The biggest news coming from the other side is that Bill Stull is expected to return at quarterback on Saturday after suffering a concussion and a stinger in Pitt's Oct. 25 game against Rutgers that kept him out of last weekend's quadruple-overtime victory over Notre Dame.

Stull returned to workouts for the first time yesterday, lifting weights and riding a stationary bike before suiting up for practice in pads. Stull, who has completed 60 percent of his passes for 1,562 yards, declared himself prepared to play for No. 25 Pitt (6-2, 2-1) against Louisville (5-3, 1-2) in a Big East Conference game at noon Saturday at Heinz Field.

"I don't think there's any doubt that I'm going to be ready to play," he said.

The U of L defense still ranks ninth in the country in rush defense, but the guy they're going to be asked to stop this week is kind of good.

I have the biggest non-Louisville man crush on Shady McCoy.

Looking for a reason to believe that has nothing to do with your team? Pitt is 0-3 in home games when nationally ranked under Dave Wannstedt.

Pitt (6-2, 2-1) is 0-3 at home under coach Dave Wannstedt when nationally ranked and has yet to beat Louisville (5-3, 1-2), which visits at noon Saturday, since the Cardinals joined the Big East three years ago.

"We need this win to erase some doubts about Pitt not playing well when we're in the national spotlight," fifth-year senior middle linebacker Scott McKillop said.

Wannstedt has no explanation for the lapses, other than to say that a few second-half mishaps in the season-opening loss to Bowling Green and the Oct. 25 defeat to Rutgers could have turned the tide to Pitt's favor. Then again, Pitt has won three games by a collective nine points.

Also, the Cards have topped the Panthers in seven straight meetings.

The Pitt secondary has struggled mightily at times this season, and as a result a number of players have been shuffling around in recent weeks.

Damnit. Ron didn't pick us.

Lastly, check out Pitt Blather periodically over the next couple of days for more Panther-centric stuff on the game.