(Breathe in, breathe out)
Here we go.
It's a phrase you often hear on the North Shore ahead of games at Acrisure Stadium on Sundays, not Saturdays, but it's also something that could perfectly describe the state of the Pitt football program heading into the start of training camp on Wednesday.
The Panthers are in unfamiliar territory, so players, coaches and staff should all take a deep breath and prepare for what this season could bring. Whether it's good or bad.
They are coming off a season where they registered less than five wins for the first time since 1998. Kade Bell is bringing a new offense to the program and Randy Bates and Pat Narduzzi are trying to re-tool a defense that lost key players and is littered with youth and unknown players.
There are plenty of questions to answer and things to prove. But, while there is unfamiliarity with the situation the Panthers are in, there is also excitement.
Bell's offense was electric at Western Carolina. It led the Football Championship Subdivision in yards per game (504.1) and was third in passing yards per game (321.1). The addition of special athletes like Daejon Reynolds, Censere Lee, Desmond Reid and others could add to returners Rodney Hammond Jr., Gavin Bartholomew and Kenny Johnson.
There's a lot to look forward to and it's the same on the other side of the ball.
Outside of Brandon George and Keye Thompson, there is a lot of youth, and talent in the linebacker room with Jordan Bass, Braylan Lovelace and Rasheem Biles. Then, when you look at the secondary and see Phillip O'Brien Jr., Rashad Battle, Ryland Gandy and Tamon Lynum, you see security that also includes Donovan McMillon and Javon McIntyre, the team's leading tacklers from last season.
Despite the exciting parts of this team, there are still plenty of things to learn about this iteration of the Panthers. So here are a few things to keep an eye on as camp plays out.
DOES KADE BELL'S OFFENSE TAKE HOLD?
The new offensive coordinator is sure it will. It's translated to different levels before, after all. When he transitioned to Western Carolina after coaching in Division II at Valdosta State and Tusculum, it was a top-tier offense. But can it translate to the ACC? Can it translate to the Football Bowl Subdivision?
That's one of the major questions surrounding this year's team. The offense is set to be exciting, high-scoring and fast-paced. It also seems like he has the athletes to get the job done. However, there are a lot of challenges when it comes to transitioning to the FBS. So, Bell finding a way to make his offense work at this level will be a large factor in how productive the Panthers are this season.
IS NATE YARNELL THE BEST OPTION AT QUARTERBACK?
Narduzzi has been trying to shut down this conversation since the beginning of spring practices. He named Yarnell the starting quarterback heading into the spring and did the same heading into the fall. But this is also a quarterback who was third on the depth chart at the beginning of last season before taking over as the starter in the last two games of the year. He threw for 595 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 148.8 yards per game while only throwing one interception in 62 pass attempts.
While Yarnell may have a tight hold on the position, Alabama transfer Eli Holstein has the opportunity to push Yarnell when it comes to learning the new offense. Yarnell is the guy, for now, and could prove that throughout camp. It's still something to watch though.
HOW STRONG IS THE OFFENSIVE LINE?
During his first press conference as Pitt's new offensive coordinator in February, Bell said that the offense's success will start in the trenches. That was a big reason that he brought offensive line coach Jeremy Darveau with him from Western Carolina.
They want to win the line of scrimmage, but if they can't, the Panthers will look to play fast, get the ball out of Yarnell's hands as quickly as possible and give defenses less time to think and react. If Bell's offense can tire out opponents, perfect offensive line play won't be needed. With running backs like Hammond Jr. and Reid, Pitt will also have the talent to run the ball, but the offensive line will need to create running lanes for the two talented backs.
However, the Panthers gave up 1.92 sacks per game last year and the 205 yards lost off sacks were the fifth-most in the ACC, so protecting the quarterback this season will be crucial. One of the most important things to watch in camp will be how well the line is conditioned and how cohesive they are as a unit as that will come into play throughout the season.
HOW DO THEY CREATE PRESSURE THIS SEASON?
Over the past few seasons, the Panthers have been known for getting to the quarterback but they only tallied 31 sacks last season, which was their lowest season total since 2017. Also, 14 of those sacks walked out the door in the offseason when Davon Hayes, Shayne Simon and Samuel Okunlola left. So, how do the Panthers replace that production?
New defensive coach Tim Daoust, who's replacing Colts defensive line coach Charlie Partridge, will be a big piece of that. In late May, Daoust said when he describes the players who will fill holes in the defensive line to people outside the program, he uses the word "unknown." But inside the program, there are a lot of young defensive linemen who are eager for an opportunity to produce. However, eagerness and production are two completely different things and defensive line production will play a big role in Pitt's success this season.
DO YOUTH AND TALENT PRODUCE AT LINEBACKER?
The offense is an exciting factor in what this team could be, but I'm also intrigued about the linebackers. Thompson is transferring in from Ohio and George is getting a chance to lead the room after producing 117 tackles throughout his career. But, guys like Bass, Lovelace and Biles are exciting as well. All three are sophomores with athleticism and they all could have an impact this year if given the opportunity.
The biggest question marks on defense are the line and the linebacker room, but if both groups can play up to their potential, the Panthers could turn in another solid year.
