Head coach Dave Wannstedt’s University Pittsburgh Panthers were only a point away from playing in a BCS Bowl game losing to Cincinnati in the final game of the regular season. Pitt defeated North Carolina in the Meineke Car Care Bowl 19-17 to finish with a 10-3 record on the year. The school rewarded Wannstedt this past week with a two-year extension on a contract that will keep him tied to Pitt until 2014. The former Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins coach is looking to have another great season with the return of freshmen sensation running back Dion Lewis, wide out Jonathan Baldwin, and defensive end Jabaal Sheard. The Panthers expect Cincinnati and West Virgina to give them tough competition in the Big East, but Wannstedt’s team could be the favorites this year in the Big East.