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Friday, August 30, 2002

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The fall forecast calls for less time raking leaves and more Saturday and Sunday afternoons watching meaningful football games in Western Pennsylvania.

	Click image to view a 197K pdf of the football preview cover, with clickable links to stories

For pro football fans, PG Sports Writer Ed Bouchette says the Steelers have talent, depth, coaching, schedule and chemistry of a championship team. All they have to do is prove it.

There are signs that the other team that plays at Heinz Field, the University of Pittsburgh Panthers, anticipates breaking into the upper echelons of college football. Not next season or in five years. Now. PG Sports Writer Shelly Anderson assesses their chances.

Penn State had a strong finish at the end of last season. PG Sports Writer Ray Fittipaldo says avoiding another horrific start is the key to rebounding to the top of the Big Ten Conference this year.

In the district, PG Sports Writer Phil Axelrod says Duquesne University is awaiting a ruling from the NCAA to see if their top running back will return. The Robert Morris Colonials are retooling at quarterback. And Indiana University of Pennsylvania is favored to reach the Division II playoffs for the fifth consecutive season.

If that doesn't get you pumped up, PG Sports Writer Pete Aldrich has 12 more reasons to get excited about college football and PG Sports Writer Gerry Dulac unveils his NFL rankings, with a familiar team picked to win the Super Bowl.

Steelers
• Steelers in their favorite place

• Kordell must do it again to cash in

• Gerry Dulac ranks the NFL teams

  University of Pittsburgh

• Next stop is the top for Harris' Pitt football program

• Hayes is clearly making his mark

• With passing game shored up, Panthers poised for a big run

  Penn State University

• Penn State knows the key to the season is a successful start

• Kennedy out to prove Paterno's way can still work

  Duquesne University

• Duquesne's reign might depend on a ruling

  Robert Morris University

• Robert Morris has to retool at quarterback

  West Virginia University

• Mountaineers tired of talking

• Cobourne zeroes in on Amos' records

  District Colleges

• IUP has talent and tradition

• Senior QBs lead potent programs

  Big East Forecast

• Hurricanes clear choice to repeat in Big East

  Big Ten Forecast

• Conference crown might not help in BCS

  Division I Colleges

• 12 reasons to get excited

• QBs front and center in race for Heisman

• Here are 10 must-see games on the college schedule this year