PREDICTION: Pitt 35, Bowling Green 21.

LINE: Pitt by 13.

GAME TIME: Noon today

WHERE: Heinz Field

TV/RADIO: ESPNU; WWSW-FM (94.5), WBGG-AM (970); Pitt ISP Sports Network.

SERIES RECORD: Pitt leads, 2-0. The Panthers beat the Falcons in back-to-back seasons, winning, 30-10, on Sept. 4, 1999, and 34-16, on Sept. 9, 2000.

THE SETUP: The Panthers have won 10 of their last 11 season openers and are 25-2 all-time and undefeated at home against Mid-American Conference opponents. Bowling Green won at Minnesota, 32-21, in overtime in last season's opener.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Look for the main matchup to be between Pitt's defense, which finished fifth nationally last season, and Bowling Green's spread offense, which averaged 402.5 yards a game. The Panthers will try to exploit the Falcons, who gave up 207.8 rushing yards a game, with star sophomore tailback LeSean McCoy.

BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL

PITT

McCoy is the catalyst of the offense, but all eyes will be on the returns of redshirt junior quarterback Bill Stull, making his first start since a season-ending thumb injury in last year's opener, and former All-Big East receiver Derek Kinder. Defensively, the Panthers will try to win the battle at the line of scrimmage, with ends Greg Romeus and Jabaal Sheard providing a pass rush and taking pressure off the secondary.

BY THE NUMBERS

LeSean McCoy -- 276 carries for 1,328 yards, 14 TDs rushing

Scott McKillop -- 151 tackles (98 solo), nine sacks

BOWLING GREEN

The Falcons will come out winging it with Tyler Sheehan, who passed for 388 yards against Minnesota and 351 against Temple last year. His favorite target is Freddie Barnes, but all-purpose back Anthony Turner is dangerous no matter where he lines up. Defensively, Bowling Green is led by end Diyral Briggs (five sacks) and cornerback Kenny Lewis of Penn Hills.

BY THE NUMBERS

Tyler Sheehan -- Completed 303 of 476 passes for 3,264 yards with 23 TDs and 11 INTs last season

Freddie Barnes -- 82 receptions for 962 yards, 9 TDs

NEXT GAME

Sept. 6 -- Buffalo at Pitt, 6 p.m.

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