in '06 and was left out of the bowl picture. That is something that the Panthers have not forgotten, particularly the seniors, who know this is their last chance.

The Panthers will seek that seventh win Saturday at Heinz Field when they play Louisville, a team they have not beaten in three tries under Wannstedt.

"It's important for our kids and this program so there's no pressure on them," Wannstedt said of winning a seventh game. "Look, we've got a game this week and an opportunity and that's how we'll approach it."

Pitt senior offensive lineman C.J. Davis added: "To the team, it is always special to get to a bowl game, but for me and all the [fourth-year players], we're looking at every week like, 'I have to get to a bowl game, I have to,' because I feel that if I don't get to a bowl game my whole career was a failure. So we are definitely going to get ready for Louisville because we know a win would shore up our bowl bid."

The Cardinals are an enigma of sorts. They have talent but can't seem to play consistently under second-year coach Steve Kragthorpe, who replaced Bobby Petrino after the 2006 season.

Two weeks ago, the Cardinals upset a ranked South Florida team, then this past weekend lost to a poor Syracuse team. Wannstedt said the Cardinals are an excellent team on both sides of the ball and beating them will not be an easy assignment.

"They're third in the conference in running the football. Their quarterback can make all the throws and he's an accurate passer," Wannstedt said. "They've changed a little bit because of the coaching change, but as far as throwing the ball down the field, they love to throw the ball deep and love to use the play-action pass.

"And right now, their defensive line, in my opinion, is the most improved position. They return three out of four from a year ago and they're playing good. Two weeks ago they were leading the conference in rushing defense. They're doing a nice job."

NOTES -- Wannstedt said after the Notre Dame win that Bill Stull would be back as the starting quarterback against Louisville. Yesterday, he wasn't quite so certain. Stull has been medically cleared but has some lingering effects from a concussion he suffered against Rutgers two weeks ago. "I'm sure everyone is anticipating and anxious to know about Billy," Wannstedt said. "We're anticipating him practicing. He has been cleared. He came in and worked out yesterday. Once we get down on the field and actually get involved in the whole scheme, then we'll see where it goes." ... Defensive tackle Tommie Duhart (ankle) missed the Notre Dame game and is questionable for Saturday. ... Wannstedt said receiver T.J. Porter will likely return punts again for the second week in a row. Porter replaced Aaron Berry at that position last week. ... Kicker Conor Lee was named the Big East special teams player of the week after kicking five field goals, including the winning field goal in the fourth overtime, Saturday against Notre Dame. Lee scored a school record (for kickers) 18 points in that game.