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Q: Paul, I am amazed with what I read in your Q & A discussions. I mean, there is the constant criticisms of Billy Stull, the offense, the receivers, the coaches, the secondary etc. -- so much that I have to remind myself that this team is 9-3, is back in a bowl game, has NFL talent at multiple positions and generally looks like a program on the verge of again being a top ten team with top flight national talent. You would think the questions were coming from Ohio State fans used to 11-1 or 12-0 seasons and not Pitt fans accustomed to another year of maybe we can get 6 wins. These folks need a serious dose of Division I football reality. What are your thoughts?

John Ogle, Waterford Works, N.J.

ZEISE: I agree there appears to be a jaded group his is not happy with success -- but that group won't be happy even if Pitt was 12-0 and in the BCS national title game -- so I wouldn't worry too much about them. The Panthers made a nice stride forward this year now they just need to keep building on it each year and eventually, the hope is that if you knock on the door with 8-4, 9-3, 10-2, type of seasons long enough, you'll break through and have that big year everyone so desires.

Q: Paul it occurred to me that with the huge All-American size void being left at middle linebacker and the tendency of Wannstedt to play it safe that he may turn to Shane Murray to fill the MLB spot, with Fields moving outside. What do you think?

Kwame Actor, Aliquippa

ZEISE: I think we discussed this a few times and you are right -- Shane Murray will get a serious look at the middle linebacker spot, as well Brandon Lindsey (a fellow Quip of yours) and Max Gruder. If Murray does move that would free up the Weakside spot for Fields but he has some work to do if he is going to be a full-time linebacker. It would be very interesting, however, to have a guy like Murray in the middle with Fields and Williams -- two speedsters -- on the outside. This is the position we will all keep our eyes on, that's for sure.

Q: Now that Pat Devlin has decided to transfer do you think Pitt will try to make a play for him? He is accurate and much more mobile than Pat Bostick or Bill Stull. I know that they were recruiting him rather heavily out of high school.

David Shaffer, Apollo

ZEISE: No, there is no real chance of this just because he has already used his redshirt season up. That would mean he'd come to Pitt have to sit out a year and only have one year to play here. I don't think, given the glut of quarterback scholarships they are already on the hook for, they'd want to take one for a guy who won't be eligible next season. Also, why would Devlin do that too himself? From what I have read he is going to go to a I-AA school and have two years to play -- similar to Joe Flacco who went from Pitt to Delaware and well, we all know the rest of his story ...